LIEFELD/IMAGE REUNITE FOR YOUNGBLOOD HC/NEW SERIES

[MattBrady]

Comic books fans have been putting the internet clues together for the last few days and Wednesday evening it has been made official – Image Comics and founder/former partner Rob Liefeld have confirmed for Newsarama they will be reuniting for the first time in over a decade for the release of a hardcover collection of a “re-mastered, re-scripted, and re-imagined” version the original Image launch title Youngblood.

Described as the “definitive version” of Liefeld’s original story arc, the volume - a newly expanded version of the 2005 Maximum Youngblood collection – is set for release under the Image “i” later this year and will also feature a brand-new Joe Casey-written, Liefeld-drawn ending. Following that in January 2008 will be a brand new Image Comics monthly ongoing Youngblood series by Casey, artist Derec Donovan, and colorist Val Staples, with Liefeld providing covers.

According to Image, the new series features, “a new cast of familiar faces”, including Shaft, Badrock, DieHard, Cougar, Johnny Panic, Doc Rocket, plus an all-new character.

“No previous knowledge of past Youngblood comics is required”, reports Image of the new series. “This is an all-new story that picks up now and doesn't look back. If you're familiar with the past books - all the better – but you're not going to need much more than a working knowledge of the original concept to enjoy the hell out of this.”

Of course even Image Comics acknowledges Liefeld’s return to the company for these projects is somewhat unexpected. Largely credited as one of the key driving forces behind the formation of the company in 1992, Liefeld and Image parted ways in 1997 in controversial and in less-than-amicable fashion, and words and varying versions of events have been traded between Liefeld and some of his former founding partners in the years that followed…

“It's good to have Rob and his characters under the Image banner again,” said Image Executive Director Eric Stephenson. “Obviously, a lot of time has passed, but at the end of the day, the most important consideration in all of this is whether it's good for Image - and from Rob's perspective, whether it's good for him. We seem to be in agreement that this is a good thing for all involved."

Added founding member and current Image partner and Publisher Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), “Youngblood started at Image and kicked off the company in high gear. I really wouldn't want to see it continue anywhere else, and I'm sure fans will join me in enthusiastically welcoming Rob Liefeld and Youngblood back to the fold. 'Nuff said.”

As to the projects that will be released under this new accord…

“I've always felt Youngblood was a genuinely cool idea. In many ways, it's a precursor to series like he Authority and The Ultimates, and I think Joe Casey's the ideal custodian for these characters,” said Stephenson of the new series. “He has true enthusiasm for the concept and a clear vision of how to move it forward. And from what I've seen so far, Derec's the perfect choice to bring that vision to the page.”

“I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am that Youngblood is back home where it all started,” said Liefeld. “This is all extremely exciting working with Eric, Erik, Joe, and the gang at Image Comics.

“It was a long and winding road getting back here but there is no place that me and these characters would rather be!"

[Ace]

Best of luck and all but there's no way in hell this is still around in a year. At least not in any monthly fashion, and that's with Rob just doing covers.

[Generic Eric]

Rob Liefeld back at image, did hell freeze over? It will be interesting to see how well this does.

[idkidd]

Rob really does have 9 lives. I think this could be really cool IF Rob stays out of it. Let Joe Casey explore the potential of these characters by putting out a MONTHLY shipping book with consistent art. Rob on covers? Great. For the rest of it though, let's finally see what some talented professionals can take these characters and concepts.

[trence5]

Let the HATE COMMENCE..................

[DuncanHines]

I'm not a huge fan of Liefeld's work (I do enjoy it, though), but man, you gotta admire that dude's spirit. Almost everyone bashes the dude, and he always comes back and it's always FUN!
This... this sounds cool.

[KyleV]

Best of luck and all but there's no way in hell this is still around in a year. At least not in any monthly fashion, and that's with Rob just doing covers.

Oddly enough, I disagree. These are my reasons:

1) Rob (and his characters) still clearly have a following.

2) Joe Casey has a strong cult following himself.

3) Nostalgia.

As long as they're not waiting on Rob for anything other than covers (and even then they can get someone else), I see no reason why this won't last a year.

[NedPepper]

Heh...oh, man.

The comic industry is a funny place. When do we get to hear from Marc and Todd?

I guess it doesn't even matter anymore.

The question that remains: Is there really anyone left that remembers Youngblood? Or remembers it fondly enough to go back and try and weave themselves into the mess that Liefeld made of the that title? Are we getting Rob's Youngblood or Alan Moore's?

Apparently Joe Casey's. The thing is, Casey can probably make this work. Although, I, personally, have zero nostaglia for Youngblood.

Again, it should be interesting to see the response from this announcement to gauge fans' interest.

[ziza9]

Youngblood with an Image "I" on the cover. Wow. Good luck to all involved. I'll keep a look out for the new series when it hits next year.

[Ethan Van Sciver]

This is the best news I've ever heard in my entire life.

[seamonkey]

Very cool. I'd love to see as many of the Image characters reunited as possible and this is a great step. As controversial as the company was in the beginning, it was the source of the last big jolt of success the industry had and was a real shame when it gradually fell apart.

Best of luck to the Rob/Image reunion and here's hoping lots of fun comics are the result.

[POWRSURG]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

“No previous knowledge of past Youngblood comics is required”, reports Image of the new series. “This is an all-new story that picks up now and doesn't look back. If you're familiar with the past books - all the better – but you're not going to need much more than a working knowledge of the original concept to enjoy the hell out of this.”

Guess I'm off this then because I honestly don't remember a thing about Youngblood. I think I only have the first issue of the original series somewhere and that is it. Really surprised that this isn't mentioned in the article somewhere.

Yes, I can google for it. I am just surprised that they don't mention it anywhere.

[KyleV]

POWRSURG said: Guess I'm off this then because I honestly don't remember a thing about Youngblood. I think I only have the first issue of the original series somewhere and that is it. Really surprised that this isn't mentioned in the article somewhere.

But it said it starts from a clean break and goes forward. So why would not remembering anything be a problem? They specifically say you don't need to know anything.

[Sims]

Something about Youngblood has always appealed to me, now more than ever with Joe Casey writing it. So yeah, I'm really looking forward to this one.

[Brian Garside]

Having been burned by Rob Liefeld approximately 156 times in the past, will I buy this anyway?

Yeah, I likely will. Why? Because I'm dumb, and the promise of more Youngblood always appeals to my inner 11 year old.

[dudeabides]

The funny thing about Youngblood is that it has had so many re-workings and so many false starts that all it is an empty brand. There really is no concept behind it other than "superhero team," which is pretty general. But that could be a good thing under Joe Casey, who could work wonders with what are semi-appealing designs (I hesitate to call them characters) if he had the kind of carte blanche he has with work like Godhead.

[dudeabides]

Originally Posted by Brian Garside

Having been burned by Rob Liefeld approximately 156 times in the past, will I buy this anyway?

Yeah, I likely will. Why? Because I'm dumb, and the promise of more Youngblood always appeals to my inner 11 year old.

Two reasons I think this instance is different: a) He isn't publishing it himself, Image is; b) Liefeld has very limited involvement, with a different artist doing interiors and Casey writing it.

So I think this has more of a chance of making it through than any other attempt in the past.

I just wish the Alan Moore/ Steve Skroce run could have run its course.

[God-Man]

I'll believe it when I see it. And when I see it, I won't buy it.

[sexyjesus]

Joe Casey did wonders with other Liefeld creations, so I'm willing to take the chance. Also, as stupid as this is, I like Liefeld. He's a really nice guy. His art is atrocious, but he is a genuinely nice guy. The few times I met him, he always remembered me, and we always shared a few laughs. I'll try it just for him.

Oh, and its Godland, and its BEAUTIFUL.

[Bob LeFevre]

I can't wait for this book to come out. I've been waiting for this since 97!!!

[Miracloman]

Originally Posted by trence5

Let the HATE COMMENCE..................

Not from me. I am far from being one of his fan,but I will always say that the comic industry owes Liefield (and the others founding fathers of Image for that matter) a big debt of gratitude.

[hlbimage]

Originally Posted by DuncanHines

I'm not a huge fan of Liefeld's work (I do enjoy it, though), but man, you gotta admire that dude's spirit. Almost everyone bashes the dude, and he always comes back and it's always FUN!
This... this sounds cool.

That doesn't kills you can make you feel stronger.

[Linkara]

Sorry to say all I know of Youngblood is the first issue, which I made fun of on Atop the Fourth Wall, plus Badrock #1, which will also be made fun of.

It kind of makes me sad Rob won't be doing the artwork - we won't get to see Diehard's crotch attack!

[ThomasC22]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

“I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am that Youngblood is back home where it all started,” said Liefeld. “This is all extremely exciting working with Eric, Erik, Joe, and the gang at Image Comics.

Let me pull out my handy-dandy translator and...

“I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am that someone will still publish Youngblood now that I've tanked so many times that no one trusts my track record enough to help me fund yet another new comic company” said Liefeld. “I'm extremely pleased that Eric, Erik, Joe, and the gang at Image Comics somehow got Silvestri to agree to work under the same company banner as me again.

Originally Posted by KyleV

As long as they're not waiting on Rob for anything other than covers (and even then they can get someone else), I see no reason why this won't last a year.

This I think is the main point, Rob has virtually nothing to do with this. He isn't writing it, isn't drawing it, isn't inking it and the covers can easily be done by someone else if they need to be.

I don't know if it will sell but I'd say this has as good a chance as any of coming out continuously and on time.

[mikeyg]

Originally Posted by Ethan Van Sciver

This is the best news I've ever heard in my entire life.

HELL YEAH!! CAN I quote that in my sig, ah screw it, Im already putting it in.

Awesome, this is the best news ever, Hell has frozen over, I LOVE IT!!!