Dynamite Entertainment‘s ThunderCats comic is a tremendous success by any metric. Critically acclaimed, the first issue also sold over 180,000 copies. Indeed, the comic has sold so well that Dynamite has ordered a second printing, with a variant of the first printing’s Rob Liefeld cover.
Rob Liefeld’s cover for the first printing depicted the ThunderCats leader, Lion-O, with the faces of Tygra, Panthro and Cheetara behind him. The variant cover for the second printing presents this cover with a unique “peel” effect. This showcases the original pencils, in contrast to the inks and colors of the original.
The special Rob Liefeld variant cover can be viewed below.
ThunderCats Comic a Tribute to Original Series
Based on the original ThunderCats cartoon, Dynamite’s comic is both a love letter to the classic series and a reboot of the original concept. The series focuses on the titular feline heroes, as they escape the destruction of their homeworld, Thundera. Taking refuge on the distant planet of Third Earth, they fight enemies old and new in the struggle for survival.
This is the same plot that informed the early episodes of the animated series. However, the first issue has some twists that raise the stakes and change the original story considerably. These changes have built considerable excitement for the second issue of ThunderCats.
“It’s incredibly rewarding that the fans and retailers have supported this so well,” said Dynamite CEO Nick Barrucci, regarding the ThunderCats’ first issue. Barrucci noted this showing is even more impressive considering its unseasonable premiere. “January and February have not had as many strong launches, and it’s why in our optimism that this series would do well, we launched it in February instead of pushing it to the late sprint/early summer.”
The second printing of ThunderCats #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on March 13, 2024.
