They say that “Ohana” means “family,” and “family” means no IP gets left behind. But the good news here is that Dynamite Entertainment is expanding its Disney comics line with a new Lilo & Stitch ongoing series. And not only that, superstar Greg Pak is writing, with art by Giulia Giacomino.
“The Lilo & Stitch movie blew me away back in the day with its gorgeous, organic animation and its hugely fun sci-fi elements,” Pak said via a press release provided to Comic Book Club. “But above all else, I loved its focus on the everyday struggles of an incredibly relatable family on the edge and a little girl and a little monster who somehow manage to save each other. It’s a thrill to have the chance to work on this new series with this tremendous team.”
The new comic will pick up after the events of the original, 2002 animated film. Stitch, the alien monster won over by Elvis and surfing, is living happily with Lilo. Also in the mix? Lilo’s sister Nani, Nani’s boyfriend David, the aliens Dr. Jumba and Agent Pleakley, and social worker Cobra Bubbles. In the first arc of the ongoing, all-ages series, giant robots come for Stitch’s indestructible DNA. So Stitch and presumably Lilo leave their home in Hawaii to make an epic journey around the world.
Cover artists for the first issue include David Nakayama, Joshua Middleton, Jennifer L. Meyer, and Craig Rousseau.
Another Sequel, Though The First In Comics
This is far from the first sequel to hit the franchise. Since the movie was a surprise hit in 2002, launching a hit soundtrack and a bevy of products, Disney spat out a ton of continuations. There was Stitch! The Movie, which spun out into Lilo & Stitch: The Series… And another TV movie, Leroy & Stitch. Then there was Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, Stitch! The Anime, and Stitch & Ai. There’s also a live-action version coming from Disney, which has been mired in controversy thanks to what has been referred to as colorist casting.
Back to the comic, though, which is the first of its kind. Greg Pak knows his way around aliens, all-ages comics, and giant robots in particular thanks to his runs on Incredible Hulk, Mech Cadet Yu, and many, many others. Giacomino is making her penciling debut on this title after coloring books for Dynamite and honing her craft at Mirka Andolfo’s Arancia Studio.
Lilo & Stitch #1 will be released by Dynamite in January 2024 at a specific date TBA.
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