Jake the dog and Finn the human on Adventure Time are best buds. But what the new Adventure Time comic book from Oni Press, written and drawn by Nick Winn presupposes is: what if they weren’t? Or rather, what could possibly drive a wedge between the two most mathematical dudes around?
“I did want to explore their friendship a bit more and asked the question ‘If they’re best buds, can anything separate them?'” Winn told Comic Book Club over email. “What if they had different thoughts about what it meant to adventure? How would that affect the dynamic?”
The new Adventure Time hits next week, and before you panic about the band breaking up, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the first delightful issue (you can read our advance review for more). You’ve got tons of Princesses, an Ice King or two (or one), and all the fun and joy of the land of OOO. To find out more about the book, read on.
Comic Book Club: There are obviously not just a lot of Adventure Time episodes, but also a lot of comics. Adding to the pressure, this is a new #1. So what was your take here? What was your in to the world?
Nick Winn: I guess my take was going back to what drew me into the show when I was in middle school. Two best buds going on wacky adventures! However, I did want to explore their friendship a bit more and asked the question “If they’re best buds, can anything separate them?” What if they had different thoughts about what it meant to adventure? How would that affect the dynamic? I think this new #1 brings audience into the familiar while also allowing for a fresh new perspective on the duo.
Even more broadly, what is it about this world that keeps drawing people back?
Maybe the density of OOO? There are so many characters with such amazing and intricate storylines throughout the show and comics that you can’t help but want to follow their lives as events play out. Not just with Finn, Jake and the main cast but also the small people like Tiffany, Abracadaniel and Trudy (I freakin’ HATE Trudy!).
You’ve got both writing and art duties here… What do you approach first? Or both at the same time?
Both! Because Oni Press and WB need scripts first, I usually start with that. Although, I will thumbnail and concept characters and interactions to make sure everything looks right before I tackle the art. I love writing but I’m still an artist at heart so if I can get in a drawing here and there while writing I’m gonna do it.
How free are you to forge your own path, given how immersive the continuity is with the franchise? Sorry to sound like a businessman.
Hold up let me put on my stylish yet versatile cool grey blazer complete with executive business laser pointer. *Laser points the cartoonishly big white board* Hi, Sharks. To answer your question, Megan Brown and Jung Lee, two fantastic editors at Oni Press, asked me to pitch whatever I wanted. The one caveat they had was it had to focus on Finn and Jake. I thought that starting over with familiar settings and jokes that introduced Finn and Jake in the early Cartoon Network episodes would help ease people in to a new story following the two best buds. The land of OOO is so big I wanted to bring new areas and faces to OOO while keeping the wackiness and fun tone the show brought to me when I was younger.
To offset my businessman question: Jake and Finn are best buds. What’s your best tip for a good hang time with your best bud?
Let me take off my blazer and put my PJ’s back on. Hmmmm my best tip would probably be chill out and go with the flow. Sometimes you can plan something and another idea pops up last minute. If everyone is cool with that and you didn’t pay for a fancy schmancy reservation then I’d say change plans! Or a fun movie and pizza is always a go to. I just watched “Love on Delivery” by Stephen Chow with some buds and it changed my life haha!
What can you tease about the series as it continues?
Finn and Jake’s friendship is gonna get put to the test! Are they really best buds or were they just Joshing!? We’ll also get to see some familiar faces as well as some fresh new friends, family members and villains for Finn and Jake to take on. One of my favorite issues introduces you to more of Jake’s family members so stay tuned!
Adventure Time #1 hits comic book stores on April 9, 2025 from Oni Press.
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