YOUNGBLOOD returns under the helm of creator Rob Liefeld

Back in 2019, comic creator Rob Liefeld revealed in a Facebook post that he no longer owned Youngblood, the first comic he did after famously leaving Marvel to help create Image in order to, essentially, ensure that he would always own his own creations. After more than seven years away from the characters he created, it looks like Liefeld is getting the proverbial band back together. Today it was announced Liefeld would be returning to write and illustrate a new Youngblood series beginning in 2025.

It was also revealed that Liefled would reunite with Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, CEO of Platinum Studios Inc., which manages Youngblood for the property’s owner Rip Media Inc., for more Youngblood related projects including “a Youngblood Vault Edition representing high resolution scans of the original art from the first Youngblood series in a deluxe oversized hardcover, as well as a Facsimile Edition of Youngblood #1 to mark the title’s 33rd anniversary in April 2025, both to be published by Image Comics.

Full details and press release below:

Youngblood, the comic book that launched the Image Revolution and established Image Comics as a new force in comic book publishing, is returning with its creator, Rob Liefeld, at the helm. 

After seven years away from Youngblood, THE multi-million best-selling comic book, Liefeld is reunited with not only his most high-profile creator-owned characters but also with Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, who first teamed with the prolific creator during the formation of Image Comics in April 1992. Rosenberg is CEO of Platinum Studios Inc., which manages Youngblood for the property’s owner, Rip Media Inc. 

Youngblood followed Liefeld’s break-out success at Marvel, where he created and established Deadpool, Cable, and X-Force as top-selling characters, reflecting his unique brand of graphic storytelling and dynamic character design. It smashed sales records, becoming the first independent non-Marvel, non-DC Comic title to chart at #1 and sell over one million copies. The original Youngblood miniseries sold over 25 million copies worldwide, and its publication history spans over 100 issues with featured contributions throughout its run from celebrated top comic talents such as Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) Alan Moore (Watchmen, Supreme), and Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, The Kingsmen). 

For his part, Liefeld is eager to embrace the legacy of the comic, characters and company: “It’s so great that I can run into the comfort of characters that I created, that launched a movement. They carry such history. I love Youngblood so much. These characters are my absolute passion.” 

Rosenberg added: “Rob and I are a fantastic team, and I’m as excited now for Youngblood’s relaunch as I was in 1992 for its initial launch. The team’s awesome characters have not only been in their own Youngblood comics, but also appeared in more than 100 million comic publications worldwide, including crossovers with Marvel and other Image comics. I’m excited to bring them to audiences old and new with their original creator, Rob Liefeld.”

Rosenberg and Liefeld are combining to create new Youngblood media and merchandise, kicking off with a brand-new title written and illustrated by Liefeld himself, set to launch from Image Comics in 2025.

“As our company’s very first comic, Youngblood set the course not just for Image Comics, but for creator-owned comics, so we couldn’t be more thrilled that Rob is returning to his signature creation,” said Image Comics Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Eric Stephenson. “Rob’s vision for these characters and this concept is what originally attracted me to Image Comics way back in the 1990s, so it’s especially exciting that the series that started it all is finally coming home!”

Liefeld and Rosenberg promise more details in the weeks ahead, but initial plans include a Youngblood Vault Edition representing high resolution scans of the original art from the first Youngblood series in a deluxe oversized hardcover, as well as a Facsimile Edition of Youngblood #1 to mark the title’s 33rd anniversary in April 2025, both to be published by Image Comics.