33 Years Later, Rob Liefeld's Youngblood Just Pulled Off an Incredible Feat

Deadpool and Cable creator Rob Liefeld's Youngblood Deluxe #1 has completely sold out at the distributor level, with Image Comics rushing it back to print to meet increasing demand. The debut issue's second printing will arrive in comic book shops on May 28.

The original Youngblood series launched in 1992, and many are now embracing the opportunity to dive back into the world of the eponymous superhero team. "Pinch me. Youngblood selling out again 33 years later?" Liefeld stated. "As usual, the audience tells the tale, and they have spoken. More Youngblood it is, then! What a kick," the acclaimed comic book creator added. Beginning with Youngblood Deluxe #1, which arrived on April 16, the Deluxe releases present the iconic Youngblood single issues that took the comic industry by storm three decades ago, but re-scripted, re-colored, re-lettered, and remastered to take the reader's experience to the next level.

Youngblood Deluxe #1

• Written by ROB LIEFELD
• Art by ROB LIEFELD
• Cover A by Liefeld
• Cover B foil by Liefeld
• Cover C 1:25 black & white copy incentive by Liefeld

Youngblood Deluxe #1 took readers back into the world of Badrock, Shaft, Die-Hard, Vogue, Sentinel, Riptide, Cougar, Chapel, and more. Following the Youngblood Deluxe announcement earlier this year, Liefeld stated that the upcoming releases offer the best means to reintroduce the characters into public consciousness. "This is the ultimate way to experience Youngblood," he said. "These characters mean so much to me, and to revisit them like this is the absolute best way to read the comic that literally started the revolution and transformed the industry!"

The Youngblood Deluxe releases are only part of Liefeld and Image Comics' reinvigorated franchise collaboration. As part of the partnership, which will release new media and merchandise featuring the team of heroes, Liefeld will write and illustrate a brand-new Youngblood title, set to arrive sometime this year.

Rob Liefeld's Fan-Favorite Youngblood Series

The Youngblood superhero team debuted in a backup feature in 1987's RAMM #1 before appearing the following month in the one-shot story Megaton Explosion #1. In April 1992, Youngblood got its ongoing series, becoming a flagship title for Image Comics and its wider Image Universe. The franchise has been revived over the years, with most iterations seeing the team of superheroes working for the U.S. government.

Credited with launching the 'Image Revolution' that established Image Comics as a major industry player, the commercially successful and critically acclaimed Youngblood series has, over the years, featured the contributions of top creators such as The Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman, Watchmen's Alan Moore, and Kick-Ass's Mark Millar.

Youngblood Deluxe #1's second printing will arrive on May 28, one week after Youngblood Deluxe #2 hits comic book shelves on May 21.

Source: Image Comics