Disney Masterpiece Returning With a Prequel Story, and We Have The First Look

In 2024, Disney released a prequel to The Lion King, specifically 2019's "live-action" version of the animated classic from 1994, called Mufasa: The Lion King, which followed the rise of the eponymous character (this time voiced by Aaron Pierre) from a lost cub to a mighty leader. However — for many of the same reasons that Jon Favreau's remake was criticized, such as the off-putting photo-realistic depictions of the talking animal characters — director Barry Jenkins' follow-up was not a huge hit with critics. Luckily, the story is receiving another chance at expanding its lore in a new medium.

From Dynamite Entertainment comes The Lion King #1, which is the first issue in a new comic book series set in the world of one of the most beloved Disney animated movies from directors Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers. Instead of a continuation that features a grown-up Simba following his ascent to the throne, this story takes place during his days as a cub. The comic, taking place before Scar rose to prominence by usurping the throne from his brother, Mufasa, depicts the still-living king's adventures with his young son, Simba, as he teaches him what it means to be the leader of the animal kingdom. That even includes firsthand experience in learning the responsibility of protecting the Pride Lands.

The author of this new tale inspired by The Lion King, which itself was inspired by the William Shakespeare play, Hamlet, is Edwin Galmon, who also serves as the artist for the series. In fact, the creator is best known for his illustrations in titles such as Mr. Terrific: Year One for DC Comics and Storm: Lifedream with Marvel. He also previously worked with Dynamite Entertainment on a run based on The Terminator and a recent comic based on Lilo & Stitch, which is another beloved Disney animated movie that received the live-action treatment in 2025.

Galmon also designed one of four variant covers for the first issue of The Lion King. The rest come from Meghan Hetrick DC's Bodies and Black Panther fame, Plastic Man artist Jacob Edgar and Giulia Lomurno, who previously specialized in drawing Disney-inspired re-imaginings of classic superhero characters.

The Lion King Has Previously Lived On In Comic Book Form

Dynamite's new wild comic book is not only the latest example of The Lion King receiving a prequel, following the aforementioned Mufasa: The Lion King. It is also only the latest time that the Disney classic has been expanded upon with a comic book series.

In 1994, Marvel put out a direct graphic novelization of the film that was told in two issues. Over the next two years, the publishing giant released a series all about Simba's friends, a meerkat named Timon and his warthog companion, Pumbaa, which was also inspired by their animated spin-off TV show that began airing in 1995.

In 2019, Disney collaborated with Dark Horse on an anthology graphic novel called The Lion King: Wild Schemes and Catastrophes, which was a collection of stories that also focused on Simba's adventures as a cub, as well as those of other important side characters, and was released as a tie-in to the live-action remake. Four years later, Dynamite released its first comic based on the property, which was also a prequel that focuses primarily on the origins of Scar.

The Lion King #1 hits the shelves on Nov. 19, 2025.