Iconic '80s Sci-Fi Movie Sequel Officially Gets A First Look

Over forty years after the release of the classic science fiction film, The Last Starfighter, the story will finally have an official sequel, in the form of a comic book miniseries from Mad Cave Studios.

The original film was directed by Nick Castle and written by Jonathan Betuel, and Betuel is involved in this new project, as well, along with producer Paul Davidson. The new series will be written by Benjamin Raab and Deric A. Hughes, and drawn by Willi Roberts, with colors by Francesco Segala and letters by Rob Jones.

CBR has an exclusive first look at the covers for the striking Taurin Clarke main cover of the first issue of the series, as well as the powerful Rahzzah variant cover (there will also be variant covers by other star comic book artists, like David LaFuente and Stephanie Hans).

What is the official solicitation for the new project?

Mad Cave released the following solicitation for the first issue of the series, which will be released in July...

Small-town teenager Alex Rogan has already saved multiple worlds. But that was only the beginning of his story. Forty years after the cult-classic movie that pioneered CGI and inspired generations of fans, an all-new story picks up from the end credits and takes off for the stars! Now the leader…and sole member…of the Star League, Alex must rebuild the galaxy’s only defense force against Xur and the Ko-Dan Armada. Introducing a new cast of Starfighters alongside fan-favorite faces—and new killers and cutthroats in the shadowy employ of the Ko-Dan—The Last Starfighter #1 launches a sci-fi legacy to new heights!

What do the creators of The Last Starfighter comic book have to say about the new project?

In a Mad Cave press release, the co-writers Benjamin Raab and Deric A. Hughes, as well as the artist, Willi Roberts, all spoke of their enthusiasm for this new series. Raab noted, "Back in the ‘80s, The Last Starfighter was the ultimate fantasy for every kid who grew up playing arcade games. Each quarter we fed into those machines was a ticket to a galaxy where we got to be the heroes of our own stories. It was the kind of wish-fulfillment that children of all ages can still relate to today. As a lifelong fan of the movie, I’m honored to be a part of the team continuing this adventure for a new generation of Starfighters, both young and old.”

Hughes added, “In the movie The Last Starfighter, Alex Rogan is told that when an opportunity comes your way, you've got to grab it with both hands and hold on tight! So when the fine folks at Mad Cave, along with Paul Davidson and creator Jonathan Betuel himself, asked us if we'd like to help craft an exciting new spacefaring tale with the characters Alex, Maggie, Grig, and Centauri vs. the Ko-Dan Armada, that's exactly what Ben and I did. And now, we hope our story inspires you enough to grab a copy with both hands and hold on tight, too."

Roberts is equally excited, “When I was contacted to work on The Last Starfighter, I was really excited. I remember watching that movie as a very young child, and when we discussed with the team everything we could contribute to this story to make it grow, I understood that we had a great franchise in front of us. When I told my colleagues, they all had a great affection for that movie. So I can guarantee that it will be a sequel that will bring a lot of mixed emotions and a great sense of adventure.”

The Last Starfifghter #1 is due out on July 1.