Marvel and Disney Publishing have announced that they will debut DISNEY•MUPPETS PRESENTS: MEET THE MUPPETS in July 2011. This 96 page comic will be giant-sized (8” x 10 ¾”) and will feature Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and the Muppet gang.
The stories and cover are from acclaimed writer/artist Roger Langridge (Thor: The Mighty Avenger), and the comic will retail for $5.99 and is suitable for all ages.
From the press release:
In DISNEY•MUPPETS PRESENTS: MEET THE MUPPETS, the gang plans to revive their variety show and bring back favorite sketches like “Pigs in Space” and “Veterinarian’s Hospital.” Meanwhile, Kermit misses the swamp, and the gang tries to cheer him up. Fozzy [sic] revamps his standup act, but everything he tries gets the same boos as his original routine. Scooter attempts to figure out once and for all what species Gonzo belongs to. And a psychic tells Miss Piggy she’s going to lose something green.
“Together with Disney Publishing, we’re extremely excited to bring the Muppets to the comics world and continue to grow their audience” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Entertainment Editor-in-Chief. “Marvel will ensure that DISNEY•MUPPETS PRESENTS will be available at all retail segments for its cross-generational fan base. The Muppets are some of the most beloved pop culture icons ever, so we can’t wait for fans to experience these great stories from Roger Langridge.”
This looks like it will be an incredible year for Muppet fans. The first theatrically released Muppet movie since Muppets from Space will be released in November, and now Disney is continuing to entertain fans with a new comic. The best part is how the story will reference the skits from the incredibly funny Muppet Show. Who can forget “Veterinarian’s Hospital” (the continuing story of a quack who’s gone to the dogs) or “Pigs in Space”?
However, though the press release makes no mention of it, this is possibly a reprint of the 2009 Meet the Muppets Graphic Novel. The story, cover artwork, and writer all appear to be the same. I suppose even if it is a reprint, it will give new fans an opportunity to see the Muppets in all their variety show glory, and that is never a bad thing.
One can assume there will be appearances by the Swedish Chef, Sam the Eagle, and of course Statler and Waldorf. The presence of the two hecklers is a necessity at any Muppet production, whether it’s a film or a comic book version of their antics.
The cover artwork (which may not be the final image, considering it IS the cover of the 2009 comic I mentioned) shows all of the characters I’ve already listed plus Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem band (Janice, Zoot, Floyd and Animal), Beaker, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Rizzo the Rat, Camilla the Chicken . . . and the list goes on.
It’s time to meet the Muppets!