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Gee, those folks over at Mad Cave comics sure know how to hit you in the nostalgia, don't they? feels like just yesterday that we were talking about their official sequel to Disney's The Sword in the Stone, and now, they're setting their sights on a different kind of Gen X kid. Mad Cave Studios will be publishing an official comic book sequel to cult classic The Last Starfighter - from the same people that brought you the original movie.

The news comes from an official Mad Cave announcement published September 17, which not only revealed the upcoming comics' creative team - that is, writers Benjamin Raab and Deric A. Hughes, interior artist Willi Roberts, and colorist Francesco Segala - but also let fans in on the fact that the film's original writer Jonathan Betuel and producer Paul Davidson will be taking creative lead of the project.

In case you aren't aware, the original 1984 Last Starfirghter film told the story of hapless Alex Rogan, an early gamer whose expertise in a particular arcade game made him the ideal candidate to fight a real-life, intergalactic war for a distant alien species. Reportedly, the comic book follow-up will pick up directly after the events of the movie, continuing Alex's saga into the unknown.

"The Last Starfighter is a property that is near and dear to many of us here at Mad Cave,” said Mike Marts, EVP & editor-in-chief of Mad Cave. "We’re truly honored to be the ones bringing this revered IP back to comic shelves everywhere." 

"I'm thrilled to be collaborating with the stellar team at Mad Cave and Paul Davidson," echoed Betuel, "To elevate Starfighter into the multiverse. [...] Long overdue, we’re all eager to chronicle the Herculean undertaking of Alex Rogan as he finds himself charged with rebuilding the legendary starfighter legion."

"Into the multiverse," you say? Whatever could that mean, Jonathan? I guess we'll just have to pick up the book to find out. Mad Cave's The Last Starfighter #1 is slated for release June 2026. 

Get ready for what's next with our guide to upcoming comics, how to buy comics at a comic shop, and our guide to Free Comic Book Day 2025.