During San Diego Comic Con this year it was announced that Little Nemo, the influential comic strip that ran from 1905 until 1926 (under a variety of different publishers) would be revived through IDW courtesy of Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez.
Shanowar has been hard at work with his Oz graphic novels and Age of Bronze (the former having been published by IDW/Marvel) but Little Nemo is a series that is near and dear to his heart. During the IDW panel at SDCC, he explained a little bit of what we’re going to see in this new iteration of the character:
Little Nemo is going to be a new child from modern day, but Slumberland is going to be the same as it was back then. King Morpheus of Slumberland is going to send the Candy Kid to get Nemo to come and be the princess’s new playmate just like the original Little Nemo was sent to become.. But unlike back then, this Little Nemo doesn’t really think becoming a playmate for the princess is such a hot idea and conflict ensues.”
Rodriguez on the other hand is in the process of winding down Locke & Key but he’s hoping that people will enjoy his take on the character as well:
“I don’t think we’re going to be able to match the original ‘Little Nemo’ by Winsor McCay. It’s a classic strip and I don’t think it’s been matched much in 110 years of comics history. We’re not trying to redo ‘Little Nemo’ exactly as it was and beat Winsor McCay. I think that’s a losing proposition.”
That’s not the only Little Nemo we’re going to be seeing this year though. Locust Moon Press is planning on releasing Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, an anthology book that will feature a wide variety of comic talents giving their spin on the character.
Slated to take part in this anthology are Dean Haspiel (American Splendor), Geof Darrow (Hard Boiled), Paul Pope (THB), Bill Sienkiewicz (New Mutants), Neal Adams (Batman), Peter Bagge (Neat Stuff), Farel Dalrymple (Pop Gun War), Brandon Graham (King City), Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl), John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men), Jim Rugg (Street Angel), Becky Cloonan (Fabulous Killjoys), Scott Morse (Soulwind), Camilla d’Errico (Make 5 Wishes), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), J.G. Jones (Wanted), Chrissie Zullo (Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love), and Mark Buckingham (Fables).
What are your thoughts on the Little Nemo revival? We’re you a fan of the original? Which series are you looking forward to the most? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
