DC Comics’ Hanna-Barbera revival begins next week, and the publisher has assembled a perfect creative team for the flagship title, Future Quest. Writer Jeff Parker, artist Evan “Doc” Shaner, and colorist Jordie Bellaire have done exceptional work together in the past on books like Flash Gordon and Convergence: Shazam, proving they have a strong understanding of how to interpret classic characters for modern audiences without losing sight of the qualities that made these properties popular in the first place. They have a formidable challenge with this new project, which has them bringing various Hanna-Barbera franchises together in one sprawling crossover series, but their past work together proves that they’re more than qualified to tell this ambitious story.
These preview pages of Future Quest #1 detail the last stand of the Space Force against the Omnikron, beginning the issue with a rush of thrilling energy as the cosmic police force bands together to stop a planetary threat. Shaner is heavily influenced by the work of Alex Toth, who originally designed many of the characters appearing in Future Quest, and he gets the opportunity to lean into that influence with this title. The action in these preview pages is smooth and powerful, the environment is full of textured detail, and the characters are expressive and boldly designed. Bellaire’s rich coloring elevates the already impressive artwork, immediately establishing a tense atmosphere with the contrast of warm and cool colors on the page before pumping up the heat for the sequence’s big explosive moment. There’s immense artistry on display here, and it will be a delight to see that talent applied to characters like Space Ghost, Jonny Quest, The Herculoids, and many, many more.