IDW Publishing has announced that the lifelong rivalry between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence is heading out of the dojo and into comic book stores this fall with the upcoming series Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues.
Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues will be written by Denton J. Tipton (The X-Files) and illustrated by Kagan McLeod (Infinite Kung Fu). and promises to tell new stories set within the continuity of the YouTube Premium original series.
The first arc, ‘Johnny’ Story’ will retell the events of The Karate Kid through the eyes of Johnny Lawrence, two-time All Valley Tournament champion. When the new kid makes moves on the girl that broke Johnny’s heart, he vows to settle the score and win back his love… or so goes the story Sensei Lawrence tells his students nearly 35 years later.
“I saw The Karate Kid for the first time during a lock-in at the Y. The skeleton costumes captured my attention, while the Miyagi-isms pulled me into the story. And like everyone else at the time, I caught Karate Kid fever. Fast-forward 35 years, and being just a small part of the franchise has made me feel young and inspired all over again,” says Tipton.
“Cobra Kai has been a revelation to new and longtime fans alike,” adds IDW Sr. Director of Licensing & Business Development, Eric Moss. “With its complex, layered characters and perfect blend of nostalgia and freshness, it begs for more stories—and IDW is honored to enter the ring. The action and philosophies of martial arts are tailor-made for comics, and, just like a bonsai, we look forward to firmly planting our roots in that world and branching off into wondrous new directions.”
