Disney’s TaleSpin is being revived as a comic by Dynamite Entertainment, written by Amanda Deibert, with art by Carlo Lauro, and lettering by Jeff Eckleberry. Like the 1990 cartoon it is based on, the book reimagines Disney’s version of Baloo from The Jungle Book as a cargo pilot, who lives in a port city with other talking bears.
TaleSpin #1 cover A, by Cat Staggs
The official synopsis says, “Higher For Hire is… well, hired… to bring in Cape Suzette’s newest resident: Skye Ryder. But the job’s interrupted by air pirates led by the dastardly Don Karnage! Can Baloo and Kit shake the pirates and get their mysterious passenger to safety, or is it curtains for the pilots of the Sea Duck?! Fans will have to find out by jumping onboard this high-flyin’ adventure series soaring this summer.”
Deibert comments, “I am so thrilled to be once again teaming up with the incredible Carlo Lauro as we get to play in the world of beloved Disney Afternoon cartoons and take things to new heights! Pun very much intended.” The writer previously teamed up with Lauro on Dynamite’s Darkwing Duck series in 2023.
The book will mark the first TaleSpin comics series since 1991, and the first overall for the show since the end of the magazine Disney Adventures (which featured many TaleSpin strips) in 2007. Many of these have been reprinted in Fantagraphics’ collections of comics based on shows that aired as part of the Disney Afternoon block.
Issue #1 will be released in August with covers featuring art by Lauro, Cat Staggs, and Disney itself. Blind bags, each containing three mystery variants, will also be available. The book marks Dynamite’s second Disney cartoon announcement of the week for August, following the reveal that the Gargoyles comic will be relaunched that month. In the meantime, the company’s new Lilo & Stitch series, 626, will begin on Wednesday, May 24, and its new Aladdin comic will begin on June 24.
Cover B by Carlo Lauro
Cover C featuring classic art
Blind bag design featuring art by Lauro
