There was a point in the mainstream American comic book industry where it was fairly commonplace to see issue #50 of a series. Now, in the days of frequent relaunches and an emphasis on miniseries over ongoings, it’s something of a rarity — and thus BOOM! Studios is looking to commemorate the 50th issue of its popular and acclaimed BOOM! Box series, Lumberjanes, with an oversized issue and multiple variant covers, seen first on CBR.
Lumberjanes #50 is scheduled for release in May 2018, and features a main story by writers Shannon Watters & Kat Leyh and artist Dozerdraws, plus a short story illustrated by series co-creator Brooklyn Allen. The issue’s main cover is illustrated by Leyh, along with two connecting variants by Veronica Fish (Slam, Archie) and a wraparound variant cover joining both images by Fish.
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Lumberjanes #50 main cover by Kat Leyh
Here’s the publisher’s description of the issue: “Join April, Mal and Ripley as they make several very cool and also pretty gross discoveries deep in the tunnels beneath the Mess Hall. Up above in the civilized world, Jo and Molly join Emily, Diane, and the Zodiac cabin for a fun and totally chill game of total world conquest!”
“It remains stunning that the series has made it this far,” Watters, Lumberjanes co-creator and head editor of the BOOM! Box imprint, said in a statement. “I’m humbled every day by the chance that we’ve been given because readers embraced and loved this series and these characters. What a gift, what a journey. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Lumberjanes, which depicts Mal, Ripley, Molly, April and Jo’s adventures at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types, debuted in April 2014 from series creators Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn A. Allen and Noelle Stevenson. It was one of the first titles of the publisher’s BOOM! Box imprint, which was intended to reach beyond traditional comic book readers with inclusive, experimental and optimistic series.
Lumberjanes #50 wraparound variant by Veronica Fish
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The series quickly became a success, and has won two Eisner Awards, along with inspiring a middle-grade novel series from Abrams. A Lumberjanes film is in development at 20th Century Fox, which owns a minority stake in BOOM! Studios.
“We would not have been able to make it to 50 issues of Lumberjanes if it wasn’t for the readers that have found, read, and supported the book,” BOOM! Studios editor Dafna Pleban said in a statement. “This comic is a labor of love comic born of love — for best friends, for making memories and, most importantly, for who you are inside. We’re celebrating 50 issues of friendship in the way that only Mal, Ripley, Molly, April and Jo can… which means Lumberjanes #50 is gonna be unlike any anniversary comic you’ve ever read.”
Lumberjanes #50 is scheduled for release in May from BOOM! Studios.
Lumberjanes #50 connecting variant by Veronica Fish
Lumberjanes #50 connecting variant by Veronica Fish