It’s been more than 30 years since The Lion King changed the face of animation. The 1994 film remains Disney’s purest expression of hand-drawn spectacle — a sweeping Shakespearean story about destiny and identity told through groundbreaking visuals and Elton John’s soaring score.
For many, it was the pinnacle of Disney’s Renaissance, and its influence has never waned.
That first roar echoed through decades of sequels and reinterpretations. The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998) carried the saga forward briefly, while The Lion King 1½ (2004) added humor and meta-commentary, courtesy of comic duo Timon and Pumbaa.
But even after the 2019 remake, which grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide, and the recent prequel Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) tried to rebuild the myth with photorealistic technology and new lore, audiences still seem to look back to the hand-painted savanna that started it all.
Now, a new project will make that canon official again. Flickering Myth reported in September that Dynamite Entertainment will launch of a new comic book series set within the world of the beloved 1994 animated classic The Lion King.
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Titled “The Lion King”, the comic “is set during the “golden time” of the original movie, when Simba was a young cub and before Scar’s rise to power.
“Having the honor and opportunity to work with the regal The Lion King franchise is a humbling experience,” writer and artist Edwin Galmon explains.
With the first issue set for release later this month, the comic directly continues the spirit — and visual style — of the 1994 original.
The nostalgia is also extending beyond tie-in media. Disneyland Paris is building a Lion King area called Pride Lands as part of its upcoming Disney Adventure World venture, which is “inspired by the unforgettable story that has enchanted several generations of viewers” — a phrase that signals which version Disney considers its creative foundation.
Will you be reading “The Lion King”? Let us know in the comments!
