Oni Press, the acclaimed Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher, has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to bring back the fan-favorite comic book series starring Jake the Dog, Finn the Human, and many of the beloved characters from the World of Ooo: Adventure Time #1, which will arrive on the shelves of your local comic book shop on April 9, 2025.
Written and illustrated by cartoonist and animator Nick Winn (known for Silver Sprocket’s Bloody Mary), with lettering by award-winning designer Shawn Lee, Adventure Time #1 will follow Jake and Finn as they dive back into the world of comics in the inaugural chapter of the exciting new monthly arc, “Best of Buds,” and features an all-new back-up story from LA Times Book Award finalist and Adventure Time animator Derek Ballard.
The Beat chatted with Winn about the revival of this beloved series. Read on!
OLLIE KAPLAN: Was there any discussion about setting the comic before or after the television series?
NICK WINN: Nope! Megan Brown and Jung Lee, two wonderful editors at Oni Press, asked me to pitch a story. There were no rules on lore or setting. The only parameter was that it had to be about Finn and Jake, so I really wanted to hone in on that. The setting would be away from the main story and more of an alternate timeline with big key characteristics baked in.
KAPLAN: Fans of the animated show know that Finn’s swords play a significant role in the series. Can you tease how Finn’s new sword fits in Adventure Time lore?
WINN: Finn’s sword in Best of Buds is an ordinary sword that is enhanced by Finn’s drive to be an adventurer. The sword will not only be a weapon for Finn, but will also play a key role in Finn and Jake’s friendship later down the line.
KAPLAN: Were there any challenges or surprises in trying to recreate the voice and feel of the animated Adventure Time characters in the comic format? How did you approach world-building and character development?
WINN: Seasons 1-3 of Adventure Time have to be some of my favorite episodes. I wanted to make sure the comic matched the zany but heartfelt tone of the show, and discovering the small interview “Adventure Time Distant Bands” helped me out so much. Pen Ward‘s boy band song about running away from home was crucial for writing this comic, haha!
KAPLAN: As an animator, how do you translate the energy and movement of animation into static comic panels?
WINN: Animation has translated into my comics as energy. TV animation especially requires you to be quick and clean, so the poses, expressions, and inking style stem from my time at Cartoon Network, making the nicest drawing as quickly as I can.
KAPLAN: Did writing a story that returned to the World of Ooo require research?
WINN: Yes! I researched mostly the tone of the show and how characters interact with each other. I wanted to make sure any of the new or preexisting characters felt like they had lived in Ooo for a very long time. If not for a long time, I at least wanted them to feel like they belonged in Finn and Jake’s lives.
KAPLAN: What is your creative process like when working on a new comic?
WINN: Hmmm, mostly brainstorming on walks listening to music when I’m thinking of something new. Then I’ll run it by Megan and Jung to get their thoughts! Then comes the hard part. I have to go into a 12-round boxing match with myself to actually sit down and write the dang thing, and once I lose by knockout, I have a fully finished script! Maybe a couple naps in between.
KAPLAN: Is there anything else you would like to add?
WINN: The comic looks fantastic. I’m very thankful to have done the first issue with an amazing co-story with Derek Ballard but cartoonists like Asia Simone, and Brenda Hickey have been doing AMAZING work in the next issues! So many more artists have brought their A game for adventure time and I’m so excited for everyone to read! It’s gonna be algebraic!
Check out the Adventure Time #1 preview pages below!
Adventure Time #1 hits local comic book shops on April 9, 2025!
