Robert Kirkman & Terminal Team Break Down New Image Comics Superhero Series, Including How Far Ahead They Are [Exclusive]

by

Robert Kirkman, Joe Casey, Andy Kubert, David Finch, and Arthur Adams are all well-known for their work with superheroes, having created many memorable characters and stories. This summer, they’re teaming up again at Image Comics for a new series called Terminal. If you enjoy X-Men – a series these creators are familiar with – you’ll likely enjoy this new title, which is Kirkman’s first superhero series since he finished Invincible in 2018.

The new series, Terminal, centers around a hidden conflict between two powerful groups with extraordinary abilities, where the distinction between right and wrong isn’t always clear. The story primarily follows Marilyn Howe as she searches for her sister, a quest that unexpectedly throws her into the middle of this secret war. The series suggests that saving the world will require unlocking the secrets within your own DNA, but at a great personal cost – and survival isn’t guaranteed. Recently, ComicBook spoke with the creators about their vision for the series, how much of the story is already mapped out, and the possibility of adapting it into other formats.

Terminal Debuts This July From Image Comics

So, I was asking about how far along they are with the comic, and Kirkman confirmed they’ve actually finished 18 issues! He was playfully questioning how long they’ve been working on it, like, ‘Have we been at this for four or five years already?’ It’s amazing to think about how much they’ve created.

As a huge fan, I was really excited to hear Kirkman talk about their plans for the show! Basically, they’re aiming to stay about a year behind the comic book, which gives them some breathing room. This means they can play around with how they release episodes – maybe even have multiple issues come out in a single month for big events! It sounds like they want to be flexible and give us fans some awesome surprises.

Kirkman agreed that comparisons to Invincible and X-Men were accurate, explaining that his series, like Invincible, doesn’t shy away from showing realistic violence within a superhero setting.

Kirkman explained that the show features intense and shocking violence, along with horror elements like monsters. While inspired by 90s X-Men comics, he emphasized that the show will feel fresh and distinct, offering something new to audiences. He hinted that these differences will become clear as the series unfolds.

Robert Kirkman announced that Andy Kubert will be the primary artist for the first five issues of the comic. After that, different artists will take turns working on the series, and fans can look forward to each artist’s return as a special event when they learn who will be illustrating future issues.

After finishing my contract with DC, I was eager to work on a project where I had creative control. When Robert approached me with this idea, his enthusiasm and personality really convinced me to join. He walked me through the entire concept over the phone and sent me the scripts. My initial reaction to the scripts, like with any new project, was realizing how much work it would be! It was definitely a challenge, but a really enjoyable one – I had a blast working on it.

Kirkman and Casey explained their working relationship, with Kirkman describing himself as energetic and unpredictable, while Casey excels at organization. They feel their different strengths balance each other out perfectly.

Casey explained that they were both familiar with each other’s work and understood each other’s strengths. He particularly valued his colleague’s ability to come up with unexpected and innovative ideas. They would then collaborate to refine those ideas, with Casey focusing on organization and structure, leading to a continuous exchange of feedback as they aimed to create the best possible book.

Casey explained that the book’s unique voice comes from their collaboration. They believe it wouldn’t be the same if either of them had written it individually.

Throughout the book, it’s important to maintain a certain balance. Ultimately, that balance, combined with the quality of the writing, defines the book’s overall style and perspective.

Kirkman explained that as the ‘Terminal’ series grows, the main characters will change from story to story and even issue to issue. Some issues will center on a single character, while larger story arcs will feature entirely new protagonists and themes, but everything will ultimately connect.

Kirkman explained that because they’re so far into the series, the team has a general idea of the overall story arc. However, they’re still working out the specific details of how the ending will unfold. He added that the series is planned to run for a long time, giving them ample opportunity to develop a satisfying conclusion.

With Robert Kirkman—the creator of the popular Prime Video show Invincible—behind this new comic series, people are already asking about a potential TV or movie adaptation, even before the first issue is released. Kirkman himself has also been considering that possibility.

He seemed really excited about the potential for animation, saying our unique characters and some of their unusual designs would translate incredibly well. He also thought a live-action version could be amazing! Honestly, it sounds like we’re keeping our options open and seeing what feels right for the project down the line.

Terminal #1 will debut in comic shops on July 22, 2026.

Read More

2026-05-22 23:42