Robert Kirkman Draws Rare Variant Cover for Youngblood No. 100

Robert Kirkman, best known as the writer and co-creator of The Walking Dead and Invincible, has drawn a variant cover for Youngblood No. 100. The Hollywood Reporter exclusively debuted Kirkman's cover art on May 11, 2026. The milestone issue is scheduled for release on June 10, 2026, with a cover price of $4.99, according to the Image Comics official website. Kirkman is primarily known as a writer and producer rather than an artist, making his cover contribution a rare showcase of his drawing ability.

The Details

Rob Liefeld, creator of Youngblood, asked multiple artists to contribute variant covers for the milestone issue. The contributing cover artists include several of his Image Comics co-founders: Todd McFarlane, Erik Larsen, Jim Valentino, Whilce Portacio, and Image Comics CEO Marc Silvestri. Image Comics is celebrating the 100th issue with multiple covers by what the publisher describes as 'the world's greatest comic book artists.' Kirkman was not initially asked to contribute. According to Liefeld, after Kirkman learned that Liefeld had invited Image founders to contribute covers for the milestone issue, Kirkman volunteered by asking, 'What about me?' Liefeld told The Hollywood Reporter that he rarely asks anybody for anything. 'I rarely ask anybody for anything. I hate getting turned down. I'm as sheepish as anyone else,' he said. Liefeld also recalled that Kirkman said, 'What about me?' The exchange led to Kirkman's inclusion among the artists marking the anniversary.

Context

Youngblood launched in 1992 and was the first title outside Marvel or DC to debut at No. 1 and sell over one million copies. The series is the comic that started Image Comics. Image Comics was founded in 1992 by seven artists including Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Erik Larsen, Jim Valentino, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Lee. The company emerged as a creator-owned alternative to the dominant Marvel and DC model. Liefeld returned to the Youngblood character in 2025 after a lengthy hiatus and is planning to continue the run. Kirkman is also returning to superhero comics with his own series Terminal from Image Comics.

What's Next

Youngblood No. 100 arrives on June 10, 2026. Liefeld plans to continue the Youngblood series beyond the milestone issue, continuing his work on the character after returning in 2025. Kirkman is preparing his own return to the superhero genre with Terminal, also through Image Comics.