Andy Suriano, artist on the Samurai Jack comic (and character designer from the original show), posted up this teaser from Samurai Jack #3 yesterday.
A new character I can’t wait for you to meet. 🙂
Issue #3 arrives in December.
The gang at Multiversity Comics came by to talk to me at NYCC about the full spread of different projects I’m working on: Samurai Jack, Makeshift Miracle, Skullkickers, Pathfinder, Li’l Sonja, and much more!
I was interviewed at NYCC by the Con Men video site. My voice is a bit hoarse, but I talk up a storm all about Samurai Jack – continuing the award-winning cartoon series, working with artist Andy Suriano, future plans, and more. Watch it on their site or check it out below:


Samurai Jack #1 arrived in comic shops on Wednesday and it’s been a whirlwind since the launch. The praise from readers and reviewers has been overwhelmingly positive and I’m blown away by all the kindness shown to the comic. Thank you to everyone who has been sending messages, emails, and tweets about the first issue.
• IGN Comics: 8.8/10 “Writer Jim Zub and artist Andy Suriano work in perfect harmony to deliver a comic that captures the distinct tone of the series to the point where you might wonder if this is secretly a lost script from Tartakovsky himself.”
• Newsarama: 8/10 “Samurai Jack is more than just a trip down memory lane. Zub and Suriano may be nostalgia surfing, but they’re also shredding new and exciting waves.”
• Alpha Comics: “Zub’s wit and hilarious imagination is put to good use with this crazy plot and opportunity to invent some really cool enemies for the chiseled jaw of Jack to growl at.”
• Big Planet Comics: “It matches the style of the show perfectly.”…”If you’re a fan of the cartoon it’s a ‘must have’.”
• Comic Bastards: 5/5 “Samurai Jack: the comic book shows promise and its first issue is a sterling example of an adaptation done right.”
• Comic Book Bin: 9/10 “Of all the comic books that have debuted this year, Samurai Jack is the purest of them all. It is so free of pretension, yet is still bright and imaginative.”
• Comic Book Communicast: “You open it up and it’s like you’re watching another episode of the TV series.”…”It’s perfect.”
• Comic Book Therapy: 5/5 “Samurai Jack fans rejoice, Zub and Suriano have presented an excellent first issue. IDW is two for two on their Cartoon Network adaptations. Whether you’re a longtime Jack fan or someone who’s curious what all the fuss is about, check this one out.”
• Comicosity: 8/10 “Jim Zub and Andy Suriano bring a lot of the same imaginative character design and the over-the-top mix of action and humor that made the cartoon work.”
• Fanboy Comics: “Suriano’s art is such a dead ringer for the original art that I found myself missing the soundtrack and the effects during my read.”
• Fellowship of the Geeks: “Zub and Suriano have really knocked this one out of the park. It’s original where it needs to be, but it’s still familiar like an old friend.”
• First Comics News: “…my mind was seeing animation flow from panel to panel, which shows how good the comic is!”
• Flickering Myth: “Jim Zub’s writing is pretty spot-on in terms of authenticity, the comic feels like a genuine continuation as opposed to trying to sell paper off the back of a decent franchise.”
• Geek Smash: 8.8/10 “There are so many fantastic things to say about this comic, even if I wasn’t fueled on pure nostalgia.”
• Geeked Out Nation: 8.5/10 “There is so much good in this issue. Huge kudos to the writer and artist for making this series feel exactly like the show. “…”I’m really, really, really, REALLY looking forward to the next issue.”
• Moar Powah: 4/5 “Between the dead-on accurate artwork, to the quick wit and well written dialogue, every inch of this book just SCREAMS Samurai Jack. “
• Nerd Span: “This was honestly one of my most anticipated comics of the last half of the year, and it did not disappoint. It’s a nice new chapter in Jack’s journey and is wonderfully presented.”
• Nerdlocker: 5/5 “This one seems like it’s gonna be fun. I’m on board. You guys should be too.”
• Nerds on the Rocks: 7/7 “This comic offers everything I want in a number 1 – A feel for the characters and the world, a complete story and a dangling carrot that makes me want to continue reading without feeling cheated. Samurai Jack #1 is a worthy follow-up to the animated series and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
• Omnicomic: “Fans of the Samurai Jack show will feel right at home here. Zub and Suriano do a great job picking up where it left off, offering up continuity in the way of story and art that will appeal to new fans as well as old.”
• Outhousers: “This is an amazing debut issue from Zub and Suriano. It’s the perfect pairing for a book like this. Given the genius source material and the creative team, the possibilities are endless.”
• Pop Culture Maven: “Solid story and fantastic art make this one of the few adaptations that really works. Very Recommended!”
• Reading Pictures: “If you miss Jack and his samurai ways, go pick this up. If you never watched the show, buy the book anyway because it’s just plain fun.”
• Shadowhawk’s Shade: 10/10 “Jim Zub has done a great job of capturing that same sense of wonder and charm that was there in the cartoons.”
• Sound On Sight: “This issue IS an episode of Samurai Jack, from the set-up, to the battles, every panel knows its origins and doesn’t shy from its roots. A wonderfully fun read that’s perfect for the whole family.”
• This Is Infamous: “…the motion and movement necessary to make the fight sequences sing are all there, and Jack’s magic sword swings right off the page.”
• Unleash the Fanboy: 4/5 “Samurai Jack #1 is a great beginning to something that’s bound to be memorable. Recommended.”
• What Culture: “Samurai Jack #1 is a really fun comic that gets the series off to a good start – fans of the show have definitely got to give this one a look!”
The gang at Comic Vine have posted up a page-by-page commentary I put together for the latest issue of Pathfinder. I talk a bit about the writing/pacing process, character moments, and creating a comic for fans and new readers.
Three years ago I married a woman who has brought me immeasurable joy, and endless support.
There was a time long ago when I could never have imagined myself being a husband.
Now I have a hard time imagining anything but.
Our love makes everything else possible. It’s the solid foundation on which a wonderful future is being built – Day by day. Year by year.
I love you, Stacy.
Each year is better than the last.
I started working on the Samurai Jack comic back in April. It feels surreal and wonderful to finally have the first issue released today.
Thank you to Andy Suriano for collaborating so well and illustrating the heck out of the comic.
Thank you to Carlos Guzman, our Editor, and the rest of the IDW team for their support and enthusiasm.
Thanks of course to Genndy Tartakovsky and the crew at Cartoon Network for giving me the chance to contribute to such a great property.
I know it can sound a bit corny, but I really mean it – Thank you for supporting my work. It means the world to me.
If you get a chance to buy a copy today, please let me know what you think and, if you enjoyed it, spread the word: Jack is back!
I was interviewed by the Infinite Longbox trio for their 100th podcast episode. We go over a bunch of my different comic projects, including Samurai Jack and Skullkickers.
Animation mega-newsblog Cartoon Brew has a new article up all about this week’s release of Samurai Jack #1. I spoke to them at NYCC about how it felt to be working on such a beloved franchise and our plans for the comic. Click on through to give it a read.

Matt Wilson and Chris Sims had me as a guest on the War Rocket Ajax podcast this week We talk up a storm all about Samurai Jack, horror versus comedy, H.P. Lovecraft-style stories, Shadowman, Skullkickers, and a whole lot more.
The interview starts at the 39 minute mark of the episode (and Samurai Jack-specific conversation starts at 57:04). Give it a listen!