San Diego, CA (May 18, 2017) IDW Games announced today that it is working closely with writer Jim Zub and illustrator Steven Cummings on an upcoming Wayward board game. Designed by Jon Gilmour, co-designer of Dead of Winter and Outpost: Siberia, Wayward is a fully cooperative board game where players assume the roles of the comic’s heroes working together to defeat villains controlled by the game itself.

Set in modern Tokyo, Wayward is an ongoing series published by Image Comics featuring teenagers imbued with supernatural power defending the world from Yokai, Japanese mythological creatures and spirits. Since launching in August 2014, Wayward has gained critical acclaim and a dedicated readership. The first volume of the series, “String Theory,” made the Young Adult Library Services Association’s 2016 List of ‘Great Graphic Novels for Teens’ and has been favorably reviewed by many outlets, including Kirkus. In addition, Wayward was recently optioned by Manga Entertainment for development as a television series.

Jerry Bennington, VP of New Product Development, said, “IDW Games is ecstatic about working with Jim Zub, Steven Cummings, and Jon Gilmour on a project with as much recognition and fandom as Wayward. As a lifelong tabletop gamer, Jim’s creativity goes beyond just managing the IP. His input and feedback about gameplay and design have been invaluable to us, and will surely produce a product that embodies the soul of the comic series.”

Jim Zub said, “Wayward is a passion project for Steven and I, and games are near and dear to our hearts, so getting the chance to bring both of those wonderful elements together with Jon and the rest of the IDW Games crew is an absolute thrill.”

Zub is a Harvey and Shuster Award-nominated comic writer (AVENGERS, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, SAMURAI JACK, FIGMENT), and the creator of the original comic series GLITTERBOMB and SKULLKICKERS.

Cummings is an American comic book artist based in Japan (DEADSHOT, LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, STREET FIGHTER, FORAGER).

IDW Games is well known for its excellent tabletop adaptations of beloved intellectual properties. Their licensed board games include X-Files, Back to the Future, and the upcoming Planet of the Apes and Atari series of games.

Writer Jim Zub and illustrator Steven Cummings’ WAYWARD, an ongoing comic series published by Image Comics, has been optioned by UK-based Manga Entertainment for development in television as a Japanese animated or live action series. Zub and Cummings will act as creative consultants on the project, including development of the initial story treatment along with character and creature designs.

WAYWARD is an action-drama set in modern Tokyo where Yokai, Japanese creatures and spirits of legend, battle against teenagers imbued with newfound supernatural power. The series launched to critical acclaim in August 2014 and is currently available in monthly comic format and four collected trade paperbacks, with a new deluxe hardcover collection arriving in July. WAYWARD’s first volume, ‘String Theory’, made the Young Adult Library Services Association’s 2016 List of ‘Great Graphic Novels for Teens’ and has been favorably reviewed by many outlets, including Kirkus.

Zub is a Harvey and Shuster Award-nominated comic writer (AVENGERS, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, SAMURAI JACK, FIGMENT). His other creator-owned titles, GLITTERBOMB and SKULLKICKERS, are also published by Image Comics, the third largest comic publisher in North America and publisher of The Walking Dead.

Cummings is an American comic book artist based in Japan (DEADSHOT, LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, STREET FIGHTER, FORAGER).

Jerome Mazandarani, COO of Manga Entertainment, said, “We are very excited to be working with Jim and Steven to bring the characters and world of Wayward to life for the screen. Jim and Steven have managed to create a truly unique high stakes action-drama that feels fresh and authentic in its mixture of Japanese and Celtic mythology. We are very confident this story will connect with audiences across Asia and the rest of the world.”

Zub said, “As soon as Jerome and I started talking about a collaboration, I had a good feeling Manga Entertainment would be the right place to develop Wayward. The crew at Manga intimately understand the anime market and have helped popularize some of the biggest brands in that space. As Japanese art and animation continues to go global, co-producing Wayward at a Japanese studio with Manga taking the lead is a natural choice.”

Founded in 1987, Manga Entertainment began as a producer, licensor and distributor of Japanese animation in the United Kingdom, quickly earning its reputation as the UK’s largest anime distributor with revered anime brands including GHOST IN THE SHELL, DRAGON BALL Z, NARUTO, ONE PIECE, BLEACH and DEATH NOTE. Headquartered in London, Manga Entertainment continues to specialize in the licensing, marketing and distribution of Japanese animation and other beloved new/classic pop culture franchises like HALO, TRANSFORMERS, POKEMON and YU-GI-OH!

Zub and Cummings are represented by APA.

Arriving in July…make sure you pre-order to ensure you get a copy!

WAYWARD, BOOK 2: DELUXE HC
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART: STEVEN CUMMINGS, TAMRA BONVILLAIN
JULY 05 / 320 PAGES / FC / M / $39.99

The new gods of Japan have arrived, and a clash with the myths of old will change the country forever.

JIM ZUB and STEVEN CUMMINGS combine the camaraderie and emotion of shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Japan’s engaging culture and mythic monsters. Image Comics’ supernatural sensation continues in this over-sized hardcover collection that includes every stunning cover illustration, design sketches, and extensive essay material on culture and mythology by monster scholars ZACK DAVISSON and ANN O’REGAN.

Collects WAYWARD #11-20 and includes a special poster of the five-part WAYWARD connected cover illustration from issues #11-15!

Wayward Deluxe Book 2 (issues #11-15 plus extras) The new gods of Japan have arrived, and a clash with the myths of old will change the country forever. Image Comics’ supernatural sensation continues in this over-sized hardcover collection that includes every stunning cover illustration, design sketches, and extensive essay material on culture and mythology. Includes a special poster of the five-part WAYWARD connected cover illustration from issues #11-15!

PRE-ORDER Amazon.com Barnes & Noble Book Depository

Arriving in July…make sure you pre-order!

WAYWARD #22
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART / COVER: STEVEN CUMMINGS, TAMRA BONVILLAIN
VARIANT COVER: STJEPAN SEJIC
JULY 26 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

Back in Ireland, revelations of Rori’s past and the road to Tír na nÓg…
Cover B is illustrated by fan-favorite painter STJEPAN SEJIC (SUNSTONE, WITCHBLADE)!

“Wayward isn’t just a fun and addictive read, it is cultural exchange in comic book form.” – Comic Book Resources

WAYWARD #21
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART / COVER A: STEVEN CUMMINGS & TAMRA BONVILLAIN
COVER B: HICHAM HABCHI
JUNE 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

NEW STORY ARC
“TETHERED SOULS,” Part One

Nikaido’s powers are growing, and he’s not the only one…

WAYWARD unleashes myth into the modern world. It’s the perfect time to get on board and see what all the excitement is about!

“There’s a reason Wayward is a 5 Star book time after time and that’s because it’s so incredibly well written with strong characters/characterization and some of the best artwork in the business.”
-Reading With a Flight Ring

Byron Brewer at Dynamic Forces asked me about the current state of Wayward as we wrap up our fourth story arc. Click on through to find out where the series is at and what’s coming next!

Wayward #19 arrived in stores last week. What did reviewers think of it? Read on and find out…

• Big Glasgow: 9.6/10 “Wayward is a very pleasant series, very entertaining without ever being dull or excessively simplified”

• Geeked Out Nation: 8.3/10 “Wayward finds new ways each month to further our investment in this world, and this issue was no exception.”

• Horror Talk: 8/10 “Writer Jim Zub is moving the characters around as if they were on a chessboard. All of the pieces were just knocked astray and now they’re slowly moving into their new positions”

• Under the Comic Covers: “This whole arc is setting up the scenario for the future.”

WAYWARD, VOL. 4: THREADS AND PORTENTS TP

STORY: JIM ZUB
ART / COVER: STEVEN CUMMINGS, TAMRA BONVILLAIN

MARCH 01 / 136 PAGES / FULL COLOR / M / $16.99

The group is pulled apart, and the hidden mythic worlds of Ireland and Japan are revealed. JIM ZUB (Thunderbolts, Samurai Jack) and STEVEN CUMMINGS (Dead Shot, Legends of the Dark Knight) continue their supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of shows like Buffy with foreign cultures and fascinating mythological monsters. This volume includes design artwork by artist STEVEN CUMMINGS and new profiles on mythical creatures by monster scholars Zack Davisson and Ann O’Regan.

Wayward #17, showing the aftermath our of third arc in Japan, arrived in comic shops last week. What did reviewers think of it?

• Big Glasgow: 9.6/10 “The art of Wayward is always top notch: every character and every environment, from the sweeping green fields of Ireland to dingy pubs, acquire a special depth in the hands of artist Steven Cummings and colourist Tamra Bonvillain.”

• Fandom Post: B+ “Cummings continues to just make this book look fantastic, especially with what Bonvillain brings to the page with the color design to give it some real pop and vibrancy.”

• Reading With a Flight Ring: “There’s a reason this is a 5 Star book time after time and that’s because it’s so incredibly well written with strong characters/characterization and some of the best artwork in the business.”

• TM Stash: 9/10 “Wayward continues to sweep us into the landscapes and folklore of Japan (and now Ireland) like no other series can.”

• Under the Comic Covers: “It had a great flow. The pacing of this issue was really well done.”

WAYWARD #20
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART / COVER A: STEVEN CUMMINGS & TAMRA BONVILLAIN
COVER B: AMANDA SCHANK
JANUARY 25 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC
The spirits lay their claim…