Jack Bauer comic artwork by Paul Shipper
Jack Bauer comic artwork by Paul Shipper

24: Underground Prequel Comic – Official Press Release

We first reported this back in January, but IDW Publishing has now officially announced 24: Underground, a comic series that serves as a prequel to 24: Live Another Day. The first issue releases April 23rd. Check out the full press release below:

New Comic Book Series In Partnership With Fox Consumer Products Sets The Stage For The Live-Action Return!
Event Series 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY to Premiere May 5 on FOX

San Diego, CA (March 24, 2014) – “24” fans, rejoice! Jack Bauer is returning with more edge-of-your-seat suspense in the new television event series 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY, premiering May 5 on FOX. Ahead of the debut, IDW and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products have partnered to launch an all-new comic book series that follows the perilous exploits of Bauer, picking up where the final season of the hit television show left off. The thrilling new series from IDW debuts in April 2014, and will offer an expansive look at the events leading straight into 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY.

Ushering Bauer into his newest adventure will be acclaimed writer Ed Brisson (“Secret Avengers”) and artist Michael Gaydos (“Alias”). Both creators’ backgrounds in espionage thrillers make them the perfect team to tackle the explosive world of “24.”

“Ed burst onto the comics scene with the sci-fi thriller ‘Comeback,’ which was heavy on plot and adventure, a style that fits nicely with an established property such as ’24,'” editor Denton J. Tipton says. “We’ve paired the rising star with veteran artist Michael Gaydos, whose draftsmanship and storytelling skills are second to none. Buckle up for a high-octane tale of Jack Bauer’s missing years!”

“24” became a critical and commercial hit during its original airing by defying conventional television standards. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, “24” enjoyed an immensely successful run on FOX, winning Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Thanks to a vocal and loyal fan base, the show became one of the most successful espionage dramas ever on TV.

“’24’ was one of IDW’s earliest successes with licensed comics,” says Greg Goldstein, IDW President and Chief Operating Officer. “And the show’s stature has grown immensely since then. Returning to the world of ’24’ in comics, in conjunction with this highly anticipated return to TV, makes perfect sense.”

The iconic, pulse-pounding clock resets when 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY premieres with a special two-hour television event Monday, May 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and makes its time period premiere the following week on Monday, May 12 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The thrilling saga reunites the Emmy Award-winning team of executive producer Howard Gordon; star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherland; co-creator Robert Cochran; executive producers Evan Katz, Manny Coto, David Fury and Brian Grazer; and executive producer and director Jon Cassar. Set and shot in London, the suspenseful event series once again will follow the exploits of heroic agent JACK BAUER (Sutherland), as he attempts to thwart an unthinkable terrorist attack that could change the world forever. Retaining the real-time, nail-biting, fast-paced format with split screens and interweaving storylines, the highly-anticipated series also stars Mary Lynn Rajskub (“Firewall”), Kim Raver (“Revolution”) and William Devane (“The Dark Knight Rises”) reprising their original roles. Newcomers to the drama series include Yvonne Strahovski (“Dexter”), Giles Matthey (“Jobs”), Gbenga Akinnagbe (“The Wire”), Michael Wincott (“The Crow”), Michelle Fairley (“Game of Thrones”) and Golden Globe Award nominee Stephen Fry (“Alice in Wonderland,” BONES).

About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products:
A division of 21st Century Fox and recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, the flagship studio leading the industry in supplying award-winning and blockbuster primetime television programming and entertainment content.

Source IDW Publishing

4 Comments

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I’m really not sure why a comic-book gap is absolutely necessary to bridge the gap between season 8-9. I really don’t need to read where Jack has been. When clearly the writers made it clear the audience is going to hear where he’s been. The idea really doesn’t make sense. For the clear cut reason they gave people It is actually not needed.

I hate these because they make no sense. So I’m reading the comics and nothing matters because the comics universe is not canon to the film universe and vice-versa. So why do this? If there was going to truly be a prequel, then film one. So this “prequel” has no sequel because its all alone and there is no Day 1 through 8 in the comic world. You just have these random bits that are supposed to act like canon but they are not.

The proper thing to do would be to have a separate 24 comics universe that has nothing to do with the 24 film universe.