Babylon 5is ripe for a reboot, and there is an easy way to make it happen. Considered one of the greatest science fiction television shows of all time,Babylon 5thrilled fans withits epic scope and years-long story. Its creator has tried to get a reboot off the ground, and comics are the perfect vehicle for it.
Babylon 5creator J. Michael Straczynski has made several attempts to make a reboot of the show, to no avail. At one point, a newBabylon 5was to air on the CW Network, but it has been tabled for the time being. With a televised reboot uncertain, now is the perfect time for a newBabylon 5comic.
Babylon 5Changed the Rules of Science Fiction Television
Babylon 5’sCreator Has A Long History in Science Fiction and Comics
Babylon 5was a trailblazing television show, one that brought new ideas and concepts to the table.Babylon 5was designed from the get-go to have a beginning, middle and an end, something unheard of on American television at the time. Furthermore, the show had a large, sprawling ensemble cast.
Babylon 5was a trailblazing television show, one that brought new ideas and concepts to the table.
Series creator Straczynski was no stranger to the genre. A lifelong fan of both science fiction and comics, he made a name for himself writing scripts for 1980s animated shows,such asThe Real GhostbustersandHe-Man and the Masters of the Universe.Straczynski was also executive story consultant forCaptain Power and the Soldiers of the Future.
Straczynski also created the science fiction showsJeremiahandSense8.
AfterBabylon 5ended, Straczynski continued to work for television, but also began making inroads into comic books as well. He is well-known for a multi-year run onThe Amazing Spider-Manthat ended in the controversial, editorially-mandatedBrand New Daystory.Straczynski also had a notable run onThor, as well as writing the excellentThe Twelveminiseries.
J MIchael Straczynski Has Tried to ReviveBabylon 5
Attempts to RebootBabylon 5Have Failed, But Fans Did Get an Animated Movie
Babylon 5continues to find new fans, 30 years after its premiere. The show was remastered and released on Blu-ray as well as streaming. With renewed interest in the franchise, Straczynski began talking of a reboot. Meanwhile, he and some of the surviving cast produced ananimatedBabylon 5film titledThe Road Home.
The rights toBabylon 5reside with Warner Brothers/Discovery, who have also worked to get a new version up and running. The studio announced a reboot, with Straczynski’s involvement, in 2021, but the project has moved into limbo since, with no new information as of 2024. Yet there is a grand way to reviveBabylon 5:in comics.
There Has Already Been aBabylon 5Comic Book
Wildstorm Came Close to Publishing aBabylon 5Comic
As befitting any big science fiction franchise,Babylon 5inspired a wave of tie-in merchandise, including novels and comics. Beginning in 1994 and running for 11 issues, DC Comics published aBabylon 5comic book. Like all aspects of the franchise, Straczynski was closely involved with the production and writing of the comics.
Many other science fiction franchise, includingStar Trtek, do not regard their comics or novels as “canon.”
Unlike other licensed media tie-ins, theBabylon 5comics are considered canonical. This was thanks to Straczynski’s involvement, and indeed, the high quality of theBabylon 5franchise is thanks to his “hands-on” approach. The comic was short-lived, and now commands high prices on the back issue market, a testament to the show’s continuing popularity.
Unfortunately, the project was canceled, and there have been no further attempts at producing aBabylon 5comic.
Fans nearly got aBabylon 5comic in the mid-2000s. Straczynski began work writing a graphic novel based onBabylon 5, which was to be published by Wildstorm. No specific details surrounding the plot emerged. Unfortunately, the project was canceled, and there have been no further attempts at producing aBabylon 5comic.
The 1990s Are Making a Huge Comeback in Comics
Any Revival ofBabylon 5Must Have Straczynski’s Involvement
A growing number of 1990s/2000s genre franchises are making their return in comic book form. Among these franchisesincludeBuffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity/FireflyandCaptain Planet.The creators working on these titles have helped expand the lore of each of those properties in new and exciting ways. These books have also sold extremely well.
With these franchises having great luck in comics, there is no reasonBabylon 5cannot join them. If Warner Brothers/Discovery is not keen on bringing the show back to television, then the studio should commission a new comic book series. Such a book could either be a reboot, or a continuation.
Any reboot or revival ofBabylon 5must have Straczynski’s involvement, either as a writer or in a “show-runner” type capacity.
Any reboot or revival ofBabylon 5must have Straczynski’s involvement, either as a writer or in a “show-runner” type capacity. This is essential in ensuring any newBabylon 5comic maintains the high standard of quality the franchise is known for. Straczynski’s background in writing for comic books helps matters further.
Babylon 5Could Return As a Comic Book, Either at DC Comics or Dynamite
Babylon 5Is a Natural Fit for Comics
The time is right forBabylon 5to return. Its creator is ready and willing, and the perfect medium exists for a revival: comic books. Dynamite Entertainment has had great luck with their line of Warner Brothers/Discovery properties, andBabylon 5feels like a shoo-in at this point, should DC ever pass on making it themselves.
DC Comics provedBabylon 5could work in comic book form, and there is no reason it cannot do the same again.
DC Comics provedBabylon 5could work in comic book form, and there is no reason it cannot do the same again. The show’s style of story-telling lends itself well to comics. With the “everything old is new again” mentality sweeping pop culture,Babylon 5’smoment could come around again, either on television, or in comics.
