Once we saw the unique oversize con-exclusive Madballs sampler at New York Comic Con last fall (see "New York Comic Con Photos, Part 4"), we were sold on the look of this new interpretation of the 80s toy line from Lion Forge.  Now the company plans to launch its four-issue Madballs miniseries on April 16.

An "A" story written by Brad McGinty (Uncle Grandpa, Adventure Time, Regular Show comics) with art by Brian Smith (Stuff of Legend) will flow through all four issues.  Each issue will also carry two back-up stories from the con-exclusive Madballs Art Wad.  The back-up stories in the first issue are by Dan Zettwoch (stories in Vice Magazine and Kramer's Ergot, among others) and SVA graduate Scarecrowoven.

The first issue will feature variant covers by the back-up artists (the main cover is by McGinty):  Variant A is a 1 in 5 by Dan Zettwoch, and Variant B is a 1 in 10 by Scarecrowoven.

The original property was an 80s toy line, with characters' faces molded onto plastic (later foam) balls.  It was supported by two OAVs and a short-lived Marvel Comics series.  A brief revival from Art Asylum and Basic Fun hit the market in 2007 but didn't last.

Madballs #1
Publisher: Lion Forge Comics
Release Date: April 16, 2016
MSRP: $2.99
Writer: Brad McGinty
Artist: Brian Smith
Format: 32 pgs., Full-Color
Cover(s): Brad McGinty, Dan Zettwoch, Scarecrowoven

Preview:  Three covers plus five interior pages.