The spirit of Disney came to life in
last year’s FIGMENT limited series from Jim Zubkavich—also known as Jim Zub—and Filipe Andrade as they brought Figment, the star of Epcot’s Journey into Imagination, to life. They must have done something right because the series skyrocketed in popularity with the first few issues selling out and going into multiple printings. The writer credits the success to the House of Mouse’s huge, dedicated fan base.
“On any project you obviously hope readers respond well, but the positive feedback and sales on FIGMENT were beyond our expectations,” Zub says. “Longtime Disney fans, many who had never bought comics before, hunted down each issue and let us know how much they enjoyed the story Filipe and I put together. It was an absolute honor to add to the mythos of these beloved characters.”
With success and popularity comes the demand for more stories set in that world revolving around the magical dragon. Zub explains that the upcoming story comes organically from the original.
“There are a few elements that grew out of material we didn’t use from my original pitch for the first FIGMENT story, but most of this is brand new and came from brainstorming I did after Disney and Marvel let me know that they were interested in continuing with a new series,” he says.
The new series picks up where the first left off, but in a completely different time period. As readers will remember, Figment and his pal Dreamfinder saved the world and were awarded by being stuck out of time for a century. The multitude of changes surprise our heroes, especially the lack of steampunk elements.
“The technological wonders we take for granted in our day-to-day lives seem like magic to our travelers from 1910, so that will definitely take some getting used to,” Zubkavich says. “Something as straight forward to us as a smart phone would seem like a magic box full of wonderment to someone arriving from that time period. Dreamfinder’s expectations of steam-powered science are in for quite a shock.”
In addition to all of the physical changes, Figment and Dreamfinder must adjust to how the world sees them thanks to their heroic legacy.
“With over a century passed, everything has changed at both the Academy Scientifica-Lucidus and the world at large,” Zubkavich says. “While our heroes have been away their reputation has grown, so now they have to try and live up to their own legend. I really like playing with the duality of that: they’re famous, but also feel out of their depth."
Dreamfinder and Figment will have to put aside their time traveling concerns to face an enemy the likes they’ve never encountered before while enlisting some new and old friends to help out.
“The new villainous threat is one closer and more unexpected than even our dreamers could have imagined,” Zubkavich teases. “I think readers are going to be really surprised at the twists and turns I’m throwing in Figment and Dreamfinder’s way this time. Balancing that out we’ve got the return of an old friend from the first series and a new companion with big dreams of her own.”
Speaking of new partnerships, Zub teams with artist Ramon Bachs on the next FIGMENT installment. Much like Figment, Dreamfinder and their new pal, Zub thinks this is a partnership with great deals of promise.
“Ramon’s really stepped up his game and it’s looking wonderful,” Zubkavich says. “His storytelling and expressions are top notch. Our latest adventure is packed with emotion and exploration and Ramon’s handling it all like a pro; big sweeping locations and small character moments alike.”
