Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’ Comic Due in 2018

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A comic book marking the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine animated film will be published in 2018, according to an exclusive article in the Hollywood Reporter. The comic, which will feature an all-new adaptation of the story told in the 1968 film, will be written and illustrated by Bill Morrison, the newly installed editor of MAD Magazine, and will be published by Titan Comics.

The comic will also spawn spinoff merchandise. According to the article, “The deal between Apple Corps Ltd. and Titan Comics was negotiated by Bravado International, which handles licensing for the Beatles in North America. In addition to the Yellow Submarine comic adaptation, Titan’s collectibles arm Titan Merchandise will also be releasing a line of Titans vinyl collectibles based on the movie. The ‘All Together Now’ collection features two versions of the band, as well as Blue Meanies, the Apple Bonker and the Four-Headed Bulldog, and will hit stores later this month.”

The Yellow Submarine film was inspired by the Beatles’ 1966 hit song of the same title. A synopsis of the film’s plot says, “The music-loving inhabitants of Pepperland are under siege by the Blue Meanies, a nasty group of music-hating creatures. The Lord Mayor of Pepperland (Dick Emery) dispatches sailor Old Fred (Lance Percival) to Liverpool, England, where he is to recruit the help of the Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr). The sympathetic Beatles ride a yellow submarine to the occupied Pepperland, where the Blue Meanies have no chance against the Fab Four’s groovy tunes.” The film received the New York Film Critics Circle Special Award in 1968.

All Together Now merchandise

It is unknown at this time how closely the story in the comic will echo that of the film.

“We’re thrilled to be publishing The Beatles: Yellow Submarine for the 50th Anniversary of this fantastic movie,” Titan publishing director Chris Teather told the Hollywood Reporter. “We can’t wait for Beatles fans to experience this official adaptation.”

Watch a clip from the Yellow Submarine film