Another San Diego Comic Con is in the bag, and, as expected, this year’s event was defined by all manner of massive announcements across film, television, video games, and more. My heart was fixated on theAmphibiapanel featuring show creatorMatt Bralyand story artists Danny Lind and Drew Applegate, alongside Tokyopop editor Andy Rogers.
Since the Disney Channel show came to an end in May 2022 - how on earth has it been that long already - this universe of fantastical talking frogs and teenage angst lives on through an assortment of books like Marcy’s Journal and Art of Amphibia. Now, a 10-issue graphic novel series known as Amphibia: Strange Voyage is in the works. Braly will pen the narrative, while illustrator Beatrice Bovo will be helming all the gorgeous art.
Big thanks toLaughingPlace on Twitterfor compiling so much of the information and images seen in this article.
Without further delay, here is everything we learned about the upcoming project throughout the SDCC Amphibia panel this past weekend.
Marcy’s Journal: Guide To Amphibia Was Written With Fans In Mind
We covered Marcy’s Journal extensively when it was released back in the later months of 2022. It was a lovingly crafted extension of the Amphibia universe by a fan-favourite character, and, as I’d expected for years now, it was written and illustrated with the fandom in mind.
During the panel, it was confirmed that the journal was coming together as the last handful of episodes were airing, meaning Braly and company had a chance to answer the questions or theories that had been permeating the fandom for years. These ranged from the appearance and origin of Marcy and Sasha’s parents to unique quirks and backstories belonging to major characters.
Considering how targeted some of the things mentioned in Marcy’s Journal seemed to be, this isn’t the biggest surprise. It felt like a love letter to all things Amphibia, and I’m chuffed learning it was always intended as such.
The Art Of Amphibia Was A “Dream Come True” For The Crew
During the panel, Braly described being able to work on The Art of Amphibia as a “dream come true,” noting that so much of the behind-the-scenes process on a show like Amphibia rarely ever gets released to the public.
If you were lucky enough to attend the panel, there were also a number of limited-edition prints for sale. Braly, if you’re reading this, please hook a girl up.
It felt like lifting the curtain, warts and all, when it came to presenting how the world and its characters initially came to be. As expected, they went through several iterations and tests before finally landing on the show we know and love today. Braly also notes that there was no regret in leaving its original title - Amphibiland - behind. Too many letters…
Strange Voyage Will Follow A Bunch Of Familiar Characters
As for the graphic novel itself, aside from ananimated teaser, which showed three characters that look an awful lot like the Calamity Trio locked in a cellar, we didn’t know that much about Strange Voyage before this panel.
During the Q&A, Braly was asked whether Amphibia takes place in the same universe as Gravity Falls. His answer? TBD. Fingers crossed for an official crossover in the future.
Now, we know that it will follow older versions of Sprig, Polly, Ivy, and Maddie as they travel to unknown lands aboard a cutesy vessel known as the Sea Snail. Like a lot of vehicles seen in the Amphibia universe, it’s a living, breathing snail who is essentially a character in itself.
According to sketches shared during the panel, the Sea Snail interior features bunks for all the smaller characters alongside a cabin for Captain Grime, who, after his redemption arc, is keen to join the frogs on their globe-trotting journey. I always knew he was a big sweetheart.
And They All Come With Updated Character Designs
Amphibia’s finale saw us going forward several years into the future, with Anne, Marcy, and Sasha all grown up and settling into working life back in the human world. Time passes back in Amphibia as well, with Sprigg, Polly, and more growing older and dealing with the farewell of Anne after the spunky teenager changed their lives forever. But this left behind a thirst for discovery that the Strange Voyage is all about.
With age comes maturation, and we can see that all over the designs of Sprigg and friends. As for Sprigg, he has shaggier hair, still seems to possess Anne’s old smartphone, and even has some sort of snuggly new jacket. Polly is the most interesting – she is a tadpole no more with her adorable jumpsuit, full head of hair, and spunky attitude. She even has a toolbelt she is able to unfurl to repair or build something in any situation. Oh, and an adorable onesie.
In a separate slide during the panel presentation, Polly is revealed to have an exo-suit that extends the size and reach of her limbs. She’s basically an amphibious Iron Man.
Maddie’s design, aside from looking a little older, appears largely unchanged. She still loves the occult and spooking people out by wearing a long black robe, but that doesn’t stop her from being a great friend. Meanwhile, Ivy has a cloak perfect for adventuring, along with her staff, which looks great for both combat and traversal. Man, all this talk makes me want an Amphibia video game. Hop Pop doesn’t have an updated design yet, but I have to imagine he is going to look much older and wrinklier after over half a decade has passed.
Hop Pop Is Getting Old, And Sprig Really Misses Anne
While everything is very much a work in progress, the panel featured a few sneak peeks at the first issue, in which the early pages will follow Sprig and friends preparing for a very ambitious voyage. Hop Pop, bless his little heart, comes to realise he is sadly too old, and joining the crew aboard the Sea Snail will put him in too much danger. So he decides he’ll stay home, although I hope this is a way to show how he lives his own life while offering a way to keep the readers up on other familiar characters in Wartwood.
Another page has Ivy staring at a board - presumably belonging to Sprig - with a drawing of Anne plastered on it. He misses his best friend and is keeping her image alive through little drawings of his own making. Well, at least until they find a way to reach the human world again. Part of me has a feeling this will be a key plot point of Strange Voyage. As for the trio of Calamity Trio-esque characters seen in an earlier teaser, we still know zilch about them.
More Animated Amphibia Content Isn’t Completely Out Of The Question
When asked whether Amphibia could return in animated form in the future, Braly said it’s not completely out of the question. But it’s far more likely to be a one-off special, rather than a full series. That seems like the right move, perhaps even an epilogue that could follow in the footsteps of whatever story Strange Voyage intends to tell.
I spoke with Braly last month about the recently released Family Force V and the future of Amphibia, so expect to see that on TheGamer in the coming weeks!
