Keith Giffen, Alan Grant and Simon Bisley’s Lobo is a Comic You Should Be Reading

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Hello! This is a new bi-weekly feature where I’ll be sharing a great comic, series, event, or storyline – something both longtime readers will love revisiting and new readers can discover.

The initial trailer for the new Supergirl movie included a very quick glimpse of DC’s Lobo. It was a brief preview of Jason Momoa’s next role in the DC Universe, and a role that suits him perfectly. This small appearance not only proves Momoa is ideal for the part, but also suggests Lobo will play a significant role in future DCU projects.

If you’re new to Lobo, there’s a ton of awesome comics out there to check out! But honestly, nothing really captures the character quite like the original Lobo mini-series by Keith Giffen, Alan Grant, and Simon Bisley. “The Last Czarnian” is where Lobo became Lobo, and the follow-up comics were just incredible – any artist who came after had a seriously high standard to live up to.

Lobo’s First Appearances Hadn’t Quite Found DC’s Main Man Yet

Lobo and John Costanza first appeared in a 1983 issue of DC Comics. While he shared the profession of bounty hunting, the character wasn’t yet the fan-favorite Lobo we know today.

Lobo looked and acted a bit like the character, and like him, he was a bounty hunter traveling through space on a futuristic motorcycle – though his ride wasn’t quite as appealing. His backstory was different, but he was originally presented as the sole survivor of his kind. He didn’t become instantly popular, but it was obvious that Lobo was a character whose time would eventually come.

Lobo’s debut after the Crisis event in Justice League presented a tougher, more intense version of the character that quickly became popular with readers. This led to more appearances in titles like L.E.G.I.O.N. and R.E.B.E.L.S., which fleshed out his personality and built a dedicated following eager for more. It was then that Lobo truly came into his own. His first limited series sparked a rapid rise in popularity, making him one of the biggest characters of the 1990s.

The Last Czarnian Has Everything New Lobo Fans Need to Know

The initial Lobo mini-series brought writer Alan Grant on board, joining Keith Giffen, who co-created and plotted the character, and helped solidify Lobo’s development. But it was artist Simon Bisley who truly defined Lobo’s appearance and personality. Bisley’s own biker lifestyle naturally influenced the character Lobo was becoming.

“The Last Czarnian” storyline allowed Lobo to fully embrace his ruthless and calculating nature as a bounty hunter. It also gave him a grim backstory, setting him apart from other DC heroes and helping him gain popularity alongside Marvel’s anti-heroes like Wolverine and the Punisher.

This four-part comic series centers on Lobo taking on a new job: protecting a fellow Czarnian—who also happens to be his old fourth-grade teacher—after he writes a tell-all biography about Lobo. Lobo must shield him from various dangers, including groups like the League of Decency and the Pan-Galactic Demolition Dance Company. The series is filled with unexpected twists, like intense spelling bees and vengeful space truckers, and offers a gritty, realistic take on the DC universe that differs from more polished titles like Green Lantern.

“The Last Czarnian” reimagines Lobo’s look, backstory, and personality, offering fans a comprehensive introduction to the character before he appears in a major movie. Ultimately, this series serves as a great starting point for anyone wanting to learn more about Lobo.

Simon Bisley’s Lobo Set a High Standard for All Future Iterations

Giffen, Grant, and Bisley continued to work on Lobo in several follow-up stories, solidifying his popular new image within the DC Universe. From memorable sequels like Lobo’s Back to standalone issues like The Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special, fans have plenty of classic stories that showcase and reinforce Lobo’s now-iconic look.

Bisley and Co.’s version of Lobo became so iconic that it was difficult for anyone to reimagine the character successfully. When DC Comics relaunched its entire universe with the New 52, Lobo received a major overhaul. This new take modernized his appearance, moving away from his popular ’90s style, but it alienated existing fans and failed to attract new readers. The eventual return of the original Lobo only emphasized how much readers loved the classic version, even if it felt dated.

It all began with the 1990s Lobo mini-series. DC’s famously tough anti-hero redefined himself as the last Czarnian, forging his own path and building a lasting reputation. The series was a huge success, revitalizing the character and leading to the excitement surrounding his upcoming movie. Seriously, you should check it out!

Tune in next week for a new edition of , and be sure to check out even more !

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2026-01-25 22:44