“Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” a new HBO Max series, will receive a limited-edition comic book distribution at San Diego Comic-Con coinciding with its premiere. The comic features cover art by DC Comics president and chief creative officer Jim Lee and colorist Alex Sinclair, with interior artwork by Tom Derenick and Hi-Hi on colors. The adaptation was written by Ivan Cohen based on the premiere episode’s teleplay by series creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady.
The comic will be distributed starting July 23 through July 26 at multiple locations. An HBO Max fan experience will hand out copies from July 23 to July 25 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and on July 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The DC Comics booth on the convention floor will also distribute copies throughout the convention dates. Beginning July 29, the comic will be available for purchase online through DC’s website.
In addition to the comic distribution, the Los Angeles-based firm Acronym is constructing an experiential installation called “Stuart’s Interdimensional Comic Center” at the Sparks Gallery in San Diego’s Gaslamp district. The pop-up recreation features six universes from the show’s first season, designed as an interactive experience where attendees use membership cards to unlock hidden scenes. Visitors navigate through LED tunnel installations and make choices that lead to personalized takeaways. The experience operates July 23 to July 25 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and July 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The series stars Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn, and John Ross Bowie. The ten-episode first season premieres July 23 on HBO Max with subsequent episodes released weekly. The show is a spinoff from “The Big Bang Theory” and centers around a comic book shop setting.