Atlantis is calling again, baby — and this time, Queen Kida is stepping all the way into the spotlight.
Papercutz, the celebrated children’s comics imprint of Mad Cave Studios, is diving back into one of Disney’s most beloved hidden gems with DISNEY ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE – CURSE OF KUROK, a brand-new original graphic novel that brings readers back to the legendary underwater kingdom for an adventure packed with mystery, danger, heart, and pure heroic energy.
Written by Matthew K. Manning (Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures) and brought to life by artist Christian Colbert (Secret S.T.E.A.M. Society), Curse of Kurok expands the rich world of Disney Atlantis: The Lost Empire in a way that feels fresh, thrilling, and deeply rooted in everything fans love about the original film. But make no mistake — this one belongs to Queen Kida.
As Atlantis moves into a new era under Kida’s leadership, the city’s buried past begins to push back in a big way.
The legendary Lost Empire is filled with secrets, and not all of them want to stay hidden. When a young boy appears carrying eerie markings and warning of falling stars, fear begins to spread across Atlantis. Soon, whispers of an ancient curse start running wild, and things only get darker when the boy’s brother vanishes deep within the caves below the city.
Now it’s on Kida to lead from the front.
With Milo at her side and help from the boys’ father, a miner named Brin, Kida descends into the forgotten depths of Atlantis to uncover the truth, rescue the missing child, and calm a city gripped by fear. But what waits in the darkness is more than just old legend. Between family bonds, buried history, and a monstrous force that threatens the future of the kingdom, Kida will have to prove she’s not just a queen — she’s the protector Atlantis desperately needs.
This story sounds like it’s bringing the adventure, but it’s also bringing something deeper: legacy, leadership, and the pressure of carrying a people’s hopes when the shadows of the past come knocking. That’s the good stuff right there.
“When Disney Atlantis: The Lost Empire was first released, I remember watching it on opening night at New York’s Ziegfeld Theatre with a dozen or so friends from college,” said Matthew Manning. “Seeing a strange new Mike Mignola-inspired world on the big screen was not something a bunch of cartooning majors was going to miss. When it came to expanding the story in comic form, I wanted to explore more of that interesting environment from the point of view of its inhabitants. So while we see plenty of Milo’s version of heroics, this is primarily a Kida story. As the new queen of Atlantis, how does she protect her people when an ancient curse proclaims she’ll be their destruction? How does she embrace the outside world without devaluing Atlantis’s own history? Atlantis is a large and storied place, and I wanted to really dive into it.”
Christian Colbert added, “Drawing the Disney Atlantis: The Lost Empire – Curse of Kurok for Papercutz felt like playing in a world I love.”
That love for the world shows all over this project. Curse of Kurok feels like the kind of graphic novel that understands exactly why Atlantis has remained such a fan-favorite for years. It’s got the myth, the wonder, the danger, and now a stronger focus on one of the film’s most compelling characters.
For longtime Atlantis fans, this is a return to a world that still has so much story left to tell. For younger readers, it looks like a perfect gateway into a universe filled with adventure, emotion, and ancient mystery. Either way, Queen Kida is ready to lead the charge.
Atlantis isn’t just waking up.
It’s roaring back.
Perfect for fans of Disney Atlantis: The Lost Empire, high-stakes Disney adventure storytelling, and middle-grade graphic novels packed with courage, leadership, mystery, and discovery, Disney Atlantis: The Lost Empire – Curse of Kurok looks ready to bring readers back to one of Disney’s most underrated worlds in a big way.
This all-new original graphic novel runs 80 full-color pages of underwater action, heart, and ancient danger, making it a strong pick for middle-grade readers ages 10–14 while also giving longtime Atlantis fans a fresh reason to dive back into the legendary lost city. Whether readers grab the paperback edition (ISBN: 9781545812129) or the hardcover edition (ISBN: 9781545812938), this is shaping up to be the kind of release that blends all-ages accessibility with real emotional and adventurous weight.
Disney Atlantis: The Lost Empire – Curse of Kurok arrives in bookstores and comic shops on August 18, 2026, so fans should definitely get those preorders locked in now through their favorite bookstore, local comic shop, or directly from Papercutz.com.
Papercutz continues to do what it does best — delivering graphic novels for readers of all ages with stories that hit across humor, action, mystery, and heartfelt coming-of-age storytelling. And with the powerhouse support of Mad Cave Studios and its growing family of imprints, including Papercutz, Maverick, and Nakama Press, readers have plenty more exciting worlds and stories to keep on their radar.
For the latest updates on new releases, licensed favorites, and creator-driven gems, fans can follow Mad Cave Studios and its imprints on social media or head over to madcavestudios.com to explore what’s coming next.
Author Profile
- I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
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