'Independence Day: Resurgence' Comic Book Prequel Cover Art Revealed

Twenty years will have passed between the time Independence Day hit theaters and Roland Emmerich's sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence gets released on June 24th 2016. What happened in that time? Titan Comics will be publishing a prequel to the upcoming movie, which they are teasing as "a rich psychological prison drama". Preview the first couple covers of the Independence Day: Resurgence comic book and learn more about the series, after the jump.

Update:

Today Titan Comics released images for the first couple of Independence Day: Resurgence comic book covers.

INDEPENDENCE DAY #1

Writer: Victor Gischler

Artist: Steve Scott

Cover A – Movie Cover

Cover B – Dio Neves

Publisher: Titan Comics

Page Count: 32?pp?

Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: March 02

As our world unites against invaders from beyond the stars, beneath the Atlantic Ocean, another mysterious craft prompts a top-secret investigation by the US military, one which could prove the key to humanity's survival... or its ultimate destruction.

INDEPENDENCE DAY #2

Writer: Victor Gischler

Artist: Steve Scott

Cover A – Movie Cover

Cover B – Alex Ronald

Publisher: Titan Comics

Page Count: 32?pp?

Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: March 23

With fear and suspicion running rife aboard the sub, Adams prepares to embark the alien vessel in search of answers. But how will its extraterresterial crew react to unwanted visitors onboard?

My original story from September 23rd 2015 follows:

What happens in the twenty years leading up to the Independence Day sequel Independence Day: Resurgence We know this from the information revealed thus far:

Twenty years after the events of the first film, the international community recovers and builds up Earth's defenses using technology salvaged from remains of the alien forces. However, the aliens were able to send a distress signal before their final defeat, which results in a new task force of alien ships coming to Earth and threatening the human race once more.

Word of Titan Comics Independence Day 2 comic book prequel comes thanks to THR. Unfortunately, they don't reveal much information at all.

The as-yet-unnamed comic book will, according to the publisher, be "a rich psychological prison drama" set after the events of the original 1996 movie. Editor Steve White told THR that the series will be "a golden opportunity to segue nicely into next year's blockbuster sequel by taking the mythos of the original and maybe adding a little darkness to it."

The comic is written by Victor Gischler (Sally of the Wasteland, Deadpool) with art by Steve Scott (Batman, X-Men Forever). We can assume from the tease of "a rich psychological prison drama" that maybe it involves an alien imprisoned on earth after the events of the original Independence Day. And maybe this will lead to a prison break, which allows the alien to send that distress signal? Although the released information claims the distress signal was made before the alien's final defeat. Either way, we'll have to wait for more information to be released.

Roland Emmerich is directing the sequel, and wrote the first draft of the script with Dean Devlin. Since then, James A. WoodsNicolas Wright, and James Vanderbilt have all had a hand in the screenplay as well. Emmerich and Devlin are additionally producing with Harald Kloser.

The film stars William FichtnerLiam HemsworthJessie UsherTravis TopeMaika Monroe, Sela WardDeobia Oparei, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Joey KingMckenna Grace and returning stars Jeff Goldblum, Brent Spiner, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox and Bill Pullman. Notably, Will Smith, who played Marine pilot Steven Hiller, is not returning after 20th Century Fox supposedly refused to provide the $50 million salary demanded by Smith for the two sequels. The film was rewritten to not include Smith's character. You can read about what roles each of these actors play in the sequel here.

Independence Day: Resurgence is scheduled to hit theaters on June 24th 2016. A trailer is due around Christmas 2015. The comic book prequel will likely hit store shelves in the months leading up to the film's release.