Exclusive Sneak Peek: Abrams ComicArts Celebrates ‘The Art of Futurama’ for Show’s 25th Anniversary

As the Emmy Award-winning animated series this year celebrates its 25th Anniversary, Abrams ComicArts (a division of publishing house Abrams) is launching The Art of Futurama — a uniquely comprehensive new art book delving into the history and development of the show.

The title hits shelves just in time for the holiday season, in bookstores on Tuesday, November 12 and in comic-book shops on November 13 (MSRP: U.S. $35 | Canada $44 | U.K. £25). Pre-order is also available at abramsbooks.com!

Timed to the title’s debut, Animation Magazine is thrilled to deliver a first-look at this tome dedicated to the brave men, women, robots and crustaceans of Planet Express!

This deluxe, 176-page hardcover features commentary from creator Matt Groening (The Simpsons), showrunner David X. Cohen and producer Claudia Katz, as well as from the show’s writers, animators and voice actors. Readers can dive into the development and visual history of all 150 episodes, including brand-new content, never-before-seen concept art, sketches, developmental work and a complete episode guide.

“When the show premiered on March 28, 1999, it was heralded as one of the best-looking shows on television,” Katz writes in her forward. “This book is a tribute to all the talented artists who helped mold, build, and shape the beautiful, stunning, epic and (25 years later) ever-expanding Futurama Universe.”

Beginning in 1999, Futurama ran for four seasons on Fox, where it earned a devoted and passionate fanbase. In 2009, the show returned for three more seasons before it was canceled in 2013. Hulu revived the series again in 2022 for its eight season, and additional seasons have been greenlit. The show has won six Emmys and nine Annie awards and inspired numerous comic books and games. TV Guide named Futurama one of the Greatest TV Cartoons of All Time.

The series follows Philip J. Fry (voiced by Billy West), a slacker who was cryogenically frozen for 1,000 years. He wakes in 30th century New York and begins working as an interplanetary delivery man alongside his boss, the mad scientist Professor Farnsworth (West), his one-eyed girlfriend Turanga Leela (Katy Sagal), and his robot best friend Bender (John DiMaggio).

“Abrams has a long history with Matt Groening and books on The Simpsons,” said Abrams ComicArts Editor-in-Chief Charles Kochman. “We are honored to expand our publishing to include The Art of Futurama, working closely with Matt and his team on this comprehensive and definitive visual history, one that is a must-have for any animation, television, or sci-fi fan.”