Hold onto your fedoras, Muppet fans—the Swedish Chef isn’t the only one stirring up excitement! A brand-new comic book series, Muppets Noir (2026), is about to bring a delightfully hard-boiled twist to the world’s most sensational, inspirational, and celebrational troupe. Set for release in February 2026 from Dynamite Entertainment, this isn’t just another Muppet adventure; it’s a full-tilt, rain-slicked, shadow-drenched journey into the world of classic film noir! Fans who love seeing the Muppets tackle literary and cinematic genres are in for a treat as the gang proves once again that they can successfully parody anything with humor and heart.
The excitement is doubled because the series marks the glorious return of Roger Langridge, the acclaimed cartoonist known for his brilliant and critically-loved runs on previous Muppets comic titles, most notably the highly celebrated The Muppet Show Comic Book. Langridge has an undeniable knack for capturing the chaotic, heartfelt, and utterly unique voice of Jim Henson’s creations, effortlessly translating their anarchic stage energy and complex relationships onto the printed page. Teaming up with the talented colorist Dearbhla Kelly, Langridge is ready to transport the gang from the bright lights of the Muppet Theatre to the murky, stylized streets of a detective’s dream. If you loved his past Muppets work—which perfectly balanced the familiar gags with inventive, genre-blending storytelling—you know this new series is in the best of hands, promising both reverence for the source material and abundant creative freedom.
The stage for this thrilling new comic is set right before the curtain is supposed to go up for a performance at the famous Muppet Theatre. The ever-stressed MC and production manager, Kermit the Frog, attempts to calm his pre-show jitters by immersing himself in the gripping pages of a hard-boiled detective novel. However, as is tradition backstage at the Muppet Theatre, order quickly devolves into chaos. In a signature moment of frantic, slapstick action, Kermit is suddenly knocked unconscious by a piece of falling stage equipment—perhaps a stray cannonball from Gonzo’s act or a flying kitchen utensil from the Chef’s cooking segment! While his co-stars frantically try to wake him up and save the performance, Kermit’s mind descends fully into the atmosphere of the book he was reading, transforming his reality into a vivid, dramatic dreamworld where he embodies the fictional private investigator, Flip Minnow, P.I.
As Flip Minnow, P.I., Kermit will have no time for his usual song-and-dance routine. The plot centers on him stepping out onto the dark, mysterious, rain-swept streets of Dreamland—a city filled with heavy shadows, witty, rapid-fire dialogue, and questionable motives lurking around every corner. His primary mission: solving the baffling, self-referential mystery of the “Snoozing Sleuth” and navigating a host of familiar faces taking on unfamiliar, noir-infused roles. This core concept allows for a perfect, meta-theatrical blend of the classic Muppet humor (it’s all happening in Kermit’s subconscious!) with the dramatic, low-key lighting aesthetic of 1940s cinema. Expect Langridge’s artwork to utilize striking, stylistic shadows reminiscent of the genre masters, all while thankfully keeping our iconic Muppet characters recognizably vibrant and colorful in their dangerous, monochrome new setting. The dynamic contrast between the shadowy backgrounds and the bright Muppets is sure to be one of the visual highlights of the series.
What about the rest of the cast? This genre offers boundless possibilities for Muppet character reinvention. Will Miss Piggy take on the role of the dangerous, alluring, and inevitably high-kicking Femme Fatale? Will Fozzie Bear become the nervous snitch with a terrible backlog of crime-related jokes? Will Gonzo be the mysterious, trench-coat-wearing informant who deals in bizarre and possibly illegal fowl? And one can only imagine the kind of crime syndicate Animal might belong to! The joy of this series will undoubtedly lie in seeing how each Muppet’s unique personality and comedic gimmick is twisted to fit the tropes of the noir world.
Mark your calendars, gumshoes! The eagerly anticipated debut of Muppets Noir #1 is scheduled to hit comic book store shelves in February 2026 and will be published by Dynamite Entertainment. This debut comes at a particularly momentous time, as 2026 also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the original The Muppet Show! Muppets Noir is kicking off what is shaping up to be a huge year for the Muppets franchise, celebrating their incredible half-century legacy by demonstrating their legendary flexibility and capacity to fit hilariously into any genre. This creative, genre-bending approach—which has gifted us classics like The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island—is where the Muppets truly shine. Get ready for a hilarious, visually stunning, and memorable addition to the Muppets’ already rich comic history!
Are you excited to see Kermit as a hard-boiled P.I. in Dreamland?
These online stores often offer discounts for pre-orders and carry multiple variant covers (Cover A, Cover B, etc.).
- Stadium Comics (Canada/International): They are listing various cover packs and individual covers for pre-order.
- CaptCan Comics (Canada/International): Also listing individual covers with the estimated release date.
