"The Umbrella Academy" is an American comic book series created by Gerard Way and illustrated by Gabriel Bá. Its debut miniseries, "Apocalypse Suite," was published by Dark Horse Comics between 2007 and 2008, winning the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Finite Series/Limited Series. A second series, "Dallas," followed in 2008. After a break, the series resumed in 2018 with "Hotel Oblivion."
November 2, 2006: First Short Preview of The Umbrella Academy
A short preview of "The Umbrella Academy" was released online on the Dark Horse Comics website, offering a glimpse into the world of the Hargreeves siblings.
July 2007: "Safe & Sound" Release in Dark Horse Presents Online
July 2007 saw the release of "Safe & Sound," an eight-page "The Umbrella Academy" story, in Dark Horse Presents online on MySpace. This marked another step in the lead-up to the series' full launch.
July 2007: "Safe & Sound" Release in Dark Horse Presents
The eight-page "The Umbrella Academy" story, "Safe & Sound," was published in the first issue of the second volume of Dark Horse Presents in July 2007. This story, whose title comes from a song by Gerard Way and Kyosuke Himuro, appeared alongside other works in this anthology format.
September 14, 2007: The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite Issue #1 Release
On September 14, 2007, Dark Horse Comics released the first issue of the six-part limited series, "The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite", marking the debut of Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá's unique superhero narrative.
2007: "...But the Past Ain’t Through with You" Release
In 2007, the first printed "The Umbrella Academy" story, titled "…But the Past Ain’t Through with You," was released as part of the Dark Horse Comics Free Comic Book Day issue. This story, taking its name from a My Chemical Romance lyric, marked the first official print appearance of the Hargreeves siblings.
February 20, 2008: The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite Issue #6 Release and Eisner Award Win
February 20, 2008, saw the conclusion of "The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite" with the release of its sixth issue. This limited series garnered critical acclaim, culminating in the prestigious 2007 Eisner Award for Best Finite Series/Limited Series.
2009: Release of MySpace Dark Horse Presents Volume 2
In 2009, Dark Horse released "MySpace Dark Horse Presents Volume 2," a collection of stories from the online anthology series. This volume notably included "Safe & Sound," the eight-page "The Umbrella Academy" story.
2009: The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion Title Reveal
In 2009, Gerard Way, during a period of uncertainty regarding the future of the series, revealed "The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion" as the title for the third installment, hinting at a possible return of the menacing Dr. Terminal.
December 2013: The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion and Fourth Installment Work Confirmation
Following a period of uncertainty, Gerard Way, in December 2013, confirmed his and Gabriel Bá's commitment to work on both "The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion" and a fourth installment, signaling a revival of the comic book series.
2014: Planned Work on Hotel Oblivion and Fourth Installment
Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá intended to work on both "The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion" and the fourth installment of the series during 2014.
2017: Netflix Greenlights The Umbrella Academy Adaptation
Netflix greenlit a live-action series adaptation of "The Umbrella Academy" in 2017, marking a turning point for the comic book series' journey into television.
October 3, 2018: The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion Issue #1 Release
After a considerable hiatus, "The Umbrella Academy" returned with "The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion." October 3, 2018, marked the release of the first issue of this highly anticipated series.
February 2019: Netflix Adaptation Premiere and Card Game Announcement
February 2019 was a significant month for "The Umbrella Academy." It saw the premiere of the much-anticipated television adaptation on Netflix, introducing the Hargreeves siblings to a broader audience. Furthermore, Dark Horse Comics partnered with Studio71 to develop a card game inspired by the comic book series.
February 15, 2019: The Umbrella Academy Netflix Series Premiere
February 15, 2019, marked the premiere of "The Umbrella Academy" live-action series adaptation on Netflix, bringing the dysfunctional superhero family to a global audience.
June 12, 2019: The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion Issue #7 Release
On June 12, 2019, "The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion" concluded with the release of its seventh issue, marking another chapter in the unpredictable saga of the Hargreeves siblings.
June 2019: The Umbrella Academy Card Game Announcement
In June 2019, Dark Horse Comics announced their collaboration with Studio71 to develop a card game based on "The Umbrella Academy," further expanding the franchise's presence in the gaming world.
November 20, 2019: "Hazel and Cha-Cha Save Christmas" Release
Dark Horse Comics launched a spin-off series, "Tales from the Umbrella Academy," starting with the one-shot "Hazel and Cha-Cha Save Christmas" on November 20, 2019. This marked an expansion of the "Umbrella Academy" universe beyond the main storyline.
July 2020: The Umbrella Academy: Sparrow Academy Title Reveal
In July 2020, Gerard Way announced "The Umbrella Academy: Sparrow Academy" as the title for Volume 4. Although this installment hasn't been released in print yet, it forms the central plotline of the show's third season.
July 31, 2020: The Umbrella Academy Season 2 Premiere
The second season of "The Umbrella Academy" premiered on Netflix on July 31, 2020, continuing the adventures of the Hargreeves siblings as they navigated time travel and family drama.
September 16, 2020: "You Look Like Death" Issue #1 Release
September 16, 2020, saw the release of "You Look Like Death" #1, a six-issue miniseries within the "Tales from the Umbrella Academy" spin-off. This series, exploring the past of Klaus Hargreeves, added another layer to the expanding "Umbrella Academy" world.
February 24, 2021: "You Look Like Death" Issue #6 Release
The "Tales from the Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death" miniseries concluded with the release of its sixth issue on February 24, 2021.
June 22, 2022: The Umbrella Academy Season 3 Premiere
On June 22, 2022, Netflix released the third season of "The Umbrella Academy," further expanding the series' exploration of alternate timelines, superhero dynamics, and family complexities.