Dynamite To Reprint Don Chin’s ‘Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters’ Via 40th Anniversary Kickstarter

The black & white animal craze of the 1980s and ’90s is something that remains to this day thanks to the continued popularity of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Of course, a lot of anthropomorphized animals graced the comics page before and after TMNT hit it big with toys, cartoons, and movies. One of those other concepts celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and Dynamite is highlighting the occasion via a now-live Kickstarter. And, of course, it’s already funded!

Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters was Don Chin‘s foray into the subgenre just as it was beginning to heat up in the wake of TMNT and Cerebus the Aardvark gaining traction in comic book shops. While the title definitely nods to that other gang of teen martial arts creatures, Hamsters had its own following across the decades and 20 issues. To commemorate 40 years of ARBBH, Dynamite is inviting fans to back a campaign which will see Chin’s work collected into two volumes — either in hardcover or paperback — 300 or so pages each. The pair of books will look back on 40 years of Hamsters mayhem with Chin providing signed and remarqued editions as an option. Additionally, Vol. 2 will faithfully reprint Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters 3-D #1-4 with the classic blue-and-red glasses included. Check out some of the art below:

Contributors to the Hamsters legacy include talent like Patrick Parsons, Sam Kieth, Brent Anderson, Michael Avon-Oeming, Bill Maus, Tom Sutton, Ron Lim, Gary Bloomfield, and Moose Baumann. Their work will be included in the set, which will also come with a slipcover for those opting into both volumes. Other options include a limited facsimile edition of the first issue, one-of-one character sketches by Ken Haeser, and more. 

Those interested can take a look at the campaign page on Kickstarter right now to select their next Hamster adventure.