Rainbow Brite was a 5-issue comic book series by Dynamite Comics, based upon the 80s incarnation of Rainbow Brite. It ran from October 2018 to February 2019. It was written by Jeremy Whitley, writer of Princeless, with art provided by Britney Williams, who illustrated Marcy and Simon among other things.
Wisp lives in a small town with her best friend, Willow, and they love pretending to go on fantastic adventures. One night, Wisp sees monsters trying to steal the colors from the world, and is told by the magical Star Sprite Twinkle that she has been chosen to be Rainbow Brite, the only one who can save the captured Color Guard and return the stolen color to Earth. While Wisp doesn't think she's hero material, she journeys to Rainbow Land in an attempt to save the Color Guard and stop Murky, Lurky, and the King of Shadows. Wisp must find the courage in herself to become Rainbow Brite before all the world's color is taken.
This comic contains examples of:
- Adaptation Expansion: This series focuses more on Wisp's Earthly life before she becomes Rainbow Brite, including her friends and family, as well as the world beyond Rainbow Land. A stated goal of the comic was to build upon the story the cartoon laid out, establish rules of magic and background lore, and further develop characters' personalities.
- Adaptation Name Change: The Star Sprite Twink was renamed Twinkle, the Color Kids became the Color Guard, and Red Butler became Red Flare.
- Canon Foreigner: Willow and her family aren't from the show. The end of issue 5 hints Willow will become Stormy, however.
- Cut Short: While plans were made for multiple story arcs, the comic was ultimately canceled
after only 5 issues. - Endearingly Dorky: Wisp and Willow love LARPing and pretending to save the day from evil, and are determined to stay in-character even when getting sandwiches.
- Heroic Self-Deprecation: Wisp is quick to downplay her heroics and is sure she isn't Rainbow Brite.
- Legacy Character: Wisp and the Color Guard aren't the first people to take up their respective roles.
- Mad Scientist: Murky Dismal is reimagined as this, and sends giant robots to capture the Color Guard and Wisp.
- Magical Girl Warrior: Wisp's powers in this adaptation, along with her transformation sequence places her in this category over her 80's counterpart.
- Magical Land: Like in the source material, Rainbow Land is a magical land where color is spread all across the world.
- Mr. Exposition: Twinkle explains the powers, history, and geography of Rainbow Land to Wisp and guides her on her adventure.
- No Ending: Issue 5, the finale, ends on a cliffhanger with only two out of seven Color Guard saved and Willow being struck by magical lightning.
- Origins Episode: The story shows how Wisp became Rainbow Brite.
- Save the Princess: All of the Color Guard have been captured, and only Rainbow Brite can save them.
- Talking Is a Free Action: Wisp holds several lengthy conversations with Red Flare and Twinkle while she or other characters are in danger. A standout instance is a debate over whether or not to save Starlite from monsters, how Wisp would ask his permission before riding him, and speculating on what he knows about human-horse relations all while said monsters are in the middle of dragging him away.
- This Is Reality: Wisp is quick to point out that she and Willow pretended to save the world and actually saving it is beyond her.
- The Unpronounceable: The Green Color Guard's real name is difficult to pronounce, so she tells Wisp to call her Patty.
- Writing for the Trade: The comic was written for the trade as a miniseries, with future adventures dependent on trade sales.
