by Lindsey Winsemius - Posted 3 days ago
Nostalgia is a huge driving force in pop culture. The clothes, the movies, the brands we loved when we were young - we all want to relive those feelings. And that includes the comics we collected. Some comics endured, such as Superman and Batman, while others have been given a second chance.
In the ever-evolving world of comics, reboots have become a thrilling way to breathe new life into timeless characters and stories. These modern takes honor the originals while introducing fresh narratives, updated art styles, and sometimes even innovative formats like digital collectibles. Platforms like CryptoComics Marketplace are at the forefront, allowing fans to own and trade NFT versions of these reboots, supporting indie creators in the process. Whether you're a longtime collector or a newcomer exploring blockchain-powered comics, these reboots showcase the enduring appeal of adventure, sci-fi, and heroism.
Here are a few popular reboots to add to your collection.
The original Jetta of the 21st Century burst onto the scene in 1952 from Standard Comics, created by the legendary Dan DeCarlo—known for his work on Archie Comics. This short-lived series (just three issues) followed teen Jetta Raye in a futuristic world of flying cars, anti-gravity packs, and interstellar soda shops, blending teen humor with sci-fi flair.
Fast forward to the reboot: In 2020, Jim Tournas of Totally Galactic Comics launched Jetta Raye Adventures, an all-ages homage that expands on the original with new stories featuring Jetta and her pals Hilaria, Arky, Gizmo, and Biff. Packed with dinosaur chases, alien encounters, and over 100 pages of vibrant art from talents like Craig Boldman and Jeff Shultz, this revival captures the whimsical spirit of the 1950s while updating it for today's readers. On CryptoComics, you can snag digital editions as NFTs, perfect for collectors who love retro-futurism.
Few characters embody the reboot spirit like Blue Beetle, whose history spans decades and multiple publishers. The original Dan Garret debuted in 1939's Mystery Men Comics by Fox Feature Syndicate as a vitamin-powered cop in a bulletproof suit. Charlton Comics rebooted him in 1964 as an archaeologist wielding a mystical scarab for superpowers, only to revamp again in 1966 with Ted Kord, a gadget-wielding genius sans scarab.
DC Comics acquired the rights in 1983, integrating Blue Beetle into their universe. The most recent major reboot came in 2006 with Jaime Reyes, a teen who bonds with the scarab for alien armor and tech-based abilities, featured in series like the 2011 New 52 run and 2016's DC Rebirth. This evolution from pulp hero to modern Latino icon highlights how reboots adapt to cultural shifts. The series became a major motion picture in 2023, although it was one of the lowest grossing DC movies.
Read more about Blue Beetle and it's history.
Sheena holds a special place as the first female character with her own comic title, debuting in 1938 via Fiction House's Jumbo Comics and starring in her solo series from 1942 to 1953. Raised in the jungle after her explorer father's death, Sheena wielded vine-swinging skills, animal communication, and fierce independence in pulpy adventures full of exotic dangers.
Reboots have kept her swinging: London Night's erotic take in 1998, Devil's Due in 2007, Moonstone in 2014, and Dynamite Entertainment's ongoing series from 2017 to 2023, often adding mystical elements like shapeshifting. A 2021 Dynamite relaunch by Marguerite Bennett brought fresh energy. These updates modernize her while preserving the thrill of jungle escapism.
Sheena was a popular TV series in the 1950's, and was rebooted for TV again in the in the early 2000s starring Gena Lee Nolin.
Born from a 1950s TV and radio series inspired by Robert Heinlein's Space Cadet, Tom Corbett's comic adventures started with Dell Comics in 1952, running through 1954 with tales of space academy cadets facing pirates and alien threats.
The reboots began with Eternity Comics' manga-style miniseries in 1990, but BlueWater Comics (now TidalWave) truly revived it in 2009 with a four-issue mini, followed by another in 2012-2013, exploring Tom's exploits against robotic hordes in the 23rd century. These updates nod to the original's optimistic space opera vibe while adding modern action. Start collecting these classics and the thrilling reboots right here on CryptoComics.
Nedor/Better Publications' original Exciting Comics (1940-1949) was a Golden Age anthology featuring heroes like The Black Terror in wartime adventures.
Antarctic Press rebooted it in 2019 as part of their "Superverse" initiative, blending public domain characters with new creations in ongoing issues. With stories like "Demon Hunter Raven" and alternate-universe epics, it runs strong into 2026, offering a mix of nostalgia and innovation. Available on CryptoComics, this reboot is a gateway for fans to explore revived pulp heroes in digital form.
Fiction House's Jungle Comics (1940-1954) was a pulp staple, starring characters like Ka'a'nga in 163 issues of exotic jungle tales, often with "good girl art" flair.
Antarctic Press, like Exciting Comics, rebooted Jungle Comics in 2019 as an anthology mixing new stories and colorized reprints from 1970s Italian fumetti, running about 30 issues by 2022 and beyond. It captures the adventure essence while updating for contemporary audiences to be a more risqué version of the good girl trope. CryptoComics hosts both original and reboot editions, making it easy to collect these vine-swinging sagas as NFTs.
Read more about Jungle Comics, Then and Now.
These reboots prove that classic comics aren't relics—they're evolving art forms. By blending heritage with new ideas, they attract diverse audiences. On CryptoComics, owning them as digital assets adds a layer of interactivity, from reselling to connecting with creators.
Read any good reboots lately? What are your favorites?
