Tim Burton’sSleepy Hollowis getting its long-awaited revival over twenty-five years after the fan-favorite film debuted in theaters, andthis time, the story of Ichabod and Katrina will continue in comic book form.Return to Sleepy Hollowis set to draw the characters back together to face an even deadlier supernatural threat lurking in the legendary town.
As first revealed by EW.com,Return to Sleepy Hollow#1, written by Casey Gilly, with art by Savannah Mayer,will debut this fall, just days before Halloween, and will follow up on the ending of the beloved movie.
The comic is set to feature Ichabod Crane coming back to the infamous town and once more falling prey to dark forces.
Tim Burton’s Classic 1999 Film “Sleepy Hollow” Gets A Comic Book Sequel, From IDW Publishing
Return to Sleepy Hollow#1, Written By Casey Gilly; Art By Savannah Mayer; Available June 16, 2025 from IDW Publishing
Released in 1999,Tim Burton’sSleepy Hollowwas a critical and commercial success, and it still holds a deeply nostalgic place in the hearts of generations of viewers. Burton’s take on the 19th-century supernatural story has legions of fans who have hoped for a sequel for decades, and nowReturn to Sleepy Hollowis finally happening.
[Ichabod and Katrina] are described as “estranged,” leading intoReturn to Sleepy Hollow, with the series giving them an opportunity for an upbeat ending…but that is far from guaranteed.
According to EW, in the years between the original film andReturn, Ichabod has traveled the world serving as a skeptic and “debunker of occult claims,” following his real run-in with the supernatural in Sleepy Hollow. However,he will quickly be lured back to the town, and to Katrina,memorably played by Christina Ricciin the film.
The iconic couple are described as “estranged,” leading intoReturn to Sleepy Hollow, with the series giving them an opportunity for an upbeat ending…but that is far from guaranteed, given the nature of the franchise. As far as the plot of the series goes,it seems the mythology surrounding Sleepy Hollow will expand in unexpected new ways.
The Long-Awaited Follow-Up To “Sleepy Hollow” Is In Good Hands, Thanks To A Break-out Creative Team
Return to Sleepy Hollow#1, Variant Covers By Audrey Estok, Louis de Martinis, Joelle Jones, And Abigail Larson
From the teaser art shared by EW,courtesy of IDW Publishing, it appears that the creative team behindReturnwill do more than just elaborate on the lore ofSleepy Hollow; preview art shows that they aregoing to use the medium to their advantage to expand the scope of the horror imagery and concepts the series can deliver.
As author Casey Gilly said of the book:
Sometimes an opportunity comes into my inbox and I know, deep in my soul, that I will become a feral creature if I don’t get to write it.Sleepy Hollowis one of those opportunities and once I saw Savanna’s incredible art, I knew it was meant to be.
Artist Savannah Mayer, meanwhile, makes their first venture into comics, andReturn to Sleepy Hollowseems poised to be an incredibly memorable debut, one that pays off years of creativity and spooky interests. According to Mayer:
There was always a rumor going around about me in high school about how I just draw dead people all time. Well, now I get paid to draw dead people! Bones! Trees! Historical wear! I couldn’t ask for more. Based on amazing folktale source material from my home state, I couldn’t be more thrilled for my comic debut. With motifs of creepy trees, historical wear and gore, it’s a dream come true to drawSleepy Hollowand I truly am spoiled for choice.
In other words, the book’s creators have an infections-level of enthusiasm for the series.
What that suggests is thatReturn to Sleepy Hollowis going to live up to the expectations set by fans of the film, and perhaps even surpass them. The book is certain to have many surprises in store for readers. After so many years,Sleepy Hollowcouldn’t be making a comeback at a better time, or in a better way.
