Knight Rider is to return as a new comic book, thanks to a deal between NBC Universal and Lion Forge Comics! The St. Louis-based publishers also have the rights to produce digital comics based on Airwolf, Miami Vice, Punky Brewster and Saved By The Bell.

“Partnering with the team at Lion Forge to bring classic TV properties to life in graphic novel format was a natural step for us as we continue to identify new ways to entertain our fans in the digital space,” explains Chris Lucero, director of Global Consumer Products Licensing for NBC Universal Television. “We’re excited to give fans a chance to revisit some of their favorite shows and characters in a completely new way.”

“From hugely popular characters such as Crockett and Tubbs, Zack Morris and Punky Brewster to highly stylized music and clothing choices, these TV franchises have had a significant impact on pop culture,” Lion Forge CEO David Steward said in a statement. The company’s goal is to extend “that influence by creating visually appealing and entertaining experiences on mobile devices for a whole new generation of fans.”

The writers currently signed to work on the projects are Joelle Sellner (Teen Titans, Jackie Chan Adventures), Jonathan London (Geekscape), Geoffrey Thorne (Leverage, Ben 10) and David Gorden (Catalyst Prime). Artists include Jason Johnson (Wetworks), Carl Reed and Lorenzo Lizana.

The comics are scheduled to debut later this year and will be available through the Amazon Kindle Bookstore, Apple’s iBooks, Barnes & Noble’s Nook Book Store and Kobo.