Dynamite has released Supernatural Special: Wayward, a one-shot comic confirming that Sam and Dean Winchester are returning for a new chapter of the franchise — but this time, they won't be hunting together.
The 48-page special, written by Paulina Ganucheau with art by Kendall Goode, John Amor, and Pedro Estouco, serves as a lead-in to separate Sam Winchester and Dean Winchester solo series set for release in October. While both brothers are confirmed to remain the franchise's central figures, Wayward reveals that they will be going their separate ways for this next stretch of the story.
The special also drops a notable detail early on: a reference to Bobby Singer being alive, even though the character does not physically appear in the issue. That places the new storyline before Season 7, Episode 10 of the original show, and raises the possibility that Bobby could turn up in the upcoming solo series.
However, fans hoping for Castiel's involvement may be disappointed. Sam's hairstyle in the comic is notably short, a detail long used by fans to gauge the show's season timeline. That styling places the story somewhere between Seasons 2 and 3 — before Season 4, Episode 1, which is when Castiel was introduced. As a result, his appearance in this new chapter appears unlikely.
As for why the brothers split, Wayward explains that Sam begins receiving anonymous phone calls and text messages warning him that Dean will be killed unless Sam abandons him within 48 hours. Dean brushes off the threat, but Sam takes it seriously as the warnings keep coming. After a hunt goes wrong and Sam is left with mere minutes before the deadline, he chooses to leave Dean behind — injuring his already-injured brother so he can't follow, and telling him: "Dean. Don't look for me. Don't follow me. Please."
The special ends shortly after, setting the stage for the October launches of the Sam Winchester and Dean Winchester solo titles, which promise a markedly different dynamic for a franchise long built around the brothers staying together.
