Babylon Lost Tales Artwork

“Babylon 5” was the best thing to happen to Science Fiction television. No arguing Trekkies – you had your shot and blew it with “Voyager” and “Enterprise”. Quiet down Browncoats – “Babylon” reinvented the darker sci-fi show before Whedon got his hands on the genre. No word from you Galacticans (or whatever you’re calling yourself).

“Babylon 5” was the best… but attempts to continue the franchise have fallen short. “Crusade” was killed by TNT before it really got a chance to get going (although the lucky few who got to read the unproduced scripts got to see what potential it truly had). “Legend of the Rangers” could have had potential, but the shortcomings of the pilot kept it from getting off the ground. What’s a non-Trek franchise to do? Turn to DVD.

Truly dedicated “Babylon” fans have known for some time that J. Michael Straczynski is bringing new B5 stories to DVD. More details have finally been released by Warner Brothers, along with the box art for the release. Babylon 5 – The Lost Tales is being billed as “an original movie” and will be in stores on July 31st. Along with the two stories that make up the movie (featuring President Sheridan (Bruce Boxlightner), Captain Locke (Tracy Scoggins), and Technomage Galen (Peter Woodward), the DVD will also include “The Straczynski Diaries,” a behind the scenes look by the creator of B5 himself.

Here’s a look at the cover art. Expect more information (and reviews) as we get it.