Made even more interesting in light of the looming announcement at the D23 Expo, Bleeding Cool discovers that the Disney Press will publish an original graphic novel in May based on the popular theme-park attraction Space Mountain.

The site characterizes the 176-page hardcover as "Disney Comics’ first original graphic novel," but given the nebulousness of "Disney Comics" and the scope of Disney Publishing Worldwide, that would seem like a difficult distinction to make.

Written by Bryan Q. Miller (Smallville, Batgirl) and illustrated by Kelley Jones (Batman, The Sandman), Space Mountain: A Graphic Novel carries the following description in its Amazon.com listing: "The year is 2125 and the Magellan Science Academy has given two lucky cadets "golden tickets" to join a team of space explorers on a special field trip to journey 24 hours into the future. But when their mission goes unexpectedly wrong, the two kids must band together with a miniature flying saucer sidekick to save themselves and their crew--and return to Space Mountain--before time runs out and the universe is destroyed!"

Opening in 1975 at Walt Disney World, Space Mountain is the oldest operating roller coaster in Florida. The indoor ride is now part of all five Magic Kingdom-style parks.

According to Bleeding Cool, the graphic novel is planned as the first book in a trilogy.