Lokomotiv Kuban are taking to the world of comics as they prepare to embark on the 2017-18 EuroCup and VTB League season.

It’s pretty cool and innovative by the Russian side, who reached the EuroLeague Final Four in 2016 but have since competed in the EuroCup due to the EuroLeague’s transformation.

Via Eurohoops:

The concept revolves around the “First Squad”, a superhero group compiled by the players of Lokomotiv Kuban who are called to defend the city of Krasnodar.

Because yes. There are things to defend against. After all, every supehero needs a powerful supervillain as adversary, right?
Furthermore, the team’s quest for EuroLeague, which Loko can join either by winning the EuroCup or advancing to the VTB finals, is also clearly illustrated.

At least that’s what we can deduce or at least imagine (and what are comic books if not fuel for the imagination?) by two pages of the first issue, published as a teaser by Lokomotiv Kuban’s Twitter account.

This is a teaser for the global promo campaign based on the mash-up of basketball and the superhero comics world,” commented Denis Lagutin, head of marketing for the club. “The premiere of the “First Squad” itself will take place on the Basket Expo in Moscow July, 27, where characters and the whole idea will be presented.”

More details are expected to be revealed soon. But if we are to make a guess… can we expect head coach Sasa Obradovic to play the part of a character similar to… Doctor X?