AMERICAN cult hero Mr.T will star in a new comic book series published by St Albans-based APComics.

The comics company, based in French Row, this week said the first edition of Mr.T would be launched in the USA on Mr.T's birthday, May 21.

The Mohican-haired and heavily bejewelled Mr.T known worldwide for his roles in the smash-hit television series The A-Team and hit feature films such as ROCKY III, as well as solo television shows is overseeing the series as creative supervisor.

Mr.T said: "Quit your jibber-jabbering and buy my comic. I pity the fool who don't read it! It's gonna be pure gold!"

The comic book will be scripted by up -and-coming British writer Christopher Bunting, who said: "This truly is a dream job for me. Mr.T's winning combination of toughness and tenderness have earned him an army of fans all over the world and they are going to love this book."

APComics' publisher and editor-in-chief, Richard Emms, said: "For a British publisher like us to get this deal is beyond belief. We're all huge Mr.T fans and can't describe how excited we are about having such a legendary character in our midst.

"I want to thank the people who have rallied around to get this terrific and unique project off the ground, including Chris Bunting, who has put this comic together from literally nothing and turned it into a certain success."

Two Mr.T paperbacks are due for release in December 2005 and July 2006.