Max Max: Fury Road was one of the most anticipated films at the San Diego Comic Con this weekend, and in line with the film’s extended coverage, an exclusive piece of Comic Con Artwork alongside a selection of first look stills has been released for your consummate delectation.

Tom HardyTom Hardy as the weathered motorcycle enforcer, Mad Max

It's been nearly 30 years since the last sequel in the franchise hit theatres, becoming the top-grossing Australian film and holding the Guinness record for most profitable film for decades. The plot sees the titular character fight delinquency in a dystopian future filled with zealot motorcycle gangs and high crime.

More: Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron Put the 'Fury' in 'Mad Max: Fury Road'

Fury Road sees Tom Hardy step into the fold as Mad Max himself. Charlize Theron, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz also star in the film, which has been in the franchise creator, George Miller’s mind since at least 2003, when he announced that a script had been written for a new film.

The project was then plunged into insecurity following “development hell”. Political sensitivities then took hold as filming locations such as Namibia proving to be a security concern following the U.S’s decision to tighten travel and shipping restrictions. The Iraq war then provided what looked like the final nail as Mad Max’s plot was considered to be politically incendiary. 

Mad MaxGeorge Miller's latest vision of a dystopian future

But production picked up, and the casting of Tom Hardy in the lead role really helped to gather momentum for the film, which, according to Jason Boland – an Australian Photographer who has been taking stills on the set for Mad Max: Fury Road “is going to be epic."

Next page: see more pictures from 'Mad Max: Fury Road'.