With comic book based movies and tv shows taking the spotlight to pretty much all other “normal” content, it isn’t surprising that other publishers are now trying to put their brand and titles out on the market.
IDW
Publishing has announced that they will launch a new brand of their company, designed
specifically to bring their comics to tv. The first ones include Life Undead,
Brooklyn Animal Control and V Wars.
Press
Release:
IDW
Publishing, one of the largest publishers of comic books and graphic novels
with over 300 original properties, has launched a new division, IDW
Entertainment, to fund and develop new television properties based on IDW
Publishing's extensive catalog. Entertainment industry veteran David Ozer has
been named President of the new division. The announcement was made today by
Ted Adams, CEO & Publisher, IDW Publishing.
An
accomplished global television executive, David Ozer brings his extensive experience
in sales and financing to IDW Entertainment. In his new role, Ozer will work
with Adams to identify, develop and oversee brand extensions across IDW
Publishing's portfolio of comics and graphic novels for the global television
market. A key focus for the division is the financing, development and
production of television series with the goal of securing straight-to-series
commitments from networks. Ozer's background includes executive level roles at
Sonar Entertainment, Starz Media/IDT Entertainment and DIC Entertainment.
"IDW
Publishing's significant growth over the past several years, particularly in
the theatrical arena with a number of properties currently in development at
major studios, together with the ever increasing popularity of our creator-owned
titles, have provided us with the ideal opportunity to expand into
multi-platform entertainment," said Adams in making the announcement.
"David's depth of distribution and finance expertise in television,
coupled with his production knowledge and his extensive relationships within
the entertainment community, make him the perfect choice for spearheading our
aggressive move into television."
"IDW
Publishing's properties have a proven track record and built-in appeal with
today's sophisticated entertainment consumer," said Ozer. "Given the
Company's growth and subsequent financial success, investing in the development
and production of its projects into television programming is the next logical
and strategic step in growing IDW's media empire, and further solidifies IDW as
a key player in both the theatrical and television entertainment arena."
Circle
of Confusion, Executive Producer of the hit AMC series The Walking Dead, will
oversee packaging and creative development of the division and will executive
produce the company's projects. Rick Jacobs will continue to run point on these
efforts.
"The
timing couldn't be better for IDW Publishing to invest in television
production," added Jacobs. "IDW is a powerhouse of creativity, and
the film studios recognize that potential. By financing its own television
projects, the company is now poised to become a major player across all media
platforms. We're very excited to continue to help expand IDW's reach beyond
publishing."
The
initial focus will be on the development of a slate of properties from the
company's catalog including: Life Undead, to be co-executive produced by Chris
Pollack, with showrunner Paul Zbyszewski (S.H.I.E.L.D., Hawaii Five-O, Lost)
who wrote the comic book, attached to the project; Brooklyn Animal Control,
based on the darkly thrilling comic which was released in March 2013 from writer/director
J.T. Petty (Splinter Cell, Hellbenders) and artist Stephen Thompson (Star Trek:
New Frontier); and V Wars, edited by New York Times best-selling author
Jonathan Maberry, for which IDW Entertainment is already in discussions with a
soon- to-be-named network. IDW Entertainment is represented in all areas by
CAA.
IDW
Publishing already has several active theatrical projects in development. Lore,
from writer T.P. Louise and acclaimed artist Ashley Wood is in development at
Warner Bros. with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson set to star in a script
written by Corey Goodman and Jeremy Lott. David Green (Echo) is set to direct
with Mad Chance's Andrew Lazar and Circle of Confusion's David Alpert and Rick
Jacobsproducing. Barry Sonnenfeld will executive produce. World War Robot,
created by Ashley Wood, is in development at Disney. Jon Spaihts is writing the
screenplay with Jerry Bruckheimer producing. Zombies vs. Robots, created by
writer and IDW Publishing's Chief Creative Officer Chris Ryall and artist Ashley
Wood is in development with Sony with Platinum Dunes and Circle of Confusion
producing. Adams is an Executive Producer on all three projects.
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