Since it was founded in 2005, a great deal of Legendary Pictures' focus has been on the production of comic book movies, ranging from Christopher Nolan's Batman films to this past summer's disastrous Jonah Hex. Part of a co-finance team with Warner Bros. - they have a seven year, 40-picture deal with the studio - Legendary has brought eight graphic works from page to screen. Now they are working in the opposite direction.
Legendary Pictures has issued a press release announcing that the company has launched a new division called Legendary Comics and has assigned former Dark Horse/Oni Press/DC Comics/IDW Publishing Editor Bob Schreck has Editor-in-Chief. Launching this week, the company plans to publish between four to six graphic novels a year, both in print and digital forms. The company plans to have its inaugural project ready within the first half of 2011.
This is certainly an interesting development, as you can be sure that the original content being produced by the comics arm of the company will find its way to the movie production side. The release also claims that legends such as Frank Miller (Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns), Neil Gaiman (The Sandman) and Max Brooks (World War Z) are involved with the company's development, meaning that we could be seeing some really high quality stuff come out very soon. Check out the full press release below.
LEGENDARY COMICS LAUNCHESLEADING ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY NAMES VETERAN COMIC BOOK EDITOR, BOB SCHRECK AS EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDivision Designed to Publish Original Graphic Novels is FormedBurbank, CA, November 3, 2010 – Legendary Pictures has appointed veteran comic book editor Bob Schreck to the role of Editor-in-Chief of the newly-formed Legendary Comics, it was announced by Thomas Tull, Legendary’s Chairman and CEO. Schreck joins Legendary Comics from IDW Publishing, and his appointment marks the launch of the new division dedicated to publishing original graphic novels.Headed by Schreck, Legendary Comics plans to publish four to six graphic novels a year for both digital and traditional print distribution. The books will target Legendary’s well-established and powerful fandom demographic. Schreck begins at Legendary Comics the first week of November, and plans to release the inaugural project within the first half of 2011. He will be working closely with Kathy Vrabeck, President of Legendary Digital, and they will, as warranted, look to bring the newly-created comic-based IP produced by the venture to other entertainment platforms such as film and television.“Bob is an iconic editor and one of most highly-regarded curators and editors of comic culture in our industry. He is the perfect leader with the right balance of passion and editorial skills to spearhead Legendary Comics,” said Tull. “Legendary Comics is committed to being a new home for groundbreaking artists and the characters and stories they create, in an art form we love.”“Thomas and the Legendary team have a proven track record of cultivating talent and delivering unparalleled entertainment experiences, and I am looking forward to building Legendary Comics into a world-class label for the best writers and artists we know,” said Schreck. “We have a real opportunity to deliver hard-hitting characters and exciting, innovative storylines to comic book aficionados. We are in the fortunate position of already having major support from the community and collaborations lined up with world-class creators.”Iconic comic creators Neil Gaiman, Max Brooks and Frank Miller are among those who are supportive of Legendary Comics.Frank Miller stated, “Bob Schreck is a joy to work with. He's tough but affable, mindful of the publisher's needs but a happy warrior on the side of the artist. We've worked together to mutual satisfaction for years. Legendary has proven its 'fides all over the movie industry and I expect no less from its publishing arm. With Bob, they've made the perfect choice: the man's a talent magnet.""To be attached to a creative engine of this magnitude is as thrilling as it is humbling," said Max Brooks.Neil Gaiman added, "I'm thrilled that Legendary is going to be entering the world of comics. I've been amazed and delighted by their respect for creators in the movie arena, and it can only be good news for the whole world of pop culture that they are going to be encouraging creators to tell unique, smart stories while creating amazing comics for them."Schreck comes to Legendary from IDW Publishing where he most recently served as Senior Editor. Prior to IDW Schreck spent nearly a decade working for DC comics where he started in 1990 after founding the famed Oni Press. He also worked at Dark Horse Comics, and is the recipient of numerous industry awards and acknowledgements.
