MUMBAI: Disney Studios has launched a graphic novel business called Kingdom Comics. The plan is to adapt the work into movies.
As a part of the new launch, Disney Studios has signed a multi-year deal with writer-actor Ahmet Zappa, TV executive Harris Katleman and writer-editor Christian Beranek to manage the division. The basic aim is to create new titles for new film projects and also to re-imagine and revive movies from Disney‘s library of live-action films.
Zappa is the younger son of late musician Frank Zappa and sold the rights of his first novel, The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless, to Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films in 2006. He is writing the second instalment in that series and is executive producing a feature version of Fraggle Rock with the Jim Henson Co.
Katleman is a former president and CEO of 20th Century Fox Television. Beranek formed his own publishing company, Silent Devil, in 1996, producing titles like Dracula vs. King Arthur and Super Frat. None of the graphic artists’ names have been disclosed, though the trio stated that they were looking out for new and established talent.
The new launch is keeping in mind competitor’s entry into graphic novel business. Kingdom Comics already has a first-look distribution deal with Disney Publishing Worldwide.
If Disney disagrees to publish the book, Kingdom Comics can search for new avenues. Kingdom Comics is not bound to compulsorily publish a certain number of graphic novels in a year.
The studio will selectively pick up titles and develop them on case-by-case basis. It also will place the company in business with established talent which will basically develop into a research and development division.
Competitors like Paramount and Universal have deals with Marvel and Dark Horse Comics respectively. Warner Bros. owns DC Comics.
