Summary of the latest independent news from Feb. 3rd - 5th, 2013!
"The X-Files" becomes latest license obtained by IDW!
It seems every few months, another meaty license becomes obtained by IDW, which has swiftly become the fifth largest comic book publisher in North America despite being formed in the late 90's (the year 1999 to be exact). Last week, IDW announced that it had united with 20th Century Fox to produce new comics based on the hit "X-Files" franchise. As the press release summarizes, "The X-Files" ran for nine seasons on Fox from 1993-2002 and launched the careers of starring actors David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as agents Mulder and Scully (respectively). There were also two feature films spun off from the show in 1998 and 2008. IDW editor in chief Chris Ryall notes that obtaining well known licenses and doing well with them has very much been IDW's strategy since 2004 with no sign of slowing.
"The X-Files" have long been appearing in comics, although naturally such things waned alongside the popularity of the TV show. Topps Comics had an ongoing series which ran for over forty issues from 1995-1998. Former DC Comics imprint Wildstorm published two specials in 2008 and 2010, with the latter being a team-up with Steve Niles' "30 Days Of Night" franchise. No creative team has been announced, but the series will presumably launch later this year.
Valiant Entertainment to produce film of "Harbinger"!
According to Variety (or "the Hollywood Bible" as some call it), comic book publisher Valiant Entertainment is looking to produce their own film adaptation of hit series "Harbinger" now that talks with Paramount have stalled. The company have rehired Stepehn Susco to work on the script; Paramount originally hired him back when Brett Ratner was involved with the project. The lawsuit between Fox and Warner Brothers over "Watchmen" caused the project to stall.
Now Valiant will have Alexandra Milchan produce the film with Susco writing it; a director is unknown. "Harbinger" stalls a super powered teenager as he takes on an evil industrialist. The entire point of Valiant's return was to recreate some of their properties in the hopes of alternate media adaptations such as film, where the big bucks are.
Lead singer of "Say Anything" launches a comic at BOOM!
Max Bemis, the lead singer of the band "Say Anything", is writing a four issue mini series for BOOM! Studios called "Polarity" alongside artist Jorge Coalho. Inspired by the singer's real struggle to overcome mental illness, it follows an artist from Brooklyn named Tim Wood who decides to stop taking his medication for bipolar disorder, only to discover he has super powers. Described as an "action adventure dark comedy", it does have some autobiographical elements in it for Bemis. The series launches in April.
He is hardly the first musician to launch his own successful indie comic. Gerard Way of "My Chemical Romance" co-created and writes "Umbrella Academy" for Dark Horse.
ComiXology and Delcourt unite!
A week after announcing opening an office in Paris, France to better expand their digital comics business into Europe, ComiXology have announced an exclusive deal with Delcourt Group. The group represents over 17% of the French comic book market, which will now be offered digitally through ComiXology. The company's aim to bring comics to everyone around the globe becomes more real every week.
Read last week's indie comics news here!
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