Legendary Comics, the publishing arm of the blockbuster-focused film studio, today announced a new bookstore distribution partnership with giant Penguin Random House's Publisher Services division. Aside from the reach into the book market, the news also comes with the announcement of three new original comics projects from the company.
CBR News has learned the creative teams of Legendary's latest, set to arrive across the end of 2014 and early in 2015. September sees the debut of "A Town Called Dragon" from writer Judd Winick and artist Geoff Shaw, telling the story of the last dragon egg on earth hatching in a modern American city. Later in 2014, "Epochalypse" arrives from "The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation" writer Jonathan Hennessey and artist Shane Davis who already teamed with Legendary for the recent "Shado Walk" OGN. The book focuses on future team battling against a collapse of the time stream. Finally, 2015 will see "The Harvester" from "Witch Doctor" writer Brandon Seifert and artist Eric Battle which mixes urban horror and action.
Specific formats for the projects were not mentioned, though of late Legendary has put its muscle behind the graphic novel format with projects like the "Godzilla: Awakening" movie tie-in.
Read Legendary's official press release below, and stay tuned for more on the projects as word becomes available.
Official Press Release
LEGENDARY COMICS AND PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE JOIN FORCES IN AN EXCLUSIVE SALES AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT; 3 NEW SERIES ANNOUNCED
Burbank, CA - June 2, 2014 - Legendary Comics, a division of Legendary Entertainment, announced today it has entered into an exclusive multi-year sales and distribution agreement with Penguin Random House Publisher Services, a division of Penguin Random House, that will service Legendary to the book trades. Legendary will continue to work with Diamond in the direct market. In addition to distribution, Penguin Random House will provide sales, production, and publishing services.
"We want to deliver great comics, and this new agreement with Penguin Random House enables us to be much more effective in bringing our stories to readers. We are very excited by this new venture," said David Sadove of Legendary's Publishing Operations.
Jeff Abraham, President of Penguin Random House Publisher Services, added "Legendary is known for creating some of the most popular films of the past decade. We're excited to partner with Legendary Comics and to help grow their publishing unit into a thriving participant in the graphic novel market."
In addition to announcing the new partnership, Legendary Comics is announcing three new titles today.
"Penguin Random House Publisher Services' expertise will enable us to broaden our reach as we expand our ever-growing catalogue. Working with a mix of seasoned comic book pros and some bright newcomers, we are committed to delivering the best new stories, characters and worlds in the industry. The three new titles we are announcing today are just the tip of the iceberg of what's to come from Legendary Comics," said Bob Schreck, Legendary Comics' Editor-In-Chief.
A TOWN CALLED DRAGON
Modern-day America and ancient mythology collide when the last dragon egg finally hatches, and an ordinary group of citizens must unite to defeat it.
Coming in September 2014.
EPOCHALYPSE
When a mysterious space-time phenomenon causes 600 years of human history to collapse into a single era, an elite team of Resynchronization officers must wage a war against the very laws of time.
Coming in Fall 2014.
THE HARVESTER
A supernatural suspense story unfolds when two rebellious investigators discover that the nightmarish urban legend of "The Harvester" is more real - and more dangerous - than they ever imagined.
Coming in 2015.
About Legendary Comics
From the epic spectacle of the big-screen to the simple power of a comic book panel, Legendary is committed to one thing above all: telling great stories. Legendary Comics is born out of that passion for mythic entertainment, seeking out new talent and working with the best and brightest talent in the industry to create transportive worlds, inspirational characters and spectacular adventures that leap off the page. For more information visit http://www.legendary.com/comics
About Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Penguin Random House Publisher Services, a Penguin Random House company, which is a division of Random House LLC, is the book industry's leading provider of sales and distribution services to premium third-party publishers. Its wide range of service offerings includes sales, warehousing, physical and digital distribution, credit and collection, marketing, and information technology. Its portfolio of clients includes National Geographic Society, Beacon Press, DC Comics, Rizzoli, Melville House, New York Review Books, Prometheus Books, Shambhala, Quirk Books, and many others. http://www.rhpublisherservices.com