Udderly Exciting
Yep, we're punching ourselves in the face right now for that one, don't worry.
Published: February 8, 2006
Hollywood and video games have become something of an item over the years, and now even TV shows are making the leap, so why not the oldest and most gaming-friendly medium around: comics. Oh, sure we have games based on movies based on comics, but direct translations are few and far between.
But as more kids turn to adults and bring their love for all things geeky with them, the mainstream is embracing the formerly nerds-only realm of comics in film and TV shows (even if the latter are usually cartoons). Top Cow, purveyors of such goodies as The Darkness, Witchblade and Fathom, have inked a deal with Union Entertainment to start pitching their biggest properties to video game developers.
Some of the older comic geeks will likely remember how, ahem, well the 70's versions of comics-turned-TV shows translated, but at least games are a more natural transition -- and likely filled with people that actually read and get the books rather than a bunch of suits with dollar signs in their eyes.
Still, it's not like comic games are a sure thing. Earlier this year when Majesco finally opted out of the full-price publishing biz, they shunted their next-gen properties in the process, most notably The Darkness, the first Top Cow property that was being helmed by Chronicles of Riddick developer Starbreeze. It has since been picked up again (though the publisher is still little more than a rumor), but it was a bit dicey there for a while, and Union's involvement was likely brought about because of this.
“Union’s unique ability to translate comics to games, package talent and sell to game publishers, as evidenced by The Darkness, makes them a great Top Cow partner,” cheesed Top Cow President and COO Matt Hawkins.
“The Top Cow / Union deal gives Union a rich universe of content on which to base video games, as well as opportunities to create new content with Top Cow,” returned Richard Leibowitz, Union's President. “As the business of video games further evolves to mirror that of feature films, including demand for source material and above-the-line talent, this deal enables us to meet emerging demands and further establishes Union as the leading Hollywood-style production company in video games.”
For those wondering, Union was apparently the company responsible for the basic idea for The Darkness. They whipped up a design document, pitched it to Starbreeze and snared scribe Paul Jenkins to create the storyline for the game. The new deal allows the pair to not only create new properties for games and comics, but bring existing Top Cow titles like Witchblade, the Darkness spin-off Magdalena, Hunter/Killer, Aphrodite IX and Wanted.
As soon as the games are official, we'll let you know.
But as more kids turn to adults and bring their love for all things geeky with them, the mainstream is embracing the formerly nerds-only realm of comics in film and TV shows (even if the latter are usually cartoons). Top Cow, purveyors of such goodies as The Darkness, Witchblade and Fathom, have inked a deal with Union Entertainment to start pitching their biggest properties to video game developers.
Some of the older comic geeks will likely remember how, ahem, well the 70's versions of comics-turned-TV shows translated, but at least games are a more natural transition -- and likely filled with people that actually read and get the books rather than a bunch of suits with dollar signs in their eyes.
Still, it's not like comic games are a sure thing. Earlier this year when Majesco finally opted out of the full-price publishing biz, they shunted their next-gen properties in the process, most notably The Darkness, the first Top Cow property that was being helmed by Chronicles of Riddick developer Starbreeze. It has since been picked up again (though the publisher is still little more than a rumor), but it was a bit dicey there for a while, and Union's involvement was likely brought about because of this.
“Union’s unique ability to translate comics to games, package talent and sell to game publishers, as evidenced by The Darkness, makes them a great Top Cow partner,” cheesed Top Cow President and COO Matt Hawkins.
“The Top Cow / Union deal gives Union a rich universe of content on which to base video games, as well as opportunities to create new content with Top Cow,” returned Richard Leibowitz, Union's President. “As the business of video games further evolves to mirror that of feature films, including demand for source material and above-the-line talent, this deal enables us to meet emerging demands and further establishes Union as the leading Hollywood-style production company in video games.”
For those wondering, Union was apparently the company responsible for the basic idea for The Darkness. They whipped up a design document, pitched it to Starbreeze and snared scribe Paul Jenkins to create the storyline for the game. The new deal allows the pair to not only create new properties for games and comics, but bring existing Top Cow titles like Witchblade, the Darkness spin-off Magdalena, Hunter/Killer, Aphrodite IX and Wanted.
As soon as the games are official, we'll let you know.