BLACK COAT PRESS:U.S. EDITIONS OF FRENCH COMICS
HEXAGON COMICS NEWS
Beginning in 2006, Black Coat Press will launch Hexagon Comics, a 40-plus volume archive collection of the universe of super-hero, science fiction, fantasy and adventure comics published in France by Editions Lug between 1963 and 2003.
This universe of characters was extensively profiled by Jean-Marc Lofficier in a recent article in Alter Ego #30 in November, 2003. Some of the characters, including Homicron, C.L.A.S.H., Kabur, Starlock, Phenix and Wampus appeared in Image Comics' 2003 six-issue mini-series Strangers. Phenix and Sibilla guest-starred in Top Cow's Witchblade: Blood Oath released in July 2004.
The new collection, licensed from Mosaic Multimedia, which controls the rights of the original creators, intends to start at the beginning and reprint both the "classic" and modern stories in a series of 300-page black-and-white trade paperbacks à la Marvel's Essentials or DC's Archives.
This ambitious project gained the support of comic book legends Will Eisner, Stan Lee and Roy Thomas who have written forewords to the first volumes of the series. New covers by Steve Rude, Ladronn, Stephen R. Bissette and others will grace the series.
"I applaud this discovery of unsung European talent," writes Will Eisner, who goes on to describe artists such as Luciano Bernasconi, Giorgio Trevisan, Lina Buffolente and others as "comic book loyalists who labored for decades creating popular series in the mold of their American counterparts at DC and Marvel."
"Verily, I say unto thee that those are but the tip of an iceberg of wonder that awaits thee," rhapsodizes Stan Lee.
The first five planned volumes are :
C.L.A.S.H. (1 of 1), by Frescura and Trevisan, cover by Ladrönn, about a SHIELD-like international organization.
HOMICRON (Strangers volume 1 of 7), by Buffolente, Lofficier & Dzialowski, cover by Steve Rude, about a super-powered alien stranded on Earth.
KABUR (volume 1 of 3), by Frescura, Lofficier and Bernasconi, cover by Ladrönn, about the young prince of Thule in long-lost Hyperborea.
PHENIX (volume 1 of 3) by Frescura and Bernasconi, cover by Gil Formosa, about a sexy black-clad vigilante who patrols the streets of Chicago.
WAMPUS (volume 1 of 4) by Frescura and Bernasconi, cover by Stephen R. Bissette, about an alien shapeshifter who creates chaos on Earth. (The character previously appeared in Strangers #2, drawn by Jay Stephens in a crossover with Nexus.)
SHADOWMEN VOL.1 & 2
These fantastic covers to Jean-Marc & Randy Lofficier are by Andrew Paquette,of whom I am ashamed to say I know nothing about.
The books retail for .95 and .95 and are available via the Blackcoat Press web-site -check them out!
ON DELAYS IN HEXAGON COMICS
Back in April,Terry Hooper contacted Jean-Marc Lofficier,author of the two SHADOWMEN books [with his brother Randy] to see what was going on with Hexagon as nothing had appeared and no announcements had been made on the company web page.
Jean-Marc stated that business had delayed many projects;he runs two companies -one in the U.S. and the other in France- and wished he could clone himself! At that time he had gotten halfway-way through putting together WAMPUS volume 1 and about a third of C.L.A.S.H.,volume 1.
Luckily things to be back on schedule now so look out for more announcements and news either here at comicbitsonline or:~
or
And to add more from Hexagon's own web-site....
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 21 -- Platinum Studios, an entertainment company that controls the world's largest independent library of comic book characters, announced today the acquisition of exclusive rights to develop worldwide film and television properties based on Hexagon Comics' famous universe of comic book characters. Platinum is also acquiring a percentage of the company.
Hexagon Comics is France's largest independent library of creator-owned properties. The 50 year history of this comic universe adds additional depth to the already extensive library of Platinum comics. The acquisition will add thousands of stories and an additional 500 characters, such as the "Strangers", a superhero comic that has recently been reproduced in the United States by Image Comics; "Wampus", a shape-shifting alien (banned in the 60's by the French government for being too scary); and "Kabur", a sword-wielding barbarian in a land of magic.
"This is the first time, literally, that the rights have become available, and I've been following this library of characters for years because of its incredibly rich content," said Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, chairman of Platinum Studios. "We are very excited about the potential of these characters, and are pleased to provide the original creators with their first opportunity to receive both credits and royalties for their creations."
Platinum Studios has a successful record of acquiring valuable comic properties and developing them for television and film. The company brought Belgium graphic novel series "Jeremiah" to TV screens with a 35-hour maxi-series starring Luke Perry and Sean Astin and is currently working on a feature film prequel. Other properties in development include:
* "Cowboys & Aliens" -- Sony
* "Unique" -- Disney
* "Mal Chance" -- Miramax
* "Dylan Dog" & "Storm" -- The Shop
* 10 Picture Million slate with Gold Circle
As creator and head of Malibu Comics Entertainment, which Rosenberg sold to Marvel Comics in 1994, he developed the "Men In Black" comic which he brought to Sony Pictures to become a billion-dollar entertainment franchise.
"Our partnership with Platinum Studios provides a tremendous opportunity for us and our creators," said Jean-Marc Lofficier, Hexagon Comics' managing editor. "This is our second rebirth. Platinum's rich and successful history of turning international properties into popular film and television programs will help brand our characters all over the world."
The Hexagon Universe was born in 1950 when two formers heroes of the French Resistance teamed up to create Editions Lug, and then further teamed up with creators from around the world. In the 1970s, Lug later acquired the rights to publish Marvel Comics in France. The monthly comic books displayed in France for 53 years sold more than 400 million units in France, Spain and Italy. Jean-Marc Lofficier, who was then the line's main writer-editor, managed to enlist the support of his fellow creators to organize the "Hexagon Universe" syndicate.
WATCH FOR MORE NEWS IN SEPTEMBER....
As part of its on-going attempts to educate comic buyers everywhere about comics from Europe,during 2005-2006 COMIC BITS will be taking a look at French comics and,hopefully,Hexagon comics.
Also,check out the EURO COMICS 2006 page at:~
http://terryhooperhomepage.4t.com
A feature will appear on comicbitsonline soon!
