Posted: Mon., Dec. 14, 2009, 4:10pm PT
L&E, Liquid get graphic
Epic Cycle to hatch properties that can go multiplatform
By MICHAEL FLEMING
L+E Prods. has partnered with Liquid Comics to launch Epic Cycle, a new graphic novel label to hatch properties that can be expanded into multiple platforms, including film and TV.
L+E chief exec Eric Eisner said his company will identify concepts and hire writers, while Liquid Comics' founders Sharad Devarajan, Gotham Chopra and Suresh Seetharaman will oversee the process of transforming them into graphic novels.
They have secured the first three properties: "H2O," a sci-fi novel by Grant Calof ("Hulk: Unchained") about a global drought that creates a multicountry race to find water deep within the Earth;
"A Thousand Arts," a kung fu adventure set in the Alaskan wilderness, where a transplanted Shaolin monk battles to protect his cultural heritage, with Stuart Moore ("Wolverine Noir") writing; and "Purgatory," a graphic novel by Ron Marz ("Green Lantern") about a rogue professor hired by the Catholic church to prove the afterlife exists. A "Flatliners"-like series of experiments places the lives of a group of students in danger. I had been looking for the right partner to develop properties through the graphic novel space, and Liquid reaches an audience without huge costs," Eisner said. "The primary focus is to create properties with franchise potential, and studio-driven material."
Devarajan added: "We've always looked at Liquid as a great way to incubate properties for films, games, animation and TV."
L+E produced "Hamlet 2" and is percolating several projects that include "The King of Sting," "Havana Nocturne" and a biopic of the formative years of Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia.
Liquid has published graphic novels by John Woo, Guy Ritchie and Nicolas Cage, all designed to broaden to films. Liquid is developing "Gamekeeper," a Warner Bros. project with Ritchie, and "Voodoo Child" with Cage and Reliance.
