Missy Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Virgin Comics Shut Down by Calvin Reid -- Publishers Weekly, 8/26/2008 6:55:00 AM Virgin Comics, the high-profile 2006 international joint venture between Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and the India-based comics publisher Gotham Entertainment, has been shut down. The company’s New York office and publishing unit has been closed and the eight people that staff it have been laid off. Although calls to Virgin Comics CEO and cofounder Sharad Devarajan (who is also president of Gotham Entertainment) have not been returned, sources confirm that the venture has been closed and that a statement will likely be issued soon. The closing appears to effect only Virgin Comics’ U.S. publishing operations in New York City and does not effect the operations of Gotham Entertainment, the Bangalore, India-based partner in the venture that produces comics targeted at the South Asian consumer market. The company produced about 17 different comics series in addition to publishing about 18 trade paperback collections and 3 hardcover titles. It is unclear what will happen to the rights to these properties. Virgin Comics was launched in early 2006 with an ambitious program to create a list of high profile superhero and adventure print comics inspired by Indian/Hindu mythology that could also be licensed as potential film and merchandise properties to a global audience of pop culture consumers. The high profile venture not only included financing by Branson but also included bestselling author Deepak Chopra, who is chairman of Virgin Comics and wrote a comics biography of Buddha for the house. In addition, his son, Gotham Chopra, is chief creative officer and editor-in-chief of Virgin Comics/Virgin Animation. The company produced a series of periodical comics based on Gotham Entertainment’s Shakti line of comics. The venture also included the Director’s Cut line, which feaured comics series created by such Hollywood figures as actor Ed Norton (Dock Walloper), director Guy Ritchie (Gamekeeper) and director John Woo (Seven Brothers) that the company hoped would morph into blockbuster films. The company’s Voices line of comics emphasized projects created by actors and musicians including Nicholas Cage (Voodoo Child); porn star Jenna Jamison (Shadow Hunter) and British musician Dave Stewart (Zombie Broadway). Source: PublishersWeekly.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Sad, but it's what happens when comic developers are in bed with people more interested in making money than comics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted August 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Sad, but it's what happens when comic developers are in bed with people more interested in making movies than comics. Fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.