Devil's Due to Acquire D&D license [for comics!]

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

zombiegleemax

Apr 04, 2005 7:45:09
this is great news, however, there's no mention of Dark Sun
DEVIL'S DUE TO ACQUIRE "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS" LICENSE
by Jonah Weiland, Executive Producer
Posted: March 29, 2005

Official Press Release

Chicago, IL -- Mar 30, 2005 -- Devil's Due Publishing (DDP) is finalizing negotiations to acquire the license to the entire D&D library from the Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS). The proposed agreement will allow DDP to develop comic book and graphic novel properties based on D&D and its various universes, including Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Eberron and Spell Jammers. When the agreement is entered into, beginning this summer, the rich world of Wizards of the Coasts Dungeons & Dragons property will come to life through the efforts of DDP.

The proposed agreement contemplates that the rollout will begin in June (now confirmed via Diamond solicitations for Items Shipping in June) with a three-issue, 48-page mini-series based on New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore's Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy: Homeland. Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy, written by Andrew Dabb with art by Tim Seeley, will bring Drizzt DoUrden, one of the most popular and well-known fantasy characters in the Forgotten Realms, in a graphic format that would unveil the dark world of Menzobberranzan and the obsidian-skinned race of dark elves in a way that has never been seen before.

Under the proposed agreement, Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy would retell the tale of Drizzt DoUrden as originally published in Salvatore's three novels, Homeland, Exile and Sojourn. (The first issue of volume one of the series, Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy, adapting Homeland, has already been solicited via Diamond Distribution).

"This is a thrill," said Josh Blaylock, President of DDP. "Dungeons and Dragons started a whole new wave of outstanding fantasy novels. With compelling characters and gripping new worlds, and the creators we have can't wait to start playing in the D&D realms. I know Andrew and Tim have been having fun working on Drizzt. We're honored to publish the Dark Elf series and we think fans, new and old alike, will be thrilled."

DDP has also solicited the June release for the trade paperback of The Legend of Huma, a Dragonlance graphic novel based on Richard Knaak's novel.

Devil's Due. Reminding everyone that pop culture IS our culture.

ABOUT DEVIL'S DUE PUBLISHING (DDP)
Devil's Due Publishing was formed in 1999 as both a commercial art studio and a small press comic book publisher. DDP's first breakout success was 2001's revamp of G.I. JOE, returning the long-lost 1980s characters to comics. Fans bought over 100,000 copies per month, immediately propelling G.I. JOE to the top of the charts. Today, DDP's lineup includes Army of Darkness, Street Fighter, Hack/Slash and the Aftermath universe, a new imprint featuring super-powered heroes in titles like Defex, Breakdown, Blade of Kumori and Infantry.

ABOUT THE HASBRO PROPERTIES GROUP
The Hasbro Properties Group (HPG), the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc., (NYSE:HAS), translates one of the industry's richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of publishing, lifestyle and entertainment platforms, HPG is able to surround fans worldwide with consumer products that expand Hasbro's core brands, such as TRANSFORMERS, DUEL MASTERS, MY LITTLE PONY, MONOPOLY and CANDY LAND, beyond the toy and game aisle, creating rich lifestyle experiences.

Drizzt Do Urden, Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Eberron and Spell Jammers are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. in the USA and other countries. 2005 Wizards.
#2

Dragonhelm

Apr 08, 2005 10:03:27
I did the comic adaptation of Legend of Huma for Dragonlance, which will be seen in the upcoming trade paperback through Devil's Due.

My understanding is that DD plans on tackling adaptations of some popular novels first (i.e. Dark Elf trilogy). While they did mention Spelljammer, I'm guessing any such plans are a ways off.

I've heard nothing either way on Dark Sun, though. I imagine, if they did it, you wouldn't see it for a while.