Radical Studios
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| Type | Multimedia Studio |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film and Publishing |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder(s) | Jesse Berger - Co-founder, EVP Barry Levine - Co-founder, President |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
| Products | Film and Comics |
| Parent | Blatant Entertainment, Inc. |
| Divisions | Radical Publishing Radical Pictures Radical Comics Radical Interactive Radical Family |
| Website | RadicalStudios.com |
Radical Studios is an American multimedia studio with offices in Los Angeles.[1] It has branches in feature films, television, physical and digital publishing, merchandise, recorded music, digital and online media applications and mobile and social games.[2]
Contents |
History [edit]
Radical Publishing was founded in 2007 by Barry Levine, David Elliott, Jesse Berger, and Matthew Berger.[3][4]
The company launched its first titles, Hercules and Caliber, in May 2008.[5] In May 2009 Elliott left the company, being replaced by new Editor-in-Chief David Wohl.[6][7] The company continued to expand, publishing more comic titles and taking its creations and exploiting them in a growing amount of media and markets. Eventually its film arm took on a more significant role in the company and, in September 2010, it rebranded itself as Radical Studios.[8]
Film [edit]
Stemming from its start as a comic book publisher, and in regards to its comics, Radical Founder Barry Levine stated that “each title is built with the assumption the comic book will eventually land on the big screen.” These tools are used to attract film directors and other talent for attachment to a project during the development process.[9] Lastly, Radical sometimes employs the comic’s series writer to draft an initial screenplay of their work as a part of the film pitch package presented to studios.[10] Using these strategies, Radical has attracted various Hollywood talent and studios to their projects.
Films either in development or released include:
- Oblivion: Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski brought this original concept to Radical and is now a major motion picture co-writen and directed by Kosinski, and produced and released by Universal Pictures, based on the Radical Publishing illustrated novel.[11][12][13] It stars Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, Andrea Riseborough, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo, Zoë Bell, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.[14][15]
- Hercules: The Thracian Wars: Director Brett Ratner is attached to produce and direct. A co-production of Radical Studios, MGM and Paramount Pictures. The script is written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and Ryan Condal based upon the comic series created by Radical Publishing and written by Steve Moore.[16] The lead role has been cast with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.[17] Aksel Hennie is cast in the role of Tydeus.[18] Rufus Sewell is cast as Autolycus.[19] Ian McShane has been cast as Amphiarus, part priest, part prophet and part warrior who is Hercules’ counselor. Also joining are Joseph Fiennes, John Hurt and Rebecca Ferguson. [20]
- Last Days of American Crime: Sam Worthington (Avatar) is attached to produce and star in The Last Days of American Crime.[21]
- Abattoir: Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw and Mother’s Day is attached to write and direct a film based on the 6-issue miniseries.[22]
- Freedom Formula:Ghost of the Wasteland: Bryan Singer (X-Men and The Usual Suspects has been attached to direct, with production through Singer’s Bad Hat Harry Productions. The rights to the film adaptation are licensed to New Regency Productions.[23][24][25][26][27][28][29]
Publishing [edit]
The company launched its first comic titles, Hercules and Caliber, in May 2008 as 5-issue mini-series and debuted as the #7 comic book company in the world in market share based on a monthly report by ICV2.[30] Rather than the superheroes typical of Marvel and DC Comics, Radical’s titles focus on retellings of iconic fictional characters,[31] mythology, science fiction, fantasy, horror, historical fiction, supernatural themes, and genre-based crime.[32] Radical releases comics first as serials, and then combines these serials into higher-quality hardcover collections. First printings of each comic issue are typically 10,000 copies, with a paperback versions following later. Radical’s strategy in the comic book business is to create properties that feature painted art and “great stories that will appeal to the fans and the marketplace as a whole."[33][34] Many of Radical’s titles are published in a larger 48-page form, rather than the industry standard 22-page format. Radical comics are distributed in both mass market stores and specialized comic book shops.[35] by Diamond Comic Distributors of North America.[34] At one point Radical had a distribution deal for mass market stores in the United States and Canada by Random House.[36] However, the company rejoined Diamond Comic Distributors in 2011. As of 2012, Radical has published 20 different titles and is currently distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors.[37]
The company has released a number of titles:
- Hercules (by Steve Moore):
- The Thracian Wars, a 5-issue limited series[38]
- The Knives of Kush, a 5-issue limited series, with Cris Bolsin[39]
- Caliber[40]
- City of Dust by Steve Niles, Zid and Brandon Chng[41]
- Shrapnel by Mark Long, Nick Sagan, M. Zachary Sherman and Bagus Hutomo[42][43]
- Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead by Warren Ellis and Steve Pugh[44][45]
- FVZA: The Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency by David Hine[46]
- Incarnate by Nick Simmons[47]
- Legends: The Enchanted by Nick Percival.[48]
- Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost by Dave Elliott,[49] Ian Edginton, Patrick Reilly and Stjepan Sejic[50][51]
- The Last Days of American Crime by Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini[52][53]
- After Dark created by Antoine Fuqua & Wesley Snipes, written by Peter Milligan and illustrated by Jeff Netrup
- Go to a full list of Radical Publishing's titles
Reprints [edit]
They are also collecting and reprinting works previously published elsewhere:
- Cholly and Flytrap by Arthur Suydam[54]
- The Lords of Misrule by John Tomlinson, Dan Abnett, Steve White, Gary Erskine and Peter Snejbjerg, recoloured by J. M. Ringuet[55]
Awards [edit]
Radical received the 2008 Diamond Gem Award for New Comic Book Publisher of the Year from Diamond Comic Distributors. Diamond Comic Distributors is recognized as the premier comic book distributor in North America. The awards are voted on by the comic book store retailers, and are based on the overall impact of the publisher on the industry, taking into account sales performance, quality and creativity.[56][57][58] Radical received the award for their first two titles, Hercules: The Thracian Wars and Caliber: First Canon of Justice. Both comics were launched in May 2008, and enjoyed sellout performances.[59]
Legends: The Enchanted won the HorrorNews Net award for Best Original Graphic Novel 2010.[60]
Legends: The Enchanted was nominated for an Eagle Award for Favourite Single Story 2010.[61]
Legal [edit]
In July 2009 it was reported Elliott had filed a lawsuit against Radical Publishing's parent company Blatant Entertainment over unpaid wages and contract and copyright issues.[62]
In early 2010 they had to halt publication of Nick Simmons' series Incarnate following accusations of plagiarism.[63][64]
References [edit]
- ^ "Radical Plans for Comics, Books, Films". Publishers Weekly. January 12, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ http://radicalpublishing.com/about/
- ^ Radical Publishing (August 4, 2008). "Septagon Studios spotlights Radical Publishing". Radical Comics. Retrieved 3 December 2009. Archived from original December 3, 2009.
- ^ Radical Publishing's Ambitious Agenda, ICv2.com, August 17, 2007, accessed December 3, 2009. Archived December 3, 2009.
- ^ Glazer, Gianluca, "Radical Publishing Set To Debut Their First Titles In May, 2008" (press release), Comic Book Resources, April 23, 2008, accessed December 3, 2009. Archived from original December 3, 2009.
- ^ Staff, "David Wohl Named New Radical Comic EiC" (press release), Comic Book Resources, May 19, 2009, accessed December 3, 2009. Archived December 3, 2009.
- ^ Manning, Shaun (August 18, 2009). "David Wohl Discusses New Role as Radical's EiC". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
- ^ http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/01/31/radical-publishing-becomes-radical-studios-values-itself-at-84000000/
- ^ Stecker, Joshua (May–June 2009), "Radical Publishing: What do you do for fun after a career of photographing rock stars?", Script Magazine: 73–75
- ^ "Bug talks with Radical Comics’ Barry Levine". Ain’t It Cool. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ "'Tron Legacy' Director Offers 'Oblivion' Update". MTV News. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ "NYCC '09 - New Projects, New Format: The Radical Panel". Newsarama. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ "Tron Legacy Director into ‘Oblivion’". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2010-03-23.[dead link]
- ^ Trumbore, Dave (January 19, 2012). "Olga Kurylenko and Andrea Riseborough Join Tom Cruise in Untitled Sci-Fi Pic". Collider.com. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ Chitwood, Adam (March 15, 2012). "Universal Moves Sci-Fi Film OBLIVION Starring Tom Cruise Up to April 26, 2013". Collider.com. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118051078/
- ^ http://www.totalfilm.com/news/dwayne-johnson-to-play-brett-ratner-s-hercules
- ^ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dwayne-johnsons-hercules-headhunters-star-422925
- ^ Rufus Sewell Joining Dwayne Johnson In MGM’s ‘Hercules’
- ^ Ian McShane Joins Dwayne Johnson in 'Hercules' for MGM and Paramount (Exclusive)
- ^ http://www.deadline.com/2012/03/commercialvideo-wiz-anthony-mandler-to-helm-the-last-days-of-american-crime/
- ^ Fleming, Michael (July 21, 2009). "Bousman to bloody up 'Abattoir'". Variety Magazine. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ "Radical Plans for Comics, Books, Films". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2010-03-23.[dead link]
- ^ "'Freedom Formula' Adaptation Gets Official With New Regency & Bryan Singer". MTV News. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ Boueher, Geoff (December 13, 2008), "Hero Complex: Comics pitch", Los Angeles Times: E1, E12–13
- ^ Stecker, Joshua (May–June 2009), "Radical Publishing: What do you do for fun after a career of photographing rock stars?", Script Magazine: 75
- ^ Fleming, Michael (October 9, 2008). "Radical gets help from Singapore co.: Graphic novel publisher inks film financing deal". Variety Magazine. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ "Hero Complex: Barry Levine and his Radical plan in Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. December 7, 2008. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ "CCI: RADICAL'S NEW COMICS, FILMS". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?211179-Radical-Publishing-Set-To-Debut-Their-First-Titles-In-May-2008
- ^ Stecker, Joshua (May–June 2009), "Radical Publishing: What do you do for fun after a career of photographing rock stars?", Script Magazine: 70–75
- ^ Liu, Jonathan H. (December 1, 2009). "Radical Publishing Raises the Bar on Comics". Wired Magazine. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=10892
- ^ a b http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20090112/9579-radical-plans-for-comics-books-films.html
- ^ "CCI: RADICAL'S NEW COMICS, FILMS". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/15900.html
- ^ http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=31776
- ^ Moore Talks "Hercules: The Thracian Wars", Comic Book Resources, December 4, 2008
- ^ Steve Moore on Hercules: The Knives of Kush, Comic Book Resources, May 14, 2009
- ^ Arthur & The Knights of the OK Corral: Sarkar talks "Calbier", Comic Book Resources, May 5, 2008
- ^ Designing the City of Dust - Artists Zid & Chng Spill, Newsarama, November 13, 2008
- ^ Kai talks Radical's Sci-Fi Epic "Shrapnel", Comic Book Resources, November 14, 2008
- ^ Sagan & Long on Radical's 'Shrapnel: Aristeia Rising', Newsarama, November 7, 2008
- ^ "Hotwire gallery". Stevepugh.com. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
- ^ Steve Pugh, Warren Ellis create "Hotwire" for Radical (press release), Comic Book Resources, December 17, 2008
- ^ Zombies, Vampires and U.S. History?? David Hine on 'FVZA', Newsarama, March 19, 2009
- ^ Rodriguez, Alex (July 23, 2009). "Nick Simmons: Bringing the Revenants to Life". Comics Bulletin. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
- ^ Sunu, Steve (November 17, 2009). "Nick Percival creates Legends". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ Hoffman, Carla (August 6, 2008). "Newsarama covers the Radical Comic-Con 2008 panel". Radical Comics. Retrieved 3 December 2009. [Archived http://www.webcitation.org/5lkULRMDZ] from original December 3, 2009.
- ^ Arrant, Chris (November 25, 2009). "A Radical Interpretation of ALADDIN". Newsarama. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
- ^ Sunu, Steve (December 1, 2009). "Edginton Ignites "Aladdin's" Lamp". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
- ^ Manning, Shaun (August 20, 2009). "Remender's "Last Days of American Crime"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
- ^ Arrant, Chris (October 28, 2009). "You Will Be Brainwashed Into Compliance in "LAST DAYS"". Newsarama. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
- ^ Manning, Shaun (April 29, 2009). "Arthur Suydam on "Cholly & Flytrap"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved November 3, 2009.
- ^ Talking with Artist JM Ringuet, Comic News, May 18, 2009
- ^ "Radical Publishing named Diamond's "Best New Publisher" for 2008" (Press release). Comic Book Resources. February 3, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
- ^ Adler, Matt (February 8, 2009). "NYCC: Radical Publishing". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
- ^ "2008 GEM Award Winners Announced" (Press release). Major Spoilers. February 4, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
- ^ http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/Home/4/1/73/1013?articleID=79772
- ^ 2010 HorrorNewsNet awards, January 3, 2011
- ^ [1], May 11, 2011
- ^ Gardner, Eriq (July 22, 2009). "Radical lawsuit hits comic book powerhouse". The Hollywood Reporter, Esq. Retrieved December 2, 2009. Archived December 3, 2009.
- ^ Melrose, Kevin (February 25, 2010). "Radical Halts Nick Simmons' Incarnate amid Claims of Plagiarism". Robot 6. Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Nick Simmons' Incarnate Halted Over Alleged Bleach Plagiarism (Updated)". Anime News Network. February 25, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
References [edit]
- Radical Comics at the Grand Comics Database
- Radical Comics at the Comic Book DB
External links [edit]
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