Comic book publisher IDW is getting in the television business, launching IDW Entertainment in order to develop its large catalog of original stories into series.
The San Diego-based publisher has hired former Starz Media executive David Ozer to oversee the division, which will be based in Los Angeles at the Circle of Confusion offices, reports the Los Angeles Times. Circle of Confusion, one of the producers of AMC’s hit The Walking Dead, has been IDW’s managing company for seven years and will be an executive producer on IDW’s TV projects.
“The success of The Walking Dead has opened the door for all sorts of comic books to go to the small screen,” Circle of Confusion partner David Alpert said. “We find the stories that are told in comic books are natural adaptations for television.”
According to TheWrap, one of the first projects already in development is Life Undead, which was written by Paul Zbyszewski (Lost, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). Other projects include Brooklyn Animal Control and V Wars.
IDW already has a relationship with Hollywood, as it publishes comics based on Transformers, Star Trek, Doctor Who and G.I. Joe. Sony also adapted its 30 Days of Night into a film in 2007.
Warner Bros. is also working on Lore with Dwayne Johnson and Disney is developing World War Robot.
IDW is the fourth-largest comics company in the country, behind Marvel, DC and Image. It is already in talks with a major network for V Wars.
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