Comics publisher Devil's Due and Capcom have signed a deal to turn some of Capcom's popular video games, starting with BIONIC COMMANDO and LOST PLANET, into graphic novels.
The first in the four-property deal will be BIONIC COMMANDO, VARIETY reports, with writer Justin Marks hired on for writing duties.
Marks has been busy recently spinning pop culture properties into pictures, including VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE, HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, GREEN ARROW: ESCAPE FROM SUPERMAX and Fox's upcoming STREET FIGHTER: LEGEND OF CHUN LI.
He is currently writing an adaptation of Devil's Due graphic novel HACK/SLASH for Rogue Pictures, produced by Adrian Askarieh and Daniel Alter. Marks will also begin creating original books for Devil's, starting with a time-travel epic SLEEPWALKER (working title) that will be released next year.
Capcom has been looking for ways to turn its high-profile games into other media properties besides films. Turning them into graphic novels boosts the appeal and gives the titles an additional fan base to lure to the movies.
Capcom's RESIDENT EVIL and STREET FIGHTER have been turned into big-budget films. It also publishes MEGA MAN and DEVIL MAY CRY games. A BIONIC COMMANDO sequel is set for later in 2008.
"We wouldn't just be taking a property to a studio," said Stephen Christy, manager of intellectual-property development at Devil's Due. "We'd be taking a videogame and a comic book and an incredible screenwriter all at once."Devil's Due also has been active in setting up its books as adaptations around town.
In addition to HACK/SLASH, Devil's has several more picture deals, including DRAFTED at New Line and LOST SQUAD at Rogue.
