Tag Archives: Archie Comics

GBI taps Archie Comics for Stan Lee Universe comic books and brings in Batman’s Michael Uslan to develop the property

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One week after it presented its major plans to develop the Stan Lee Universe, Genius Brands International has entered into a comic book publishing agreement with Archie Comics to publish comic books and graphic novels based on the never before exploited Stan Lee IP.

An iconic name in the comic books circles, Archie Comics is home to some of the most recognisable properties, including Archie, Betty& Veronica, Sabrina, Josie and the Pussycats and more.

“It is only fitting that the comic book roots of Stan Lee, which began with Marvel, give birth to the next generation of great Stan Lee properties. I have long felt that the greatest Stan Lee characters and stories have yet to be told, and the next Marvel has yet to be built. That is Stan Lee Universe,” said Genius Brands CEO and chairman, Andy Heyward.

“Archie Comics are everywhere. You can’t go to a supermarket checkout stand and not see them, and soon that will be the same with Stan Lee Universe. Under the leadership of Jon Goldwater, shows like Riverdale and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina have become huge hits. Jon understands better than anyone the unique value of Stan Lee and his ideas. There is no better publishing partner than Archie to bring Stan Lee Universe comics to market.”

 The initial property slated for publication as a comic book in partnership with Archie will be Superhero Kindergarten.

 “I had the great pleasure of knowing Stan Lee and understanding his genius,” said Archie Comics CEO and publisher, Jon Goldwater. “Getting the chance to partner with Andy and Genius Brands to introduce an entire universe of Stan Lee ideas to the comic book and graphic novel marketplace is an opportunity we can’t pass up.”

 Concurrent with the announcement of the Archie Comics publishing deal, Genius Brands has also announced that Michael E. Uslan will bring his decades of experience and expertise to advise and help mine the IP in the Stan Lee Universe to build ongoing global branded franchises. 

The treasure chest of post-Marvel Stan Lee IP will be guided by Uslan, whose input will cover all film and TV development and production under the banner.

Uslan, who works with his son, David Uslan, is best known as the originator and executive producer of the Batman movie series, starting with Tim Burton’s 1989 film, continuing through Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy, Todd Phillips’s JOKER, and the upcoming The Batman in 2021.

He also served as Executive Producer of Warner Bros. The Lego Movie (2014) and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part(2019).

“Michael is the foremost expert today in comic book IP. Period. He is the only person we ever considered to guide us through the process of building franchises under the banner of his idol, mentor, and friend, Stan Lee,” said Heyward.  

“He was a close friend of Stan, and there is nobody more qualified to guide this creatively forward. Michael has stewarded some of the biggest and most successful hits from comic books through film, TV, and merchandising.”

Uslan stated: “In my world, there is no bigger honour than to be entrusted to carry the mantle of Stan Lee forward. This is taking the Olympic torch on the final leg up Mt. Olympus. We look forward to bringing the most talented writers and artists in our field to the next generation of Stan Lee creations.”

Stan Lee Universe, a joint venture between Genius Brands and Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, managed by Genius, owns the worldwide rights, in perpetuity, to the name, physical likeness, physical signature, live-action and animated motion picture, television, online, digital, publishing, comic book, theme park, and merchandising/licensing rights from the repository of characters and IP created by Stan Lee drawn from over one hundred creations (post-Marvel Entertainment), including Tomorrow Men, Stringbean, Black Fury, Virus, Superhero Kindergarten, and more.

Genius Brands will develop seven new franchises per year, primarily targeted for families and kids.

Archie Comics partners with Kate Spade New York for Betty Cooper and Veronica Ledge collection

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Kate Spade New York is to launch a collection of handbags, tote bags, backpacks, and more featuring characters from and with a look inspired by the classic 1940s Archie Comics.

In a deal brokered by King Features Syndicate, the likes of Betty Cooper and Veronica Ledge will now appear across a selection of Kate Spade New York bags and accessories. The classic comic book friends will come with their differing personal styles; Betty’s classic preppy flair, and Veronica’s sleek dark style, to bring the look at the comics to the collection.

“When you think of best friends, the first people that come to mind are Betty and Veronica,” said Archie Comics CEO and publisher Jon Goldwater. “Having the chance to partner with Kate Spade for this amazing collaboration is a dream, and Betty and Veronica are a perfect match for the Kate Spade New York brand.”

King Features Syndicate is the home to some of the world’s most popular entertainment characters and is the licensing agent for Archie Comics. Archie Comics’ own library consists of the likes of Archie, Jughead, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Katy Keene, and Josie and the Pussycats.

“We are thrilled to be working with Kate Spade New York on behalf of Archie Comics to bring Riverdale High’s most fashionable duo to fans across the nation and select markets around the globe,” said King Features vice president and general manager, global head of licensing Carla Silva. “This collection not only celebrates Betty and Veronica’s unique sense of style, but also the special bond of their friendship.”

The Kate Spade x Betty and Veronica collection is available worldwide at Kate Spade New York Outlet stores.

Other product launches King Features has recently fostered on behalf of Archie Comics include a Betty & Veronica x Torrid x Project Runway All-Stars apparel collaboration, apparel from Bioworld and Philcos, a gaming app from Ludia, collectable toys from Funko, toys from Super7, statues and miniatures from Icon Heroes, puzzles by Outset Media, Zynga slot machines and more.

Archie and Flash Gordon form alliance in one-off comic book collab for King Features and Archie Comics

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King Features Syndicate is partnering with Archie Comics for a crossover licensing deal that will see Archie’s Pals and Gals enter a new storyline with Flash Gordon in a one-off comic book, Archie Meets Flash Gordon.

The 48 page special issue will be written by Jeff Parker – who wrote Flash Gordon for Dynamite Entertainment – with art by Archie mainstay, Dan Parent. 

The exclusive comic book will see the Riverdale gang discover a crashed alien spaceship that will lead them to the planet Mongo and Ming the Merciless, with Flash Gordon in tow.

“I’m now a pretty big believer that the Riverdale gang can fit with practically any other characters and genres, but it’s best when they get to really flex and go way outside their zone like say, the planet Mongo with Flash Gordon, King of the Impossible, said Parker.

Flash Gordon was launched in 1934 as a newspaper comic strip created by Alex Raymond. The property is currently under the ownership of King Features Syndicate, the media firm known widely in the licensing space for its management of Popeye and Betty Boop IP.

“King Features and Archie Comics are a great team, so having our beloved characters, Flash Gordon and the Archie kids team up too, is an exciting moment for both of these classic brands,” said King Features Syndicate editorial director, Tea Fougner.

“To top it off, to work with such amazing talent like Dan Parent and Jeff Parker is an honour. Their love for all of these characters shines through every page, and we’re thrilled to share this story with fans new and old.”