RoboCop Returns to Comics with Dynamite

 ENLARGE IMAGE

Alex Murphy, Omni Consumer Products and a crime-riddled Detroit are making their way back to comics, as Robocop will return later this year in new projects from Dynamite Entertainment, the company today announced.

Dynamite’s take on the cyborg law enforcement office of the near future will be the third time a Robocop has been handled by a comic book publisher, having seen Marvel, Dark Horse, and most recently, Avatar take a go at the character in various projects and film adaptations. Notable among the projects were 1992’s RoboCop vs. The Terminator from Dark Horse by Frank Miller and Walt Simonson, and Avatar’s RoboCop series which lasted nine issues over three years, and was overseen by Frank Miller.

A creative team for the new comic book take or reprint plans have not been announced, although, given the 1992 Frank Miller image Dynamite released with the news, it could be speculated that the company may collect and repackage RoboCop vs. The Terminator as Dynamite also currently holds the comic rights to the era of Terminator used in that story.

Dynamite’s press release reads:

Dynamite Entertainment confirmed a new agreement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures to develop a new original comic book series based on the ROBOCOP franchise.

The franchise launched in 1987 with the feature film ROBOCOP, directed by Paul Verhoeven. Two additional feature films and multiple television shows followed the cyborg law enforcer as he battled to clean up crime-ridden Detroit.

Known for their faithful yet decidedly modern interpretations of such exciting and venerable properties as Zorro, The Lone Ranger, MGM’s Man with No Name and the just released Buck Rogers, Dynamite will bring their full creative vision to bear on the Robocop franchise through an ongoing comic book series. This series will continue to explore more of the dangers of Detroit, its citizens, and Officer Murphy's continued dealings with the scum that stalks the streets -- all the while missing his human side. Read it here first!

The company is currently reviewing creative options, including their writing and art team, but of the franchise, Dynamite President and Publisher Nick Barrucci said, “What makes ROBOCOP such an interesting canvas is that the series has always explored larger themes including gentrification, the media and human nature. All while delivering a riveting and visceral experience.”

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/.

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling titles and properties. Beginning with their Army of Darkness comic book series - launching as the #1 independent comic in July of '04 - and recently ranked the #1 selling Independent Horror comic -- and continuing to their best-selling Red Sonja series - issue #0 alone selling over 240,000 copies and ongoing issues and one-shots recently ranked among the best-selling titles in unit sales and dollar volume - and not only has Dynamite consistently released Red Sonja as THE top selling single comic outside of Marvel and DC Comics, Dynamite successfully places more titles in the Top 100 than most non-Marvel, non-DC publishers. Dynamite's new monthly Battlestar Galactica series is the company's first major launch of '06, debuting with an impressive 175,000 copies in initial orders sold for the introductory #0 issue. Dynamite's ongoing Highlander comic book series launched to excess of 100,000 copies sold for issue #0. The recently released The Lone Ranger #1 sold out on its first day in comic shops, went in to an immediate 2nd printing, and the 2nd printing sold out from Dynamite!

Now, in addition to the ongoing Red Sonja and AOD series, DYNAMITE has released the all-new Battlestar Galactica comic by Greg Pak and Nigel Raynor - launching with a specially priced #0 issue, having sold in excess of 175,000 copies and recently featured in the pages of TV Guide, A classic Battlestar Galactica comic book series, Xena by John Layman and Fabiano Neves, a Darkman vs. the Army of Darkness mini-series and is preparing the Lone Ranger with Brett Matthews and John Cassaday - and Dynamite has more on the horizon!

In addition to the creators mentioned - Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics, including Alex (Justice) Ross, John (Astonishing X-Men) Cassaday, Michael (Superman/Batman, Aspen Comics) Turner, Jim (All-Star Batman) Lee, Michael (Red Sonja) Avon Oeming, Mike (Red Sonja/X-Men) Carey, Jim (Justice) Kruegar, Greg (The Incredible Hulk) Pak, Brett (Serenity, The Lone Ranger) Matthews - as well as working with up and coming new talent and enhancing strong creators!

The company also produces new and classic material from such creators as Paul Gulacy and Doug Moench's Six from Sirius, TimTruman's Scout, Carlos Trillo and Eduardo Risso's Borderline and other titles including Jim Starlin's Dreadstar, in addition to reprint editions of classic Red Sonja material and more.

For updated information on Dynamite Entertainment and their titles, please visit the Dynamite website at www.dynamiteentertainment.com