Comic Books seem to be taking over the world – the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the DCTV Universe and the Walking Dead Universe are only the beginning.
But where did they come from? And why are they so influential?
AMC has greenlit a documentary series exploring the history of comics – under the working title of Heroes and Villains: The History of Comic Books, the six hour-long episodes will explore ‘stories, people, and events that have transformed the world of comic books.’
Heroes and Villains: The History of Comic Books will be executive produced by Robert Kirkman and David Alpert through their Skybound Entertainment for a 2017 premiere. Follow the jump for details.
AMC GREENLIGHTS DOCUMENTARY SERIES “HEROES AND VILLAINS: THE HISTORY OF COMIC BOOKS” (Working Title)
“THE WALKING DEAD” EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS ROBERT KIRKMAN AND DAVID ALPERT WILL PRODUCE THROUGH THEIR SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT
NEW YORK, NY – May 17, 2016 – AMC announced today that it has greenlit the documentary series, “Heroes and Villains: The History of Comic Books,”(Working Title) to be executive produced by Robert Kirkman and David Alpert (“The Walking Dead”) through Skybound Entertainment. The series is slated to premiere in 2017.
The six-part one-hour documentary series will explore the stories, people, and events that have transformed the world of comic books. Using a distinctive filmmaker approach, the series takes a deep dive into the most accessible and often subversive modern popular art form. From origin stories to the untold history behind iconic characters, “Heroes and Villains” will explore a wide range of topics including: pop culture, politics, race, gender and sexuality.
“We are incredibly excited to continue our partnership with Robert, David and Skybound. Beyond The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead, they are prolific producers and publishers who have an amazing knowledge of comic book history and genre storytelling,” said Joel Stillerman, president of programming, AMC and SundanceTV. “We believe going deep into the history behind some of the greatest comic books will be of great interest to this audience.”
“At the end of the day I am a comic fan first and foremost. I am a lover of the medium and the stories it enables people to tell,” said Robert Kirkman, CEO, Skybound Entertainment. “I’m excited to partner with AMC once again to bring the stories of some the most influential people in comics to a television audience.”
Co-presidents of Skybound’s Film and TV division, Bryan and Sean Furst (“Dice”), also serve as executive producers. Overseeing “Heroes and Villains: The History of Comics from AMC are Eliot Goldberg, senior vice president of non-fiction and alternative programming, and Kelly Nash, director of non-fiction and alternative programming.
The network’s growing non-fiction slates includes “Talking Dead,” the #1 talk show on television, and the upcoming summer premieres of the travel docu-series “Ride with Norman Reedus,” the Robert Redford produced event miniseries “The American West,” historical mafia docu-drama “The Making of the Mob: Chicago” and Kevin Smith’s late-night talk show “Geeking Out.” Smith also serves as executive producer on the recently renewed “Comic Book Men” and rounds out the network’s non-fiction programming slate.
About Skybound Entertainment
In 2010, The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman saw an opportunity to start a company that would nurture creators and give them resources to produce content while retaining creative control of their properties. Partnering with longtime collaborator, and fellow executive producer of “The Walking Dead” television franchise David Alpert, Skybound Entertainment was born. Since opening its doors Skybound Entertainment has grown into a multiplatform entertainment company. Television projects under the Skybound umbrella include AMC’s “The Walking Dead” and “Fear the Walking Dead,” Cinemax’s “Outcast,” and the newly announced project “Mastermind.” Film projects include the 2015 film, “AIR” and forthcoming projects as part of the companies two-year first-look deal with Universal.
Diving head first into the world of digital and new media, the company has also produced, “GONE”, the first ever narrative virtual reality series for Samsung’s Milk VR headset. The eagerly awaited YouTube Red series, “Scare PewDiePie”, launched in February 2016.
The company publishes numerous comic titles including The Walking Dead, the superhero comic Invincible, fantasy adventure comic Birthright, the atmospheric horror comic Outcast, and the historic adventure comic Manifest Destiny.
Skybound Entertainment’s interactive division works with partners including Telltale’s The Walking Dead, Free Range Games’ Labyrinth, Night School Studios’ Oxenfree, Pipeworks’ Superfight, and Overkill’s The Walking Dead. Skybound also creates a wide range of merchandise, including tabletop card games Superfight and Red Flags, apparel, board games, and action figures.