Broken Frontier

Beowulf, the ancient epic poem, has been studied in schools for decades and adapted and translated into numerous forms over the centuries. On November 16, 2007, it will receive its most spectacular adaptation of all, in the form of a major motion picture from Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and Shangri-La Entertainment. In turn, the spectacular new motion picture has inspired a comic book adaptation from IDW Publishing.

In October, writer Chris Ryall, artist Gabriel Rodriguez, and colorist Jay Fotos — the creative team behind Clive Barker’s The Great and Secret Show — will adapt the screenplay written by Neil Gaiman (Mirrormask, Sandman) & Roger Avary (Pulp Fiction) for director Robert Zemeckis’s groundbreaking film in comic book form. What’s more, the adaptation will be released in four weekly installments throughout the month leading up to the movie’s release.

/>In a time of heroes, the mighty warrior Beowulf slays the demon Grendel and incurs the wrath of its monstrous yet seductive mother in a conflict that transforms a king into a legend. Groundbreaking director Robert Zemeckis offers a vision of the Beowulf saga that has never been told before Beowulf, starring Ray Winstone in the title role and Anthony Hopkins as the corrupt King Hrothgar, as well as John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Angelina Jolie as Grendel’s mother.

The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay by Neil Gaiman & Roger Avary.  As a special bonus for all San Diego Comicon attendees this July, Paramount Pictures and IDW Publishing will offer an exclusive 8-page Beowulf promo comic book previewing the miniseries to come.

"I’ve read Beowulf enough times and in enough different editions to know that this movie will be the ultimate telling of the tale," said Chris Ryall, also IDW Publishing’s Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. "And the art on the comic book is equally spectacular—Gabriel and Jay are doing the best work of their careers, and I’m lucky enough to be along for the ride with them."

Beowulf #1-4, a miniseries featuring four 32-page comic books, will be shipped weekly in October.. For more information on the Beowulf movie, please go to www.BeowulfMovie.com.