Broken Frontier

Fox Television Studios Executive Vice President, Scripted Programming, David Madden, announced today that the studio has entered into a development deal with Los Angeles-based Spacedog - a branded entertainment and interactive marketing agency - to co-develop and produce three projects slated for publication as graphic novels, as well as for distribution on television and through other digital entertainment platforms.  The graphic novels will be published through Top Cow Comics (Tomb Raider, Witchblade) the publisher with which Spacedog has an imprint deal.  The agreement was brokered by IPG's Josh Schechter, who will serve as producer on all three projects.

"Revved," the first of these, "stars" four special vehicles, all of which are made with a piece of the same magical metal found in the Holy Grail, Joan of Arc's armor and King Arthur's Excalibur, among other legendary icons.  Imbued with the same powers as those great symbols, the cars' drivers embark on a series of dangerous missions.

The second property. "Wight and Associates" (working title), tells the story of attorneys at a legendary law firm who have quite literally made a deal with the devil.  Gary Randall, with whom Fox TV Studios also has an overall deal, will serve as executive producer on "Wight & Associates."

Madden said, "I'm a longtime comic book/graphic novel fan, so I'm thrilled to be in business with Spacedog and Top Cow.  Their projects are smart, inventive and generate enormous attention, and I'm genuinely excited about being able to combine imaginative on-the-page storytelling with the marketing and brand integration opportunities that will turn these stories into successful television.  We're working together to develop the kinds of ideas that translate across every distribution channel, from graphic novel to television, to Internet, and to mobile."

The properties are being developed with an eye toward brand integration, and Spacedog has attached Mazda to "Revved," which is currently in production. In "Revved," Mazda's RX-8 will be featured as the tale's "Excalibur."  With its edgy styling, stellar performance capabilities and precise handling, the RX-8 makes for the perfect hero vehicle.

"There is a mandate for these types of collaborations," said Roger Mincheff, Founder and CEO of Spacedog.   "Spacedog's entertainment division was created to bridge the gap between the entertainment and corporate worlds. We are committed to marrying the very best in storytelling to relevant brands by leveraging our relationships with our clients.  By incorporating them into story lines with an organic approach, we ultimately help build their brand, and at the same time provide the marketplace with original, compelling content."