As Warner Bros.’ The Dark Knight swoops into theaters, the studio today announced the launch of Warner Premiere’s Motion Comics, a new way for fans to enjoy graphic novels. The initiative kicks off with the debut episode of DC Comics’ Watchmen, which is available for the next two weeks as a free iTunes download exclusively through Entertainment Weekly‘s website, www.ew.com/watchmen. Beginning August 2, the installment will be available in the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) for $1.99. In addition, the Eisner Award-winning Batman: Mad Love can be downloaded to own from Xbox Live and will be available on Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Video service starting July 22.
Warner Premiere’s Motion Comics offer a visually engaging experience by bringing subtle movement, voice-overs and sweeping music scores to comic-book artwork. A full list of titles and release dates will be announced shortly after next week’s Comic-Con Int’l in San Diego, Calif.
Set in 1985 at the height of the cold war, The Hugo Award-winning Watchmen from writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons presents a world where superheroes are real but have been banned by the government. The murder of one such costumed crusader pulls several of his contemporaries out of retirement and back into action as the fate of mankind hangs in the balance. The story is being made into a major motion picture by 300 director Zack Snyder, and is slated to hit theaters on March 6, 2009.
In the July 18 issue of Entertainment Weekly, fans will find a special link (www.ew.com/watchmen) that provides access to the episode via iTunes. Additional episodes will be made available for purchase via iTunes and other distribution partners in the coming months leading to the theatrical release of Watchmen.
Batman: Mad Love is taken directly from the pages of the Eisner Award-winning single-issue graphic novel by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. The story revolves around The Joker’s sidekick, Harley Quinn, who is madly in love with him. She uses crime to demonstrate her love and sets out to commit the ultimate act of devotion’killing Batman. In addition to the Xbox Live download and the Verizon Wireless V CAST service, episodes will be available from other distribution partners in the coming months.
To get the latest updates on Warner Bros. activities during Comic-Con, go to http://getwb.com/comic/. Fans can also sign up for text alerts regarding Warner Bros. Ent. events, free downloads and more by sending a text message with the word COMIC to 58671. Standard carrier rates may apply.
