Feature film and cross-media franchise production studio Starlight Runner Ent. is expanding into the publishing business with a new, yet-to-be-named unit. The arm’s flagship project will be a series of comic books based on the upcoming teen comedy Band on the Run, a theatrical feature being produced by the exec producers of the blockbuster adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot.

Band on the Run marks Starlight Runner’s second foray into comic-book publishing. In 2003, the company published a 36-issue series based on Mattel’s popular Hot Wheels toy brand. This time, however, the press will keep running with a planned series of comic-book mini-series, graphic novels and prose novels.

Band on the Run is described as a rollicking snow boarder heist adventure that brings together the worlds of extreme sports and arena rock. The feature is now casting and will be produced by Romano-Shane Prods. and Handpicked Films. Before I, Robot, Romano-Shane founders Anthony Romano and Michel Shane exec produced Steven Spielberg’s hit Catch Me If You Can.

Starlight Runner’s initial comic series based on the property will be a prequel that introduces the characters. Handpicked Films is negotiating with a U.S. soft drink giant to include the comics in some of its packaging, and Starlight Runner is developing other media tie-ins for the production.

Band on the Run is expected to start production in January 2005, with the first comic book series to be released shortly thereafter. A second series is expected in tandem with the film’s theatrical release.