Artists Writers & Artisans, Inc. and Vertigo Entertainment have announced a new partnership set to turbocharge horror storytelling.
The partnership will originate horror stories from a curated group of writers and artists and will develop stories over different formats like prose, comics, film and TV.
“AWA and Vertigo Entertainment are building the next generation of top horror franchises,” the announcement reads. “AWA will publish the graphic works for each story, while Vertigo Entertainment and AWA Studios, the Film & TV division of AWA, will co-produce the Film and TV adaptations to bring these tales to life on screen.”
AWA co-founder and CCO Axel Alonso and AWA Studios president Zach Studin are set to discuss the partnership at a Tribeca X panel this afternoon called “The Future of Fear.”
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Vertigo Entertainment, Roy Lee’s production company, has a strong footing in the horror community, as Lee has produced films such as “Barbarian,” “It,” “The Grudge,” “The Ring” and the recent Shudder hit “Late Night With the Devil.” Among Vertigo’s upcoming projects include Zach Cregger’s eagerly-anticipated feature “Weapons.”
Since 2020, AWA has published critically acclaimed horror comics and graphic novels, such as John Lees and Dalibor Talajic’s “Hotell,” Rob Williams and Ollie Masters’ “Old Haunts,” Garth Ennis and Jacen Burros’ “The Ribbon Queen” and Benjamin Percy and Daniel Kraus’ “Year Zero.”
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“I’m constantly looking for new stories that bring dread and surprise to push the genre forward in daring, unexpected ways,” Lee said in a statement. “I’ve been inspired by the titles AWA has published over the last few years. This dynamic partnership will allow us to work with distinct voices to develop all-new terrifying ideas and bring something to the horror world we haven’t seen before.”
Alonso, who was editor-in-chief of Marvel before AWA, added: “This groundbreaking partnership provides a mechanism to break bold new stories across numerous media platforms. We’re thrilled and honored to be working alongside a horror genius like Roy Lee, who has had a hand in some of the most iconic horror franchises in the world. This new partnership will allow us to combine Vertigo Entertainment’s innovative spark with a group of creators who truly push the boundaries of the horror genre.”
Before this partnership, AWA Studios set up projects at other studios and streamers for adaptations of graphic novels and comics, including a strategic TV relationship with Fremantle. “Hotell” is set for a feature film adaptation, directed by Elle Callahan from a script by Callahan and Anthony Ruff. “Old Haunts” is also set for a film adaptation, with James Ashcroft directing a script by Aaron Rabin.