Valiant Comics Sign Multi-Million Movie Deal to Bring Characters to the Screen

Valiant Entertainment – the award-winning comic book publisher with a library of more than 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and more – and DMG Entertainment, the Beijing-based leader in global entertainment, today announced a new partnership to span motion pictures, television, publishing, and licensing that will culminate in the big screen debut of Valiant’s universe of characters in theaters around the world.

My first question is how the fuck did Valiant pull this off before Image? Does Todd McFarlane scare off investors when he starts talking about his nipples?

In conjunction with this new partnership, DMG has made an eight-figure (USD) series C round of equity investment into Valiant, which the company will use to further its efforts in international publishing, film, television, licensing and beyond. DMG has dedicated an additional nine-figures (USD) of film financing capital toward the production of theatrical films and television programs based on Valiant’s library of iconic superhero characters.

Eight figures sounds impressive – it’s in the tens of millions. But that’s less than the budget of one Avengers movie, just for perspective.

In total, the new agreement is the first deal of its kind brokered between an internationally based entertainment company and a leading independent publisher of comic books and graphic novels. Utilizing DMG’s expertise in international film development, production, and distribution, Valiant will begin to establish its cinematic universe in the United States, China and beyond. Current Valiant feature films in development include the previously announced BLOODSHOT from Sony Pictures in partnership with Original Film; SHADOWMAN in partnership with the Sean Daniel Company from a script by J. Michael Straczynski; and ARCHER & ARMSTRONG, also with the Sean Daniel Company from a script by BenDavid Grabinski; among others. Valiant has also already begun development on several television projects.

Okay, there’s more, but let me skip to the bottom of the press release so you don’t have to wade through too much.

DMG is a global entertainment and media company with diverse international holdings across motion pictures, television, music, gaming, creative management and entertainment-themed properties, as well as offering advertising, marketing and brand communications services. DMG Entertainment, the company’s entertainment division, makes movies and television shows, along with music promotion, licensing and merchandising, cinemas and gaming with a focus on telling stories that appeal to global audiences with operations in North America/Hollywood and Asia/China. DMG Entertainment’s films include the record-setting blockbuster IRON MAN 3, the critically acclaimed sci-fi hit LOOPER, and the techno-thriller TRANSCENDENCE; along with some of China’s highest-grossing films including NO MAN’S LAND, FOUNDING OF A REPUBLIC and GO LALA GO!. DMG Entertainment is currently working on the high-speed thriller AUTOBAHN, starring Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley and Nicholas Hoult; and Point Break, directed by Ericson Core, for release in 2015.

Okay, sweet. Looper and Iron Man 3.

Additional Executive Quotes
“DMG is a force in China. This partnership will bring Valiant’s iconic characters to the Chinese marketplace in a fashion unprecedented in the world of superheroes and comics to date. DMG will introduce Valiant’s universe to Chinese audiences and, in the process, enhance the appeal and relevance of our characters to the fastest growing marketplace for entertainment in the world,” said Gavin Cuneo, COO & CFO for Valiant Entertainment.

“DMG is a force in China.” Okay then.

Kudos to Valiant on this deal. I hope we actually see some movies come out of it.