Bluewater Productions and Roger Corman are teaming up to excite a new generation of genre fans as the independent comic publisher and legendary genre filmmaker plan to readapt and re-imagine some of Corman’s popular work.
Starting in 2009, several of Corman’s movies will be “given the Bluewater treatment” under the title “Roger Corman Presents.” Some of the first properties being produced include “Death Stalker,” “The Barbarian Queen,” “Humanoids From The Deep” and a re-franchising of Corman’s super heroine “Black Scorpion” which previously found success as two made-for-cable movies on Showtime and a 22 one hour episodes on the Sci Fi Channel.
Corman said: “Comic books have given me so much over the years that it’s time I gave something back to the medium.”
As Bluewater now is working with both Corman and the Vincent Price estate, it is certain that several of the horror classics based on the Edgar Allen Poe stories will also be produced in comic form in the near future.
“Roger Corman’s body of work is so visual and visceral,” said Bluewater’s president Darren G. Davis. “What will make these titles stand out is that Mr. Corman will be personally involved in their development,” Davis said. This is not just another licensing gimmick, but an outlet to rediscover his creative genius and a chance for readers to once again be pleasantly frightened. I still get the willies from the ‘Masque of the Red Death’.”
And just like DVDs that put extras and Easter eggs into their presentations, each Bluewater-Corman book with be full of fan favorite extras like interviews, behind the scene pictures and reminiscing about the titles from Corman himself.
Some of the creative team for the franchise will include writers and artists Paul Salamoff, Shon Bury, Neal Bailey, Ed Brisson & Daniel Cuchacovich — and television writer/producer Craig J. Nevius (THE FANTASTIC FOUR) who co-created “Black Scorpion” with Corman and is overseeing the Bluewater/Corman collaboration.
Nevius said: “Roger and I had always intended to create a comic book franchise based on the ‘Black Scorpion’ movies and TV series. And with classic costumed superheroes back in vogue thanks to the success of the ‘Batman’ and ‘Iron Man’ movies, the time seemed right to bring back our costumed superheroine.”
“Black Scorpion” was originally played by Joan Severence before Michelle Lintel took over the role for the television series. Bluewater has struck a deal with Lintel to use her image as the comic book basis for the title character
