Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment is partnering with entertainment media brand The Hollywood Reporter and global brand management company Genius Brands International to launch a new animated property, Stan Lee’s Cosmic Crusaders, in conjunction with THR’s Comic-Con issue feature “Stan Lee: 75 Years in the Business” — comic artist Todd McFarlane is providing cover art for the issue.
A co-production of POW!, GBI and Hollywood Reporter, Stan Lee’s Cosmic Crusaders is aimed at adults aged 18-34, written by Fabian Nicieza (co-creator of Deadpool), based on a concept by Stan Lee. Lee will edit the project and voice himself as one of the main characters.
The first four episodes will premiere exclusively on THR.com — one debuting each day during Comic-Con in San Diego. The first episode will be in VR, with smartphone “VR Boxes” handed out at the convention. THR will promote the series through its YouTube channel, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and will collaborate with distribution partners for the 22 episode series. The show will then move into full global distribution through GBI.
“I can’t wait to bestow upon the world one of our latest creations, Stan Lee’s Cosmic Crusaders,” said Lee. “And as if this wasn’t exciting enough, we’ve joined forces with the creative teams at The Hollywood Reporter and Genius Brands so you can guarantee this will be an unforgettable event that you won’t want to miss!”
In Stan Lee’s Cosmic Crusaders, Stan is in the grip of writers block trying to come up with a new comic when he meets seven crash-landed aliens — each with its own unique super power potential. Stan saves them from “the men in white coats,” whom he convinces that the aliens are actually super heroes. The aliens are then immersed in Stan’s superhero training program to learn how to access and use their powers on Earth.
GBI is introducing the brand to licensing partners at this week’s Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. Hot Topic has already been signed on to launch the brand through a direct-to-retail apparel and accessories program in stores and online, in conjunction with the series debut.
