IDW Publishing Signs Deal with Michael Chiklis to Develop Graphic Novel Series

Press Release

Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Michael Chiklis (The Shield)  has signed a deal with IDW Publishing to develop a graphic novel series, Olympus, based on an original idea by Anny Simon Beck.  Chiklis will develop Olympus thru his shingle, Extravaganza Productions.  The parties anticipate the project being developed for other entertainment media, including film, television and games, with Chiklis to essay the Greek God Zeus.

Dark and stylized, Olympus tells the story of ancient Greek Gods returning to a ravaged, chaotic present-day earth where they battle for the future of mankind. Olympus features Zeus’ Olympians against the Titans in an epic battle of good vs. evil, and father vs. son. Breaking The Golden Rule of Greek mythology – never to reveal themselves – the supposedly mythic Gods Zeus and Aphrodite, Pandora and Cronus, Prometheus and Jason, have returned to renew their timeless battles … as Armageddon beckons.

“As a kid, Greek Gods were very real to me,” said Chiklis, “so the chance to bring my childhood heroes and villains to life in the modern world is irresistible. Besides, I couldn’t say no to Zeus,” said Chiklis, a third generation Greek-American, “no one in the family would ever talk to me again.”

“Not only is Michael Chiklis a truly gifted actor,” commented Ted Adams, CEO of IDW Publishing, “but his passion for comic books will be invaluable in creating what we hope will be a new classic of graphic storytelling.”

Chiklis has won numerous awards, including both an Emmy and a Golden Globe, for his role as Detective Vic Mackey in The Shield, FX’s ground-breaking television series, episodes of which he also produced and directed. Previously, he played the title character in ABC’s critically acclaimed police drama The Commish, and drew rave reviews for his moving evocation of John Belushi in the feature film Wired. A long-time comic book fan, Chiklis starred as Ben Grimm, aka “The Thing,” in 20th Century Fox’s blockbuster live-action film Fantastic Four and its sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. As a leader in the horror, action, and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry including: television’s #1 prime time series CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Paramount’s Star Trek; Fox’s Angel; Hasbro’s The Transformers, and the BBC’s Doctor Who. IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release.  In April 2008, IDW released Michael Recycle, the first title from its new children’s book imprint, Worthwhile Books. More information about the company can be found at http://www.idwpublishing.com.