It’s big business for Amazon selling comics both digitally via the Kindle and in print through collected editions. Which it really should be no surprise that today, EW.com announced that Amazon is launching a comic book publishing arm. The publisher is called Jet City Comics and seems focuses for now on adapting prose stories from the likes of George R.R. Martin, Hugh Howey, and Neal Stephenson, Greg Bear, and Mark Teppo. It’s likely we’ll see more original content from them if these adaptations are successful and with they material they’re adapting, that should be no surprise either.
The first title, and launching today, is less an adaptation and more the first in a series of expansions to The Foreworld Saga of novels by Neal Stephenson, Greg Bear, and Mark Teppo. Titled “Symposium” and written by Christian Cameron with art from Dmitry Bondarenko, the title will explore the origins of the Shield-Brethren in ancient Greece. Definitely one to check for fans of the novels.
Other upcoming comics from the publisher include an adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s short story, “Meathouse Man”, by Raya Golden and an adaptation of “The Hedge Knight”, a prequel to the Martin’s “A Song Of Ice And Fire” novels, by Ben Avery and Mike S. Miller. Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray will be reteaming along with Jimmy Broxton to adapt Hugh Howey’s dystopian sci-fi novel, “Wool”. “Meathouse Man” and “The Hedge Knight” will both be one-shot comics that will be available digitally and in print while “Wool” will be serialised through Kindle and will have a print collection in 2014.
So, that’s another company throwing their hat in the great comics ring. Will Amazon make it big from comics? Only time will tell and if you have a Kindle be sure to check out Symposium. The covers to “Wool” and “Meathouse Man” are down below and there is more information at EW.com.
