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Radical Comics (founded in 2007) is an American comic book and graphic novel publisher, and developer of related media, with offices in Los Angeles and London. Radical publishes five imprints: Radical Comics (serials for the retail comics stores), Radical Books (graphic and illustrated novels), Radical Manga (focused on manga for the Asian market), Radical Art (art books), and Radical Kidz (children's books), and develops film and video game properties based on its titles through its subsidiary Radical Pictures. The company also operates an internal division for the development of ancillary merchandise and toys.

Origins
Radical is the brainchild of Barry Levine, who was one of the top rock photographers in the world during the 70s and 80s. Levine photographed album covers for KISS, Queen, and Mötley Crüe. Before Radical, Levine was a producer for Dark Horse Comics' film projects, and music producer and music supervisor for such films as Driving Miss Daisy, Die Hard: With a Vengeance and Judge Dredd. Radical's feature film development is financed by Lee Han, of Singapore-based venture capital firm Lacho Calad Pte Ltd. UK-based distribution, production and finance firm Intandem Films holds a 5% equity stake in the company. In turn, Radical holds a 20% stake in Storm Lion, a Singapore-based manga publisher and design studio.

A Hollywood Approach to Comics


Radical’s strategy in the comic book business is to create properties that are pre-packaged for adaptation to film and other media. Radical’s Barry Levine states that “[e]ach title is built with the assumption the comic book will eventually land on the big screen.” As a part of the packaging and pitch process, Radical’s staff prepares comprehensive concept books for each comic line, containing concept art, artistic renderings of characters, and story summaries, designed to serve as both a pitch piece and a reference point for film studios considering Radical’s properties for development. Additionally, Radical’s titles are published in a larger 52-page book form, rather than the industry standard 22-page format. These tools are used to attract film directors and other talent for attachment to a project during the development process. Lastly, Radical sometimes employs the comic’s series writer to draft an initial screenplay of their work as a part of the film pitch package presented to studios.

Using these strategies, Radical has attracted Hollywood talent to their projects. Current attachments include:
 * Hercules: The Thracian Wars: Director Peter Berg (Hancock and The Kingdom) is attached to produce and direct. A co-production of Radical Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Peter Berg’s company Film 44.  Scriptwriter Ryan Condal is attached to write the script based upon series author Steve Moore.
 * Caliber:First Canon of Justice: A co-production of Radical Pictures and Johnny Depp’s production company Infinitum Nihil.
 * Freedom Formula:Ghost of the Wasteland: Bryan Singer (X-Men and The Usual Suspects has been attached to direct, with production through Singer’s Bad Hat Harry Productions.  The rights to the film adaptation are licensed to New Regency Productions.
 * Oblivion: Tron Legacy director Joseph Kosinski is attached to create a film and illustrated novel, a co-production with Radical Pictures.
 * Last Days of American Crime: Sam Worthington (Avatar is attached to produce and star in The Last Days of American Crime.
 * Abattoir: Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw and Mother’s Day is attached to write and direct

Other Radical titles in development include Aladdin:Legacy of the Lost, scripted by Siavash Farahani (The Shadow), and City of Dust:A Philip Khrome Story, scripted by Peter Fedorenko.

Serials and Books
Radical releases comics first as serials, and then combines these serials into higher-quality hardcover collections. First printings of these books are typically 10,000 copies, with a paperback versions to following later.

Radical comics are distributed in both mass market stores and specialized comic book shops. The books and comics are distributed in comic book stores by Diamond Comic Distributors of North America, and in mass market stores in the United States and Canada by Random House. Radical Publishing’s graphic novels are distributed to the book trade by Random House.

Rather than the superheroes typical of Marvel and DC Comics, Radical’s titles focus on retellings of iconic fictional characters, mythology, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and supernatural themes, and genre-based crime.

Industry Award
Radical received the 2008 Diamond Gem Award for New Comic Book Publisher of the Year from Diamond Comic Distributors. Diamond Comic Distributors is recognized as the premier comic book distributor in North America. The awards are voted on by the comic book store retailers, and are based on the overall impact of the publisher on the industry, taking into account sales performance, quality and creativity. Radical received the award for their first two titles, Hercules:The Thracian Wars and Caliber:First Canon of Justice. Both comics were launched in May 2008, and enjoyed sellout performances.

Series

 * Hercules (Radical Comics)
 * Shrapnel (Radical Comics)
 * Caliber (Radical Comics)
 * Legends (Radical Comics)
 * Hotwire (comics)
 * Incarnate (comics)

Artists and Writers

 * David Hine
 * Steve Pugh
 * Steve Moore (comics)
 * Ian Edginton
 * Nick Percival