Union, Top Cow announce new entertainment partnership

Hollywood production company Union Entertainment and comic book publisher Top Cow Productions have announced the signing of a new long-term partnership for the creation of multiple videogames, films and comic books.

Under the terms of the agreement, Union will be granted exclusive rights to develop videogames based on comic book properties from Top Cow's extensive library, and the two companies will work together in the creation of new properties to be developed as videogames, comic books and films.

Union has worked with Top Cow previously after seeing videogame potential in the comic book property The Darkness. Union brokered a deal for a next-generation console adaptation of The Darkness with award-winning development studio Starbreeze AB. The two companies are also working on developing videogames based on additional Top Cow properties, including Witchblade, Magdalena, Aphrodite IX, Hunter/Killer and Wanted.

Top Cow was founded in 1992 and currently publishes its comic books in more than 55 countries in 21 languages. The company has successfully merchandised its franchises into a line of clothing, statues, toys, board games and more, and almost all Top Cow properties are in development as feature films, live action television, animation or video games.

Richard Leibowitz, Union president, commented: "The deal gives Union a rich universe of content on which to base video games, as well as opportunities to create new content with Top Cow. As the business of video games further evolves to mirror that of feature films, including demand for source material and above-the-line talent, this deal enables us to meet emerging demands and further establishes Union as the leading Hollywood-style production company in video games."