DYNAMITE LANDS BUCK ROGERS LICENSE

**MattBrady** · 03-13-2008, 06:25 AM

Press Release

For almost 80 years, more than any other, the name Buck Rogers has simply meant “The Future”. And now that future is coming to you from Dynamite Entertainment!

Before caped heroes were leaping tall buildings, Buck was spanning the stars . . . and the centuries. A man accidentally thrust into an extraordinary future, Buck is science fiction’s first superstar and one of our culture’s most enduring icons. In its original version, Buck Rogers ran as a comic strip continuously for 38 years in over 400 newspapers. True to his adventurous reputation, Buck is also known for his star turns in radio, movie serials, and television series. And now, comics and more from Dynamite Entertainment!

Flint Dille, a prominent animation and videogame creator as well as the grandson of Buck’s originator, John Flint Dille, oversees the Buck Rogers franchise. “My family and I have always considered the Buck legacy a sort of ‘sacred trust’,” Dille says, “and we are absolutely confident that this collaboration with Dynamite honors that trust.”

Nick Barrucci, Publisher and President of Dynamite Entertainment, is very enthusiastic to be working on one of his “dream projects since childhood,” and to be working with Flint and his family legacy in that process. Barrucci proudly confirms that fan favorites, Alex Ross and John Cassaday, will be integral to Dynamite’s Buck launch, with both Alex and John providing character designs, Alex providing a cover to issue #1, and John serving as regular series cover artist starting with issue #1. “Dynamite’s job right now,” Barrucci says, “is to find the writer and the artist who share my and my team’s respect and affection for Buck Rogers, and who can help bring Buck, once again, into an exciting new future.”

Dynamite’s agreement with the Dille Estate allows for the creation of Buck Rogers comics, collections, including classic material, comics-based fine art prints, posters, action figures, trading cards, statues, and other high-end collectibles. Look for promotional art and announcements at www.dynamiteentertainment.com in the coming weeks and at San Diego ComiCon this summer.

Steve J. · 03-13-2008, 07:47 AM

Kudos to Dynamite for landing the license for another classic property! I'm interested to see the approach this series will take. My experience with Buck Rogers is the Gil Gerard TV series, which I enjoyed immensely back in the day. The concept is definitely rich for mining. Ross & Cassaday character designs will draw attention and ensure that the costumes look good.

Lemurion · 03-13-2008, 08:04 AM

Don't forget that Buck Rogers was created by Philip Francis Nowlan-- John Flint Dille approached Nowlan to adapt Nowlan's existing character to a comic strip.

Lupek · 03-13-2008, 08:22 AM

Thank you, Dynamite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MrToady12 · 03-13-2008, 08:46 AM

Bidi Bidi Bidi - Twiki hopes they don't forget him!!

I'm really liking how comics are taking a new interest in the old pulp novel characters, and comic book stars with Superpowers, Zorro, Lone Ranger, Flash Gordon and now Buck Rogers. I love the premise of Buck, the whole "man out of time" vibe (one of the reasons I love Cap America so much - or did). I'll be keeping an eye out for this one - particularly the Alex Ross or John Cassady cover that will accompany the first issue (I'm assuming).

Now... don't we think it's time Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, Doc Savage, and the Shadow got some love?

Cheers

ljacone · 03-13-2008, 09:06 AM

Sounds pretty cool! The return of these older properties is a neat little trend. I like Buck Rogers, so I will probably give this a shot.

And MrToady, while it's not comics, per se, Moonstone is releasing some "new" Doc Savage stories -- the unaired radio scripts by Lester Dent. Maybe we'll see some Doc comics from them in the future (they do a lot of older properties, including the really cool Phantom series).

1logan · 03-13-2008, 09:09 AM

I honestly believe we can thank the Planetary series for all this renewed interest!

They touched on these characters,although disguised, and Cassaday was the artist!

Duggy1138 · 03-13-2008, 09:27 AM

Red Sonja, Classic Battlestar Galactica, Highlander... all so badly handled by Dynamite... why do they have Buck?

===
= DUG.
===

ViperOneTwo · 03-13-2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggy1138

Red Sonja, Classic Battlestar Galactica, Highlander... all so badly handled by Dynamite... why do they have Buck?

Highlander wasnt that bad. Hey Ill give Buck a shot, especially if they make it similar to the 1990s TSR product.

Now if only someone will pick up Farscape.

fanboy d · 03-13-2008, 09:39 AM

there really needs to be a publisher or an imprint that specialises in classic licensed properties and, like DCs all-star line, puts A-List talent on the books. i'd be all over a buck rogers title if it had grant morrison and john cassaday on it...

i'm curious about the man with no name...but, really - a separate imprint devote to stuff like buck rogers, which originated as a comic strip, with all-star creative teams would be so good.

seamonkey · 03-13-2008, 09:55 AM

Buck Rogers is THE name in science fiction and is ripe for a fresh, new take. I've wondered why with the availability now of sophisticated and complex special effects (via cgi) no one has jumped on making a grand new Buck Rogers science fantasy epic. I'd much rather see an awesome new approach on Buck than yet another Star Wars or Star Trek movie. Best of luck to Dynamite and here's hoping they deliver something really cool on this most enduring of sci-fi concepts.

johndoe · 03-13-2008, 10:21 AM

As long as this is based on the classic comic strip and NOT the TV series, I'm in!

OM · 03-13-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndoe

As long as this is based on the classic comic strip and NOT the TV series, I'm in!

"....Bidididi - Screw you, pal!" - Twiki

...Truth be told, tho, the take on Buck I've always wanted to find out more about was the 1975 version that Universal took to pre-production with David Gerrold as series scripter. That one got tossed aside and Glen Larson was given the property when Battlestar Ponderosa looked to be a hit. I've asked David about this version in the past, but he's always seemed rather reluctant to talk about any specifics regarding tone, setting, etc. About the only things that were ever leaked were some Ralph McQuarry production art sketches that weren't too revealing in Starlog.

mikediehl · 03-13-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonkey

Buck Rogers is THE name in science fiction and is ripe for a fresh, new take. I've wondered why with the availability now of sophisticated and complex special effects (via cgi) no one has jumped on making a grand new Buck Rogers science fantasy epic. I'd much rather see an awesome new approach on Buck than yet another Star Wars or Star Trek movie. Best of luck to Dynamite and here's hoping they deliver something really cool on this most enduring of sci-fi concepts.

+1. And while they're at it, why not remake/revisit the world of Logan's Run as has been mentioned often over the years? The crew handling BSG now on Sci-Fi would be the dream choice to bring this property into the 21st century.

Darthphere · 03-13-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggy1138

Red Sonja, Classic Battlestar Galactica, Highlander... all so badly handled by Dynamite... why do they have Buck?

===
= DUG.
===

By badly handled you mean "I didn't like it" right? Because I know plenty of people that like those titles.

Either way, I have no interest in this but Dynamite is really showing up big IMO, Zorro was great, Lone Ranger is awesome, Man With no Name has the potential of being fantastic, now all they need is to get that green hornet license.

johnny.blaze · 03-13-2008, 10:55 AM

Hey Dynamite Entertainment,

When are you releasing Borderline vol 3?

-JB

Michael Mayket · 03-13-2008, 11:27 AM

Was I the only one who thought it was kind of funny that this press release announced who would be doing covers and then said now all we have to do is find a writer and an artist?

With that said I wish them the best.

Sluggo · 03-13-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Mayket

Was I the only one who thought it was kind of funny that this press release announced who would be doing covers and then said now all we have to do is find a writer and an artist?

With that said I wish them the best.

No, I actually thought that as well. Cart before the horse and all that.

It doesn't matter how pretty the package looks if the actual book is not good. I hope it turns out well. I'd love a good Buck Rogers comic.

And count me in as one of those happy with the resurgence of the pulp/comic strip/golden age comic heroes. I have always had an affinity for that aesthetic.

grphxkindaguy · 03-13-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve J.

Kudos to Dynamite for landing the license for another classic property! I'm interested to see the approach this series will take. My experience with Buck Rogers is the Gil Gerard TV series, which I enjoyed immensely back in the day. The concept is definitely rich for mining. Ross & Cassaday character designs will draw attention and ensure that the costumes look good.

Ditto! Lots of fond memories of the old Buck Rogers tv series...especially Erin Gray!!!

tgail · 03-13-2008, 11:43 AM

As long as they maintain the classic retro future look of the strips, I'm there!

SMARTASS8 · 03-13-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Mayket

Was I the only one who thought it was kind of funny that this press release announced who would be doing covers and then said now all we have to do is find a writer and an artist?

With that said I wish them the best.

You have to understand how important covers are with Dynamite. Except for The Boys, they have to have at least 3 covers for every book.

The Funketeer · 03-13-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Alex Ross and John Cassaday, will be integral to Dynamite’s Buck launch, with both Alex and John providing character designs, Alex providing a cover to issue #1, and John serving as regular series cover artist starting with issue #1.

Am I the only one getting a little tired of guys like Ross and Cassaday lending their names to publishers to sell their books when really all they're doing is a cover? I know there are completists out there who will buy anything these guys do but a cover isn't worth $2.99. I'm a big fan of Cassaday's artwork but I'm only buying it if he does interiors. I think it's misleading to throw their names out there as if having them do character designs will somehow make this a good book.

Kevin T. Brown · 03-13-2008, 11:55 AM

Ok, so they've got Alex Ross and John Cassaday providing character designs and covers.... um, so?

I care more about who the creative team rather than who the cover artist is. I really like Buck Rogers quite a bit, but, IMO, the TV series 25+ years ago did more to destroy the character more than anything else.

And one point that confuses me: I was always under the impression that Philip Francis Nowlan created Rogers in 1928 for Amazing Stories and then Dille worked with Nowlan to make Rogers into a comic strip.

Lemurion · 03-13-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin T. Brown

Ok, so they've got Alex Ross and John Cassaday providing character designs and covers.... um, so?

I care more about who the creative team rather than who the cover artist is. I really like Buck Rogers quite a bit, but, IMO, the TV series 25+ years ago did more to destroy the character more than anything else.

And one point that confuses me: I was always under the impression that Philip Francis Nowlan created Rogers in 1928 for Amazing Stories and then Dille worked with Nowlan to make Rogers into a comic strip.

Exactly-- I pointed that out a fair bit up-thread but no one seems to have noticed.

larkinja · 03-13-2008, 12:09 PM

It took them a while to announce the team on The Man With No Name, too. At least that seems to have worked out well. I'm just seeing this as an initial announcement with more to come. And hey, if I had Alex Ross and John Cassaday involved in a project I'd hype it.

Still, whether I buy this or not will depend a lot on the creative team. On first glance, I think I'll give it a shot, though that may change once they announce the creatives.

The real question is, "Can they put it out on a regular basis?". That's the big problem with D.E.