GERMAINE GIOLA ON THE CAPCOM/DEVIL'S DUE DEAL

[MattBrady]

by Lucas Siegel

First came the press release announcing Devil’s Due Publishing and Capcom’s new licensing deal. Then an interview with Josh Blaylock, President of Devil’s Due Publishing gave us some of the details, and their side of things. Now, Newsarama had a short conversation with Germaine Giola, Senior V.P. of Capcom’s licensing department to get a little more information about the new comics.

Newsarama: This isn’t the first time Capcom has had comics published; the Street Fighter franchise has been in comics for some time now. Why does Capcom want to branch out with more comics?

Germaine Giola: Capcom fans regularly ask and the company is ultimately interested in delivering its beloved game franchises to wider audiences through a variety of media -- more fully developing individual characters within those cherished franchises, specifically. An ideal way to do this is through comic books and graphic novels, hitting that core game fan and even younger demos.

NRAMA: What makes comic books the ideal way to extend the story for you, rather than say, tv or webisode shows?

GG: Although Capcom is actively pursuing property extensions in all forms of media, the traditional release schedule for comic books allows for beautiful art delivered in story arcs that can really support a game launch – extend or bridge story or character arcs between game releases, even between a game and a film. The format is conducive to real collaboration between the game development team and the publisher. Capcom works with our comic book publishing partners to deliver eager fans that much more art and story and really help build the franchise over the long term.

NRAMA: UDON Studios has been handling Street Fighter for awhile; why Devil’s Due for this agreement?

GG: UDON is certainly synonymous with Capcom and Street Fighter; More news to come soon on that subject, by the way! Devil’s Due delivered to Capcom producers and brand managers a deep understanding of these particularly important franchises for the company. We were all impressed with the approach and plans they presented. We also hope to soon be announcing relationships with other partners in the comic industry.

NRAMA: The press release mentioned Lost Planet and Bionic Commando. Why those two games in particular?

GG: Bionic Commando and Lost Planet were announced as upcoming Devil’s Due Capcom-based comic book efforts. There will be further announcements, including the other two game properties they have signed on for, around Comic-con.

NRAMA: Any word on the other games being licensed?

GG: Not today …but soon!

NRAMA: How much input will Capcom have on the production of the comics? Will the various games’ producers and art directors have any say on the style of the books?

GG: Absolutely. These will be officially licensed books that represent the properties and again work to build the franchises for the fans and beyond. Producers on the various games will be involved in the creation of the books, helping to direct art style as well as plotlines.


NRAMA: Will the comics adapt the stories of the games they’re linked to, or tell new stories set in those game worlds?

GG: A bit of both, we expect. The comics should support the story as evolved from the games, but branch off and reveal new story lines not yet traveled by the games.

NRAMA: Should fans expect any cross-promotion? Perhaps mini-comics packed in with future games?

GG: They certainly should. Devil’s Due will work closely with Capcom’s brand marketing managers for the specific property along with the producers to deliver some very unique and creative cross-promotions – real “value ads” for the fans of the franchise.

[Supreme Convoy]

I haven't played Bionic Commando in a dog's age... I'll have to dig out the NES for that. The new sequel looks sweet too!

Even though the game was hard as hell, I'd love to see a Ghost & Goblins comic.

[Mrsupertight]

Originally Posted by Supreme Convoy

I haven't played Bionic Commando in a dog's age... I'll have to dig out the NES for that. The new sequel looks sweet too!

Even though the game was hard as hell, I'd love to see a Ghost & Goblins comic.

Buy a Wii and you can download it via the Wii marketplace. Looking forward to this

[Sano]

The covers are looking really cool, I'm excited! And pleeeease make a Devil May Cry comic lol! Resident Evil or Mega Man would be cool too!

[DaVeO]

Does this mean we can get some decent Resident Evil comics?

[Evilomar]

Originally Posted by DaVeO

Does this mean we can get some decent Resident Evil comics?

Not before we get some Codename Viper, Trojan, and Ghost N' Goblins comics.

[jediracer]

Megaman!!

Resident Evil!!

Ōkami!!

[Dylan McCrae]

A Viewtiful Joe comic with the right creators would be amazing. Dead Rising would be great as well if done by someone like Steve Niles or Kirkman.

I didn't mind the last batch of Megaman comics Dreamwave did and would love to see another one. Devil May Cry does nothing for me, and sadly the comic was the same for me and I couldn't get into the last Ghosts n' Goblins/Maximo either, but would love to see someone take another crack at it.

Okami would be sweet as well, provided some really good creators are on board. I think thats where a lot of the licensed books fail. Too much riding on peeps checking out the book for the name. Hopefully some well knowns will be involved with these.