Walking Dead creator launching new graphic novel publisher for up-and-coming creators

Robert Kirkman – creator of The Walking Dead, which is being adapted into an AMC television horror series – announced today that he is launching and will direct a new division of Image Comics called Skybound, which will give a new generation of comic book artists and creators the opportunity to publish their works as Skybound Originals.

With Skybound, Kirkman will handpick up-and-coming creators and maintain an active role in promoting and expanding the projects of the growing talent pool. Artist and company alike will be fully vested in the development of their properties into new mediums, including potential television and film projects.

Image Comics, which published Kirkman’s original works, including the New York Times bestselling series The Walking Dead and Invincible, will provide publishing and distribution support to Skybound. Kirkman will continue his duties as a partner at Image Comics, and use the Skybound imprint to release his own titles as well as every “Skybound Original” to follow.

Robert Kirkman plans to preview the first Skybound Original, Witch Doctor, during his spotlight panel at San Diego Comic-Con this Thursday.

Kirkman himself found the creators of Witch Doctor online and will continue to play a personal role in the ongoing search for a constant stream of new talent to sign under the Skybound umbrella. Skybound will focus on cutting-edge, creator-owned stories that are outside of the normal spectrum of mass-market genres. Looking forward, Kirkman recently secured the second exclusive Skybound Original, titled Thief of Thieves, a collaboration between Kirkman and Forgetless writer Nick Spencer.

Witch Doctor will hit store shelves at the beginning of 2011 and Thief of Thieves will follow shortly thereafter.

Find out more about Skybound at skyboundent.com.