Monster Forge Announces Dark Horse Partnership, Executive Hires

Transmedia content producer Monster Forge Productions has hired two experienced comic industry pros to expand its publishing operations in conjunction with a newly-announced deal with Dark Horse Comics. Monster Forge, which is developing genre content in horror, science fiction and fantasy for multiple platforms, is looking to bring its stories and properties to comics with a new slate of titles from top-name creators.

Monster Forge cofounder Shannon Eric Denton announced the company had brought on Jeff Mariotte, former editor-in-chief of IDW Publishing and Image/Wildstorm executive, along with comics and animation creator David Hartman, as Executive Consultants to build out the publishing capabilities.

“Both of these guys have lots of media experience, and are also creators,” said Denton, who has done many comics projects along with his other work in animation, live action production, licensed products and games.. “Comics have grown into an undeniable worldwide phenomenon over the past 20 years. As longtime comics creators ourselves, this is another important step in building a greater outlet for our creations in a medium we love and know so well.”

Denton said the addition of the two executives, who combine creative and production skills, will help Monster Forge develop fun new IP in multiple formats including comics, novels, animation, live action, audio books and podcasts, toys and merchandise.

The company just announced its first Dark Horse title, Monster Born, written by Denton and Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and drawn by Tom Mandrake. Denton said there are nearly 1000 pages of comics material already done, and additional titles are expected to be announced and developed later this year.

“This partnership represents an important next phase in Monster Forge’s evolution as a true multi-platform company,” said Hartman. “This investment by Dark Horse in us and our incredible comic partners is just the beginning. In addition to Monster Forge’s recent collaborations with Ice-T, the Bernie Wrightson estate, James Groman, Mondo and Marvel, we have multiple deals in the works and new comics projects featuring myself, Kevin Grevioux, Rodney Barnes, Cullen Bunn and more.”

Denton said he started Monster Forge as a way to help independent creators launch franchise-worthy original genre content in a range of formats. “Our goal is to build a foundation of IP that is not dependent on the traditional pipeline, and find properties that can be well done in live action or animation. Not everyone has the resources of a Marvel or DC, and that’s ok. We still want to bring this stuff to fans.”

Monster Forge has a loose strategy of creating a shared universe for its properties, but Denton said he is not overly concerned with tight continuity or trying to shoehorn idiosyncratic projects into a master plan. “When I worked with Stan Lee, one thing I learned is that Marvel gave out ‘No Prizes’ for a reason,” he said. Lee invented the No Prize as a way to reward readers who spotted plot holes or continuity issues in the early development of the Marvel universe, simultaneously rewarding fans for their attention while excusing writers (typically himself) for letting creativity trump consistency.

Denton said Monster Forge is thinking big, but is also opportunistic about projects, partnering earlier this year with Marvel and Mando on a toy based on Marvel’s Man-Thing character as a way to tap into the fan community. “We’re open to doing licensing deals, developing toys and other merchandise. If there’s an opportunity, we’ll jump on it.”