Video Game Deals Brighten Future Of 'darkness' Comic

Top Cow Prods. is making good on its promise to bring "The Darkness" to video games and movies. The comic book company is set to confirm today that the game version of its gritty supernatural crime drama will be published by Majesco and developed by Starbreeze.

Cross-media specialist Union Entertainment packaged the deal. Paul Jenkins, a key writer in the comic book series, is attached to provide game story and dialogue. Swedish developer Starbreeze is best known for Vivendi Universal's "The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay."

Majesco president Jesse Sutton said the game is scheduled for release next year. "We are excited to have secured Starbreeze, a highly talented and respected team, to develop one of our first titles for the next generation of video game consoles," he said, adding that the resulting combination of technology, development talent and compelling content provides "a solid foundation for success."

Nearly all Top Cow properties have crossed over to feature films, live-action television, video games and other media, including its flagship title "Witchblade."

"The Darkness" comic book series is published in 19 languages and generates more than $25 million annually. It relates the tale of Jackie Estacado, a professional assassin who changes his personal path and mankind's destiny when he is possessed by awesome powers.

Union principal Richard Leibowitz said he chose to work with "The Darkness" after he and Union creative director Dan Jevons reviewed several Top Cow properties. He then approached Starbreeze, with which Union already had a relationship from the "Riddick" project.

"Dan produced a game-concept document that both Top Cow and Starbreeze approved," Leibowitz said. "Union attached Paul Jenkins … shopped the project to publishers and, after fielding several offers for the project in short order, secured a next-gen deal with Majesco."

Top Cow confirmed in December that the live-action movie of "The Darkness" will be produced by Platinum Studios and Dimension Films. That project is estimated for release in 2007.

Dimension co-presidents Brad Weston and Andrew Rona will oversee the film. Platinum chairman Scott Mitchell Rosenberg and Top Cow founder and head Marc Silvestri will executive produce.