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43-628: Platinum Studios was co-founded in January 1997 by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg and European rights agent Ervin Rustemagić . As the former head of Malibu Comics , Rosenberg led comic spin-offs into toys, television, and feature films, including the 1.65 billion-dollar film and television franchise Men in Black , based on the Marvel/Malibu comic The Men in Black by Lowell Cunningham . In 1992, Rosenberg brokered

86-420: A plague has killed nearly everyone over the age of thirteen (both the event and the virus itself are referred to as "The Big Death" and "The Big D"). Two young men, Jeremiah and Kurdy, meet up and join forces with those inside "Thunder Mountain" and help rebuild civilization. Jeremiah is searching for the "Valhalla Sector" where his father may still be alive. The eponymous Jeremiah is a semi-loner who has spent

129-411: A Los Angeles–based online destination that provides users the ability to share and consume digital media content, such as e-comics and E-books , while providing revenue-generating opportunities for creators and publishers through advertising and merchandising programs. Platinum hoped to make WOWIO a "major cornerstone" of "a global digital publishing distribution initiative." The companies projected that

172-519: A cowboy on horseback shooting at an oncoming spaceship. The one sheet went on to become the graphic novel cover, and the graphic novel has appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List fourteen times for both hardcover and softcover. Platinum Studios Comics published the Cowboys & Aliens graphic novel in various formats between mid-2006 through 2012: The Cowboys & Aliens film

215-443: A deal in which seven top-selling artists defected from Marvel Comics to form Image Comics . Rosenberg signed the artists to a label deal which made Malibu the publisher of record for the first comics from Image, giving the upstart creator-run publisher access to the distribution channels. This subsequently led to Rosenberg and his Malibu Comics breaking all sales records for independent comics; in 1992 Malibu grabbed almost 10% of

258-418: A deal in which seven top-selling artists defected from Marvel Comics to form Image Comics . Rosenberg signed the artists to a label deal which made Malibu the publisher of record for the first comics from Image, which gave the upstart creator-run publisher access to the distribution channels. This subsequently led to Malibu breaking all sales records for independent comics. In 1992, Malibu grabbed almost 10% of

301-434: A hit" and "all on a $ 400 marketing budget." Sunrise began to suffer cash-flow issues in the spring of 1987. At the same time, Rosenberg personally took over his various publishers, shutting most of them down and folding Eternity into Malibu as its primary imprint. In the summer of 1998, during the "black-and-white implosion," Sunrise abruptly folded and went out of business. This left a number of small publishers without

344-458: A large slate of comic book titles and original graphic novels, including KISS 4K , produced in conjunction with the rock band Kiss ; and comics by the winners of its Comic Book Challenge talent contest, including Hero by Night by D.J. Coffman . Scott Mitchell Rosenberg Scott Mitchell Rosenberg is an American film, television, and comic book producer. He is the chairman of Platinum Studios , an entertainment company that controls

387-710: A library of comic-book characters and adapts them for film, television and other media. Through Platinum Studios he is affiliated with Moving Pictures Media Group. He is also the founder and former president of Malibu Comics , and is a former senior executive vice president for Marvel Comics . As a producer with Platinum Studios, Rosenberg has released films and television programming with Universal Pictures , Paramount Pictures , DreamWorks , MGM , Showtime and Lionsgate . He has also developed film and television with several others including The Walt Disney Company , Warner Bros. Discovery’s New Line Films , 20th Century Studios and Sony Pictures . Rosenberg began his career in

430-597: A multi-thousand-page bible of related comic characters created by Rosenberg, including titles such as Cowboys & Aliens , and properties acquired from other companies or creators such as Dylan Dog: Dead of Night and Jeremiah . Rustemagić left Platinum Studios in 2000. The company’s comic publishing philosophy is for the original publishers or rights holders to continue publishing their comics with Platinum Studios handling all other rights and development. Comics have been published based on Platinum’s properties continuously since inception, whether by Platinum itself or

473-436: A new formula more favorable to WOWIO, were eventually paid.) In June 2010, WOWIO acquired DrunkDuck.com from Platinum Studios. Platinum Studios Comics are distributed both online and in print. Online releases start before in-store print release. In addition, some Platinum Studios Comics titles are developed for film, television, and other media such as app games for mobile devices. Platinum Studios Comics' first print project

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516-454: A third season was considered, series creator J. Michael Straczynski made it clear that if the show ran a further season he would have nothing to do with it. The show concluded with the end of the second season resolving most plot threads. Most of the characters are survivors of the virus who are now in their late twenties or younger. Developed by Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski and executive produced by Straczynski and Sam Egan in

559-402: A well-organized and -equipped group operating out of the base, led by the former child prodigy Markus Alexander. Markus chooses to employ Jeremiah and Kurdy as a recon team to replace the now dead Simon and his partner, sending the two men back outside to gather information in preparation for the time when the mountain will need to start rebuilding the world. Over the course of the first season,

602-470: Is a post-apocalyptic action drama television series starring Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner that ran on the Showtime network from 2002 to 2004. The series takes place in a future wherein the adult population has been wiped out by a deadly virus. The series ended production in 2003, after the management of Showtime decided they were not interested in producing science fiction programming anymore. Had

645-512: Is for the original publishers or rights holders to continue publishing their comics with Platinum Studios handling all other rights and development. Comics have been published based on Platinum's properties, continuously since inception, whether by Platinum itself or the original rights holders. In May 1997, soon after forming Platinum Studios, Rosenberg licensed Cowboys & Aliens to DreamWorks/ Universal Studios based on film and comic treatments, storylines, artwork and an iconic one sheet of

688-594: The 2006 Comic Book Challenge was D. J. Coffman 's Hero by Night , which was subsequently published as a limited series and an ongoing series by Platinum Studios Comics. I Was Kidnapped By Lesbian Pirates From Outer Space by Megan Rose Gedris made the final round of the 2006 Comic Book Challenge, and was also subsequently published by Platinum Studios Comics and taken offline by Gedris in 2012. The 2007 judge's panel consisted of Scrubs regular Donald Faison , Shrek producer John H. Williams , and Platinum Studios Chairman Scott Mitchell Rosenberg . The 2007 winner

731-451: The American comics market share, temporarily moving ahead of industry giant DC Comics . By the middle of 1993, Image's financial situation was secure enough to publish its titles independently, and per the agreed upon distribution agreement with Malibu, ventured out on its own. During this period, Rosenberg also worked with Adobe Photoshop software to develop the then-leading standard for

774-847: The American comics market share, temporarily moving ahead of industry giant DC Comics . Platinum Studios acquired the film and television rights for Jeremiah , which became the first European graphic novel series to be turned into a live action television series on U.S. television (Showtime). Platinum produces based on two categories: Those from the "Macroverse Bible," a multi-thousand page bible of interrelated comic characters created by Rosenberg, including titles such as Cowboys & Aliens , and properties acquired from other companies or creators such as Dylan Dog and Jeremiah (the latter two having been represented by Rustemagić for publishing rights only, with Platinum acquiring all other rights including film and television). Rustemagić left Platinum Studios in 2000. The company's comic publishing philosophy

817-407: The acquisition would be concluded early in the third quarter of 2008, but issues related to Wowio's non-payment of quarterly earnings delayed the sale. In June 2009, WOWIO was purchased outright by Brian Altounian (formerly Platinum Studios' COO, and still a Platinum Studios board member); leaving Platinum Studios with no ownership stake or percentage. (Third quarter earnings for the year, calculated on

860-590: The cash flow to continue, and they, too, went out of business. Rosenberg turned his focus to Malibu Comics. During his time at Malibu, Rosenberg led comic spin-offs into toys, television, and feature films, including the billion-dollar film and television franchise Men in Black , based on the Marvel /Malibu comic The Men in Black by Lowell Cunningham . He also acquired a number of other independent publishers, including Aircel Comics and Adventure Comics , also folding them into Malibu. In 1992, Rosenberg brokered

903-610: The comic-book industry at age 13 when he started a mail order company called Direct Comics . Rosenberg graduated from the University of Denver . In the mid-1980s, Rosenberg was running the small Commerce, California -based comics distributor Sunrise Distribution . In 1986, income from his distribution business allowed Rosenberg to privately finance a number of independent comics publishers, including Eternity Comics and Malibu Comics . Eternity's first launch, Ex-Mutants , as Rosenberg once said in an interview, "turned out to be

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946-411: The computer coloring of comic books. Rosenberg sold Malibu to Marvel Comics in 1994. As part of the deal, Rosenberg was given the title senior executive vice president of Marvel. Rosenberg left Marvel in January 1997, and purchased half of Platinum Studios from European rights agent Ervin Rustemagić . Platinum produces based on two distinctive categories: Those from the "Macroverse Bible,"

989-554: The country in a military Jeep. Shooting began in Vancouver, British Columbia in the fall of 2001. Actors Luke Perry, from Beverly Hills 90210 , and Malcolm Jamal-Warner, from The Cosby Show , were cast in the leads. The series was filmed in Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada. Straczynski had prepared a five-year series. But a change in personnel in Showtime's administration caused

1032-581: The digital media content site WOWIO . In 2009, Platinum sold WOWIO to Brian Altounian, a Platinum Studios board member and former Platinum COO. In 2010, WOWIO acquired the DrunkDuck community from Platinum Studios as well. In early 2012, Platinum Studios moved to new offices in West Los Angeles. In 2014, 27 million shares of Platinum were acquired by KCG Holdings . Platinum has licensed film and television rights to several Hollywood studios. In addition to

1075-473: The efforts of Jeremiah and Thunder Mountain to stop Valhalla Sector. After the final defeat of Valhalla Sector in the opening episodes of Season 2, a new threat emerges in the form of a crusading army from the East, led by a mysterious prophetic figure known as Daniel. Season 2 deals with the impending conflict between the unifying survivor communities under Thunder Mountain, and the advancing Army of Daniel. Although

1118-411: The finished films Cowboys & Aliens and Dylan Dog: Dead of Night , Platinum is developing a slate of feature films based on Platinum Studio's portfolio, including: In addition to Jeremiah , Platinum licensed the television rights to a number of projects, including: Platinum Studios Chairman & CEO Scott Mitchell Rosenberg spearheaded the creation of Cowboys & Aliens in 1997. It

1161-445: The first season, and Straczynski and Grant Rosenberg in the second, the series is loosely based on Belgian writer Hermann Huppen 's comic book series, Jeremiah , which began in 1979. Aside from the names of the two main characters, the general personality of the protagonist, and the post-apocalyptic setting, there are no similarities between the comics and the series. Having previously published black and white English translations of

1204-503: The first three volumes under the Adventure Comics imprint of Malibu in 1991, Scott Mitchell Rosenberg , the CEO of Platinum Studios (a company that specializes in comics-to-film properties translations), acquired the media rights to the books and developed a television series. Executive Producer J. Michael Straczynski stated it was a "road show" with Jeremiah and Kurdy traveling around

1247-687: The group increasingly encounters threats originating from Valhalla Sector, which they discover to be a sealed and heavily armed bunker complex in Pennsylvania , used to house the remains of the US government and military leadership during the Big Death. The survivors there plan to rebuild the world in an authoritarian mold, combining their military power with attempts to control the "Big Death" virus itself in order to wipe out resistance by slaughtering non-compliant populations. The second half of Season 1 primarily deals with

1290-625: The last 15 years travelling back and forth across the United States, seeking out a living and looking for a place called "Valhalla Sector" (the remains of Raven Rock ), which his father—a viral researcher—had mentioned to Jeremiah as a possible refuge shortly before disappearing into the chaos of "the Big Death." A stop in the Colorado trading town of Clarefield results in Jeremiah teaming up with another lone traveller named Kurdy, before being imprisoned by

1333-477: The network to decide to stop producing science fiction programming and unofficially cancel Jeremiah before the second season had its debut in November 2003. Fans realized the possibility of cancellation when Showtime announced the airing of only the first seven out of fifteen episodes of the second season, and organized a campaign to write and phone executives at Showtime, MGM and Platinum Studios to convince them to show

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1376-509: The original rights holders. Film productions in 2009–2011 were Cowboys & Aliens and Dylan Dog . Platinum Studios posted net losses of $ 4.3 million in 2006 and $ 5.1 million in 2007, and grew to a revenue of $ 10.5 million. The company became a public company , trading continuously since February 2008. In early 2012, Platinum Studios moved to new offices in West Los Angeles. In 2014, 27 million shares of Platinum were acquired by KCG Holdings . Jeremiah (TV series) Jeremiah

1419-644: The purchase, which caused some discord in the community. Some felt it would help the site's popularity and the community would only get bigger and better; others were concerned Platinum was going to "take over" and claim the rights to people's comics. After the purchase, the site featured a mixture of Platinum Studios-owned professional comics and independently owned amateur comics. Platinum never claimed ownership of any comic that it had not entered into legal documentation with. The Drunk Duck community grew to 95,000 subscribed users in mid-2010. In June 2008, Platinum Studios announced that it had begun talks to acquire WOWIO ,

1462-560: The quality of the art and writing of their submissions. After hearing all the pitches, judges narrowed the talent pool and turned over the final decision to the voting public. The Challenge was broadcast on KNSD (the San Diego NBC affiliate) in conjunction with San Diego Comic-Con. Winners received prizes from software to graphics tablets and new PCs, while competing for the first-prize award of publishing their comic with Platinum Studios (as well as other possible media ventures). The winner of

1505-490: The remaining eight and continue with a third season. Ultimately, the network began airing the remaining of the second season starting on September 3, 2004 - after a ten-month break since the last aired episode - but despite continuously rising ratings did not proceed with the renewal of the show. Before season 2 premiered, Straczynski vowed to never work with the then-current administration of MGM Television after experiencing major creative differences with them, and had there been

1548-400: The series continued, it would have run under a different showrunner than J. Michael Straczynski , who decided to leave following the completion of the production of the second season due to creative differences between him and MGM Television . Episodes for the final half of the second season did not begin airing in the United States until September 3, 2004. The year is 2021, 15 years after

1591-478: The town's warlord in a cell with a man named Simon, who wants to recruit Jeremiah for a vague and mysterious organization. With Kurdy's help, Jeremiah and Simon escape, but Simon is fatally wounded in the process. Following the instructions given to them by the dying Simon, Jeremiah and Kurdy take Simon's truck back to "Thunder Mountain," the remains of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex , where they discover

1634-433: Was Jorge Vega 's Gunplay , which was published as an original graphic novel by Platinum Studios Comics in 2008. Actor Brandon Routh was a judge for the 2008 Comic Book Challenge which was won by Carlos Weiser's The Armageddon Chronicles. Due to the economic U.S.crisis at the time, Platinum Studios was unable to publish Weiser's book and the event was discontinued after that. In 2007–2008, Platinum Studios Comics released

1677-420: Was broadcast on KNSD (the San Diego NBC affiliate) in conjunction with San Diego Comic-Con , but outgrew NBC affiliate's venue. The following year it was hosted by AT&T. Platinum Studios posted net losses of $ 4.3 million in 2006 and $ 5.1 million in 2007., growing to a revenue of $ 10.5 million. In September 2006, Platinum Studios purchased the webcomics community site DrunkDuck.com, and in 2008 it acquired

1720-447: Was licensed by DreamWorks and Universal Studios in May 1997, based on a one sheet of a cowboy being chased by a spaceship. By the mid-2000s, the film project rights were returned to Platinum. Rosenberg commissioned an Cowboys & Aliens original graphic novel. Jon Favreau directed the screen adaptation of the comic, Cowboys & Aliens premiered at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con and

1763-573: Was released theatrically in 2011. Over the next ten years, Platinum Studios continued to increase the size of its portfolio through licensing, publishing, film, and television contracts with comic book creators. In 2005, Platinum hired former Time Warner executive Brian Altounian as its chief operating officer. Originally running for three years from 2006 to 2008, Platinum produced the Comic Book Challenge, an annual, televised competition among aspiring comic book creators. The first Challenge

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1806-517: Was released theatrically in the United States and Canada on July 29 , 2011. Platinum Studios’ digital publishing works in three areas: web comics publishing, mobile content, and comic news and resources. In September 2006, Platinum Studios purchased the webcomics community site DrunkDuck.com (created by Dylan Squires) for an undisclosed sum. Drunk Duck was at the time a community of mostly amateur webcomics artists. Platinum Studios signed several option agreements with Drunk Duck community members after

1849-436: Was the Cowboys & Aliens original graphic novel, created by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, written by Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley , and illustrated by Dennis Calero and Luciano Lima . From 2006 to 2008, Platinum produced the Comic Book Challenge, an annual, televised competition among aspiring comic book creators. The Comic Book Challenge was originally presented by AT&T. Over one million applicants were judged on

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