Art from the adaptation of Robert Silverberg’s “Downward to the Earth,” art by Laura Zuccheri © Humanoids, Inc
International graphic novel publishing house Humanoids – which includes a UK Operation – has just announced a deal with legendary science fiction writer Robert Silverberg to adapt a selection of his iconic novels into comics and live action entertainment content.
The first novel to be adapted is Downward to the Earth, which will be released in 2016 and is being penned by Philippe Thirault (Miss: Better Live Through Crime) with art by Laura Zuccheri (The Swords of Glass).
Vince Gerardis (HBO’s Game of Thrones) and Humanoids’ CEO Fabrice Giger along with his producing partner Pierre Spengler (the “Superman” trilogy) will join forces on the new productions.
Robert Silverberg has been a professional writer since 1955, widely known for his science fiction and fantasy stories. He is a many-time winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards, was named to the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 1999, and in 2004 was designated as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America. His books and stories have been translated into forty languages.
Among his best known titles are Nightwings, Dying Inside, The Book of Skulls and the three volumes of the Majipoor Cycle: Lord Valentine’s Castle, Majipoor Chronicles and Valentine Pontifex. His collected short stories, covering nearly sixty years of work, have been published in nine volumes by Subterranean Press. Tales of Majipoor, a new collection of stories set on the giant world made famous in Lord Valentine’s Castle, was released in 2013 and a number of his novels are currently being re-published by Open Road Media. Check out his many works here on amazon.co.uk
Jack Gaughan’s “Downward to the Earth” inspired cover art for the November 1969 edition of Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine.
First published as a four-part serial in Galaxy Science Fiction starting in November 1969, Downward to the Earth was first published as a novel in 1970 and nominated for a Locus Award in 1971. It’s a tale of the quest for transcendence (a frequent Silverberg theme) set on another planet, and includes references to Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad’s classic tale of colonialism.
“Robert Silverberg’s contributions to science fiction in the last decades is unmatched and has inspired generations of writers, artists and filmmakers,” said Fabrice Giger said about the deal, announced at San Diego Comic Con. “With creations such as Downward to the Earth’s Fusion Torch, which anticipated the light sabers that appeared in Star Wars a few years later, and award winning novel A Time of Changes, Silverberg is definitely one of the writers Humanoids has long dreamed to work with.”
“I’ve been admiring the quality of Humanoids graphic novels for decades,” commented Vince Gerardis. “Always employing the highest caliber artists, they’ve become a formidable global comics and IP brand. I’m happy to join with them in developing my first few graphic novels, and to guide their produced content to screens and derivative media.”
Recently, the production arm of Humanoids announced a multi-pic deal with Chinese production company Jetavana. The first movie of the slate – an anticipated $80 million sci-fi space opera – is based on Metal, a graphic novel by Jerrold Brown, Paul Alexander, Butch Guice and Roman Surzhenko.
Humandoids celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The company has published international bestsellers and iconic books such as The Incal, The Metabarons and Barbarella and the works of praised authors such as Mœbius and Alejandro Jodorowsky.
Humanoids are currently in development on multiple adaptation deals with various groups of international production partners. Recent official announcements by include Sebastain X, being penned by Bill Marsilii (Deja Vu), slated to be directed by Martin Campbell, and to be produced by Voltage’s Nicolas Chartier and Valhalla’s Gale Anne Hurd, alongside Giger and Spengler. More projects will be announced at a later date in 2015.
• For more about Humanoids visit: www.humanoids.com | tumblr | Facebook
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: downthetubes Comics News
MAD Magazine: Warping America’s Brain! – free online event 
Farewell to David Lynch, and “The Angriest Dog in the World” 
Showmasters cancels Spring London Film and Comic Con 
Panini UK raises four-weekly Marvel title prices