Archie Comics, Genius Brands Partner to Launch Comic Books Based on “Stan Lee Universe” of Characters

Industry Icon, Originator and Executive Producer of “Batman” Films, Michael E. Uslan, to Lead Development of the “Stan Lee Universe”

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following the recently announced ‘STAN LEE UNIVERSE,’ Genius Brands International “Genius Brands” (NASDAQ:GNUS) has entered into a ground-breaking comic book publishing agreement with Archie Comics (Archie, Betty & Veronica, Sabrina, Josie and the Pussycats, and more), to publish comic books/graphic novels based on the never-before-exploited IP of Stan Lee Universe.  

“It is only fitting that the comic book roots of Stan Lee, which began with Marvel, give birth to the next generation of great Stan Lee properties. I have long felt that the greatest Stan Lee characters and stories have yet to be told, and the next Marvel has yet to be built. That is Stan Lee Universe,” said Genius Brands CEO and Chairman, Andy Heyward. “Archie Comics are everywhere.  You can’t go to a supermarket checkout stand and not see them, and soon that will be the same with Stan Lee Universe.  Under the leadership of Jon Goldwater, shows like Riverdale and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina have become huge hits. Jon understands better than anyone the unique value of Stan Lee and his ideas. There is no better publishing partner than Archie to bring Stan Lee Universe comics to market.”

The initial property slated for publication as a comic book in partnership with Archie will be Superhero Kindergarten.

“I had the great pleasure of knowing Stan Lee and understanding his genius,” said Archie Comics CEO/Publisher Jon Goldwater. “Getting the chance to partner with Andy and Genius Brands to introduce an entire universe of Stan Lee ideas to the comic book and graphic novel marketplace is an opportunity we can’t pass up.”

Concurrent with the announcement of the Archie Comics publishing deal, Genius Brands is proud to announce that Michael E. Uslan will bring his decades of experience and expertise to advise and help mine the great IP in the Stan Lee Universe to build ongoing global branded franchises.  The treasure chest of post-Marvel Stan Lee IP will be guided by Uslan, whose input will cover all film and TV development and production under the banner.