'Nacho' takes page out of comics

Chris Marlowe
The Hollywood Reporter
June 3, 2006

Jack Black often seems to be channeling his inner comic book character, so it feels appropriate that Planetwide Games has signed a deal with Paramount Pictures that will allow fans to create their own comics using assets from the upcoming film "Nacho Libre."The Nacho Libre Comic Book Creator Interactive Entertainment Software will go on sale in the U.S., Canada and Mexico as a download by Thursday. A boxed version will reach retailers after the movie's June 16 release.

"Paramount Pictures is the first major Hollywood studio to embrace our innovative self-publishing software and integrate our digital comic book technology with the release of a feature film," Planetwide Games president Kevin Donovan said, adding that his team was working with Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products on the project.

Users will get a wide selection of images, icons, taglines, symbols and artwork that they can drag and drop into a selection of more than 500 layout and design templates, Planetwide Games vice president sales and marketing Mark Politi said.

"The idea is that 'Nacho Libre' fans will get to engage with the characters, like they can with a video game, but using live-action shots and clip art and other assets from the movie," he said. "It's almost a digital graphic novel."

The consumer-created "Nacho Libre" comic books can then be printed out, e-mailed or posted online in a blog, social network or other Web site, which Politi said adds to fans' enjoyment and to the viral marketing aspect of the product. "The Nacho Libre Comic Book software provides an online community experience where users can share their own creations," said Sandi Isaacs, vice president interactive at Paramount Pictures Licensing. "We're excited to be leading the charge with the first-ever movie branded Comic Book Creator."

The branded edition of Comic Book Creator costs $35, $5 more than the basic version. A trial version that does not allow printing and other capabilities can be downloaded for free.

Sony Online Entertainment is working with Planetwide Games, having licensed Comic Book Creator and integrated a customized version of it into SOE's Station Players service. It also sells special art packs themed for SOE's "EverQuest," "EverQuest II" and "PlanetSide" massively multiplayer online games.

This version enables members to create comic books starring their online alter egos, including images of their finest moments captured directly from the games.

"People were mesmerized by the ability to create comics out of their favorite games," Politi said.

"We're always looking for unique ways to both enrich the online gaming experience as well as offer our subscribers services that extend beyond our game worlds," Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley said. "Comic Book Creator provides additional value for our online communities, allowing players to strengthen their connection to their avatars and social groups in a whole new way."

Additional branded versions of Comic Book Creator are in the works, Politi said, as are new capabilities and such features as audio, video and animated clips.

"Nacho Libre," starring Black, is a Paramount Pictures presentation of a Nickelodeon Movies/Black & White production of a Jared Hess film. "Nacho Libre" is produced by Mike White, Black, Julia Pistor and David Klawans. The executive producer is Steve Nicolaides.