Marvel Brings French Publisher Soleil's Books to the States

[Gabe99]

"Universal War One"...oh HELL yeah!

Universal War Comes To Titan?

Denis Bajram’s Universal War One was one of the most outstanding graphic novels that got reprinted in English by Marvel during their four year long joint-venture with French publisher Soleil (2008-2011). Originally released in the sumptuous oversized European format, Marvel adapted the material into US-sized format: 6 comic-books and 2 hardcover collections.

Recently, Variety reported on a big screen adaptation assigned to U.S. scribe Skip Woods, whose credits include “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and “A Good Day to Die Hard,”

Unsurprisingly, such a high-profile book has now sparked the interest of a new English-language publisher, Titan Comics, whose plans to aggressively increase the European originated section of their catalog were covered by Bleeding Cool recently

Now, on top of that, Titan wants to collect Universal One War, the whole 300 page shebang, into one single volume.

But first, they have to convince Denis Bajram. The one-man orchestra who writes, pencils, inks, colors and letters the Universal War saga, and who recently released in France the first installment of the long-awaited second part Universal War Two, is seriously ponder the offer he has received from Titan Books’ comic label.

At least, that’s what we can infer from this post on his Facebook wall, where he asks:

“Question aux pros du marché comics anglo-saxon : Universal War One en intégrale anglaise chez Titan Books, est-ce que ça vous parait être une bonne idée ?”

Yes, Denis, it does sound like a good idea…

Skip Woods Tapped To Pen ‘Universal War One’
UMedia is producing "Universal War One," based on the popular sci-fi graphic novel published by Marvel

U.S. scribe Skip Woods, whose credits include “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and “A Good Day to Die Hard,” is set to pen the bigscreen adaptation of epic sci-fi graphic novel “Universal War One.”

The live-action project – reportedly budgeted at about $40 million — is being developed by Adrian Politowski’s Brussels-based film production and finance group Umedia.

Published by Marvel and Gaul’s Soleil Prods., “Universal War One” was created by French author Denis Bajram. The six-part graphic novel has been translated into languages including German, Spanish, Dutch and Italian.

The action-packed dystopian tale is set in a world threatened by a looming civil war between the core planets and outlying planetary settlements. It follows the deadly mission of a band of disgraced soldiers who investigate a gigantic barrier in the outer reaches of space that absorbs all light and matter. After breaching it, the soldiers are fired upon by a vessel of unknown origin.

“Skip (Wood)’s work offers the grit and intelligence that permeates the world of ‘Universal War One,’” said Politowski. “He will undoubtedly retain the essence and spirit of adventure that has made Denis Bajram’s work such a masterpiece.”

Wood is repped by CAA and Sentient Entertainment.