BMW ROARS AHEAD WITH COMIC BOOK SERIES
Three years ago and 75 million downloads later, BMW Films is partnering with Dark Horse Comics to bring it's popular online 'movie series' THE HIRE to the comic book genre.
Like the BMW Films, the Comic books are available for download at their websitelink . This time though, the series is also available in print. For stores go to Dark Horse comics websitelink
FIRST BMW COMIC BOOK WRITER IS GRENDEL AND MAGE CREATOR MATT WAGNER;
According to the BMW Films website link the six 'action-packed episodes' pick up with the enigmatic hero where the films left off. A new story in AUTOWEEK, linkthe movies have generated such critical acclaim that they have been released in a DVD collection. Since BMW debuted The Hire, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Volvo and Buick all have placed their vehicles in movies on the Internet
A LIST FILMMAKERS AND HOLLYWOOD STARS:
The first five films promoted the entire BMW line. The last three movies feature the Z4 roadster. BMW hired such A-list filmmakers as John Woo, Ang Lee, John Frankenheimer, Tony Scott, Guy Ritchie and Joe Carnahan to direct the movies. They feature Hollywood stars such as Don Cheadle, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta and F. Murray Abraham.
Matt Wagner, creator of Grendel and Mage, writer for 1st BMW Comic series
The writer for the first of the crime, action/adventure series is Matt Wagner the creator of Grendel and Mage. Here's the promo line for the issue: "When the driver is asked to sneak a rich man's spoiled, scandalous daughter out of town, he thinks the worst he'll have to deal with are persistent paparazzi. Then the bullets start to fly..."
AUTOWEEK'S MAY 30 issue provides more info including:
*BMW was among the first automakers to market its vehicles worldwide with movies made for the Internet. It released a series of eight short films called The Hire between 2001 and 2003. The action thrillers, which run for five to 10 minutes, star British actor Clive Owen as "The Driver."
*The BMW Films character defies long odds to complete various missions. They usually involve beautiful women in distress and always include car chases featuring BMWs.
*Comics sell for $2.99 Dark Horse Comics is publishing print versions that sell for $2.99.
*Comics feature concept cars: ... imaginary concept cars that display the BMW badge. "Precious Cargo" is set in Detroit. The Driver is assigned to drive a woman named Claire to a waiting plane. A freeway chase with bad guys ensues. In "Scandal," The Driver shoots it out with a motorcycle gang in a desert to protect Dakota, a spoiled young heiress. The story offers a surprise ending.
WHY THE COMICS? "The comics were developed to extend the experience of the BMW films," says Karen Vonder Meulen, a spokeswoman for BMW of North America LLC. "We generated great brand awareness in a very cost-effective delivery mechanism." Vonder Meulen says BMW does not profit from The Hire. The automaker donates proceeds from the film and comic book sales to charity, she says. (Source: Total Motorcycle Website link)
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