Variety is reporting that Roger Kass and Josh Braun, the producers of Cannes entry A History of Violence, have deals in place to produce a feature film based on a second graphic novel written by John Wagner, Button Man: The Killing Game.  The David Cronenberg-directed A History of Violence, which is based on a graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, was one of the frontrunners in the race to win the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival (see 'A History of Violence Boffo at Cannes'). 

John Wagner, who is one of the most under-rated writers in comics, collaborated with artist Arthur Ranson on the Button Man: The Killing Game graphic novel, which Kitchen Sink Press published in 1994. The book is a high octane thriller about a tournament of professional assassins sponsored by a small group of jaded millionaires.  Copies of the Button Man trade are going for big bucks ($39.99) on Amazon now, but it is likely that the book will find a new publishing house when (and if) the film goes into production.