Dark Horse Comics has announced the acquisition of the license to publish the graphic novel adaptation of the Disney Studio's major animation project for this summer-- Atlantis: The Lost Empire.  Atlantis, which will debut in theaters on June 15, represents a radical departure for Disney animation.  Instead of the cheesy songs that dominate the modern Disney films aimed at younger audiences, Atlantis provides a large dose of action and adventure in a Jules Verne-influenced tale of an early Twentieth Century expedition to the lost continent.  With an all-star cast of voice actors including: Michael J. Fox, James Garner, and Mark Hamill, as well as a quirky steampunk visual style that resembles The Wild, Wild West crossed with Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentleman, Atlantis appears to be the most the most intriguing Disney animated film since The Lion King.

 

Dark Horse will create and publish a full color comic adaptation of the film, with a cover by Mike (Hellboy) Mignola.  In addition Dark Horse will create a mini-comic that will be included in numerous Atlantis product tie-ins.   The Atlantis graphic novel will be solicited in the April issue of Diamond's Previews.  More pricing and format details will be available at that time.  Disney's decision to license a comic adaptation makes a lot of sense because of the older, primarily male audience that Atlantis targets.  Perhaps the rich vein of children's animation has been exhausted, since the majority of this year's potential animated hits like Shrek, Atlantis, and Monsters, Inc. all target an audience that skews quite a bit older than that of The Little Mermaid -- an audience that is closer in age and inclination to the clientele that shops in specialty stores.