Hyperion Books for Children will publish graphic biographie,' biographies as comic stories in book format, in cooperation with the Vermont-based Center for Cartoon Studies.  The Center for Cartoon Studies will package the books for Hyperion.  The books will be 80-96 pages each, with the comic story and 10 pages of background material in each.    

 

Two releases per year are planned, with the first two releases slated for Fall 2006.  Houdini will be written by Jason Lutes (Jar of Fools) and James Sturm (The Golem's Mighty Swing), and illustrated by Nick Bertozzi (Rubber Necker, Boswash).  Satchel Paige will be written by James Sturm. 
 

This is one of several new comic publishing projects that Disney has underway (see 'Disney Gets Deeper into Comics'). 

 

Disney is the second publisher to announce a line of comic biographies targeted at the kid, educational, and library markets (see 'Educational Publishers Readies Graphic Novel Biographies').