IDT Entertainment has acquired a 5% equity interest in Archie Comics Entertainment, LLC, which is the licensing and entertainment arm of Archie Comic Publications, Inc.

 

IDT now has the rights to co-develop and co-produce certain animated properties based on Archie Comics characters, such as Sabrina (see 'Archie Comics Hires a Rising Star Winner'), Josie and the Pussycats and Cheryl Blossom, along with the superheroes in the Mighty Crusaders library.

 

Plans are to develop direct to DVD animation (to be distributed by Anchor Bay, the distribution division IDT acquired in December 2003), shows for television, as well as possibly feature film production.

 

IDT continues to expand its scope, having acquired a controlling interest in Film Roman, Inc. (in May, 2003), which is the animation company known for its work on The Simpsons and King of the Hill (see 'Simpsons, King of the Hill Renewed' and 'King of the Hill Action Figures Series 2'), with Dick Tracy (see 'Dick Tracy Animated Series') and Cracked (see 'Cracked Magazine Coming to TV and DVD') in the early production stages.