Watchmen digital series on the job now

First installment free on iTunes this month

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 7/18/2008 2:05:00 PM

JULY 18 | Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Warner Premiere have teamed up on an online Watchmen series streeting now, prior to the graphic novel’s planned theatrical bow next year.

The Watchmen digital series is designed as a visual spin on the DC Comics novel by the same name, incorporating voiceovers and music scores in order to bring the story to life. Currently, the first 25-minute installment is available as a free iTunes download through the Entertainment Weekly magazine Web site. After Aug. 2, people can download the episode directly from the iTunes Store for $1.99.

Details for the Watchmen online project, part of an initiative dubbed Warner Premiere’s Motion Comics, will be unveiled at Comic-Con July 24-27 in San Diego. It appears that there will be 12 Watchmen digital installments, according to a description on iTunes. The first episode focuses on a murder investigation of a character dubbed ‘The Comedian’ who was thrown out of a New York skyscraper.

Next year, Warner Premiere is also slated to street Tales of the Black Freighter, a made-for-DVD title that will act as a companion piece to the Watchmen theatrical. Tales will bow on March 10, just four days after Watchmen hits theaters on March 6.

Warner Premiere president Diane Nelson says that Tales and the Watchmen Motion Comic are two separate properties. But she said there is a chance the two may be tied together in some way, potentially on DVD.

"While we may ultimately offer the full Watchmen Motion Comic on DVD, launching within the digital space is our immediate priority and the purpose for which the experience was designed," said Nelson. "Ultimately, Watchmen offers Warner Premiere two strategically perfect ways to leverage an award-winning property and to complement the company-wide priority of the theatrical film."

Additionally falling under the new Warner Premiere Motion Comics banner is Batman: Mad Love. Starting July 22, Batman: Mad Love can be downloaded from Xbox Live and accessed through Verizon Wireless’ V Cast service. The episode is based on the Batman: Mad Love graphic novel, which follows a woman who has a strong crush on The Joker and hopes to impress him by killing Batman.

Batman: Mad Love, which also has subsequent episodes planned, is expected to roll out to additional distribution partners shortly.