Universal Content Productions Launches UCP Graphic Comics Imprint

Now this is some interesting timing. On the day NBCUniversal launches its streaming service, Peacock, Universal Content Productions launches a comics imprint, aptly named, UCP Graphic. As reported by Variety, the intention is to continue UCP studio president Dawn Olmstead’s strategy of using other platforms and mediums to create new intellectual property. It’s basically a seeding system, testing the waters about content that could be developed into movies and TV.

While I have some issues with the idea that comics is a “lesser” medium (that also speaks to the overall lack of self esteem the industry has when compared to others), you can’t help but be intrigued by the first offering from the new imprint. Proctor Valley Road written by Alex Child and Grant Morrison is a five-issue mini-series that will be published by BOOM! Studios. It follows a group of teenage girls who are suspected in the disappearance of some teenage boys in a California beach town in 1964.
UCP has some ties to the comic book industry already. It produces The Umbrella Academy for Netflix and is currently in production of Resident Alien, both based on comics from Dark Horse.