A comic created by a publisher from the Midlands is to be turned into a Hollywood movie.
Dare Comics founder Adam Hamdy, from Shropshire, will write the screenplay for the movie adaptation of his firm’s debut title The Hunter.
Los Angeles-based production company Scarlet Fire Entertainment will produce the film, about a contemporary superhero set against the backdrop of organised crime.
The Hunter was launched in 2007 to critical acclaim and quickly built an international readership which now stands at more than 130,000 through its innovative print and online distribution strategy.
Mr Hamdy said: “We’re extremely pleased to be working with Scarlet Fire. They understood The Hunter immediately, and saw in it the potential to create a compelling new universe that loyal fans and newcomers alike will love seeing come to life on the big screen.”
Mr Hamdy left his role as a management consultant to focus on writing, and after fewer than six years as a scriptwriter has already seen his work launched in the UK, US and Australia.
Hunter, which tells the story of an undercover CIA agent with secret powers, was originally created as a film script but when he offered it to a Los Angeles film company, he was told it had potential as a comic series.
While details remain under wraps, Mr Hamdy said the film would be true to his original vision.
He said: “It’s an entirely original Hunter story; a fresh and exciting way of introducing movie-goers to a character who has captured the imagination of comic fans around the world.”
Scarlet Fire Entertainment executive Shane Abrahams made contact with Mr Hamdy through Facebook after spotting the comic.
Mr Abrahams said: “As a serious comic fan, I had to get my hands on the first series, and when I read them, I realised I was on to something unique.”
Producer Steven Pearl added: “Not only is Adam an accomplished writer, he is an innovative entrepreneur. He’s succeeded in building a new superhero brand virtually single-handed in a market that is dominated by big companies with very deep pockets. We’re excited to be working with him.”
Before embarking on his dream career, Mr Hamdy followed a more conventional path, reading law at Oxford and philosophy at the University of London.
From there he moved to a niche consulting firm and raised £7.5 million in venture capital money to start his own company providing financial software for banks.
He sold the business in 2001 and, at the age of 27, moved to Staffordshire to pursue his writing career.
Dare Comics has also launched a new science fiction title, which will be available from this week.
Starmaker: Leviathan tells the story of Jacob Carter and his efforts to expose a mind-blowing global conspiracy.
Mr Hamdy said: “I am very pleased to see Starmaker come to life. We’ve worked extremely hard to deliver a comic that is way out of the ordinary.
