THE JIM HENSON COMPANY RENEWS LICENSING

AGREEMENTS WITH BOOM! STUDIOS FOR

CLASSIC BRANDS THE DARK CRYSTAL.

LABYRINTH, FRAGGLE ROCK, AND

THE STORYTELLER

Successful Releases Under Original Publishing Deal For the Brands Produced a
New York Times Best Seller and a Winner of The Diamond Comic
Distributors Gem Award

HOLLYWOOD, CA – (May 19, 2017) -- The Jim Henson Company, an innovative leader in family entertainment for over 60 years, has signed a new five-year agreement with graphic novel and comic book publisher BOOM! Studios to develop and publish at least seventeen new titles for its beloved classic brands, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Fraggle Rock and The Storyteller.

An earlier agreement between The Jim Henson Company and BOOM! Studios resulted in the publication of twenty new titles under its Archaia imprint for the four brands, including The New York Times Best Seller and YALSA-nominated Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths; and two Harvey Award-nominees, Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock Classics Volume 2, for Best Domestic Reprint, and The Storyteller: Witches #4, for Best Single Issue or Story.  Additionally, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth Tales won The Diamond Comic Distributors Gem Award for Trade Book of the Year.

Also, to celebrate this year’s 35^th Anniversary of The Dark Crystal movie release, Archaia began publishing an official sequel, a 12-issue comic book series titled The Power of the Dark Crystal that picks up long after the events of the original film.  Most recently, it was announced that Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal Tales, a children’s book by acclaimed writer and artist Cory Godbey (Have Courage, Be Kind: The Tale of Cinderella), will be released this summer. The publication is a follow-up to last fall's best-selling Jim Henson's Labyrinth Tales, also written and illustrated by Godbey.

“We have worked very closely with BOOM! Studios to develop and publish titles that represent the level of innovation, imagination, and quality our fans expect from these classic brands,” commented Nicole Goldman, Executive Vice President, Marketing/PR and Education Initiatives.  “There are so many compelling storylines and fascinating characters that our talented partners at BOOM! can continue to draw upon to deliver more magical experiences.”

“Jim Henson was a singular creative visionary whose imagination has influenced and inspired multiple generations,” said Filip Sablik, BOOM! Studios President of Publishing and Marketing. “Everyone at BOOM! Studios has been honored to work with The Jim Henson Company over the last nine years and contribute to the rich legacy of these magical properties. We cannot wait to share with fans all of the exciting things we have planned for the next five years. This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg!”

Directed by visionary Jim Henson and executive produced by George Lucas, Labyrinth is a fan favorite and wonder of puppetry. Stuck babysitting her brother, teenager Sarah resentfully wishes the Goblin King (memorably portrayed by David Bowie) can take him away. When her wish comes true, Sarah must head into the Labyrinth herself to save him. Since its 1986 release, the film has become a fan-favorite and is still reveled in today’s era as a timeless classic.

The Dark Crystal, directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, brilliantly weaves a timeless myth of good and evil. In another time, the Dark Crystal, a source of balance and truth in the universe, was broken, dividing the world into two factions; the wicked Skeksis and the peaceful Mystics. Now, as the convergence of the three suns approaches, the crystal must be healed, or darkness will reign forever. The Dark Crystal’s fanbase has only risen since the film’s debut, and the film has also developed a devoted following across the world.

From creative genius Jim Henson, Fraggle Rock stars a cast of puppet creatures called Fraggles, quirky cave-dwellers who live in an underground world alongside their industrious green neighbors, the Doozers, and a family of enormous Gorgs.  The series follows the fun adventures of the furry subterranean creatures and features a unique mix of music from all genres including folk, blues, gospel, country and rock, all while embracing themes of friendship, tolerance, diversity, and caring for the planet.  With 96 episodes, 100 original songs and millions of fans around the world, Fraggle Rock has been seen in over 98 countries.

The anthology series, The Storyteller, features both human actors and creations from Jim Henson's Creature Shop in this retelling of classic folk tales, fables, and legends. The series stars John Hurt in the title role. Aided by his cynical dog, Hurt narrates fascinating tales that combine humor, intrigue, and magic.

The Dark Crystal:Creation Myths Vol. 1 SC Cover by Brian Froud
 

ABOUT THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world-famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix), Dot. (Sprout/Hulu), Splash and Bubbles (PBS), Word Party (Netflix), Doozers (Hulu/Sprout), and the Emmy®-nominated Sid the Science Kid (PBS), Dinosaur Train (PBS), and Pajanimals (Sprout).  Television productions include Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller and the sci-fi cult series Farscape.   Features include Disney’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, as well as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask, and Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow.

With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character- building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of- the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand is currently touring Puppet-Up! – Uncensored, a live puppet improvisational show.

http://www.henson.com
www.facebook.com/hensoncompany
www.twitter.com/hensoncompany
www.instagram.com/hensoncompany


About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios was founded by Ross Richie in 2005 with the singular focus of creating world-class comic book and graphic novel storytelling for all audiences. Through the development of four distinct imprints—BOOM! Studios, BOOM! Box, KaBOOM!, and Archaia—BOOM! has produced award-winning original work, including Lumberjanes, The Woods, Giant Days, Klaus, and Mouse Guard, while also breaking new ground with established licenses such as WWE, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Cartoon Network, and Jim Henson Company properties. BOOM! will also bring their original series to life through unique first-look relationships with 20th Century Fox for film and with Fox Television for the small screen. Please visit www.boom-studios.com for more information.

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