Disney Book Group to Publish Original Graphic Novel Based on Walt Disney Pictures’ and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ Upcoming Action Adventure Film “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney Book Group announced today the Prince of Persia graphic novel anthology, the first-ever graphic novel written by the creator of Prince of Persia, Jordan Mechner. Todd McFarlane (Spawn, Spider-man) created exclusive art to be featured on the cover, and interior art will include some of the most talented names in comics.

“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”

The 128-page graphic novel, a full-color action-adventure anthology featuring six original stories, is a prequel to “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” the feature film to be released by Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films on May 28, 2010. The Prince of Persia graphic novel anthology will publish in April 2010 simultaneously in hardcover and paperback with a 125,000 first print run.

“We are thrilled to publish Jordan Mechner’s book debut,” said Jon Yaged, vice president, U.S. publisher, Disney Book Group. “We have developed a fantastic publishing program for the Prince of Persia film release and this graphic novel is an incredible cornerstone.”

At San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 24, 2009 Jordan Mechner, Todd McFarlane, Bernard Chang, Tommy Lee Edwards, and Cameron Stewart will discuss the Prince of Persia graphic novel anthology for the first time at Disney Press’s panel (11:30am-12:30pm, room 3) at the San Diego Convention Center.

Jordan Mechner

Jordan Mechner is one of the videogame industry's most respected creators. His titles, including Prince of Persia, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Karateka and The Last Express appear frequently in critics' lists of the best games of all time.

Mechner's achievements in the videogame field are complemented by his work as a film writer and director. His documentary “Chavez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story” won the 2003 IDA award for Best Short Documentary, was shortlisted for an Academy Award®, and received its broadcast premiere on PBS Independent Lens in 2005.

Among his current projects, Mechner wrote the screen story and is an executive producer of the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer Films feature film “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” Mechner recently signed on to write the feature film adaptation of the comic book Fathom for 20th Century Fox, which is set to star Megan Fox.

Mechner is currently collaborating with artists LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland on an original graphic novel trilogy for First Second Books.

Mechner received his B.A. from Yale University.

Todd McFarlane

Film director, artist, writer, and producer Todd McFarlane is widely recognized as one of the most influential comic book creators of the last two decades, McFarlane is best known as the creator of Spawn. That title’s hugely popular 1992 debut sold an amazing 1.7 million copies – an unprecedented feat in independent comics. The comic became an Emmy Award®-winning animated series on HBO and a live-action feature film from New Line Cinema.

McFarlane is the also the founder of McFarlane Toys, an international award-winning company and one of America’s top action figure manufacturers.

About The Movie

From the team that brought the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy to the big screen, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films present “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” an epic action-adventure set in the mystical lands of Persia. A rogue prince (JAKE GYLLENHAAL) reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess (GEMMA ARTERTON) and together, they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time—a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world. Directed by Mike Newell (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) from a screenplay by Doug Miro & Carlo Bernard and a screen story by Jordan Mechner and Boaz Yakin with a cast that includes SIR BEN KINGSLEY and ALFRED MOLINA, “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” hits theaters Memorial Day Weekend, 2010.

About Disney Press

Disney Press is an imprint of Disney Book Group (DBG); additional DBG imprints include Disney Editions, Disney-Hyperion, and Disney-Jump at the Sun. DBG is part of Disney Publishing Worldwide, the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines, with over 300 children's magazine titles published and over 3500 children's books published each year. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Disney Publishing Worldwide publishes books and magazines in 85 languages in 75 countries, reaching more than 100 million readers each month.

Prince of Persia graphic novel anthology

By Jordan Mechner

$19.99; Hardcover; ISBN: 1423124294

$9.99; paperback; ISBN: 1423125827

Publication Date: April 2010