Zenescope Entertainment is a comic book and graphic novel publisher headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania, co-founded by Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco in 2005. Zenescope publishes full-color action, fantasy and horror titles. Under their Silver Dragon imprint, Zenescope publishes all-ages and educational titles, partnering with companies like Discovery Channel and History Channel to develop content.
History
Originally teamed up to write and develop screenplays, Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco realized that comic books and graphic novels followed the same process. An avid comic book reader, Brusha believed that comic books and graphic novels would become part of mainstream America, and wanted to help that process. They began writing and assembling the creative team for their flagship title, Grimm Fairy Tales and published the first issue in June 2005. In 2006, Brusha and Tedesco partnered with writer Raven Gregory, to begin work on the Return to Wonderland series, released in 2007.
Vikings, prequel to the History Channel television series
Adaptations of original works
''Grimm Fairy Tales: The Animated Series''
After meeting with director Jon Schnepp in 2011 at San Diego Comic Con, the group collaborated on creating Grimm Fairy Tales: The Animated Series. Hoping to maintain creative control over the direction of the pilot, the group created a Kickstarter fundraiser in March 2012. On May 1 the Kickstarter exceeded its funding goal and production began. Featuring the voice talents of Lena Headey, Briana Evigan, Chris Hardwick, and Robert Forster, the pilot is currently being shopped to potential networks. The company has hosted multiple advance screenings of the pilot for fans at conventions since October 2012.
''Wonderland''
In July 2012, it was announced that Lionsgate Television had emerged the winner in a six-studio bidding war for TV rights to Zenescope's "Wonderland" series. Brian Robbins has been attached to serve as an executive producer, with Tedesco and Brusha serving as co-executive producers.
''The Piper''
In 2011, it was announced that Mandalay Vision had acquired the film rights to The Piper, with Adam Alleca to adapt it for the screen.
Licensed properties
In addition to their original titles, Zenescope publishes and develops licensed material for numerous clients, including CBS, Discovery Channel, History Channel, New Line Cinema, and many others. Officially announced in March 2010, they began publishing the Charmed series in June of that year, picking up where the television series left off. Other adaptations of licensed material include graphic novels based on Se7en and Final Destination for New Line Cinema, and 1000 Ways To Die for SpikeTV.
History Channel
In October 2012, it was announced that Zenescope had partnered with The History Channel to release a companion graphic novelization, in two volumes, with their 12-hour event Mankind: The Story of All of Us. In July 2013, Hero Complex announced that Zenescope had partnered with The History Channel to create the free Vikings #1 comic book giveaway, based on the television show.
