Ape Entertainment has been on a role of acquisitions of late and they just announced a licensing deal to publish Richie Rich comics, based on he classic Harvey character. No creative details were announced, but the books will be in Ape’s all-ages imprint, KiZoic and debut in 2011.
At New York Comic Con today, Ape Entertainment and Classic Media announced that Ape Entertainment will reimagine the classic cartoon and comic book character Richie Rich® for a modern-day audience in an all-new comic series that will turn the world’s richest kid into a globetrotting adventurer who uses his limitless wealth for good.
“Everyone inside the Ape HQ grew up a Richie Rich fan,” says Ape Entertainment founder and co-publisher Brent E. Erwin. “What we’re hoping to do with the property now is update it with a contemporary spin and bring even more action and intrigue to the original stories we all grew up on.”
Part James Bond, Jr., and part Indiana Jones with Donald Trump’s bank account, Richie Rich is an altruistic adventurer who travels the world helping the less fortunate. With his close-knit team of friends, including an updated Irona and a butt-kicking Cadbury, Richie is a hero for a new generation, acting as the voice for the underprivileged while putting his wallet and exceptional character to good use, spending some, but helping many.
“While there will be plenty of adventure, there will also be plenty of fun,” continues Erwin. “Ape is by no means reinventing the wheel, just adding another spoke. And in the words of Richie Rich, you can take that to the bank!”
“We are excited to partner with Ape Entertainment for a reimagining of Richie Rich,” said Karyn Schneider, VP, Licensing, Classic Media. “Richie is a long-standing star of the comic book world and we look forward to adding new adventures to his story.”
Published under the company’s all-ages imprint, KiZoic, Richie Rich will reach stores in early 2011.
When I stopped by the Ape booth Sunday, an employee did have specific information about the creative team.
Perhaps I should be an undercover reporter?
“Everyone inside the Ape HQ grew up a Richie Rich fan,”“What we’re hoping to do with the property now is update it with a contemporary spin”
Hurrah for the return of Richie, but what ‘updating’ are we talking about? Sporting a Donald Trump haircut, NEW Richie is living in Dubai and flashing loads of bling?
Oh, great choice of covers — Riches #32 is the first comic book I ever bought. Off the supermarket spinner when we were visiting my mom’s aunt & uncle at Bass Lake in CA, when I was 7.
I still have it, too. Obsessed over Richie Rich that entire summer and made my mom buy me something like a dozen of them when we were at Disneyland for a week a month later.
— Rob
PS: Updating Richie Rich didn’t work the first time they tried it with the cartoon in the early 80’s. Bland, bland, bland.
I hope that the spirit and integrity of the original will be maintained. It’s OK to update and revamp but not to the point that the character is unrecognizable.
And Rob, I wouldn’t worry about Ape going in the direction of the 80s H-B cartoon; that show focused too much on Dollar and his Walter Mitty-ish daydreaming. It was also paired with “Scooby and Scrappy Doo”, so you have to understand the whole hour was focused on canines.
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