RAY HARRYHAUSEN UNITES WITH BLUEWATER PRODUCTIONS FOR NEW ADVENTURE

Filmmaker Ray Harryhausen has joined forces with BlueWater Productions on a series of new comic book ventures and merchandising under the "Ray Harryhausen Presents" banner. Harryhausen is now part of the BlueWater team developing projects that tap his extensive creative talents.

BlueWater will produce six titles with Harryhausen, advancing the adventures of the characters the filmmaker brought to life in his classic sci-fi and fantasy franchises. Slated for release later this year are "Wrath of the Titans," "Sinbad's Voyage to Mars" and "20 Million Miles From Earth."

Plans for feature films and a television series are being developed by Left Field Film Corp.

Harryhausen will be at the San Diego Comic-Con July 21 and 22 with the BlueWater team, where he'll sign posters from the upcoming series. Details will be available on the BlueWater website, www.bluewaterprod.com.

The collaborative projects will provide springboards for the next generation of characters based on Harryhausen's films. Harryhausen also plans on crafting a story line featuring BlueWater's signature character, the 10th Muse. "X-Men" author Scott Lobdell will write the updated "10th Muse" series based on Harryhausen's take.

Each comic will feature five pages of original artwork from Harryhausen's collection, thanks to a partnership with Every Picture Tells a Story, the Santa Monica-based gallery that sells the artist's works. Harryhausen's artwork also will grace the covers.

"As an artist, I've always enjoyed exploring new and interesting areas," Harryhausen says. "Although many of my feature films, beginning with 'The 7th Voyage of Sinbad,' were adapted into the comic book format, I have never been directly involved with that particular art form -- until now. I am very happy to be working with BlueWater Productions, who have already done wonderful work with their '10th Muse' and 'Isis' comic books, and look forward to seeing characters from my films in new and exciting adventures."

BlueWater President Darren Davis says he's humbled to have Harryhausen aboard. "Ray Harryhausen is one of the reasons I create comics. 'Clash of the Titans' made a priceless impression on my career. I'm honored to work with Ray. He inspired and motivated me to take 'Legends' into different media."

BlueWater Art Director Nadir Balan is equally excited to work with Harryhausen. "Ray Harryhausen's films have a timeless appeal that extends beyond special effects and monsters. My goal is to capture the essence and charm of his films and adapt them to action-packed comics so both new readers and existing fans can catch up on the ongoing adventures. I'm thrilled to be part of the team dreaming up new futures for these great characters."

More projects showcasing the Harryhausen-BlueWater partnership are in the works and will be announced soon.