It’s no short list of comic book properties that have been optioned into films or television shows in the last few years.
Some of the monthly books that we love to read, highlighted in this very column, have made the “optioned” list: Matt Kindt’s Mind MGMT, Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen’s Descender and Robert Kirkman and Paul Azaceta’s Outcast (already renewed for a second season and regularly reviewed by Biff Bam Pop’s Marie Gilbert) are the first few that come to mind.
The entertainment industry is looking for new, exciting properties, and comic books are fertile grounds. It’s no big secret.
Well, today sees the release of the first issue of a new series that has already been put into production – this time from AMC.
Talk about hitting the fast track!!
Today, we get the absolutely hard-hitting and fascinating Briggs Land #1!
Briggs Land #1
Written by: Brian Wood
Illustrated by: Mack Chater
Published by: Dark Horse Comics
Published by Dark Horse Comics, a company in the midst of reestablishing their various monthly offerings after the Walt Disney Company absorbed the Star Wars comic book publishing empire and brought it over to subsidiary Marvel Comics, Briggs Land is a monthly series embedded deep in modern day Americana.
Written by fan and critical favourite, Brian Wood (whose series The Massive we adore over here!) and illustrated by Mack Chater in a realistic and intense manner, Briggs Land tells the story of Grace Briggs, the woman in charge of one hundred square miles of rural wilderness and its population.
Briggs Land, you see, contains the largest antigovernment secessionist movement in the United States of America. Grace’s husband, unwilling to cede authoritative power over the movement, is currently serving a life sentence in prison for an attempt on the life of the President. With the federal government following her every step, and with a war brewing within her community – and within her own family – Grace Briggs is finally doing things her way!
It’s a fascinating premise amidst the current political landscape in the U.S.A. and harkens series such as Sons of Anarchy and Justified. It’s no wonder AMC is so interested in bringing the story to television audiences.
Make the run to your local comic book shop today and pick up Briggs Land #1. Not only will you be reading a series of political, moral and philosophical weight, but you’ll also be able to tell your TV-viewing family and friends that you were there first!
You can check out a hard-hitting preview of Briggs Land #1 right here.
