BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curiosity Ink Media
- the family entertainment engine for Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.
(NASDAQ: GROM), has secured Montana Poet Laureate M.L. Smoker to
write and consult for the Thunderous graphic novel series,
debuting in partnership with publisher Dynamite Entertainment in
April 2022. Her co-writer on the
project is Natalie Peeterse, also a
poet and independent publisher. The original, new intellectual
property (IP) franchise follows the unexpected adventures of an
indigenous teen's journey into a special world where new friends
and foes are discovered. In this unpredictable and sometimes
perilous venture she learns to more fully appreciate, embrace, and
champion her family's proud heritage. The graphic novel will debut
in tandem with Independent Book Store Day, a national celebration
of independent bookstores to be held on Saturday, April 30. The announcement was made
today by Curiosity Ink Media's EVP & Publisher, Jon Rosenberg.
"Forming alliances with indigenous cultural leaders allows us to
share stories that are routinely overlooked in popular
culture."
Curiosity's alliance with Smoker and Peeterse builds
on the company's mission to identify and share authentic stories
and voices from various milieus. The company recently announced a
slate of diverse programming, including new musical preschool
series, Aloha Hōkū, based on the songs and spirit of
Hawaiian ukulele player Honoka Katayama. Smoker, a member of
the Nakoda, Dakota, Lakota tribe is currently Poet Laureate for the
state of Montana. Her free verse
poems focus on personal loss and identity and engage Native
American history, language, and culture.
"Forming alliances with indigenous cultural leaders allows us to
share stories that are routinely overlooked in popular culture and
have the potential to be transformative for young readers," said
Rosenberg. "M.L. Smoker brings an unparalleled authenticity
and artistry to storytelling that will bring richness, heart and
soul to this new franchise."
"The importance of new narratives that are formed from the
creativity, resilience and power of Native American communities are
necessary to correct the pervasive and damaging stereotypes,
misconceptions and ideas that exist in this country about us," said
Smoker. "I hope this is a story that resonates for many
children and, in particular, that some Native youth will see
themselves reflected in literature and believe they can be their
own authors, painters, musicians, and creators in the future.
Because representation matters."
"Dynamite is proud to work with so many writers, artists and
partners from diverse backgrounds, as our primary goal is to help
facilitate and deliver unique compelling stories across all media
to fans and working with Laureate M.L. Smoker and the creative
team helps bring awareness and grows the audience," said
Nick Barrucci, Dynamite CEO &
Publisher. "I personally cannot wait to read more
of Thunderous and what Smoker and the team have
crafted, and for many others to experience this wonderful
tale."
Smoker served as Montana's
Director of Indian Education for nearly a decade and, in 2015, was
named the Indian Educator of the Year in addition to being
appointed to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education by
President Barack Obama. She
currently works at Education Northwest as a practice expert in
Indian Education. She received a regional Emmy award for her work
as a writer/consultant on the PBS documentary Indian
Relay.
Thunderous centers on Aiyana, a South Dakota teenager who fails to see a
connection between her family's Indigenous culture and her life in
the modern world, resulting in tension with her grandmother, a
proud bearer of the family's history and heritage. As the story
progresses, Aiyana finds herself accidentally transported to a
new and unfamiliar world where she begins to recognize how
understanding her Lakota cultural teachings and
stories are the very tools she needs to survive and return
home. The book version of Thunderous dovetails into
Curiosity's recently announced publishing program in partnership
with Dynamite Entertainment to develop a slate of printed content
rooted in Curiosity's original IP, as well as cultivating print
titles on behalf of other entertainment brands.
About Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite was founded in
2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and
properties, including The Boys, The Shadow, Red Sonja, Warlord of Mars, Bionic Man, A Game
of Thrones, and more. Dynamite owns and controls an extensive
library with over 3,000 characters (which includes the Harris
Comics and Chaos Comics properties), such as Vampirella, Pantha,
Evil Ernie, Smiley the Psychotic Button, Chastity, and Peter
Cannon: Thunderbolt. In addition to their critically
acclaimed titles and bestselling comics, Dynamite works with some
of the most high-profile creators in comics and entertainment,
including Gail Simone, Christopher Priest, Leah
Moore, Kevin Smith,
David Walker, Vita Ayala, Danny
Lore, Neil Gaiman,
Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, Mark
Russell, Brandon Thomas,
Amy Chu, Reginald Hudlin, Nancy
Collins, David Walker,
Steve Orlando, Greg Pak, Jenny
Frison, Matt Wagner, and a
host of up-and-coming new talent. Dynamite is consistently ranked
in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their
titles - including Alex Ross and
Jim Krueger's Project
Superpowers - have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by
Diamond Comics Distributors. In 2005, Diamond awarded the company a
GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics
Publisher of the Year (under 5%) and again in 2011. The company has
also been nominated for and won several industry awards, including
the prestigious Harvey and Eisner Awards.
About Curiosity Ink Media
Curiosity Ink Media is a
global media company that develops, acquires, builds, grows and
maximizes the short, mid & long-term commercial potential of
Kids & Family entertainment properties and associated business
opportunities. Driven by a best-in-class leadership team, Curiosity
Ink Media's multi-faceted I.P. library is designed to amass ongoing
value through strategic stewardship, partnerships and highly
targeted market entry.
About Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.
Grom Social
Enterprises, Inc. is a growing social media platform and original
content provider of entertainment for children under 13 years of
age, which provides safe and secure digital environments for kids
that can be monitored by their parents or guardians. The Company
has several operating subsidiaries, including Grom Social, which
delivers its content through mobile and desktop environments (web
portal and apps) that entertain children, let them interact with
friends, access relevant news, and play proprietary games while
teaching them about being good digital citizens. The Company owns
and operates Top Draw Animation, which produces award-winning
animation content for some of the largest international media
companies in the world. Grom also includes Grom Educational
Services, which has provided web filtering services for K-12
schools, government and private businesses. For more information,
please visit gromsocial.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains
statements, which may constitute "forward-looking statements.".
Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief,
or current expectations of Grom and members of its management team
as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Such
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance
and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may
differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking
statements. Important factors currently known to management that
may cause actual results to differ from those anticipated are
discussed throughout the Company's reports filed with Securities
and Exchange Commission which are available at www.sec.gov as well
as the Company's web site at www.gromsocial.com. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking
statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of
unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.
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Instagram: GromSocial
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Linked In: grom-social-enterprises-inc
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SOURCE Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.