Search Results

Press Release Original Content Studio for Wuxia Genre Ramps Up Slate with New 2021 Titles LOS ANGELES -- May 19, 2021 -- Veteran comic book executive Hank Kanalz, who most recently served as DC Comics SVP Publishing Strategy and Support Services is joining Immortal Studios as Head of Publishing, announced Immortal Studios founder and CEO Peter Shiao. Immortal Studios is an original American content studio with a contemporary Wuxia “storyverse” created from exclusive rights to the library of celebrated Wuxia author Shiao Yi, as well as Peter Shiao’s own original content. Charged with scaling Immortal’s publishing operation, Kanalz brings over 30 years of experience in the comics and entertainment industry experience including 25 years at DC and WarnerMedia, specializing in content strategy and development, operations, acquisitions, and business development. He joins Immortal Studios as it is ramping up its comic book slate, having just released the second title in the Immortal Storyverse, Chronicles of the Immortal Swordsmen. Written by Peter Shiao and adapted from the original Shiao Yi novel, it is a pioneering modern work about a young man’s awakening into an ancient order of spiritual warriors. It will be followed by Assassin G, one of Shiao Yi’s most popular titles, adapted four times for television in Greater China, about a swordswoman trained to avenge all the wrongs committed against her master. The company launched in June 2020 with The Adept, an original comic book about a young woman who is given keys to an entire realm of secret training. Successful Kickstarter campaigns served as the launching pad for both The Adept and Chronicles of the Immortal Swordsmen. “During this very transformative period – I believe Immortal Studios has not only a vast creative opportunity to bring forth a new vision to fans, but to offer up a multi-window comic service that starts with hardcore fan engagement and culminates in digital distribution on scale and all platform adaptations. As we move forward with Immortal Studios’ mission to create a home for the timeless Wuxia genre with an interconnected storyverse of characters, I am excited to have Hank Kanalz on board to help us execute our strategy, bring together the various influences of the genre, authentically represent Asian faces and culture and awaken the hero in everyone,”, said Peter Shiao “I’m excited to be joining the team at Immortal Studios. The time to bring wuxia concepts to the broader audience has come, even though they’ve been here for years. Comics has a long history in this space, and we plan on Immortal taking its place among some of the best comics told for a modern audience,” said Kanalz. About Immortal Immortal Studios is an original content studio dedicated to creating stories in the Chinese martial arts fantasy genre known as Wuxia and bringing Asian faces and culture to the global pop culture stage. Immortal aims to be the global home for Wuxia entertainment by bringing this classic genre into the 21stcentury and introducing it to the mainstream audience by telling contemporary stories of heroism, fantasy action, kung fu, empowerment, and self-discovery. Immortal is creating an interconnected storyverse of diverse characters based on the award-winning library of Shiao Yi, one of the foremost authors in the Wuxia genre, first through comic books and then expanding into films, tv and games. Immortal’s successful crowdfunding campaign for its first two comic books, The Adept and Chronicles of the Immortal Swordsmen, both earned more than 300% of its funding goal. Through its event series and online campaigns, Immortal engages its audience on a variety of topics ranging from meeting content creators and artists to learning about martial arts and AAPI representation. The company was founded to share empowering and transformational stories to define a new hero journey where everyone is the one.

Thank you Lawrence Yee and TheWrap for the conversation and spotlight on Immortal's Storyverse, how we are bringing Wuxia storytelling to Western audiences, and what we are doing to meet the challenges/opportunities of this moment. Read Full Article The Immortal Storyverse

Thank you everyone for backing and supporting Chronicles of the Immortal Swordsmen on Kickstarter!!! We are so excited to bring this story, the 2nd comic book in the Immortal Storyverse, to you. Here are a few words from Peter Shiao, Immortal's Founder & CEO.

We hosted an amazing webinar with our friends at Wizard World. ​ Our panel of Asian actors and artists had an in-depth and honest conversation about our current environment and how those in the media arts may affect positive change in the entertainment industry, both in front and behind the cameras.​ Osric Chau - Actor/Producer (Supernatural, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Halo 4) Megan Lee - Actor/Singer (Make It Pop, SWAT, Murmur) Ludi Lin – Actor (Mortal Kombat, Aquaman, Power Rangers) JuJu Chan Szeto - Actor (Wu Assassin, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2) Ron Yuan - Actor/Director (Mulan, Marco Polo, Sons of Anarchy) Peter Shiao – Founder/CEO of Immortal Studios

We have assembled an online AAPI Resource Guide for those who are in need of information and direct assistance. It contains useful information and links to: Protect Asian Americans For Parents to Help Children Useful Lists Asian American News Sites Organizations Shared Statements Against Asian American Violence

We believe in the Power of Storytelling & Creation of New Heroes to: Increase representation Inspire positive action Overcome hate Learn more & access our AAPI Resource Guide

We organized a panel of talented Creators to talk about their Kickstarter Campaigns on March 19, 2021. They talked about their Kickstarter projects, how they created their campaigns, and shared tips and tricks for creators looking to get their own Kickstarters off the ground. Peter Shiao – Chronicles of the Immortal Swordsmen Charlie Stickney – Glarien Kathryn Calamia – The Dancer Karl Kessel – Impossible 2 Russell Nohelty – Ichabod Jones Emilio Lopez & Deron Bennett - Excellence Fans who watched live also received free giveaways.

On March 10 , 2021, we held an important event with NextShark and Asian Hustle Network on Clubhouse. A Discussion on Asian Male Representation in Entertainment ​ We had an in-depth discussion with a panel of leading Asian actors, studio executives & community leaders on Asian Male Representation in Entertainment and Media - the state of what's going on and what's next. Panelists were: ​ Ludi Lin – Actor (Liu Kang in upcoming Mortal Kombat 2021, Aquaman, Power Rangers) Kevin Kreider – Actor (Bling Empire - Netflix) Peter Shiao – Founder/CEO of Immortal Studios, a studio dedicated to creating modern stories in the Chinese martial arts fantasy genre known as Wuxia, and bringing Asian faces and culture to the global pop culture stage Benny Luo – Founder/CEO of NextShark, the leading source for Asian American news covering business, culture, entertainment, politics, tech and lifestyle Palash Ahmed – Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Sony Pictures Entertainment Bryan Pham – Founder of Asian Hustle Network (AHN), a community focused on creating a positive and uplifting environment to support Asian entrepreneurs.

We are proud that our Kickstarter campaign for Chronicles of the Immortal Swordsmen was chosen by Kickstarter to be their Project We Love. bit.ly/ciskickstarter Chronicles of the Immortal Swordsmen is a story to inspire and awaken the hero within each of us! It combines familiar aspects of the Immortal Hero, fantastic weapons, magical abilities, formidable villains, with new elements such as e-sports, virtual gaming, and imaginative use of technology.

Right to Start hosted a Start Party for Immortal Studios on Monday March 1 at 12:00pm PST. Event Page Start Parties are mini-gatherings to celebrate and lift up people starting something new. They empower everyone's Right to Start. Just bring yourself and a willingness to help out in any way you can! RIGHT TO START is a campaign to rebuild the American economy by putting entrepreneurs first. We do that by changing minds, policies, and communities. We seek to build a national civic infrastructure for the new economy that unleashes entrepreneurial opportunity for all of us. The campaign consists of two affiliated nonprofit entities: Right to Start is a 501(c)3, and Right to Start Fund is a 501(c)4.

Representation & Diversity in Pop Culture in 2021 & Beyond! On Feb 28, 2021, Immortal and Wizard World hosted a panel that discussed how the entertainment industry has been affected by racism and the lack of representation. They suggested pop culture resources that support diversity. Peter Shiao, Founder and CEO, Immortal Studios Dr. Ali Mattu, Clinical psychologist & content creator Ivy Doom Kitty, Entrepreneur and international cosplayer Wendy Lee Szany, Actor and YouTuber Angélique Roché, Writer, producer and host Tony Kim, Fashion designer & pop culture enthusiast