IDT buys comic publisher IDW

'Net outfit expanding new media

By STEVEN ZEITCHIK

NEW YORK -- IDT Internet Mobile, the group formed by the execs who ran IDT Entertainment, has acquired the comics publisher IDW.

In addition to licensing graphic-novel content from established brands such as Angel, unit will take IDW's properties and sell them to traditional film and television outlets.

It will develop them for new media platforms.

"With IDT backing, IDW will be able to build the licensor deals as much as the licensee deals, and also create new intellectual property," said IDT Internet Mobile topper Morris Berger.

IDW took over the "Transformers" license from defunct comics publisher Dreamwave and also holds the rights to "30 Days of Night," graphic novel that is being turned into the Josh Hartnett starrer, which Columbia is releasing in October.

Company's executives will remain in place, Berger said. Move comes on the eve of annual Comic-con convention in San Diego.

IDT Internet Mobile will focus on digital content for wireless devices from both creators and users; it has acquired the Norwegian content studio Zedge as part of its bid to target mobile devices.

IDT Entertainment concentrated on original production, particularly in the realm of animation. Company released only one film theatrically, last year's "Everyone's Hero," which failed to find an audience.

Company was sold to John Malone's Liberty Media earlier this year.

IDT, a company with telco roots that has also embraced original content, then formed IDT Internet Mobile, moving over IDT Entertainment CEO Morris Berger to run the division.

(Sam Thielman contributed to this report.)