The award-winning interactive iPad graphic novel, CIA: Operation Ajax, will expand to iPhone and the iPod Touch, later this month, it was announced by producer Dan Burwen at a dedicated Comic Con panel today. “It was just an unbelievable honor to be a featured part of the interactive comics revolution at the this year’s Con,” said Emmy-nominated author Mike de Seve of Baboon Animation. “Ajax offers a brand new experience for fans of comics, spy stuff and cool secret history, and we’re thrilled fans saw it first in San Diego this year.
After debuting on the iPad a year ago, CIA: Operation Ajax has received much acclaim for its revolutionary approach to digital comics. De Seve and producer Daniel Burwen of publisher Cognito Comics pioneered a breakthrough method of storytelling last year by combining digital and gaming tools with the legacy of the printed page. The result is an unparalleled, interactive experience for the reader in the burgeoning tablet age.
At San Diego Comic Con, Burwen made the iPhone announcement during a colorful discussion of graphic novels, tablet storytelling and the inspiration for CIA: Operation Ajax, in his Sunday panel, “Reinventing the Graphic Novel for the iPad.” Burwen hosted a similar, popular SXSW panel on the same topic in March; watch the video here and get more information here.
Winner of the FWA Mobile of the Day Award on January 26, 2012, CIA: Operation Ajax was also recognized as an honoree at the 16th Annual Webby Awards, and was runner up for both the 2011 Best App Ever Awards and the 2012 CES Mobile Apps Showdown. This year, Flurry App Spotlight Awards also chose CIA: Operation Ajax as a finalist.
Dreamworks Feature Animation alum de Seve wrote the novel while working closely with The New York Times’ Stephen Kinzer, national bestselling author of “All the Shah’s Men.” De Seve’s script for CIA: Operation Ajax brings to the tablet the true-life spy thriller that was the the CIA’s first secret overthrow mission ever – in which the CIA and British SIS staged a revolution against Iran’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953. Combining subtle animation with a full film score, this 210-page true-life spy adventure unfolds in a groundbreaking reading experience.
Added de Seve: “Operation Ajax has already exceeded our expectations on the iPad, and we’re excited to launch it for a huge new audience on iPhone and iPod Touch.”
Packed with additional content, CIA: Operation Ajax also includes authentic declassified documents, twenty-two character dossiers, historical photos, and nine news reels from the era embedded right into the story. Starting today, fans will be able to enjoy this revolutionary graphic novel and interact with Eisenhower, Churchill, the Dulles brothers, Mossadegh, and the Shah right in their pocket.
via Comic Con 2012: Baboon Animation’s CIA Graphic Novel is Announced for iPhone.
