The world of graphic novels is about to receive a new face amidst the crowd of graphic novel publishers with Walt Disney Studios’ new initiative, Kingdom Comics. The project, to be overseen by Ahmet Zappa, Harris Katleman, and Christian Beranek, is built around the hope that the graphic novels created for Kingdom Comics will create Disney movies, and that Disney movies will be turned in to graphic novels.

Announced on Wednesday by Oren Aviv, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production, Kingdom Comics will be distributed by Disney Publishing Worldwide, the largest distributor of comics in the world.

“We’re very excited to be working with Harris, Ahmet and Christian in developing this new business devoted to creating stories and properties for the graphic novel audience, as well as for moviegoers,” Aviv said in response to the announcement. “They are three of the top talents in their respective fields and together they have the knowledge, expertise and instincts to create great publications and film properties. Some of these exciting publications will be inspired by films and characters in the vast and storied Disney library, while other original graphic novels are sure to spark great ideas for future Disney classics.”

Ahmet Zappa, the third of four children born to musician Frank Zappa, added that “the ability to create new publications based on properties from the Disney vaults, and to develop original ideas for graphic novels and possibly future Disney films, is a dream job filled with enormous fun and potential.”

Zappa has worked as a musician, actor, and also a novelist, selling the rights to his first novel, entitled The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless, to Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer films in 2006. He is currently working on the second installment of the series, and is acting as executive producer of Fraggle Rock, being produced by The Jim Henson Company.

Harris Katleman has served as president and CEO of Twentieth Television, and oversaw the final four years of “M*A*S*H,” amongst other properties. Following his tenure at Twentieth Television, he joined Mark Goodson Productions as Chief Operating Officer (1993-95), followed by a stint as Chief Operating Officer and Partner in Jonathan Goodson Productions.

“Graphic novels continue to have an enormous following all over the world and we’re hoping to bring something new and different to those devoted fans,” said Christian Baranek, the author behind such indie projects like Silent Devils, Dracula vs. King Arthur, and Grimm Fairy Tales. “There are a lot of great stories waiting to be told, including some familiar properties residing in the Disney vaults. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and we can’t wait to get started.”

Either way, as long as I get to see a continuing comic book series spawned from Enchanted, I’ll be happy!