‘Apama’ creators Ted Sikora and Milo Miller will appear at Wizard World Cleveland
Local creators of “Apama The Undiscovered Animal,” a nationally distributed comic book series, announce new feature film in development for Cleveland’s resident superhero at this year’s Wizard World.
“Apama” is the story of Cleveland-born Hungarian ice cream truck driver Ilyia Zjarsky, who discovers an ancient scroll that allows him to gain the powers of the most savage beast man has never known. C-town’s own streets, landmarks and citizens are woven into the fabric of this offbeat series. The story is written and produced by longtime residents Ted Sikora and Milo Miller.
The Volume 1 collection, which compiles issues 1 through 5, is being distributed by the largest supplier of comics in the world, Diamond Distribution. The book was featured as one of only six staff picks in Diamond’s November catalog, and arrives in comic shops throughout the country this month.
The collection garnered strong notices during its initial release from large industry sites like Comic Shop News and Comic Book Resources while getting numerous rave reviews throughout the online geek community. Comic Nerds Unite chose it as their Breakout Book of the Year; Comics Bulletin called it “Insane, brilliant, and wonderful”; and Raging Bullets added “I can’t recommend this comic enough.”
“The positive response to the stories really got us thinking about the potential for a feature film based on the characters; it didn’t take us long to generate a story idea that got us both excited,” explains co-writer Miller.
And to that end, the duo announces that a feature film adaptation of the “Apama” story is officially in development with partners in place, and they’re seeking additional financing to bring the film, planned to be shot in Cleveland, to the big screen with a substantially larger budget than the pair’s award-winning feature film “Hero Tomorrow,” which premiered at San Diego Comic Con almost ten years ago.
Sikora and Miller will appear all three days at Wizard World Cleveland, Feb. 26, 27 and 28 to meet with fans at booth #745. They will also host a panel presentation titled “Cleveland’s Resident Superhero – APAMA! PHASE 2” from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28.
Sikora has directed numerous works for hire in the realms of fashion, music and commercials as well as the narrative feature “Hero Tomorrow,” the recent Near West Theatre documentary “Move On!,” and an ongoing series of documentaries for The Cleveland Arts Prize. Miller is a writer who resides in Bay Village. Both met while students at the University of Akron.
For info, visit www.ApamaNation.com or www.facebook.com/ApamaNation.
