The other mischievous orange cat of comic strip fame is set to return to the screen in celebration of the 35th anniversary of George Gately’s Heathcliff. FitzRoy Media is developing animated features and DVD releases with cartoonist Peter Gallagher, Gateley’s nephew, who now writes and draws the Heathcliff comic strip.
Under the agreement, FitzRoy Media will also develop location-based entertainment projects and a licensing and merchandising program based on the comic strip.
‘We see enormous potential in the entertainment marketplace for Heathcliff, a classic character who has earned his stripes’black, orange and otherwise’as a permanent fixture in popular culture,’ says Hampton, CEO of FitzRoy.
‘This new association with FitzRoy provides a perfect opportunity to bring Heathcliff into the 21st century and extend his popularity to an even greater audience through new projects and products,’ adds Gallagher. ‘I look forward to working with Hamp and his talented team of executives as we rejuvenate this wonderful character for children and adults.’
Gallagher took over writing and drawing the Heathcliff strip in 1998 after serving as an apprentice under uncles George Gately and John Gallagher for more than six years. He studied art at Montclair State University in New Jersey, where he now teaches courses in illustration. He is also the creator of The Jersey Tomato comic strip, which runs in Weird NJ, a bi-annual magazine described as a travel guide to places you won’t find on state funded maps.
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