Kiss rockers roll into comic book realm

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. rock band Kiss, known for its stage pyrotechnics, has created a comic book entertainment company.

Platinum Studios, which controls the world's largest independent library of comic book characters, and Kiss Catalog, the company run by band leaders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, partnered to create Kiss Comics Group, kicking off with the book "Kiss 4K," Variety said.

"Kiss 4K" is the tale about the transformation of Simmons, Stanley and other Kiss band members from rock stars to warrior spirits protecting the world. Priced at $50, it will debut as the world's largest comic book.

"Kiss 4K" will be unveiled at the Wizard World convention in Los Angeles in March.

Other titles for print and online versions are in development, Simmons said.

"Kiss Comics Group and Platinum Studios -- they are the same as we are," Simmons told Variety. "This is a company not burdened with corporate considerations. It's all about the one-on-one."

Kiss Comics Group eventually will venture into other venues such as mobile, online, film, television and licensed merchandise products, Simmons said.