Case Study: Turning a Graphic Novel Into a Franchise — Lessons From 'Traveling to Mars' and 'Sweet Paprika'

Hook: Turn Your Graphic Novel Into a Sustainable Franchise — Fast

Creators, influencers and small publishers: you have a compelling world on the page but you face the same problems every creator names first — how to scale a single graphic novel into film, TV, games and merchandise without losing control or burning cash. In 2026 the market rewards bold, data-driven transmedia moves but punishes vague licensing and poor rights management. This case study uses The Orangery’s catalog — specifically Traveling to Mars and Sweet Paprika — as a practical blueprint you can apply now.

Why This Matters in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 reshaped the creator economy: studios doubled down on proven IP after streaming consolidation, agencies pivoted to transmedia packaging, and game engines and low-code tools removed technical blockers for narrative games. In January 2026, Variety reported that WME signed The Orangery — a sign that transmedia studios with curated graphic novel IP are now high-value partners for major agencies and platforms.

"The William Morris Endeavor Agency has signed recently formed European transmedia outfit The Orangery..." — Variety, Jan 16, 2026

Executive Summary — The One-Paragraph Plan

Assess and document your IP; create a modular franchise bible; prioritize one flagship medium (film or TV) while building companion experiences (a narrative game, webcomic spin-off, or short-form video) to sustain the fanbase; negotiate segmented licensing deals with clear reversion triggers and merchandising carveouts; fund and package with a mix of pre-sales, brand partnerships and creator equity; and use community-first marketing to validate demand as you scale.

Step-by-Step Case Study Framework

Step 1 — IP Audit & Rights Clean-Up (Weeks 0–8)

Your first job is rigorous IP hygiene. If your rights aren't clear, adaptation stalls. Treat this as a legal and creative inventory.

• List all copyright elements: characters, dialogues, original artwork, logos, and score/music files.
• Identify third-party elements (licensed fonts, soundtrack samples) and clear or replace them.
• Confirm chain of title: contracts with co-creators, collaborators, and past publishers.
• Define what you own vs. what you can license: merchandising, sequels, interactive uses, language rights.

Actionable: Hire an entertainment IP attorney or use a vetted checklist template to produce a Rights Matrix you can present to agents and buyers.

Step 2 — Build the Franchise Bible (Weeks 2–12)

The franchise bible is the single most valuable document in transmedia strategy. It converts artistic vision into commercial assets.

• Core elements: world rules, character dossiers, thematic arcs, episode/film loglines, and tone references.
• Adaptation guides for each medium: what must stay (core brand pillars) and what can change (secondary plotlines).
• Visual assets: layered PSDs/AI files, 2D/3D model sheets, environment maps, and a short animatic for key scenes.
• Revenue model sketches: target budgets, estimated royalties, merchandising categories, and licensing tiers.

Actionable: Deliver the bible as a downloadable pitch kit (PDF + ZIP of assets) and a short 5‑minute sizzle reel for buyers.

Step 3 — Flagship Medium Selection: Film vs. TV (Month 3–6)

Choose one flagship adaptation that will define public perception of your IP. Use audience fit and production economics to decide.

• Traveling to Mars: high-concept sci‑fi world — ideal as a tentpole film or prestige limited series. Film gives event status; a limited series allows deeper worldbuilding and recurring revenue.
• Sweet Paprika: character-led, sensual drama — best as a limited streaming series or anthology season that leverages serialized viewership and strong creator-driven marketing.

Actionable: Prepare two pitch packages (film and series) and test them with small focus groups and data partners; choose the format with stronger affinity and monetizable audience signals.

Step 4 — Packaging & Talent Attachment (Month 3–9)

Attach a showrunner or director early. In 2026, agencies like WME are actively packaging IP sets for streamers. A top-tier attachment raises valuation and opens pre-sale paths.

• Leverage festivals and market hubs (Cannes, Berlinale, SXSW) to place your pitch deck and sizzle reel with buyers.
• Use agency relationships (or boutique producers) to negotiate options, development deals, and co-provisions for international sales.

Actionable: Create a one-page talent brief listing ideal director, showrunner, composer and two casting wish-list names with rationales tied to audience draw — there are growth opportunities for creators if you package talent the right way.

Step 5 — Companion Content: Games, Short-Form, and Interactive (Month 4–18)

Companion experiences sustain the fanbase and create alternative revenue streams. The 2025–26 trend is short-form micro-documentaries and serialized short content that feed discovery, while live events and low-latency hybrid games keep communities engaged.

Practical companion options include:

• Narrative game prototypes and community demos — see guides for building hybrid game events and low-latency playtests.
• Webcomic or short spin-off episodes designed as discoverable shorts.
• Pop-up activations and merch roadshows to monetize early adopters — use a field toolkit for pop‑ups and plan for merch roadshows where appropriate.

Actionable: Budget a small companion-content fund (5–12% of your development budget) to run an MVP game or micro-documentary series that proves demand.

Step 6 — Monetization, Licensing and Reversion Triggers (Months 6–18)

Segmented licensing matters: keep reversion triggers and merchandising carveouts clear so the core IP remains movable.

• Consider short-term exclusive windows for streaming, with clearly defined merchandising carveouts to keep product teams nimble.
• Reserve interactive and game rights where you expect continued community monetization.

Actionable: Draft a term sheet with carveouts for games, live events and merchandise — and consult producers who understand micro‑fulfilment and small‑space merch ops.

Step 7 — Community & Marketing (Ongoing)

Use low-cost channels and community commerce tactics to grow a fanbase. Live demos, creator AMAs, and limited merch drops work better when backed by real community data.

• Host listen-and-learn sessions; reward early supporters with exclusive in-world content.
• Run micro-drops timed around festivals and companion releases.

Actionable: Build a one-page live plan that maps sizzle releases, micro-drops and community events — and use community commerce tools to manage live-sell operations.

Step 8 — Measure, Iterate, Re-license (Months 6–24)

Measure engagement and sales across companion channels; iterate quickly and, when value is proven, re-license or expand into international territories with localized partners.

Actionable: Keep your Rights Matrix live and connect it to performance dashboards so legal, creative and commercial teams share the same view.

Conclusion: Two IP Profiles, Two Paths

Traveling to Mars is built for spectacle and tentpole positioning — package it for film-first bidders and fast companion games to keep long-tail attention. Sweet Paprika benefits from a slow-burn, creator-led streaming strategy with anthology potential and curated merch drops. Both benefit from the same backbone: clean rights, a concise bible, a tested sizzle reel and smart community commerce plans.

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