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Few names in the comic book industry shine as bright as Joseph Illidge. Editor of the legendary Batman: No Man's Land run, stalwart at DC's Milestone imprint, and regular contributor to comics TV like Static Shock and the Arrowverse, Illidge is a beacon of creativity in the comics sphere. Today, we get to turn the spotlight on his future contributions to the entertainment industry, as Popverse is thrilled to announce Illidge's new strategy and story studio, Illuminous.

With Illuminous, Illidge intends to focus on helping new creators develop "original stories for film, animation, and interactive media," according to a press release the studio put out July 15. Comics still factor into the equation, claims Illuminous, but aren't the end-all-be-all of production. Instead, Illuminous's workflow will be to "Scale ideas laterally—from comics and games to film, TV, and beyond."

"More than a studio," reads the announcement, "Illuminous is a creative engine built for longevity—a place where visionaries, tastemakers, and cultural architects come to shape meaningful work with clarity and intention. With a foundation forged from decades of creative leadership, Illuminous blends strategic storytelling with artistic integrity, guiding creators through a process that’s as grounded as it is aspirational."

"Guiding creators" seems to be at the forefront of Illuminous's mission plan, as the strategy and story studio promises to not only assist in the telling of great fiction, but in spreading the resulting IP into other realms of the entertainment industry. And if you've been following the discussion surrounding creator rights for multi-million dollar IPs, you know how valuable strategies in that field are these days.

"In a landscape where thirty-year-old characters rival eighty-year-old icons," says the company, "Illuminous brings a legacy-building mindset to the next wave of creators," pledging to "Build out properties with long-term cultural and commercial value."

Interested in learning more? Head to Illuminous's website to see all of the properties currently in development from the studio, and check back regularly to see what more gets added as the studio continues to grow. With Joseph Illidge in charge, we don't see Illuminous's light dimming any time soon.

Get ready for what's next with our guide to upcoming comics, how to buy comics at a comic shop, and our guide to Free Comic Book Day 2025.