Legendary Pictures, the makers of Batman films and 300, are now venturing into comic book publishing, according to the Los Angeles  Times.

The company, under the Legendary Comics banner, will publish graphic novels which can also be adapted to films and television. They plan to release at least four to six titles each year.

Bob Schreck of DC Comics will be heading the unit as editor-in-chief. Schreck has a wide experience in comic book publishing with stints at IDW publishing and Dark Horse Comics. He will join Legendary Comics in November and plans to launch the first novel by 2011, says the official Legendary web site.

Legendary Chairman and Chief Executive Thomas Tull said in a statement that Legendary Comics will be "committed to being a new home for groundbreaking artists and the characters and stories they create, in an art form we love."

There is a resurgent interest in comic book heroes' capers at Hollywood with studios investing heavily in them. Walt Disney spent nearly $ 4 billion in 2009 on Marvel remakes. Legendary also coproduced the 2007 surprise hit 33 which was an adaptation of a graphic novel. The company also co-financed Warner's Batman screen blockbuster "The Dark Knight," which made $1 billion in 2008. Legendary has a long tradition of financing comic book adaptations including Watchmen and Superman Returns.

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