Back in 2020, Rockstar Games Co-Founder Dan Houser left the company. Three years later, He founded new studio called Absurd Ventures with plans to create new IPs that will be produced for animation. comic books, live-action, as well as video games. Now, Absurd Ventures has announced two original universes, American Caper and A Better Paradise. Stories and characters from these universes will debut in a graphical novel and audio fiction series, respectively. Both are set to release in 2024.
American Caper centers on two normal, badly damaged American families in a world of corrupt business, inept politics and bungling crime. This will debut as a graphic novel that is being illustrated by renowned comic book artist Simon Bisely.
A Better Paradise is an existential suspense thriller, set in the near future. Absurd Ventures is partnering with award-winning audio company QCODE Media to co-produce a 12-episode audio fiction series that is currently in production.
“We are excited to introduce these two universes, and their characters and lore,” said Houser, who was creative director and lead writer of the Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, and Bully video game franchises. “They represent our approach to storytelling and media. These initial releases will allow us to introduce these universes at the same time as we are working on other iterations and expansions. This is just the beginning.”
Absurd Ventures is also in development on additional stories from these universes for a wide range of formats and platforms. The studio also said that more information about both American Caper and A Better Paradise will be shared in the months ahead on its social media pages and website.