Having scored a signal success with its comic book/graphic novel adaptation of The Dark Tower, Marvel Comics has announced a licensing agreement with Doubleday that will allow the leading comic book publisher to continue its collaboration with Stephen King on an adaptation of King’s post-apocalyptic masterwork The Stand, which has sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide.  As was the case with the Dark Tower Steven King, who will function as the Creative and Executive Director for the project, will oversee the production of Marvel’s limited series The Stand: The Complete and Uncut Edition.

Set in a world where an escaped virus has wiped out 99.4% of humanity, The Stand, which has had a major influence on pop culture that is especially evident in works like TV’s Lost, features a struggle between a band of survivors who make their way to a safe haven known as “The Free Zone” only to find themselves faced with a struggle against another band of survivors led by the memorable villain Randall Flagg.  Playwright and writer of TV’s Big Love, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Fantastic Four) will adapt King’s novel with Harvey Award-winning Captain America artist Mike Perkins illustrating the series.  The first issue of The Stand: The Complete and Uncut Edition will be in stores in September.