Vertical IP: Turning a Graphic Novel Into a Mobile-First Series (Step-by-Step)

Hook: Your graphic novel is discoverable — if you build it for mobile-first attention

Creators, you already know the pain: incredible pages, limited discoverability, and a maddening gap between print acclaim and steady, paid gigs. In 2026 the fastest path from page to paycheck is a mobile-first vertical series — but only if you convert your IP with the right legal groundwork, a platform-aware creative approach, and a realistic budget. This article is a step-by-step creator roadmap to turn a graphic novel into a vertical episodic series tuned for AI-driven platforms, agency packaging, and transmedia expansion.

The 2026 moment: Why vertical + AI + transmedia matters now

Late 2025 and early 2026 confirmed what many creators suspected: investors and agencies are betting on vertical storytelling and data-driven IP discovery. Holywater — a Fox-backed vertical video platform — raised an additional $22M in January 2026 to scale AI-powered short episodic content and IP discovery. At the same time, European transmedia studio The Orangery (behind hits like Traveling to Mars) signed with WME in January 2026, illustrating agency interest in packaged IP that travels across formats.

“Mobile-first, serialized, and data-native IP wins discoverability in 2026.”

Translation for creators: platforms and agencies want packaged, measurable, mobile-ready IP. They pay for proof — not promises. Your goal is to produce a data-friendly proof-of-concept and a clean legal chain of title that agencies and platforms can buy or license.

Quick roadmap (inverted pyramid — most important first)

1. Fix rights and chain of title — no deal without it.
2. Build a 3-episode vertical proof-of-concept using AI tools where they accelerate cost and time.
3. Package for agencies/platforms — sizzle, metrics, and a transmedia plan.
4. Negotiate deals with clear monetization and reversion terms.

Step 1 — Rights audit: the non-negotiable first move

Before any adaptation, perform a rigorous rights audit. Platform and agency buyers will walk away if the chain of title is murky.

Rights checklist (use this immediately)

• Underlying copyright: Confirm registration where available; identify all authors and contributors.
• Work-for-hire vs. licensed elements: Identify any pages, art, or text created under contract.
• Character ownership: Are characters jointly created? Any likeness rights to actors or real people?
• Adaptation rights: Does your contract explicitly allow audiovisual derivatives, sequels, merchandising, and digital formats?
• Music and sound rights: Verify original score or licensed tracks for reuse or replacement in episodic vertical format.
• Moral rights / attribution: Some jurisdictions have inalienable moral rights you must respect.
• Options and prior agreements: Is there an outstanding option to a producer/agent? Get it cleared or assigned.
• Merchandising and sub-licensing: Confirm who controls merchandising, spin-offs, and non-audio visual uses.
• Reversion clauses: Set reversion events if the IP is not exploited within defined windows.

Actionable: Hire an IP entertainment attorney for a 1–2 week chain-of-title clearance. Expect $2,000–6,000 for a straightforward graphic novel; more if there are multiple co-creators or foreign contributors.

Step 2 — Creative adaptation: recipes for vertical conversion

Vertical storytelling is not just cropping panels. It's a rewrite of pacing, composition, and hook structure. Aim for 3–6 minute micro-episodes or 60–90 second microdramas depending on platform and budget.

Episode architecture (proven framework)

1. Hook (0–10s): Immediate visual or thematic payoff tied to the original IP’s strongest image.
2. Setup (10–30s): Introduce urgency and character objective using vertical close-ups and kinetic motion.
3. Beat/complication (30–90s): One clear obstacle — keep stakes readable without exposition.
4. Payoff/mini-cliff (final 10–20s): A reveal or cliff that drives next-episode retention.

Visual rules: prioritize vertical-centric composition (headroom, negative space), layered parallax motion, and animated text cards for accessibility and scannability.

Step 3 — Tech & tools: where AI accelerates (and where to be cautious)

In 2026 AI pipelines can shorten production time and lower costs — but they add legal and ethical layers you must manage.

Recommended AI toolkit

• Generative art (frame filling): Use for style frames, background extension, and concept art. Keep original artist credits and licenses.
• AI-assisted animation (motion frames & parallax): Speeds up in-betweening and camera moves for vertical formats.
• Text-to-speech with licensed voice clones: Use only with signed consent or licensed, royalty-bearing voice models; follow emerging legal guidance such as startups adapting to new AI rules in regional markets (EU AI guidance).
• Assistant-driven editing and A/B thumbnail testing: Use platform data to refine opening 5–10 seconds.

Legal caution: obtain written permission for any voice or likeness cloning. Keep a usage log for models and datasets in case platforms or buyers request provenance. Expect buyers to ask: “Were any generative models trained on disputed data?” Be ready with answers — and consider internal auditability and safe-desktop practices when you run models (desktop LLM sandboxing, ephemeral AI workspaces).

Step 4 — Budget templates & realistic cost bands

Below are example per-episode budgets for a 6–8 episode proof-of-concept and series-level budgets. These are 2026 market estimates and assume a small team plus AI tools.

Per-episode budget bands (vertical, 60–180s)

• Micro (lean): $2,000–10,000 — single creator + small crew, heavy AI-assisted art, limited VFX, licensed music library.
• Mid (standalone series): $15,000–50,000 — professional art team, motion design, original score, paid voice talent, modest VFX.
• High (premium/class A): $75,000–250,000+ — full animation pipeline, live-action/CG hybrid, A-list voice/actors, extensive VFX and sound design.

Series-level budget estimate: a 6-episode proof-of-concept at mid-range = $90k–$300k. A buyer-ready 12–24 episode season at high-end can exceed $2M.

Hidden costs creators often miss: legal fees, platform delivery specs, closed captioning, festival submissions, and data-analytics tools for audience measurement. Allocate 10–15% contingency.

Step 5 — Production checklist: deliverables that win platform and agency attention

• Sizzle reel (vertical): 60–90 seconds — show tone, hooks, and 3 key beats.
• Three-episode proof-of-concept: Episodes 1–3 optimized for retention metrics.
• Pitch deck + transmedia map: IP scope, merchandising, format adaptations (podcast, live-action, comics, games).
• Data pack: Early viewer engagement metrics, test thumbnails, and demographic signals.
• Chain-of-title docs: Copyright registrations, contributor agreements, releases, and option/assignment history.

Agencies like WME (which signed The Orangery in Jan 2026) and platforms like Holywater want the above before meaningful conversations. Treat the proof-of-concept as your primary sales asset.

Step 6 — Packaging for agencies and platform deals

When you approach agencies or platforms, you’re selling a packaged story plus data. Think like a product manager.

What agency/platform executives look for

• Clear legal ownership and reversion terms.
• Proof of audience: retention, repeat viewership, share rates.
• Scalable IP: does the world support spin-offs and merchandising?
• Revenue paths: ad, subscription, brand integrations, licensing.

Practical: prepare a 1-page “deal sheet” that lists rights you’re offering, preferred deal types (option, license, co-pro), and minimum financial expectations. Include a suggested term length and reversion triggers. If you plan live activations or pop-ups around your launch, package the event tech and merch ops as part of the transmedia plan.

Step 7 — Deal types and negotiation starter language

Know your preferred outcomes before negotiation. Typical deal types:

• Option + Purchase: Platform or producer options for a fixed period; purchase price on exercise.
• License (exclusive/non-exclusive): Time-limited rights for a territory or format.
• Co-production: Shared costs and revenue, often used for high-budget vertical series.
• Work-for-hire buyout: Upfront payment, but you may forfeit sequel/merch rights — avoid unless price reflects full value.

Starter contract asks: retention of creator credit, participation in backend, approval on key creative changes, clear reversion triggers, and defined uses for AI-derived assets.

Case study: The Orangery + WME — what creators can learn

The Orangery’s signing with WME (reported Jan 16, 2026) is a playbook in packaging transmedia-ready IP. They aggregated strong graphic-novel IP and presented a multi-format plan. Lessons:

• A consolidated rights position makes you attractive to top agencies.
• Presenting a transmedia map (graphic novel → vertical series → live-action) signals scale.
• Agencies value repeatable IP — building a stable of related titles increases agency interest.

Case study: Holywater’s $22M round — platform demand for mobile-first serials

Holywater’s $22M funding in Jan 2026 shows platform-side appetite for short, serialized content powered by AI and data-driven discovery. For creators, this means more outlets for vertical series — but higher bar for measurable performance. Buyers will favor creators who can demonstrate pilot retention and predictable audience patterns.

Actionable insight: run A/B tests on episode 1 thumbnails and the opening 5 seconds to produce retention data for pitches. Platforms like Holywater will ask for engagement KPIs as part of acquisition decisions; consider operational playbooks for rapid publishing and edge testing (rapid edge content publishing).

Monetization pathways in 2026

• Platform license fees: Upfront payment for distribution rights.
• Revenue split: Ad and subscription revenue shares with platforms.
• Brand integrations and native commerce: Mobile formats enable shoppable moments in-episode.
• Merchandising and format licensing: Comics reprints, toys, and format sales (international).
• Live events and creator-led experiences: Virtual premieres or AR experiences driven by the IP.

Tip: structure deals to retain merchandising and sequel rights where possible — these are frequently where real upside lives. Also consider how pop-up and field tech (portable AV and PA systems) will support early fan events (portable AV kits, portable PA systems).

Production timeline (typical)

• Weeks 0–4: Rights audit, initial adaptation scripts, style frames.
• Weeks 4–12: Produce 3-episode proof-of-concept (AI-assisted art & motion).
• Weeks 12–16: Testing, thumbnails, data gathering, final assets for pitch.
• Weeks 16–24: Agency outreach and negotiations; iterate based on feedback.

Checklist before you pitch

• Chain-of-title clearance packet (PDF).
• 3-episode vertical proof-of-concept + sizzle reel.
• Pitch deck with transmedia plan and monetization map.
• Engagement metrics and test results (thumbnail, first 10s retention).
• Budget and schedule for full season, and contingency plan.

Risks & ethical considerations with AI

AI reduces costs but increases questions. Platforms and agents in 2026 will ask about provenance of training data, consent for voice clones, and whether AI altered a creator’s original art. Be proactive: document model usage, get written permissions for any cloned voices or likenesses, and keep a record of prompts and model versions for audits.

Practical takeaways — what to do this week

1. Run a one-week rights inventory: identify contributors, contracts, and registrations.
2. Create a one-page vertical adaptation plan: episode length, visual language, and three-episode arc.
3. Budget a mid-range 3-episode proof-of-concept and gather three vendor quotes.
4. Build a simple A/B test for the episode 1 opener and thumbnail; run it on a vertical-first channel.

Final thoughts: package IP as a product, not a promise

By 2026, success is less about a single viral moment and more about packaged, measurable IP that platforms and agencies can scale. Clean rights, a platform-aware proof-of-concept, and transparent AI practices are your ticket from page to agency deals and platform licensing.

Call to action

Ready to adapt your graphic novel? Download our free Rights & Budget Starter Kit (checklist + Excel budget templates + sample contract snippets) or schedule a 30-minute consult to map a 6–12 month proof-of-concept plan. Start with one clear step: secure your chain-of-title this week, and you’ll be ready to build a vertical proof that platforms like Holywater and agencies like WME can’t ignore.

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