Regina-based Landslide Entertainment has teamed up with the Burnaby, B.C.-based Arcana Studio to adapt the graphic novel Max Velocity into a short-form 2D-animated series of the same name.

The graphic novel, published by Arcana, is created, illustrated and written by Graeme Partridge-David. It features a young super-speedy superhero with autism who ventures out on daring missions with his friends.

Arcana was founded in Burnaby in 2004 and began as a publisher of comics and graphic novels. In 2012, the company expanded with their animation division, Arcana Studio.

The series is currently in pre-production, with the prodcos signing a non-exclusive development agreement with Canadian broadcaster Toon-A-Vision, according to Arcana Studio’s head of development Lauren Gillies.

Gillies told Playback Daily they plan to grow the series into a longer format and more episodes.

The series is funded by the Canada Media Fund and Shaw Rocket Fund through their Digital Animated Series Program, according to a release.

“I am grateful for the support of our partners, the Canada Media Fund and the Shaw Rocket Fund, whose belief in this project has made it possible,” said Arcana founder and CEO Sean Patrick O’Reilly, in a statement. “This series will inspire and entertain audiences while emphasizing the importance of embracing our differences and celebrating our uniqueness.”

Illustration by Graeme Partridge-David