Comic library forms alliance with site that tracks predators: Family Watchdog, Platinum Studios offering data on sex offenders.

PLATINUM Studios, home to the world's largest library of independent comic book characters, has just signed a new content deal--one that's off the typical Hollywood path:

They're linking with Family Watchdog. Us, a Web site that archives and distributes information on registered sex offenders and sexual predators, to develop "edu-tainment" content aimed at teaching kids about how to stay safe from sexual predators.

Platinum will develop a series of comics featuring animated characters for mobile phones, TV and film, as well as print, and release it on a weekly basis

"This is a way to make something like sex offenders and safety more palatable, easier to talk about--it's something a lot of people aren't ready to discuss," said Georges Elias, the vice president of Platinum's recently created mobile content division. "The target audience is children and parents--the parents are gatekeepers--and it's our mission to make it easier to address."

The studio specializes in developing its comic library into entertainment and feature film content. "Men in Black" is among Platinum's best-known properties and the studio has teamed with major players like Sony, Universal, Disney and Lions Gate. A team of six of Platinum's 35 employees is working on the content and backing the Web site's distribution. In addition to the animated blurbs, users will be able to register to receive e-mail and text alerts in English or Spanish, telling them when offenders move in or out of their neighborhoods, as well as names, addresses, convictions and photos of registrants.

The odd coupling of Platinum and Family Watchdog came about in a more traditional Hollywood way--using old connections to make new deals. The recently hired Elias had a working relationship with Family Watchdog when he worked as a mobile services consultant prior to joining Platinum.

Platinum executives wouldn't disclose the amount of money going into the Family Watchdog site under the three-year partnership, except to call it "a very significant cost undertaking."

Steve Roddel founded Family Watchdog last year after realizing that a street name misspelling in a state database left him unaware that a registered sex offender lived about 600 feet from his family's home.

Armed with information from each state registry and Washington, D.C. Roddel built a searchable database. The site has more than 1 million people registered for email notification and draws an average of 5 million visitors a month. Users can access information on a limited geographic area for free; paid subscriptions ranging from $24 to $36 allow more detailed, wide-area sex-offender searches and information.

Platinum chief executive Scott Rosenberg said the company would look to leverage the comics used for Family Watchdog in other Platinum entertainment properties and to generate appeal in the teen market.

"We're creating our cast of characters, and they will be backed by Platinum's existing characters," Rosenberg said. "We're not talking Benji or Lassie here, this is something much cooler."