Category: Comic Publishers

Image Comics signs exclusively with Lunar for direct market distribution

The publisher will still work with Diamond for bookstore distribution.

Image Comics will join DC Comics and other publishers at Lunar Distribution for their direct market distribution. Beginning with their September titles, which will be solicited in June, Image will shift away from Diamond Comics Distributors to a new distributor for the first time since the company was founded three decades ago.

“We have enjoyed our relationship with Diamond over the decades and we have made some wonderful friends there, so this decision has been a difficult one,” said Erik Larsen, a founder and current CFO at Image Comics. “It was not a move that we made lightly, though, and ultimately, the change was made because of the benefits to readers and retailers who are our real customers. There are services Lunar will provide that will make it easier for stores to buy our titles, and for fans to find our books. This is a big win for them, and we hope this new partnership is as strong and long-lasting as the previous one. We wish Diamond nothing but the best as we look toward the future.”

Continue reading “Image Comics signs exclusively with Lunar for direct market distribution”

Doyle, McCrillis named co-publishers of IDW; Rich named editor-in-chief

The appointments follow last week’s restructuring and elimination of 39% of their workforce.

Following the cuts that IDW Media Holdings made to its staff last week, IDW Publishing has announced who will be serving in several key roles.

Publisher Nachie Marsham was one of the 28 people let go last week, and IDW announced that Mark Doyle and Tara McCrillis have been promoted to co-publishers. McCrillis joined IDW back in 2019 as director of design and production, then was promoted to VP of publishing operations in 2021.

“Mark’s tireless dedication and vision have been integral to IDW’s growth and success, and I am thrilled for this opportunity to partner with him on our publishing efforts,” McCrillis said in a statement. “Together with our amazingly talented editorial and design teams, we will continue to elevate IDW’s creative output and strengthen our relationships with partners, retailers, creators, and fans.”

Continue reading “Doyle, McCrillis named co-publishers of IDW; Rich named editor-in-chief”

IDW cuts 39% of staff ‘in response to operational challenges’

The parent company of the publisher of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,’ ‘Star Trek’ and more will also delist its stock from the New York Stock Exchange.

IDW Media Holdings, the parent company of IDW Publishing, announced “significant moves in response to operational challenges,” including the elimination of 39 percent of its workforce.

Their 8-K statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission states that 28 employees were laid off yesterday. “The Board has elected to take these actions to preserve capital and put the Company in a better position possible to unlock value from its assets, including its intellectual property and ability to generate new intellectual property,” it states.

According to a report at The Beat, “the entire marketing and PR staff and half of editorial have been let go, including publisher Nachie Marsham,” who joined the company in 2020 after longtime IDW employees Chris Ryall, Dirk Wood and Alex Cox all left the company. IDW built a solid bench of editorial pros after those changes, and it’s really disheartening to hear that they’re having to go through this.

Continue reading “IDW cuts 39% of staff ‘in response to operational challenges’”

Two Comixology vets return to comics with DSTLRY

The new publisher will offer creators an ownership stake in the company.

If you’ve been wondering what comiXology co-founder David Steinberger and former comiXology Originals head Chip Mosher have been doing lately, wonder no more. Today the duo have launched DSTLRY [pronounced “distillery”], a “next-generation comics publisher that redefines creator-owned comic books and collectibles.”

The new company will offer “limited physical and digital item drops, available online or in-store at local comic shops, while providing creators with fairer deals alongside company ownership.” There’s a lot to unpack from their press release, so let’s jump in … but first, here’s an image of DSTLRY’s founders drawn by Tula Lotay:

Continue reading “Two Comixology vets return to comics with DSTLRY”

DC’s 2023 Pride plans include a new anthology, ‘The DC Book of Pride’ and more

This year’s DC Pride anthology focuses on team-ups and also includes a new Grant Morrison/Hayden Sherman story.

DC has announced their plans for Pride Month this year, which include their annual DC Pride anthology, a character encyclopedia, a reprint of out-of-print stories and more.

DC has been releasing the Pride special for three years now, and the theme for this year is team-ups. Here’s a list of the creators and characters you cna expect to find in this year’s anthology, which includes a new Multiversity story by Grant Morrison and Hayden Sherman:

  • Tim Drake and Connor Hawke by Nadia Shammas and Bruka Jones
  • Circuit Breaker and the Flash of Earth-11 by A.L. Kaplan
  • Midnighter, Apollo and Alan Scott Green Lantern by Josh Trujillo and Don Aguillo
  • Ghost-Maker and Catman vs. Cannon and Saber by Rex Ogle and Stephen Sadowski
  • Jon Kent and John Constantine by Christopher Cantwell and Skylar Patridge
  • Natasha Irons and Nubia by Mildred Louis
  • Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Crush by Leah Williams and Paulina Ganucheau
  • The Multiversity by Grant Morrison and Hayden Sherman

Mateus Manhanini provides this year’s cover:

Continue reading “DC’s 2023 Pride plans include a new anthology, ‘The DC Book of Pride’ and more”

Uncivilized Books launches a new ‘Comic Book Club’ on Patreon

See what comic books will arrive from the publisher later this year.

Uncivilized Books is probably best known for their graphic novel releases these days, but according to publisher Tom Kaczynski, “The stapled floppy comic book is a perfect format.” So they’re doubling down on comic releases in 2023 and have even launched an Uncivilized Comic Book Club on Patreon.

“I love graphic novels, but the comic book is my first love,” Kaczynski said in their most recent newsletter. “Uncivilized started as a mini comics publisher; eventually, we transitioned to graphic novels, with only rare comic book thrown into the mix. Since we began to serialize Ginseng Roots a few years ago, the comic books bug has taken hold!”

Craig Thompson’s 12-issue Ginseng Roots series may be wrapping up soon, but you’ll be able to find plenty of comics from Uncivilized. Here’s a look at what they have planned for 2023:

Continue reading “Uncivilized Books launches a new ‘Comic Book Club’ on Patreon”

‘Princeless’ creators speak out against Action Lab’s 2023 Free Comic Book Day issue

Jeremy Whitley and Emily C. Martin say they were just as surprised as fans to see Action Lab solicit new ‘Princeless’ material.

Princeless creators Jeremy Whitley and Emily C. Martin are speaking out against publisher Action Lab Entertainment, specifically about the solicitation for the publisher’s Free Comic Book Day issue for 2023.

In a statement, they said the release of “brand new” Princeless material was a surprise to them, especially considering they are engaged in “a protracted legal battle with Action Lab regarding a number of issues that we feel should have voided our publishing contract.” The statement goes on to say the creators have stopped working on new Princeless material and have not been asked to approve any pages for the FCBD release.

“This is the latest in Action Lab’s continued policy of putting their personal profits before creators and we strongly disapprove,” the statement says.

Whitley and Martin are both part of a class-action lawsuit filed against Action Lab earlier this year. The 46-page complaint “contends that although Action Lab promised to print, promote and market creators’ works, report quarterly sales and income numbers, properly maintain social media accounts, and generally make a reasonable effort to sell comics, the company has largely done none of these things and even failed to inform creators when its office shut down ‘without reason.’”

Continue reading “‘Princeless’ creators speak out against Action Lab’s 2023 Free Comic Book Day issue”

Vault announces five titles for early 2023

‘Barbaric,’ ‘Songs for the Dead’ and ‘Money Shot’ will return next year.

Vault Comics has announced five titles they plan to launch next year, including the return of three old favorites and two brand-new comics.

Michael Moreci and Nathan Gooden will bring back Owen and his Axe for a new Barbaric series, while Andrea Fort, MC Heron and MJ Erickson sing more Songs for the Dead. And Tim Seeley, along with new artist Gisele Lagace, present new adventures of the XXXplorers in Money Shot Comes Again.

There’s also new projects from Christopher Sebela, Ben Hennessy, John Lees and George Kambadais.

Check out all the details below.

Continue reading “Vault announces five titles for early 2023”

DC reveals their 2023 Black History Month plans

With Milestone celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, DC will release several projects spanning both universes.

DC has announced their plans for next year’s Black History Month in February, which include not only a new anthology and variant covers, but also several projects coming out of Milestone as the imprint celebrates its 30th anniversary.

In addition, several creators coming out of the Milestone Initiative, a program launched last year “to identify, support and elevate emerging diverse writers and artists within the comic book industry,” will see their first work published during Black History Month.

Let’s take a look at the DCU projects first …

Continue reading “DC reveals their 2023 Black History Month plans”

AMC Networks Publishing will release comics next year by DeConnick, Sienkiewicz + more

Brenden Fletcher, Tula Lotay, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and more will help launch AMC’s new comics line.

Earlier this year AMC, who you probably know as the TV empire behind The Walking Dead shows, Better Call Saul and the excellent Tony Hillerman adaptation Dark Winds, among others, announced a new publishing arm called AMC Networks Publishing. They started out by publishing art books featuring The Walking Dead and Creepshow, but they also plan to publish original graphic novels and comics as well.

And their first three comics will feature some pretty heavy hitters, creator-wise. Oubliette will be written by Brenden Fletcher with art by Tula Lotay, while Nights of Lono comes from Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett and Marcel Feldmar, with artwork by Christine Norrie. Finally, announced today, writer Kelly Sue DeConnick and artist Bill Sienkiewicz will team up on Parisian White.

All three titles will debut in San Diego at Comic-Con International next year, followed by series launches later in the year.

Here’s more info on each series:

Continue reading “AMC Networks Publishing will release comics next year by DeConnick, Sienkiewicz + more”

Vault will publish music-inspired graphic novels through their Headshell imprint

Pete Wentz, Def Leppard, Metallica and more will rock their way into comics via the new imprint.

Vault Comics will team with several musicians for a new line of graphic novels called Headshell. Songwriter and producer Richard Rudolph, who has worked with everyone from Stevie Wonder to 2Pac, will “guide strategy and artist relations” for the new imprint.

According to the press release, Headshell will launch with Dying Inside from Fall Out Boy co-founder Pete Wentz, co-writer Hannah Klein and Witchblood artist Lisa Sterle. Alternative Press has a first look at the artwork.

“Creating a new graphic novel with Vault and one of my favorite writers, Hannah Klein, has been an insane experience–in the best possible way,” Wentz said. “Between her perspective, honesty, and super dark sense of humor and Vault’s creative support throughout the entire process, I’m excited to share it with the world soon.”

Continue reading “Vault will publish music-inspired graphic novels through their Headshell imprint”

Marvel’s 2023 Free Comic Book Day offerings will feature X-Men, Spider-Man, Venom and more

‘Summer of Symbiotes,’ ‘Fall of X’ and more will be previewed by Marvel next May.

Marvel has announced their plans for next year’s Free Comic Book Day event, as the publisher will release four free comics on that day.

Just like they did this year, Marvel will use FCBD to promote several of their upcoming events, like Summer of Symbiotes and Fall of X. They’ll also have another Marvel’s Voices issue, and will round things out with a title aimed at the younger set — Spidey & His Amazing Friends, which will adapt the Disney Junior TV show.

Continue reading “Marvel’s 2023 Free Comic Book Day offerings will feature X-Men, Spider-Man, Venom and more”