It’s the penultimate day of the year!! Have your resolutions made yet? I sure don’t! The only consistency in my life has been writing this daily countdown. This project has been educational, enjoyable, and entertaining!!
Obviously and appropriately, this is the second-last entry for the current comic book companies found in the monthly PREVIEWS catalog which is the ‘bible’ of Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. As I mentioned yesterday, letter A is the most popular. To add to that, I’ll say the easiest 😉 I want to emphasize that I was meticulous in using whatever informational sources exist to provide as many details as possible. Unfortunately, some trails lead to a dead end. Meh. Enough negativity. Awaken your senses!!
Established: 1993
Official Name: Alternative Comics
Place of Origin: Cupertino, CA
Distinction: Independent graphic novel and comic book publisher currently based in Cupertino, California. In addition to publishing creator-owned titles, Alternative Comics is also a noted publisher of anthologies such as 9-11: Emergency Relief, Hi-Horse, Hickee, Rosetta, and True Porn.[1]
Alternative Press was founded in 1993 by Jeff Mason — while he was still a law student at the University of Florida — in order to publish Indy Magazine, a magazine devoted to small-label music and comics. (Indy was published in print form with Founder Dan DeBono from 1993–1997 and revived as a digital magazine from 2004–2005).[2]
In 1996, Mason made the decision to publish comics, specifically to give up-and-coming creators their first break in the industry. The company changed its name to Alternative Comics and began publishing such cartoonists as Steven Weissman, Ed Brubaker, and Sam Henderson. At this point, the company established its policy of giving creators “complete artistic and legal control of their work.”[3]
Mason operated Alternative Comics from 1993-2008, when the company went defunct. In July 2012, it was announced that Alternative Comics was resuming operations under the new general manager Marc Arsenault, and moving to Cupertino, California[4].
Operations: Jeff Mason (Founder), Marc Arsenault (General Manager), Erik Aucoin (Associate Editor), Tom Hart (Advisor)
Output: At the Shore; Bug House; Opposable Thumbs; Steven Cerio’s ABC Book; Tyranny of the Muse [digital comics]
Current Titles: Alternative Comics Are Dead; Ink Brick; Irene; Magic Whistle 3.0; Men’s Feelings; Seconds Helping; Test Tube and a vast array!!
Upcoming Titles: Jonny Negron: Selected Works 2012-2013; From Now On; Incomplete Works; The Sequential Artist’s Workshop: Guide to Creating Professional Comics Strips; Street Dawgz
Branches: Floating World Comics, Hang Dai Editions, Hic + Hoc Publications, Revival House Press, Study Group Comics (official imprints)
Social Media: @AltComics ; Facebook
Multi-Media: N/A
Established: 1986
Official Name: Amaze Ink/Slave Labor Graphics
Place of Origin: San Jose, CA
Distinction: Slave Labor Graphics (SLG) Publishing was founded by Dan Vado in 1986 and over its twenty year history has remained true to its roots as a publisher of great diversity. The first publisher of such notable comic book artists as Evan Dorkin, Andi Watson and Jhonen Vasquez, SLG has been known to be on the forefront of discovering and fostering new talent in the comics industry. We seek out and publish comics that are fun, smart, and fresh and that offer a different perspective from what you’ll find anywhere else. SLG is often the “first choice” of new artists looking to break into the industry and because of this, SLG books offer readers the opportunity to not only read entertaining stories told with excellent artwork but to encounter new voices and talents[5].
With classic titles like It’s Science with Dr. Radium by Scott Saavedra and Skeleton Key by Andi Watson, seminal works like Milk and Cheese and Dork by Evan Dorkin, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac by Jhonen Vasquez and Lenore by Roman Dirge, and innovative new comics like Emo Boy by Steve Emond and Rex Libris by James Turner, SLG has proven its dedication to showcasing work that does not conform to easily defined types, genres or expectations[6].
Operations: Dan Vado (Founder)
Output: http://www.slgcomic.com/SLG-Comics-and-Graphic-Novels_c_141.html
Current Titles: Contraband; Escape from Dullsville; Johnny the Homicidal Maniac Director’s Cut; Squee!
Branches: Amaze Ink Comics, Club Tiki Press, Monkey Fun Toys (imprints)
http://www.slgcomic.com/T-Shirts-Apparel_c_3.html
Social Media: Facebook
Multi-Media: N/A
Established: Unknown
Official Name: Amdale Media LLC
Place of Origin: Unknown
Distinction: We are dedicated to bringing you the best video interviews and documentaries about comic professionals, as well as collectibles guides and other unique products for the fan, collector and professional creator[7].
Amdale Media LLC (formerly Woodcrest Productions) specializes in video production, documentaries, and print publications for the comic book and art markets[8].
We produce unique and exciting products, including video interviews and documentaries about comic professionals (the Creator Chronicles series), artists and other creators, as well as collectibles guides (Dale’s Comic Fanzine Price Guide) and other unique products for the fan, collector and professional creator[9].
Operations: Unknown
Current Titles: Comic Fandom Quarterly; Creator Chronicles; Dale’s Comic Fanzine Price Guide; EvaInk Publishing
Branches: N/A
Social Media: Facebook
Multi-Media: Creator Chronicles DVD series; Masters of Art – Video Tutorial Series
Established: 2015
Official Name: American Gothic Press
Place of Origin: Van Nuys, CA
Distinction: American Gothic Press, established in 2015, is an imprint of Famous Monsters of Filmland (Movieland Classics, LLC). Its publishing slate will consist entirely of comic books in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror genre, reflecting Honorary FM Editor-in-Chief Forrest J. Ackerman’s love for all things monstrous and mysterious. Publisher Philip Kim will oversee the development of new series, with FM magazine Editor Holly Interlandi acting as general Editor for all titles[10].
Famous Monsters of Filmland is the longest running entertainment fan magazine in the US, having been established in 1958 by the aforementioned Ackerman and publisher James Warren. The originally black and white publication acted as solace and inspiration for an entire generation of genre filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, John Carpenter, and Guillermo del Toro. Ackerman also co-created one of the most enduring comic book characters of all time—the seductive Vampirella[11].
American Gothic Press marks FM’s journey back to that creation of original characters and monsters of our own. With three new series scheduled to debut in 2015, the imprint plans to keep the spirit of imaginative storytelling alive and well beyond the pages that an entertainment magazine can provide. We hope the monster kids will join us[12].
Operations: Philip Kim (Publisher), Holly Interlandi (Editor), Forrest J. Ackerman (honorary EIC), James Warren (Publisher – FM)
Output: http://www.captainco.com/collections/comics
Current Titles: Bornhome; Broken Moon; Gunsuits; Project Nemesis
Upcoming Titles: Irwin Allen’s Lost in Space: the Lost Adventures; Monster World
Branches: Imprint of Famous Monsters of Filmland.
Social Media: @AGPMonsters ; Facebook ; Instagram ; Pinterest
Multi-Media: Contests for US citizens. Trailers for their comics.
Established: 2012
Official Name: Amigo Comics
Place of Origin: Malaga, Spain
Distinction: How much do you love comic books? We are a very small company. A three-people company[13].
We know the industry as creators, since we’ve been working several years for companies like IDW, Avatar, Marvel and Image Comics. We’re not “big names” who attract a hundred thousand readers a month, but even so, we wanted to take the next step. Amigo Comics is that next step[14].
Our books aren’t superhero books. They’re about what we can do best; the genres we’ve received most fame and recognition for. Horror, fantasy and sci-fi, just for starters. And all of them targeted at mature readers. We believe in comic-books as form of art, as a way of telling stories. And we believe in the creator-owned aspect of comic books. These books aren’t created to become adapted to other media, nor licenses[15].
A little indie creator–owned company, located (by now) overseas, not publishing superheroes or licenses. Just to make things more complicated, we can’t have a presence in conventions, so we practically depend on our distributor[16].
Operations: Juan “El” Torres (Founder, Creator, Writer) http://amigocomics.com/eltorres/
Chris Wilkinson (Editor), Barbara Gonzalez (Assistant Editor)
Output: http://amigocomics.com/?page_id=239
Current Titles: Rogues: Odd Parenthood; StraitJacket
Branches: N/A
Social Media: @AmigoComics ; Facebook ; Tumblr
Multi-Media: N/A
Established: 1999
Official Name: Amistad Press
Place of Origin: New York, NY
Distinction: The premier publisher of multicultural fiction and nonfiction, this renowned imprint showcases award-winning novelists, celebrated cultural figures, and esteemed critics and scholars[17].
Amistad Press publishes works by and about people of African descent on subjects and themes that have significant influence on the intellectual, cultural, and historical perspectives of a world audience[18].
It is the oldest imprint devoted to the African-American market. Charles F. Harris started Amistad in the 1970s as a quarterly anthology of black writing at Random House, where he worked as a senior editor from 1967, and it “went through a number of collaborative publishing ventures with large publishers” before being launched in 1986 as an independent imprint. Harris joined HarperCollins as vice president of the imprint at the time of the 1999 merger. Amistad does not aim for commercial fiction success. It leans toward narrative nonfiction[19].
Operations: Stacey Barney (Editor)
Output: http://www.harpercollins.com/search-results/?imprint=amistad&order=relevance
Current Titles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Amistad_Press_books
Branches: Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Social Media: @AmistadBooks ; Facebook ; Instagram ; Tumblr
Multi-Media: N/A
Established: 2011
Official Name: Amistad Publishing
Place of Origin: Augusta, KS
Distinction: Amistad is Spanish for “friendship”. This publishing company is based on friendship and a desire to provide entertaining, educational books and resources for our friends of all ages. Founded in 2011 by two best friends, Amistad Publishing believes that friends and family motivate you to do more, be more and leave the world better than you found it. We hope to do just that… one book at a time.
Operations: Jaime Simpson (Founder, Publisher, Author), Lisa Daniels (Founder, Editor, Author)
Current Titles: Special, ‘Specially Me
Branches: N/A
Social Media: Facebook
Multi-Media: N/A
—————————————————————————————————–
Established: 2012
Official Name: AMP! Comics for Kids
Place of Origin: Kansas City, MO
Distinction: [Scroll down to Andrews McMeel Publishing entry]
Operations: Hugh T. Andrews (President, CEO) John P. McMeel (Chairman)
Output: http://www.ampkids.com/books
Upcoming Titles: Unicorn vs. Goblins: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure; Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror!
Branches: Imprint of Andrews McMeel Publishing [get it?]
Social Media: N/A [look under Andrews McMeel Publishing]
Multi-Media: http://www.ampkids.com/videos http://www.ampkids.com/fun-stuff
http://www.ampkids.com/blog http://www.ampkids.com/guides
Established: 1993
Official Name: Amryl Entertainment (Basement Comics)
Place of Origin: Mount Airy, NC
Distinction: An independent comic book publisher owned by Budd Root. Basement Comics is best known for publishing the popular good-girl title Cavewoman (and all its associated specials, annuals, and one-shots).[20]
In addition to Root, other creators affiliated with Basement Comics include Frank Cho, Devon Massey, Chad Spilker, James Robert Smith, Loston Wallace, and Dave Columbo[21].
Operations: Budd Root (Founder)
Output: http://www.amryl.com/index.html
Current Titles: Budd Root Autumn Convention Book; Cavewoman 2015 Heroes Con Show Book; Cavewoman: Castaway; Cavewoman: Killing Dinos 101 Summer Break; Cavewoman: Recovery; Cavewoman: Shorts; Cavewoman: Sisters of the Arena; Cavewoman: Zombie Situation
Current Titles: Cavewoman: Raptorella
Branches: Anelektrix Studios, Antimatter/Hoffman Intl., Basement Comics, Black Canvas, Cartune Land Studios, Dave Hoover Studios, London Night Studios, Parsons Studios, Tusk Ent./Kaos Moon (imprints)
Social Media: @buddassaur ; Facebook (Amryl, Budd Root, Cavewoman)
Multi-Media: N/A
Established: 2004
Official Name: Amulet Books
Place of Origin: New York, NY
Distinction: AMULET BOOKS publishes novels, graphic novels, and nonfiction for young adults and middle-grade readers from a stellar roster of authors[22].
Operations: Unknown
Output: http://www.abramsbooks.com/imprints/amuletbooks/
Current Titles: Hereville: How Mirka Caught a Fish
Branches: Imprint of Abrams Books.
Social Media: @abramskids ; Facebook ; Instagram ; Tumblr
Multi-Media: N/A
Established: 2013
Official Name: And…Action! Entertainment
Place of Origin: Toluca Lake, CA
Distinction: “And…Action” Entertainment will strategically integrate, brand and license dynamic characters and stories that boldly bring a new look with a modern feel to high concept entertainment with heart[23].
Operations: Eric Dean Seaton
Current Title: Legend of the Mantamaji
Branches: N/A
Social Media: @EricDeanSeaton ; Facebook (Legend of the Mantamaji) ; LinkedIn ; Tumblr (Eric Dean Seaton), YouTube (Eric Dean Seaton)
Multi-Media: http://ericdeanseaton.com/
Established: 1975
Official Name: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Place of Origin: Kansas City, MO
Distinction: To be the best global syndication and publishing company[24].
It is our mission at Andrews McMeel Universal to actively pursue and acquire the best creative talent, and to foster, distribute and market this talent with the intent of informing or entertaining people around the world[25].
A company that publishes books, calendars, and related toys. It is a part of Andrews McMeel Universal (which comprises AMP, Universal Uclick, and Amuse). An industry leader, AMP titles are staples on national bestseller lists, with print and e-books in categories such as comics and humor, cookbooks, gift, puzzles and games, and children’s books through its AMP! Comics for Kids and Accord lines. AMP is also the nation’s top calendar publisher, annually producing calendars based on many top-selling properties and selling more than 15 million calendars each year[26].
Andrews McMeel is the general publisher of books of comic strips produced by Universal Press Syndicate including The Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes and FoxTrot. However, the company also produces book collections for some comic strips which are owned by other syndicates, for example Get Fuzzy and Pearls Before Swine. AMP publishes monthly additions to its Pocket Posh® Puzzles series in the puzzles and games category, and gift books from AMP are perennial bestsellers[27].
Operations: Jim Andrews, John McMeel (Founders), Hugh T. Andrews (President, CEO), James Andrews (VP, Licensing), John P. McMeel (Chairman), Kirsty E. Melville (President & Publisher – books division), Brent Bartram (VP, Operations)
Output: http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/books/comics-and-humor Many more categories!!
Current Titles: Dilbert: Optimism Sounds Exhausting; Get Fuzzy: Clean Up on Aisle Stupid; Zits Treasury – Zits Apocalypse: Are You Ready?
Branches: Division of Andrews McMeel Universal.
Social Media: @AndrewsMcMeel ; Facebook ; Pinterest ; Tumblr ; YouTube
Multi-Media: N/A
Established: Unknown
Official Name: AndWorld Design
Place of Origin: Unknown
Distinction: [Site currently under construction]
Operations: [Site currently under construction]
Output: Quixote
Branches: Lettering done for several comic book publishers including the Top Five.
Social Media: @andworlddesign
Multi-Media: Unknown
Established: 1984
Official Name: Antarctic Press
Place of Origin: San Antonio, TX
Distinction: Antarctic Press is a Texas-based company that was started in 1984. Since then, we have grown to become one of the largest publisher of comics in the United States. Over the years we have produced over 1500 titles with a total circulation of over 5 million. Among our titles are some of the most respected and longest-running independent series in comics today. Since our inception, our main goal has been to establish a series of titles that are unique, entertaining, and high in both quality and profitability. The titles we currently publish exhibit all these traits, and appeal to a wide audience. Now that we have established a loyal reader base that consistently supports our titles, we feel it is time to expand into new and different markets[28].
We also license products for development as comic books and toys. So, whether you’re interested in any of our properties, or if you just have a product that you want to merchandise…don’t hesitate to ask[29].
Operations: Ben Dunn (Founder)
Output: http://www.antarctic-press.com/html/shop.php
Current Titles: Gold Digger; House of Ax; Robocopper; Rochelle, the Teen Cockroach; Steam Wars: First Empire; Super N.H.S.; Tales from the Creep and many others!
Upcoming Titles: Gearhearts Steampunk Glamor Revue; Immortal Wings; Warnerd Bonus: Full Moons of Mars; Steam League
Branches: Arclight Pictures International; Bang! Entertainment; Meteor City Productions, Red Zone, Venus Comics (imprints)
Social Media: @AntarcticPress ; Facebook
Multi-Media: N/A
Established: 2003
Official Name: Ape Entertainment
Place of Origin: Unknown
Distinction: Ape Entertainment is an independent comic book publisher, which produces graphic novels, comic books, and illustrated fiction. Ape was founded in 2003 and has produced comics for brands such as Dreamworks Animation (including Kung-Fu Panda, Shrek, Penguins of Madagascar, and Mastermind), Strawberry Shortcake, Richie Rich, Casper’s Scare School, and many more[30].
Ape Entertainment has most recenly partnered with Sesame Street to produce a series of entertaining and educational comic books that allow children and their parents to experience the Sesame Street characters in a brand new way![31]
Ape continues to explore new and innovative opportunities with brands and creators from all over the globe[32].
Operations: Unknown
Output: http://comicbookdb.com/publisher.php?ID=112
http://mycomicshop.com/search?q=Ape+Entertainment+&pubid=&PubRng=
Current Titles: Sesame Street: Blast from the Past
Upcoming Titles: Sesame Street: a Comical Comic Collection; Sesame Street: Many Friendly Neighbors
Branches: N/A
Social Media: @ApeComics ; Facebook
Multi-Media: N/A
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_Comics_%28publisher%29
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
[4] Ibid
[5] http://www.slgcomic.com/About-Us_ep_7.html
[6] Ibid
[7] http://www.amdalemedia.com/
[8] http://www.amdalemedia.com/about.shtml
[9] Ibid
[10] http://americangothicpress.com/about/
[11] Ibid
[12] Ibid
[13] https://www.facebook.com/AmigoComics/info/?tab=page_info
[14] Ibid
[15] Ibid
[16] Ibid
[17] http://www.harpercollins.com/search-results/?imprint=amistad&order=relevance
[18] http://www.jacketflap.com/amistad-press-publisher-76
[19] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Amistad_Press_books
[20] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basement_Comics
[21] Ibid
[22] http://www.abramsbooks.com/imprints/amuletbooks/
[23] http://andactionentertainment.com/about/
[24] http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/our-company/about-amp
[25] Ibid
[26] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrews_McMeel_Publishing
[27] Ibid
[28] http://www.antarctic-press.com/html/about.php
[29] Ibid
[30] http://www.apecomics.com/#!about-ape/b3zgq
[31] Ibid
[32] Ibid
Attach yourself to this establishment:
