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Current Comic Book Publishers from Z-A – entry #31

Dec 31, 2015

1335

It’s the end of the year as we know it and I feel fine >_< We’re officially past the mid-way point of the second decade of the second millennium :0 Un-frickin-believable!! I risk repeating myself by stating how amusing this project has been. It was something percolating in the back of my brain for almost a decade. I was always curious to know the exact number of comic book publishers that have an arrangement with Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. Who I was eight years ago is obviously not who I am currently. I would examine the Big Two offerings with eagle eyes and casually flip through the rest of the monthly PREVIEWS catalog never paying too much attention to the ‘little guys’. The only time my interest piqued would be for Free Comic Book Day offerings or inexpensive introductory issues (like Macklemore stated: “it was 99¢!”) That was my brief acknowledgement. Am I glad I no longer have that mentality!! I have now gone the reverse route (just like this entire countdown) – I truly admire the indies and will continue to read and purchase more until my last breath. I’m pleased as punch over the Canadian presence in the industry.

Speaking of last, this is the final entry. Thirty-one lists in just as many days. I’m now tied with Baskin-Robbins’ flavos ;-P It’s been an eye-opener. The information researched will remain engrained in my brain. After a while, I’ve come to expect incompleteness. *sigh* I’m so meticulous and thorough that the perfectionist and completist in me is bothered by this. Hence, do not be too harsh. Luckily, some big-wigs contacted me immediately upon viewing these snippets on Facebook and Twitter.

It’s been an incredible forty weeks with Comix Asylum. Thanks for following me and supporting the website, magazine. Follow me – @Almighty_Oracle – on Twitter. Find me on Facebook as Paul Miranda. Contact me – paul@comixasylum.com Do the same for Comix Asylum. They have FB, Twitter, their own site. Subscribe to their YouTube channel. HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Hope everything is pristine in 2016 :=)

Established: 2004

Official Name: Arcana Studio

Place of Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA

Distinction: Since its launch in 2004, Arcana has established itself as a successful entertainment company. Producing engaging storytelling with compelling art, Arcana is an innovative leader in the development of intellectual properties across all platforms. Arcana’s library of wholly owned intellectual properties contain well over 5,000 characters that transcend gender, age, and cultural and geographic boundaries. Arcana owns one of the world’s largest libraries of graphic novels[1].

In 2012, Arcana opened an animation division to develop and produce its content for all platforms including film, television, direct-to-home and digital media. This extension of our comic book characters has provided new merchandising vehicles across all retail product lines. By combining our commercialization strategy with our extensive storytelling, packaging, and corporate management abilities, we seek to build a strategically diversified and profitable character-based entertainment business. Arcana has the experience of animated production, a top notch team to execute a plan and is a Canadian company that receives tax credit benefits for content production as well as research and development[2].

Operations: Sean Patrick O’Reilly (Founder, CEO), Emma Waddell (VP – Content), Michelle Meyers (VP – Sales), Brendan Hansell (Senior Editor), Adam Christensen (Editor)

Output: http://www.arcana.com/titles.php?sort=title

Current Titles: Darkham Vale – the Complete Edition; Doing Time; Furrever Friends: a Cat Named Haiku anthology; Hamster Punk; Langley High; Legacy; Memo vol. 1; Modern Hood; Numbered; Pixies; Surface; Worth [all are GNs or TPBs]

Upcoming Titles: Human Resources; The Intrinsic; Steam Engines of Oz – the Complete Collection

Branches: http://www.arcana.com/store.php

Social Media: @arcanastudio ; Facebook ; LinkedIn ; Tumblr

Multi-Media: http://www.arcana.com/videos.php [Vimeo] http://www.arcana.com/apps.php

Arcana recently completed production on The Clockwork Girl, and is in production on the animated TV series Kagagi: The Raven and the animated feature film Pixies.[3]

Arcana is also partnered with numerous producers, some include Gale Ann Hurd (“Terminator,” “Aliens”) on Gearhead, Alexandra Milchan (Sylvestor Stallone’s “Bullet to the Head”) on Blade of Kumori, Scott Milam (“Mother’s Day”) on Gauze, Doc Wyatt (“Napoleon Dynamite”) on The Intrinsic, JC Spink (“The Hangover”) on Langley High and The Order, Phyllis Carlyle (“Se7en”) on Loosely Based. Recently selling World War X to WB, and Continuum to Relativity, Arcana’s successes are only beginning. Arcana is represented by leading Hollywood talent agency, Resolution and is managed by Gotham Entertainment[4].

Current productions include Gale Ann Hurd (“Walking Dead”, “Terminator”) on Gearhead, Doc Wyatt (“Napoleon Dynamite”) on 100 Girls, JC Spink (“The Hangover”) on Continuum, Alexandra Milchan (Sylvestor Stallone’s “Headshot”) on Blade of Kumori, Hans Rodinoff and Hollywood Media Bridge (“Lost Boys: The Tribe”) on Raise Kane, Scott Milam (“Mother’s Day”) on Gauze, Ben Magid (“Hack/Slash”) on Trout, Jar Productions (“Hidden Howie”) on Philosopher Rex.[5]

Established: 1939

Official Name: Archie Comic Publications

Place of Origin: Pelham, NY

Distinction: The Archie Comics line of comic books is one of the most successful, longest running brands in the history of the comic industry. Archie Comics have sold 2 billion comics and are published in a dozen different foreign languages and distributed all over the world. Archie Comics has spawned characters whose popularity have spilled over into other media and who have become part of popular culture. SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH and JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS are just some of the many legendary franchises that are part of the Archie Comics Library[6].

Operations: Maurice Coyne, John L. Goldwater, Louis Silberkleit (Founders), Jonathan Goldwater (CEO), Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (CCO)

Output: http://archiecomics.com/digital-comics/ http://archiecomics.stores.yahoo.net/

Current Titles: Archie {2^nd Series} [relaunch, modern take]; Betty & Veronica {2^nd Series} [recently ended]; Jughead {3^rd Series} [relaunch, modern take]

Branches: Archie Action, Archie Horror, Archie Library, Dark Circle Comics (imprints)

Social Media: @archiecomics ; Facebook ; Goodreads ; Instagram ; Pinterest ; Tumblr ; YouTube

Multi-Media: Riverdale being bandied about by the CW; Broadway has expressed interest in a musical; four previous animated series, two former live-action TV series, one live-action movie;

Established: 1971(?)

Official Name: Archival Press

Place of Origin: England, UK

Distinction: Unknown

Operations: Unknown

Output: Back for More; Fields of Sleep; The Horns of Elfland; Miss Fury; Portfolio of Fantasy; The Silver Mistress; Twelve of Hearts; Vanishing Tower

Branches: N/A

Social Media: @archivalpress ; Tumblr

Multi-Media: N/A

Established: 2014

Official Name: ARH ComiX

Place of Origin: Boise, ID

Distinction: ARHIAN is a 5 parts Graphic Novel totally written by Arahom Radjah. ARHIAN is the first character created by Arahom to come to life! Originally as a magnificent 1/4^th scale statue and now in an amazing Graphic Novel, ARHIAN is a character that will mesmerize you from the first moment you look at her! A lonely warrior, a bounty huntress, a drifter… This is how ARHIAN is seen and respected as the best in her world. Her obnoxious and laid back personality added to her incredible beauty will make you a captive of her adventures and lifestyle. ARHIAN is simply irresistible in this 5 parts Graphic Novel that takes her in this most audacious adventure that will change her life forever! You will fall in love with ARHIAN at first sight! Masterfully illustrated by Yannis Roumpoulias and painted by Billy MD, this Graphic Novel is the best thing to happen to the world of comics in a very long time![7]

ASTRIA is a 5 parts Graphic Novel story by Arahom Radjah. Written by Spencer Thurgood and Arahom Radjah, this Graphic Novel is beautifully illustrated by Manos Lagouvardos and colored by Nikos Koutsis. ASTRIA SOMMERS a fragile woman who had her life, hopes and dreams destroyed by the cowardice of criminals. Not being able to cope with her loss, ASTRIA goes down a path of revenge and self-destruction that leads her into a journey of no return. Helped by her father, a paraplegic man who has no one else but his only daughter, ASTRIA engages into a thrilling vendetta against those who wronged her, measuring no consequences to accomplish her goals. ASTRIA is a compelling story that will touch your innermost feelings as it fights your senses of morals, right, and wrong! ASTRIA is a powerful masterpiece that will touch your heart as never before[8].

ARKHALLA, the Queen of Vampires is a seven parts Graphic Novel story by Arahom Radjah. Written by Abraham Kawa and masterfully illustrated by Manos Lagouvardos, this Graphic Novel will present you to the world of ARKHALLA, a powerful and cruel queen who rules over a realm of vampires and humans with iron hands until the day she falls in love by someone she should never do. The Queen of Vampires is a fantastic and compelling story of love and redemption that will fascinate you from the first page to the very end. Dare not to fall in love with ARKHALLA and resist her almost hypnotic attraction. Her fascinating beauty and power have brought even the most powerful men to their knees. See if you can resist her![9]

Operations: Unknown

Output: Arhian: Head Huntress; Astria; Queen of Vampires

Branches: Imprint of ARH Studios https://arhstudioscollectibles.com/

https://arhcomix.com/product-category/posters/

Social Media: @ARHStudios ; Facebook ; LinkedIn ; Pinterest ; YouTube

Multi-Media: N/A

Established: 1971

Official Name: Arsenal Pulp Press

Place of Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA

Distinction: Arsenal Pulp Press is a book publisher in Vancouver, Canada with over 200 titles currently in print, which include literary fiction and nonfiction; cultural and gender studies; LGBT and multicultural literature; cookbooks, including vegan; alternative crafts; graphic novels; visual arts; and books in translation. We are interested in literature that engage and challenge readers, and which ask probing questions about the world around us[10].

With a staff of five, located in the historic Vancouver district of Chinatown, we publish between 14 and 20 new titles per year, as well as an average of 12 to 15 reprints; our books are distributed in Canada, the US, Great Britain, Australia, and English-speaking Europe, and translations of our books have appeared in China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, France, Spain, Italy, German, Turkey, and Brazil[11].

Arsenal Pulp Press gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada (through the Canada Book Fund, the Canada Council for the Arts, and Livres Canada Books) and the Government of British Columbia (through the Book Publishing Tax Credit Program) for our publishing activities, and the Canada Council for the Arts and the British Columbia Arts Council for our publishing program[12].

Past winner of the Jim Douglas Publisher of the Year Award, awarded by the Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia[13].

Five-time finalist, Small Press Publisher of the Year, Canadian Booksellers Association (2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014).[14]

Operations: Brian Lam (Publisher), Robert Ballantyne (Associate Publisher), Susan Safyan (Editor), Oliver McPartlin (Production Manager), Cynara Geissler (Marketing Manager)

Output: http://www.arsenalpulp.com/allbooks.php

Current Titles: AlliterAsian; Blackbird; Castro; Cold Case Vancouver; C.R.A.Z.Y.; Decolonize Your Diet; Dirty River; Faerie; Forbidden Love; Foucault against Himself; God in Pink; Kingsway; Mouthquake; Moving Parts; Snapshots of a Girl; Suite Française: Storm in June; A Superior Man; True to Your Roots

Upcoming Titles: even this page is white; Jean Cocteau Coloring Book; The Mercy Journals; Straight to the Head; Thicker than Blood; Weekend; Yves Saint-Laurent Coloring Book

Branches: Little Sister’s Classics (imprint)

Social Media: @Arsenalpulp ; Facebook

Multi-Media: A film version of Blackbird, starring Academy Award winner Mo’Nique, Isaiah Washington, and Julian Walker, was released in theatres and on VOD in 2015.

Blogs – http://www.arsenalia.com/

Established: 1999

Official Name: Arsenic Lullaby Publishing

Place of Origin: Milwaukee, WI

Distinction: Arsenic Lullaby is a comic book series written and illustrated by Douglas Paszkiewicz, proclaimed “King of Dark Humor” by Previews magazine. It is known for combining horror and taboo subjects with humor and satire[15].

Among other ground-breaking content, it was the first to introduce a cartoon fetus. Its most regularly featured character Voodoo Joe, a witchdoctor living in the suburbs, created several zombie fetuses as diminutive assistants[16].

Paszkiewicz continues to publish Arsenic Lullaby sporadically while working on cartoon storyboards and contributing to Mad magazine, Mad Kids, and other publications. This magazine has been reprinted and circulated by Greek publisher Jemma Press, where it was quickly nominated for the Comicdom Award in Europe[17].

Paszkiewicz often uses phonetic spelling in his dialogue to convey the flavor of different regional colloquialisms, eras, and nationalities[18].

Arsenic Lullaby has also been nominated for the top honors in the comic book industry, the EISNER AWARD for “Best Humor Publication”, the Harvey Award, and the Comicdom Award in Europe[19].

In 2012, its successful Kickstarter campaign laid the groundwork for a wave of independently published comic books to see print without using the standard means of comic book distribution[20].

Operations: Douglas Paszkiewicz (Creator, Founder)

http://www.comicarthouse.com/douglas.html

Output: Arsenic Lullaby sparked four spin-off series by Paszkiewicz: Laughter of the Damned (3 issues), Misery A Go Go (1 issue), Arsenic Lullabies (2 issues), The Thousand Deaths of Baron Von Donut (1 issue), and Arsenic Lullaby Pulp Edition (magazine size) – Summer 2007.[21]

Paszkiewicz has gone on to work on a reprint of The Gift #1, in which there is an Arsenic Lullaby-like story in the last seven pages, Pete the P.O.’s Postal Worker, Mad Magazine and others[22].

Branches: N/A

Social Media: @astrangersvoice (Douglas Paszkiewicz) ; Facebook (Arsenic) ; Facebook ; Instagram ; LinkedIn (Douglas Paszkiewicz)

Multi-Media: Arsenic Lullaby also had a story story animated in Comedy Central’s TRIP TANK[23].

Established: 2003

Official Name: Aspen MLT, Inc.

Place of Origin: Culver City, CA

Distinction: Aspen MLT, Inc. is an entertainment publishing company founded in January 2003 by superstar comic artist Michael Turner. Priding itself on producing entertainment properties of the highest quality visual and storytelling elements, Aspen MLT, Inc. quickly carved its mark on the comic book industry[24].

In addition to Michael Turner’s runaway hit, the number one best-selling comic series Fathom, Aspen MLT, Inc. also debuted the fantasy adventure epic series Soulfire in 2004. Both properties have continued on in Turner’s vision with a host of exciting mini-series. Fathom has expanded beyond the series proper and continues to grow with the additions of the new titles Fathom: Dawn of War, Fathom: Cannon Hawke, Fathom: Kiani and more. The Soulfire Universe has also seen its fair share of mini-series in addition to the main volumes including Soulfire: Dying of the Light, Chaos Reign, Shadow Magic, and New World Order. As well as continuing to deepen the worlds of Fathom and Soulfire, Aspen continually creates thrilling new properties including its newest titles the adventure-comedy Shrugged, the action-adventure series Executive Assistant: Iris, the supernatural-thriller Dellec, and the action-espionage series Mindfield.[25]

Along with their own successful properties, Aspen MLT, Inc. collaborates with some of the comic industry’s most successful companies and endeavors. Michael Turner and Aspen have collaborated with Marvel Comics including cover work for the best-selling events Civil War, World War Hulk, and Ultimatum. As well, Aspen collaborates with DC Comics providing covers for such best-selling titles as Superman/Batman: The Return of Supergirl, Justice League of America, and Eisner-nominated covers for the critically-acclaimed and top-selling mini-series Identity Crisis. In 2006, Aspen joined forces with television giant NBC to create the online comic adaptations for the hit television series “Heroes.”[26]

Operations: Michael Turner (Founder), Peter Steigerwald (Co-Owner), Frank Mastromauro (Co-Owner, President), Vince Hernandez (Vice President/Editor-in-Chief), Mark Roslan (Vice President/Design and Production), Josh Reed (Editorial Assistant/Letterer), Chris Rupp (Aspen Store)

Output: http://aspencomics.com/books/

Current Titles: Critter; Fathom: Blue; Eternal Soulfire; Jirni; Legend of Oz: the Wicked West; Lola XOXO: Wasteland Madam; Michael Turner’s Sketchbooks [various]; Oniba: Swords of the Demon; Psycho Bonkers; Worlds of Aspen 2015

Upcoming Titles: The Art of Big Dog Ink; Executive Assistant Iris Sourcebook; The Lost Spark: Masks and Monsters

Branches: http://www.aspenstore.com/

Social Media: @AspenComics ; Facebook ; Instagram ; Pinterest ; Tumblr

Multi-Media: Aspen is currently teaming up with Valhalla Studios to produce the horror-adventure series Dead Man’s Run, as well as collaborating with director McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision to produce the horror comic Haunted City. Aspen also produced the one-of-a-kind Anarchy digital graphic novel for the popular body spray company, Axe®.[27]

Established: 2011

Official Name: Astronautink

Place of Origin: Danvers, MA

Distinction: Comic art (also known as graphic novel, manga, and sequential art) is one of the most effective means of storytelling communication ever established. The combination of images with text is ideal for conveying ideas, either for educational, sales or entertainment purposes[28].

Astronautink specializes in this form of visual storytelling. We are a full-service studio that seeks to meet your intellectual property requirements in all phases of production, from inception to publication. We can help you conceptualize the “Universe” in which your story is told; your main character(s), supporting cast members and environment. We can conceive and write storylines that define your character, or illustrate the story you provide. We can prepare your final product for paper or electronic publication[29].

Astronautink also provides original properties for licensing purposes. Astronautink has contributed to projects which have generated gross revenue exceeding $30 million[30].

Operations: Joe St. Pierre

Output: Bold Blood; Megahurtz; Teen Terrors

Current Titles: New Zodiax

Branches: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JoeStPierreArt?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Social Media: @astronautink ; Facebook ; Pop Art ; Tumblr

Multi-Media: N/A

Established: 1961

Official Name: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Place of Origin: New York, NY

Distinction: Founded in 1961 by Jean Karl, Atheneum Books for Young Readers is known for publishing enduring literary middle grade, teen and picture book titles. The imprint has garnered over two dozen Newbery and Caldecott Medals and Honors throughout its celebrated history. It has also published a list of books that have won innumerable awards and accolades including: Coretta Scott King medals, National Book Award nominations, PEN USA Literary Awards, New York Times best-sellers and being named to countless state reading lists. Our commitment to publishing commercial books with outstanding literary merit is evident in every title we acquire as well as in our extensive backlist. Atheneum holds tight to this same publishing integrity as we look to ahead to new formats—high-end novelty properties, graphic novels, visual storytelling—for our esteemed list of authors and illustrators.

Operations: Jean Karl (Founder), Justin Chanda (VP & Publisher), Anne Zafian (VP & Deputy Publisher), Caitlyn Dlouhy (VP & Editorial Director), Reka Simonsen (Executive Editor), Emma Ledbetter (Associate Editor), Jessica Sit (Assistant Editor), Alexa Pastor, Natascha Morris (Editorial Assistants)

Output: https://catalog.simonandschuster.com/Default.aspx?cid=1376&FilterBy=3&FilterByName=Imprint&FilterVal=Atheneum+Books+for+Young+Readers&ob=0&ed=&CartID=24922918&showcart=&camefrom=&find=&a=

Current Titles:

https://catalog.simonandschuster.com/Default.aspx?cid=1376&FilterBy=9&FilterByName=Subformat&FilterVal=Graphic+Novel&ob=0&ed=&CartID=24922918&showcart=&camefrom=&find=&a=

Branches: Imprint of Simon and Schuster

Social Media: @simonkids ; @simonteen ; Facebook ; Pinterest

Multi-Media: N/A

Established: 2005

Official Name: Atomic Book Company

Place of Origin: Baltimore, MD (Atomic Books)

Distinction: Unknown

Operations: Emily Flake – Hi there. I’m Emily. I’m a cartoonist and illustrator. Welcome to my website. I make cartoons for The New Yorker, mostly, but also sometimes MAD Magazine, the New Statesman, and other places. I have a weekly strip called Lulu Eightball that carries the jokes that are too vulgar for grown-up publications and too racy for MAD. I also perform, using the magic of PowerPoint and/or markers, for adults and children[31].

Julia Wertz is a professional cartoonist/writer, and amateur urban explorer/photographer. She made the comic books The Fart Party vol 1 and vol 2, and the graphic novels Drinking at the Movies, and The Infinite Wait and Other Stories, both of which were nominated for Eisner Awards. Her latest book is Museum of Mistakes: The Fart Party Collection. Her comics have been published in the New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, Time Out New York, and other places. Her photography has appeared in The New York Post, The Daily Mail and some local rags. She currently does a monthly comic installment about NYC history for the New Yorker. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she now lives in New York City. You can read some of her comics at Museum of Mistakes, and see her research and photos of abandoned places on Adventure Bible School.[32]

Output: I Keee You – a Collection of Overheards; Lulu Eightball

Current Titles: Museum of Mistakes: the Fart Party Collection

Branches: http://www.atomicbooks.com/

Social Media: @EmilyFlake ; @Julia_Wertz ; @atomicbooks ; Facebook [for all three]

Multi-Media: N/A

Established: Unknown

Official Name: Automatic Pictures

Place of Origin: Los Angeles, CA

Distinction: Automatic Pictures is a film, literature, and videogame production company founded with the goal of using various forms of entertainment media to tell stories across multiple platforms[33].

Frank Beddor’s versatility and innovative thinking has shaped Automatic Pictures into a leading developer of transmedia content, all of which is generated in-house. As an independent publishing company, Automatic Pictures is home to Hatter M, the Eisner-nominated, IPPY winning graphic novel companion series to the Looking Glass Wars.[34]

Automatic Pictures is constantly adapting to new advances in media and the arts to create a new breed of storytelling and interactive worlds[35].

Operations: Founded by Hollywood-based writer/producer Frank Beddor.

Output: The Looking Glass Wars (Book 1) – New York Times best seller; Seeing Redd (Book 2) – New York Times best seller; ArchEnemy (Book 3)

Hatter M: Far from Wonder (graphic novel 1) – Nominated the Will Eisner Best Limited Series award (2007); Independent Publisher Book Awards Silver Medalist (2009)

Hatter M: Mad with Wonder (2) – Independent Publisher Book Awards 2010 Gold Medalist

Hatter M: The Nature of Wonder (3) – Independent Publisher Book Awards 2011 Gold Medalist

***Graphic novel 4 coming soon!***** [36]

Current Titles: Hatter M: 1859-1872 – the Complete Saga; Hatter M: Love of Wonder

Branches: Automatic Games ; Automatic Studios

Social Media: @frankbeddor ; Facebook ; Instagram ; Pinterest ; Tumblr ; YouTube [all Frank Beddor] ; E-mail – automaticstudio@gmail.com

Multi-Media: Automatic Pictures’ film credits include There’s Something About Mary (1998), Wicked (1998) and the upcoming Sony sci-fi The Juliet.[37]

Its videogame division, Automatic Games, is responsible for the rapidly growing browser-based game Rings of Orbis, based on co-founder PJ Haarsma’s series of novels The Softwire.[38]

Established: 1996

Official Name: Avatar Press

Place of Origin: Rantoul, IL

Distinction: Avatar initially published only mini-series. They subsequently expanded to other formats. Currently, Avatar publishes several ongoing series[39].

Avatar Press is most notable for their publishing of “Bad Girl” comics such as Pandora. Other bad girl books include Hellina, Lookers, The Ravening, and Brian Pulido’s Lady Death. As part of an effort to expand beyond their reputation as a bad girl publisher, it offered a number of noted creators an opportunity to publish creator-owned books with no content restrictions whatsoever. Among the creators to take them up on their offer was Frank Miller, Warren Ellis, Alan Moore, and Garth Ennis[40].

Lately, the company has taken to licensed comic book adaptations of famous sci-fi and horror shows from movies and television, such as RoboCop, Night of the Living Dead, and Friday the 13th.[41]

Operations: William A. Christensen (Founder)

Output: http://www.comcav.net/

Current Titles: Code Pru; Crossed +100; Crossed: Badlands; Crossed: Dead or Alive; God Is Dead; Mercury Heat; Night of the Living Dead – complete box set; Providence; War Stories

Upcoming Titles: Black Summer – complete signed box set; Fevre Dream – complete GRRM signed box set; FreakAngels – complete box set

Branches: Owner of Bleeding Cool magazine and Boundless Comics.

Social Media: @Avatarpress ; Facebook

Multi-Media: Avatar also has a strong web presence, launching Ellis’ FreakAngels webcomic and the comics news site Bleeding Cool, helmed by Rich Johnston.

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Established: 2002(?)

Official Name: Axiom

Place of Origin: Unknown

Distinction: Howard M. Shum is a filmmaker, artist, and writer who has worked with Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and Image. He has inked such books as Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace – Obi-Wan Kenobi, X-Men Unlimited, Aquaman, Joker/Mask, The Simpsons, Disney Adventures (Kim Possible), Star Wars: Tag & Bink are Dead, and Star Wars Tales. He is the creator-writer-inker of Gun Fu, Intrigue and Gazillion and creator-writer of Hyperkinetic from Image Comics and Fusillade and “Fat Boy and Harvey” from AXIOM. His newest work is Supertemporal.[42]