SELECTED INDEPENDENT PUBLISERS
The Tick ; ® Ben Edlund & Fox Children's Network, Inc.Acclaim
Once one of the larger comics publishers in the country, Acclaim now issues few titles, most of which involve characters from the video games produced by its parent company. Popular titles are Turok, Shadow Man, and cult favorite Quantum & Woody.Antarctic
Primarily noted for Ameri-manga titles, such as Gold Digger and Ninja High School. Other major titles include the unique, alternative history fantasy Luftwaffe 1946, "nuns-with-guns" prototype Warrior Nun Areala, and slice-of-life romance Box Office Poison.Astonish Comics
Newer independent company focusing on comics for younger readers. Primary titles are the critically acclaimed Hero Bear and the Kid, by Mike Kunkel and Zoom's Academy for the Super Gifted by Jason Lethcoe.
Awesome
Founded by controversial artist Rob Liefeld, Awesome publishes super-hero, bad-girl, and supernatural titles aimed at teenage boys, with stories big on drama and action. Titles include Awesome Adventures, Coven, Kaboom, Re-Gex, and Supreme.Bongo Entertainment
Matt Groening, creator of "The Simpsons" TV show, the "Life in Hell" comic strip, and other modern-day classics, publishes his own line of comic books, based on his work but typically written and drawn by others. Ongoing titles include the flagship Simpsons comic, Bart Simpson, Futurama, and an annual Halloween special called Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror.Cartoon Books
This company is best known as the self-publishing vehicle for Jeff Smith's hugely successful Bone comics. Smith has recently begun publishing works of other creators with similar sensibilities, most notably Linda Medley's wonderful Castle Waiting series.Caliber
One of the most consistently diverse independent publishers. Current and former titles include Pakkins' Land (fantasy adventure), the Explorers (action-adventure), Saint Germaine (supernatural), and the Maze Agency (detective). Under the Tome imprint, Caliber publishes a line of literary, historical, biographical, and art comics, whose range is unique in today's market. Examples of Tome titles include the Sherlock Holmes Reader, Legends of Camelot, the Alamo, and the Art of Frederic Remington.Chaos!
Violent or ultra-violent supernatural fare with a strong teen following. Representative titles include Evil Ernie, Lady Death, and the Undertaker.Cross Plains Comics
Award-winning publishing arm of Robert E. Howard Properties, which maintains the rights to works by the late pulp fiction writer best known as the creator of Conan. Cross Plains produces annotated, beautifully illustrated , prestige format comics such as Robert E. Howard's Worms of the Earth.CrossGen Comics
Launched in 2000 with considerable marketing fanfare, financial backing, and experienced creative talent, CrossGeneration Comics (CrossGen) hopes to become a major force in comic book publishing. Its leading series weave an interrelated tale of star-spanning sword and sorcery, but each title in the line can be read independently of the others. Current titles include Meridian, Mystic, The First, Scion, and The Sigil.Event Comics
Small, traditional publisher known for strong stories and outstanding art. Major titles are Painkiller Jane (female bounty hunter) and Ash (super-hero). Latter title notable for its positive portrayal of professional firefighters (the protagonist works as a fireman).Fantagraphics
Large publisher of alternative comics, best known for Acme Novelty Library, Eightball, Hate, Love and Rockets. Fantagraphics also publishes the award-winning nonfiction works of Joe Sacco, including Safe Area Gorazde and Palestine.Harris Publications
Best known as the long-time publisher of Vampirella, the sexy, scantily clad alien vampire. Also publishes Vampi, a teenage sci-fi version of the character drawn in the manga style.NBM Publishing
Book publisher Nantier, Beall, Minoustchine (NBM) specializes in paperback and hardcover graphic novels for different age groups. Genres include realistic fiction, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, humor, children's literature, and adaptations of classic literature. Among the outstanding titles in their backlist are Vittorio Giardino's acclaimed A Jew in Communist Prague, P. Craig Russell's adaptation of Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, and Will Eisner's Last Knight: An Introduction to Don Quixote.Oni Press
This relative newcomer has received critical acclaim for its diverse line of quality comics, most of which are limited series. Recent examples include the raunchy humor of Jay and Silent Bob, the gripping police-procedural of Whiteout, the espionage action of Queen & Country, the youthful humor of Alison Dare, the super-hero parody of Grrl Scouts, and the historical adventure of the Marquis.Quadre Enterprises
A small, independent book publisher specializing in children's books and illustrated nonfiction, Quadre is notable for its "Heritage Collection" series: meticulously detailed military history titles published as prestige format comic books. Among the titles in this series are Antietam: The Fiery Trial; Blockade; and The War in Korea.Sirius
Publishes innovative, high quality fantasy tales for a variety of tastes, from charming children's adventures to sword and sorcery with a cynical twist. Major titles are Akiko, Klor, Poe, Poison Elves, Scary Godmother, and Dawn.Slave Labor Graphics
Focuses on dark and twisted humor for older readers. Representative titles of this type include Milk & Cheese, Dork, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, Lenore, and Squee. A newer, more serious title for older teens is Gloomcookie. SLG also publishes humor titles suitable for younger readers, including Patty Cake and Little Gloomy.
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compiled and maintained by: Michael R. Lavin, Lockwood Memorial Library
send comments to: Michael R. Lavin, mrlavin@acsu.buffalo.edu
design by: Catherine Collins, Educational Technology Center
last updated on: May 7, 2001
