Author: Newsroom
Creator-Based Label AMPĀ® Comics Launches with Robust Partners
Board game giant The Op, the Script2Comic contest, and Kodansha Japan are key collaborators in the new labelās launch slate, with Maximum Effort developing one of its premiere titles into a television series.
Los Angeles, CA, July 26, 2024 ā AMPĀ® Comics, a new creator-centric independent comic label, is set to launch in 2025 with distribution through Diamond in the direct market and Simon & Schuster in the bookstore market. AMP brings together several film and comic industry veterans to establish a sustainable, creator-first publishing model. With a focus on quality over quantity and effective marketing, AMP is dedicated to benefiting both creators and readers alike.
AMPĀ® has secured a first-look deal with The Op aka USAopoly (http://www.theop.games/) , giving the board game giant the first opportunity to create games based on AMPās books. Additionally, AMP is now the official publisher of the Script2Comic Contest, with the 2024 winner’s work set to be financed and published in partnership with Kodansha Japan, the powerhouse manga publisher behind worldwide hits like AKIRA and Attack on Titan.
Leading AMP Comics as CEO is Don Handfield, a seasoned comic creator (Dark Age,Ā The Source,Ā Unikorn) whose first book,Ā The Rift, was adapted for television by Steven Spielberg for the Amazing Stories reboot on Apple+. Handfield is also a successful film producer (The Founder,Ā Kill the Messenger) and TV creator(Knightfall). His extensive entertainment industry experience, combined with his roles as a partner in comic financier Thunder and former board member of Scout Comics, uniquely position him to guide AMP Comics into board games, videogames, film, television, and other mediums.
Joshua Starnes, a founding partner of Red 5 Comics(The Dark Age, Afterburn, Machine Girl), takes on the role of President. David Byrne, creator of indie hits such as “STAKE” and former co-publisher at Scout Comics, will oversee release and development strategy as Publisher. Joining them are Joel Rodriguez as Design Director, Joshua Malkin as Editor-in-Chief, and Jordan Moore as Director of Development. Additional partners and advisory board members will be announced in the coming weeks.
AMPĀ® Comics will operate as a boutique creator-based label, focusing on a select number of high-quality titles that are marketed effectively and provide transparent and timely royalties to creators. Among its exciting lineup of launch titles, MC Foleyās “LoveStruck”has already been picked up for development as a television series by Ryan Reynoldsā production company Maximum Effort.
Other AMPĀ® launch titles include “House of Lowther” by writer-artist K Lynn Smith, “Lost Boy: The Origin ofPeter Pan,” “Kronos,” a sci-fi thriller by Alain Soussokho, and”Saving Santa,” a Christmas story by Arun Narayanan. Additionally,”Honour Bound,” an origin story of Robin Hood by Omri Rose,”Ambergris,” a World War II historical epic by Jacobo Fe Gismera, and the recent Horror2Comic winner “Hillbillies vs. Alien Chickens” from Nicholas Tana will be featured. Indie hit “She Bites” will also see all future volumes published by the new label.
AMP Comics stands out by adopting a boutique approach, ensuring each title is marketed effectively and that creators receive timely and transparent royalty payments. ‘Together with Josh, David, and our talented team, we designed AMP to avoid the industry pitfalls we’ve all encountered. Our mission is to create a space where creators can thrive, and their stories can be released into the marketplace with the respect theydeserve,’ Handfield said.
By prioritizing quality, transparency, and creator satisfaction, AMP Comics is committed to fostering a new era of success in the comic book marketplace.
