Ape Entertainment
| Company type | Independent publisher |
|---|---|
| Industry | Comic books, graphic novels |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | Brent E. Erwin, David Hedgecock |
| Defunct | 2015 |
| Fate | Inactive since 2015 |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Brent E. Erwin (founder, marketing), David Hedgecock (founder, finance), C. Michael "Mike" Hall (managing editor) |
| Products | Original limited series, graphic novels, licensed comics (Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Megamind, Shrek, Strawberry Shortcake, Richie Rich, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Sesame Street) |
Ape Entertainment, also recognized as Ape Comics, was an independent American comic book publisher active from 2003 until 2015.
Originally concentrating on original limited series and graphic novels with mature subject matter, Ape later transitioned to producing family-oriented titles and cross-media projects inspired by video games. The company secured licensing agreements with entities such as DreamWorks Animation, American Greetings, Harvey Comics, and Sesame Workshop. This enabled them to create comics featuring well-known franchises including Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Megamind, Shrek, Strawberry Shortcake, Richie Rich, Casper the Friendly Ghost, and Sesame Street.
Creators
Prominent creators associated with Ape encompassed Neil Druckmann, Francesco Francavilla, Chandra Free, Jonathon Dalton, Joe Staton, Geoffrey Thorne, Josh Wagner, and Rob Worley.
Origins
Ape Entertainment was established in 2003 by Brent E. Erwin, who had a background in film production, alongside David Hedgecock, who brought experience in comic retail and editing. C. Michael "Mike" Hall was appointed as managing editor. Erwin handled marketing responsibilities while Hedgecock managed the financial operations.
The company’s initial print offerings in 2004 included Ape OMNIBUS Volumes 1 and 2, A Different Pace, Atomic Age Treasury of Pulp Action, and Make Your Own Comics: The Small Press Primer. Additionally, Ape published original webcomics primarily created by Mike Hall.
Digital and licensed properties
In 2010, Ape shifted focus to publishing comics adapted from video games, starting with Pocket God, followed by Cut the Rope in 2011. The strong digital sales of Pocket God #1—exceeding 150,000 copies—demonstrated the viability of converting digital content into comic form.
By that year, Ape had formed a partnership with DreamWorks Animation, launching the family-friendly Kizoic imprint with Free Comic Book Day releases featuring Penguins of Madagascar and Shrek. In 2011, the company obtained licenses for classic Harvey Comics characters such as Richie Rich and Casper the Friendly Ghost. Richie Rich was reimagined as a heroic adventurer combining traits reminiscent of James Bond and Indiana Jones.
In 2012, Ape published Madagascar Digest Prequel: Long Live the King!, linked to the film Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted. Early in 2013, Ape collaborated with the now-defunct Sirius Entertainment to revive Drew Hayes' Poison Elves under the mature readers imprint Outlaw Comics, releasing three issues based on Hayes' original outlines.
Spring 2013 saw Ape partner with Sesame Workshop to introduce several Sesame Street-themed comic titles, broadening its licensed family entertainment catalog.
Decline and disappearance
By mid-2013, Ape Entertainment encountered considerable difficulties. During that summer, editor-in-chief Brent E. Erwin, leveraging his retail experience, purchased two Buddy Saunders-owned Lone Star Comics stores. In August, CEO David Hedgecock departed to join IDW Publishing. Following these changes, founders Erwin and Hall canceled forthcoming projects and restructured the organization. Ape released two additional Sesame Street comics in 2015 but has remained inactive since then.
Current Series
- Ape OMNIBUS Volumes 1 and 2 (May–December 2004) — anthology series
- Athena Voltaire: Flight of the Falcon by Paul Daly and Steve Bryant (4 issues, 2006–2007)
- Bizarre New World (3 issues, 2007)
- The Black Coat: A Call to Arms created by Adam Cogan, Ben Lichius, and Francesco Francavilla (4 issues, 2006)
- The Black Coat: Or Give Me Death by Cogan, Lichius, and Francavilla (4 issues, 2007)
- A Different Pace written by David Hedgecock with artwork by Tetsu Liew and others (2 issues, 2004)
- Femme Noir: The Dark City Diaries by Christopher Milles, Joe Staton, and Horacio Ottolini (4 issues, 2008) — subsequently compiled as a trade paperback
- Fiction Clemens by Josh Wagner (3 issues, 2008)
- The Goblin Chronicles penned by Troy Dye with Tom Kelesides and Collin Foge (3 issues, 2008)
- Helldorado: East Eats West authored by C. Michael Hall (3 issues, 2011–2012)
- Horrorwood from Brandon Terrell and Brent Schoonover (4 issues, 2006)
- Magnitude by Greg Waller and Axel Giménez (3 issues, 2006–2007)
- RPM: Rapid Performance Machines created by Matt Shepherd and Andres Guinaldo (4 issues, 2010–2011)
- The Misadventures of Clark & Jefferson by Jay Carvajal and Borstel (4 issues, 2007–2008)
- Scratch9 by Rob Worley and Jason T. Kruse (4 issues, September 2010–January 2011)
- Sullengrey written by Drew Rausch with Jocelyn Gajeway (4 issues, 2005–2006)
- Super Human Resources from Ken Marcus and Justin Bleep (4 issues, 2009)
- Teddy Scares by Jim Hankins featuring various artists (4 issues, 2007)
- U.T.F. (Undead Task Force) by Scott Reynolds and Tone Rodriguez (3 issues, 2006)
Graphic Novels and One-Shot Publications
- Athena Voltaire: The Collected Webcomics (trade paperback, 2006) — compilation of webcomics originally published online between 2002 and 2004; includes a foreword by Mark Schultz
- Atomic Age Treasury of Pulp Action authored by David Wharton (January 2004)
- Cereal & Pajamas (2007) — anthology collection
- Fablewood (2008) — anthology volume
- Go-Go Gorilla & The Jungle Crew Summer Fun Special by David Hedgecock, Mike Hall, and Dustin Evans (2005)
- Justice City Chronicles, volume 1 by Marcus DiGesu, Anthony Figaro, and Joel Rasmussen (2005)
- The Trouble with Katie Rogers created by Des Taylor (September 2009)
- Make Your Own Comics: The Small Press Primer authored by Mike Hall (January 2004)
- Nightmare World: The Long Hard Road Out of Hell from Dirk Manning and Jeff Welborn among others (2007) — intended as a four-issue series; only one issue released
- Pan-Gea (2005)
- Point Pleasant authored by Chad Lambert (2004)
- Prodigal: Egg of First Light created by Geoffrey Thorne and Todd Harris (graphic novel, 2010)
- A Second Chance at Sarah, written by Neil Druckmann with art by Joysuke Wong (2010); later reissued through Dark Horse Comics
- SubCulture, authored by Kevin Freeman with Stan Yan’s artwork (2007)
- Walled In, a graphic novel tied to the horror-thriller movie produced by Spacedog; created by Roger Mincheff and Dennis Calero (April 2009)
- White Picket Fences, featuring Matt Anderson, Eric Hutchins, Micah Farritor, Brian Mead, and Tim Lattie (2008)
Free Comic Book Day Editions
- 2007 Ape Entertainment's Comic Spectacular — features preview stories from six titles including Athena Voltaire and White Picket Fences
- 2008 Cartoonapalooza #1
- 2009 Cartoonapalooza #2 — includes samples such as R.P.M. by Matt Shepherd and R.A. Height
- 2010 Kizoic Presents: Penguins of Madagascar / Shrek
Comics Based on Video Games
- Command & Conquer Motion Comic (4-part series)
- Cut the Rope (2011)
- Pocket God by Dave Castelnuovo, Allan Dye, Jason M. Burns, and Rolando Mallada (25 issues, 2010–circa 2013)
Licensed Franchises
- Casper's Scare School (2 issues, 2011–2012)
- DreamWorks' Megamind: Bad. Blue. Brilliant (5 issues, 2010–2011)
- Kizoic Presents: Dreamworks Kung Fu Panda / Richie Rich in Eruption Disruption! (2011)
- Kizoic Presents: Sesame Street / Strawberry Shortcake (2013)
- Kung Fu Panda (6 issues, 2011–2012)
- The Penguins of Madagascar (4 issues, 2010–2011)
- Penguins of Madagascar Operation: Wonder from Down Under (2010)
- Richie Rich Gems (5 issues, 2011–2013), including Valentines and Winter Specials
- Richie Rich: Rich Rescue (6 issues, 2011–2012), plus Digest editions
- Sesame Street series such as Another Sunny Day and Blast from the Past (2013–2015)
- Shrek trade paperback sequel to Shrek Forever After (2010), along with a 4-issue run (2010–2011)
- Strawberry Shortcake multiple series and specials (2011–2012)
Honors and Recognitions
- 2009 Project Fanboy Award for "Best Storyline" – awarded to Fiction Clemens
- 2011 Eisner Award nomination for "Best Publication for Kids" – for the title Scratch9