Boom! Studios

Boom! Studios

Company type	Division
Industry	Comic books, graphic novels publishing
Founded	2005 (2005)
Founder	Ross Richie, Andrew Cosby
Headquarters	Los Angeles , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Ross Richie (co-founder)
Products	Comic books, graphic novels
Parent	Random House (Penguin Random House)
Website	www.boom-studios.com

Boom! Studios (presented as BOOM! Studios) is a comic book and graphic novel publisher based in Los Angeles, California, United States. Since September 2024, it has been operating as a division of Random House, which is part of the larger Penguin Random House organization.

2000s

In 2004, Ross Richie and Andrew Cosby, while working in Hollywood, aimed to revive the 1980s comic publisher Atomeka Press. During this period, Richie secured an agreement with Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis to publish their series Hero Squared. The duo established Boom! Studios in 2005, driven by dissatisfaction with the predominant "tights and capes" themes common in mainstream comics. Giffen encouraged Richie to launch Boom! following his appearance at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention.

Boom!'s debut release was the horror anthology Zombie Tales #1, published jointly with Atomeka Press on June 29, 2005. After Richie parted ways with Atomeka, Hero Squared became Boom!'s first comic distributed exclusively under its own branding, shipping out in July 2005.

At its inception, Boom! focused on original series created by established industry professionals. Giffen contributed works such as Hero Squared, Planetary Brigade, and Zombie Tales. DeMatteis brought over his series The Stardust Kid from Image Comics. Other notable contributors included Eisner Award recipient Dave Johnson and Joe Casey.

In 2006, Boom! expanded into licensed properties by partnering with Games Workshop to publish Warhammer 40,000: Damnation Crusade, broadening its audience. The following year, Boom! released Steven Grant’s crime/action comic 2 Guns, which Cosby and Richie later co-produced as a film in 2013.

During the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con, Boom! unveiled its initial imprint dedicated to children's comics, originally called Zoom!, which officially launched as Boom! Kids in 2009. The imprint secured licensing agreements with Pixar for comic adaptations and achieved newsstand distribution. Notable titles included The Muppet Show and The Incredibles: Family Matters. In February 2011, Boom! Kids was rebranded as KaBOOM!, expanding its audience to encompass readers of all ages.

Also in 2007, Boom! appointed Mark Waid as Editor-in-Chief; he later assumed the role of Chief Creative Officer before returning to freelance work at the end of 2010. Under Waid’s leadership, successful series such as Irredeemable (2009) were developed—this title became Boom!’s longest-running series at that time with a total of 37 issues—alongside its companion series Incorruptible.

2010s

In July 2010, Matt Gagnon, previously Managing Editor, was elevated to Editor-in-Chief.

At the beginning of 2013, Boom! launched the #WeAreBoom! initiative to highlight that the company comprises not only its creators and employees but also its fans and retail partners. In June of that year, Boom! acquired Archaia Studios Press, maintaining it as an independent imprint within the company. By October 2013, Boom! had secured a first-look agreement with 20th Century Fox, granting Fox priority rights to develop Boom!’s comic properties for film or television adaptations; under this deal, both Boom! and the original creators receive a share of first-dollar gross revenues.

In January 2015, Boom! introduced "Push Comics Forward," a public relations campaign aimed at fostering inclusivity and diversity throughout the comic book industry.

In June 2017, 20th Century Fox purchased a $10 million minority stake in Boom! Studios. This ownership interest was subsequently transferred to The Walt Disney Company following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox assets in March 2019.

2020s

In April 2020, Boom! Studios entered into a first-look television agreement with Netflix. Later, in July 2024, Penguin Random House reached an agreement to purchase Boom! Studios from The Walt Disney Company, integrating it into its Random House division, with the deal finalized on September 17, 2024.

Imprints

Boom! manages four primary imprints: the flagship Boom! brand, the all-ages oriented KaBOOM!, Archaia, and Boom! Box.

Boom! Studios

The Boom! imprint specializes in action-driven comics targeting teen and adult audiences.

Originals

Boom!'s original publications cover a variety of genres such as young adult science fiction, horror, and crime noir. Prominent titles include The Woods by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas; the horror-action series Day Men, which garnered Harvey Award nominations and was optioned by Universal Pictures; and the crime noir Hit, also recognized by Harvey Award nominations. The multi-genre series Sirens, created by artist George Pérez, spans fantasy to science fiction. The pulp sci-fi mini-series Six Gun Gorilla, written by Si Spurrier with art by Jeff Stokely, received several Harvey nominations. Additionally, Boom! published Clive Barker's Next Testament.

Although generally steering clear of superhero themes, Boom! has released titles such as Grace Randolph's Supurbia. Critically acclaimed original series include Mark Waid's Irredeemable, which ran for 37 issues and received multiple award nods alongside its companion series, Incorruptible, as well as Mike Carey's Suicide Risk, nominated for "Best New Series" and "Best Single Issue or Story."

In 2013, Boom! collaborated with Max Bemis of Say Anything on the limited mini-series Polarity, featuring a bipolar superhero that was optioned for television by Fox. Bemis also authored the 12-issue ongoing series Evil Empire in 2014.

October 2020 saw the release of BRZRKR, co-created by actor Keanu Reeves, writer Matt Kindt, and artist Ron Garney. This series chronicles the journey of an immortal warrior known as Berzerker across different eras.

Licenses

Boom! Studios has produced numerous comic adaptations based on popular films, with its Planet of the Apes series standing as the longest-running adaptation. Key installments include: Planet of the Apes (16 issues plus specials), Betrayal on the Planet of the Apes (4 issues), Exile on Planet of the Apes (4 issues), and Planet of the Apes: Cataclysm (12 issues). Ahead of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Boom! released a free one-shot prelude online. At San Diego Comic-Con 2014, they launched Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Contagion, which connects two films, followed by a six-issue limited series continuing the modern movie storyline. The original film continuity also featured a crossover event with Star Trek: The Original Series in collaboration with IDW Publishing.

Additional film adaptations include ongoing series for Big Trouble In Little China, penned by Eric Powell and John Carpenter; an Escape from New York comic; an ongoing title for Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure; an eight-issue run of RoboCop; and 28 Days Later, bridging the original film and its sequel. Boom! also produced a 12-issue series based on Clive Barker's Nightbreed, newly launched Hellraiser comics, eight issues of Die Hard: Year One focusing on John McClane’s early years, as well as a comic tie-in for Jennifer's Body.

On the television front, Boom! has published comics derived from shows such as Sleepy Hollow, Sons of Anarchy, and Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock. Their licensed Farscape comics, co-written by creator Rockne S. O’Bannon, include six mini-series along with a 24-issue ongoing series that continues official show canon. They have also created tie-ins for SyFy's Eureka and classic TV’s The Avengers (Steed and Mrs. Peel). In 2012, Boom! reissued the Grant Morrison/Ian Gibson mini-series Steed and Mrs. Peel. In June 2015, Boom! secured the license for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, launching a monthly comic in January 2016 followed by a limited spinoff series titled MMPR: Pink in June 2016.

Boom! has adapted works from distinguished authors including Philip K. Dick and Michael Moorcock. Their 24-issue maxi-series based on Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? preserved all original text and earned a 2010 Eisner Award nomination for Best New Series. This was followed by a prequel titled Dust to Dust. In 2011, Boom! introduced Elric: The Balance Lost, featuring Michael Moorcock’s character Elric of Melniboné alongside other Eternal Champions.

Within gaming licenses, Boom! partnered with Games Workshop beginning in 2006 to produce 42 comics compiled into nine graphic novels set within Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy universes. Noteworthy mini-series included titles such as Damnation Crusade, Blood and Thunder, and Kieron Gillen’s Crown of Destruction. The final Games Workshop series shipped in 2009.

Boom! also publishes music-related adaptations, converting Rush’s album Clockwork Angels into comic form and creating comics based on Coheed and Cambria’s narrative in The Amory Wars.

In July 2018, Boom! acquired the comic book rights to Joss Whedon’s Firefly, planning new monthly titles, limited runs, and original graphic novels.

By May 2020, Boom! obtained rights to adapt the 1999 prequel novel Dune: House Atreides into a twelve-issue comic book series written by original authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

KaBOOM!

KaBOOM!, initially introduced as Boom! Kids, offers a variety of series designed for audiences across all age groups.

Roger Langridge's Snarked! spanned 12 issues (compiled into 3 graphic novels) between 2011 and 2012, earning an Eisner Award. His subsequent series, Abigail and the Snowman, debuted in December 2014.

Licenses

Boom! has released numerous Pixar franchises, encompassing nearly the full roster of characters: The Incredibles, Cars, Toy Story, Wall-E, Finding Nemo, and Monsters, Inc., featuring both mini-series and ongoing titles.

The publisher also developed multiple series starring The Muppets, adopting two editorial styles: a primary series rooted in The Muppet Show by Roger Langridge, alongside mini-series that reinterpret classic public domain fairy tales with The Muppets cast.

Beginning in September 2009, Boom! Kids started issuing comics spotlighting Disney's "Standard Characters" such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto. This initiative grew into six ongoing titles:

• Donald Duck and Friends picked up from Gemstone Publishing, including Italian-originated subseries "DoubleDuck" and later reprints of timeless works by Carl Barks, Don Rosa, among others.
• Uncle Scrooge continued Gemstone's numbering sequence, reprinting early 1990s DuckTales comics before launching a fresh original DuckTales series; subsequent issues reverted to classic reprints.
• Mickey Mouse and Friends introduced the popular Wizards of Mickey series (later retitled to Mickey Mouse), combining classic Floyd Gottfredson and Paul Murry stories with new translations.
• Walt Disney's Comics and Stories maintained Gemstone's legacy, including archival editions of early releases.
• Spin-offs encompassed an eight-issue run of Wizards of Mickey and a six-issue original DuckTales series initiated in 2011.
• Boom! Kids also reissued Don Rosa’s Eisner Award-winning hardcover collection of The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, along with other classic anthologies featuring works from Carl Barks, Walt Kelly, Floyd Gottfredson, Daan Jippes, and Romano Scarpa.

From June 2010 onward, Boom! Kids published comics inspired by the Disney Afternoon lineup:

• An 18-issue series of Darkwing Duck, concluding in October 2011 with the crossover arc "Dangerous Currency" that connected to a new six-issue DuckTales run scripted by renowned video game designer Warren Spector.
• A related title, Disney's Hero Squad, spotlighted the Ultraheroes across eight issues before its conclusion.

Additional licensed KaBoom! titles include Charles Schulz’s Peanuts, Jim Davis’s Garfield, and Frederator productions such as Bravest Warriors and Bee and Puppycat.

Other titles

• In December 2010, Boom! issued an eight-issue comic series based on Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers.
• On December 27, 2011, KaBoom! secured the license to produce comics for Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, with writing by Ryan North and artwork by Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb.
• KaBoom! released the original series Snarked, created by two-time Harvey Award recipient Roger Langridge, starting with a $1 issue #0 in August 2010 and concluding in September 2012.
• In December 2011, KaBoom! obtained rights to create comic adaptations for 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios’ animated films from the Ice Age franchise.
• March 2010 saw KaBoom! publish a graphic novel adaptation of the Peanuts special Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, followed by a $1 standalone introduction issue (#0) in November 2011 presenting new Peanuts narratives.
• In May 2012, Boom! Studios launched a monthly comic book for Garfield under license from Paws, Inc., featuring scripts by Mark Evanier with art by Gary Barker.
• A comic book adaptation of the animated series Bravest Warriors was announced at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2012 and began publication in October that year.
• An eight-issue comic run based on Steven Universe was published from August 2014 through March 2015; this was followed by several miniseries and ongoing projects until 2018 involving writers Jeremy Sorese, Joseceline Fenton, Melanie Gillman, alongside artists including Coleman Engle and Katy Farina.
• The five-issue miniseries titled Ruinworld, both written and illustrated by Derek Laufman, was released in July 2018.
• Other limited series include Capture Creatures (November 2014–February 2015) by Frank Gibson and Rebecca Dreistadt; Roger Langridge’s Abigail and the Snowman (December 2014–March 2015); and Kelly Thompson with Brianne Drouhard’s Mega Princess (November 2016–April 2017).
• An eight-issue comic adaptation of The Amazing World of Gumball, developed by Frank Gibson and Tyson Hesse, ran between June 2014 and March 2015.
• The eight-issue series for Rocko's Modern Life, penned by Ryan Ferrier with illustrations from Ian McGinty, was published from December 2017 through September 2018.
• The four-issue miniseries titled Brave Chef Brianna (2017) featured writing by Sam Sykes accompanied by artwork from Selina Espiritu.
• An eleven-issue comic book series based on the animated show Bee and Puppycat, spanning May 2014 to April 2016, included contributions from creator Natasha Allegri along with various writers and artists.

Boom! Box

Boom! Box serves as an experimental label catering to both children and adults, emphasizing cutting-edge and inventive storytelling.

Originals

The imprint's inaugural release was The Midas Flesh, crafted by Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb—the creative team responsible for Boom!'s acclaimed Adventure Time comic series. Following that, Lumberjanes was introduced, developed by ND Stevenson, Grace Ellis, editor Shannon Watters, and artist Gus Allen. Originally launched as a limited series, Lumberjanes evolved into an ongoing title spanning 75 issues plus a concluding one-shot, alongside three standalone graphic novels and four annual specials. Starting with issue 18, the writing duties for all Lumberjanes comics have been handled by Watters and Kat Leyh. Other notable Boom! Box offerings include Teen Dog by Jake Lawrence, Giant Days created by John Allison and Max Sarin, as well as the Punching Zoo anthology from Cyanide & Happiness.

Prominent miniseries under this imprint include:

• The Backstagers (8 issues, Aug 2016–Mar 2017), written by James Tynion IV with art by Rian Sygh
• Jonesy (12 issues, Feb 2016–Apr 2017), by Sam Humphries and Caitlyn Rose Boyle
• By Night (12 issues, Jun 2018–Jun 2019), created by John Allison and Christine Larsen
• Welcome to Wanderland (4 issues, Sep 2018–Feb 2019), by Jacqueline Ball and Maddi Gonzalez
• Four one-shot Lumberjanes editions released between 2015 and 2018 featuring contributions from writers such as Faith Erin Hicks, Kelly Thompson, and Holly Black
• Nuclear Winter, a three-issue graphic novel miniseries (2018–2019) by Caroline Breault (Cab)
• Slam! (4 issues, Nov 2016–Feb 2017) along with its follow-up Slam! The Next Jam (late 2017), penned by Pamela Ribon
• The ongoing series Fence, which began publication in November 2017, written by C. S. Pacat with illustrations from Johanna the Mad
• Dodge City (4 issues, Mar–Jun 2018), by Josh Trujillo and Cara McGee
• The graphic novel Hollow released in 2022, inspired by "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

With its eclectic range of titles, Boom! Box enhances Boom!'s footprint in the youth and adult graphic novel segments, demonstrating strategic innovation through diverse narrative approaches and collaborative creator partnerships.

Licenses

• Boom! published an ongoing comic adaptation of Munchkin, which ran from January 2015 until January 2017.
• In August 2017, a graphic novel adaptation of Clueless, titled Senior Year, was issued. It was authored by Amber Benson & Sarah Kuhn with artwork by Siobhan Keenan.

Boom! Town

Between 2010 and 2012, Boom! managed the Boom! Town imprint, which concentrated on "literary comics." Its initial offering was Robert Crumb Trading Cards. The imprint's first book release, Wheeler's I Thought You Would Be Funnier, earned the Eisner Award in 2011.

Originals

• "The Show Must Go On" (October 2011) compiled previously uncollected works from Roger Langridge, including "Fred the Clown" and "Mugwump" comic strips.

Archaia

In June 2013, Boom! expanded its portfolio through the acquisition of Archaia Entertainment, incorporating it as an imprint to broaden its market reach and diversify its catalog.

Distribution

Since 2018, Boom! Studios has partnered exclusively with Diamond Comics Distributors for the distribution of their single-issue comics and graphic novels within the Direct Market. Their graphic novels are made available to the book retail sector through collaborations with Simon & Schuster in the United States (starting in 2009), HarperCollins in Canada, Titan Books in the United Kingdom, and Diamond Book Distributors for international markets.

Awards

• Awarded "Best New Publisher" by Wizard Magazine in 2005
• Recipient of multiple Diamond Gem Awards as "Comic Book Publisher of the Year (Under 4%)" from 2009 through 2019
• Honored with the 2010 Harvey Awards for "Best Original Graphic Publication For Younger Readers" for The Muppet Show by Roger Langridge
• Winner of the 2011 Eisner Awards for "Best Humor Publication" with I Thought You Would Be Funnier by Shannon Wheeler
• In 2012, Mark Waid earned the Eisner Awards title of "Best Writer" for his work on Irredeemable and Incorruptible; additionally, Snarked! by Roger Langridge was awarded "Best Publication for Kids Age 8–12"
• The year 2013 saw both Eisner Awards and Harvey Awards recognize Adventure Time by Ryan North and team as Best Publication for Kids and Best Humor Publication respectively
• Between 2014 and 2016, multiple Harvey Awards were granted, including "Best Original Graphic Publication For Younger Readers" awarded to Lumberjanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, and ND Stevenson
• Earned the Diamond Gem Award for "Comic Book Publisher of the Year (Under 4%)" in 2016
• Received the Diamond Gem Award for "Comic Book Publisher of the Year (Under 3%)" in 2018
• In 2019, Diamond Gem Awards acknowledged licensed comic Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 as Licensed Comic of the Year and bestowed Once and Future with Best Comic Book of the Year ($3.99 or under) and Best New Comic Book Series honors

Award nominations

• Nominated in 2009 for "Comic Book of the Year Over 3.00" with Irredeemable
• 2009 nomination for "Reprint TP or HC of the Year" for Irredeemable volume 1
• In 2010, Irredeemable was up for "Best Continuing Series" at the Eisner Award
• Also in 2010, Irredeemable was nominated for "Best New Series" at both the Eisner Award and Harvey Award
• The same year, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep received a nomination for "Best New Series" at the Eisner Award
• Mark Waid earned nominations in 2010 for "Best Writer" at both the Eisner Award (for work on Irredeemable & The Incredibles) and Harvey Awards (for Irredeemable)
• John Cassaday was nominated in 2010 as "Best Cover Artist" at the Eisner Award for his work on Irredeemable, alongside Sean Phillips who was nominated for "28 Days Later"
• The "The Muppet Show Comic Book" by Roger Langridge received nominations in 2010 for "Best Humor Publication" at the Eisner Award, as well as "Best Cartoonist" and a "Special Award for Humor In Comics" at the Harvey Awards
• Damian Couciero was nominated in 2011 as "Best Inker" for "Hawks of Outremer"
• Roger Langridge again received a nomination in 2011 for a "Special Award for Humor In Comics" related to "The Muppet Show Comic Book"
• Shannon Wheeler was nominated in 2011 for a similar humor award at the Harvey Awards with I Thought You Would Be Funnier
• The anthology CBGB, edited by Ian Brill, was nominated in 2011 for "Best Anthology" at the Harvey Awards
• Mark Waid earned another nomination in 2011 as "Best Writer" at the Harvey Awards for his work on Irredeemable
• In 2013, Adventure Time received nominations at the Eisner Award for "Best New Series," "Best Humor Publication," and "Best Publication for Teens 13–17"
• The year 2014 brought numerous nominations at the Harvey Awards including:
  • Jeff Stokely as "Best Artist" for Six Gun Gorilla
  • David Peterson recognized as "Best Cartoonist" for Mouse Guard
  • Steve Wands nominated as "Best Letterer" for Adventure Time
  • Britt Wilson nominated as "Best Letterer" for Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake
  • Vanesa R. Del Rey nominated as "Best Inker" for Hit
  • Brian Stelfreeze nominated both as "Best Inker" and "Best Cover Artist" for Day Men
  • Jeff Stokely also recognized as "Most Promising New Talent" for Six Gun Gorilla
  • Six Gun Gorilla nominated as "Best New Series"
  • "Suicide Risk" nominated as "Best New Series"
  • Hit nominated as "Best Continuing or Limited Series"
  • Anthologies "Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard v2," "Spera v3," and "Thrilling Adventure Hour" each nominated as Best Anthology
  • The Reason For Dragons nominated as Best Graphic Album: Original
  • Mouse Guard volume three: The Black Axe and Polarity nominated as Best Graphic Album: Previously Published
  • "Adventure Time Annual #1" and Suicide Risk #5 received nominations for Best Single Issue or Story
  • "Fraggle Rock Classics v2" nominated as Best Domestic Reprint Project
  • The Killer volume four nominated as Best American Edition of Foreign Material
  • Ryan North honored with a Special Award for Humor in Comics related to Adventure Time
  • Thrilling Adventure Hour recognized with a Special Award for Excellence in Presentation
  • Adventure Time awarded Best Original Graphic Publication for Younger Readers
• At the 2014 Gemmie Awards:
  • Big Trouble in Little China #1 won Comic Book of the Year – Over $3.00
  • Lumberjanes named Best New Comic Book Series
  • Adventure Time Original GN Vol. 3: Seeing Red awarded Original Graphic Novel of the Year
  • Spera: Ascension of the Starless won Anthology of the Year
  • Adventure Time recognized as Best All-Ages Series
  • KaBOOM! Summer Blast honored as Best Free Comic Book Day Book

Digital comics

On January 3, 2008, Boom! made history as the first comic publisher to provide a digital download on the same day as its print release, through a partnership with MySpace Comic Books.

Exactly one year later, on January 6, 2009, Boom! teamed up once more with MySpace Comic Books to deliver a complimentary digital day-and-date launch for Hexed. This initiative was paired with the "5 for 500" campaign, which distributed five free copies to each of the top 500 direct market retailers.

To coincide with the debut of the Hellraiser comic series on March 23, 2011, Boom! offered a free downloadable PDF featuring an original short story titled Prelude to Hellraiser, co-authored by Clive Barker, as part of the promotional efforts.

In July 2011, in advance of the release of Elric: The Balance Lost, Boom! published an eight-page prelude web comic available online at no cost.

Prior to the premiere of the film Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Boom! serialized a complimentary digital comic prelude, utilizing cross-media marketing strategies to broaden its audience reach and strengthen its product offerings.

Alternate reality gaming

On March 4, 2009, Boom! Studios unveiled Mark Sable's series Unthinkable and launched an alternate reality game designed to drive pre-order engagement.

Boom! App

Boom! became the second comic publisher to introduce a dedicated branded app on June 15, 2010, following Marvel Comics' initial release in April.

See also

• List of Boom! Studios publications
• Recharged

External links

• Michael Alan Nelson podcast interview at comiXology