Verotik
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Comic book publishing |
| Founded | August 1994 |
| Founder | Glenn Danzig |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Glenn Danzig (Founder), Valarie Jones (former editor-in-chief), Steven Wardlaw (former editor-in-chief), Hart D. Fisher (former editor) |
| Products | Comics, graphic novels, reprints, novels |
Verotik is a U.S.-based comic book publisher established by musician Glenn Danzig. Its publications primarily cater to mature audiences, frequently containing graphic sexual and violent themes.
Among its most prominent series are Verotika (comprising 15 issues) and the two volumes of Satanika, totaling 13 issues. Verotik attracted attention in the market with its high-end variant "chase covers" that featured nudity intended exclusively for adult readers. The company was most prolific from 1994 until 2001, with only limited comic releases occurring after 2009.
Distinguished artists who have contributed include Simon Bisley, Jae Lee, Tim Vigil, Liam Sharp, Martin Emond, Drew Posada, Jason Pearson, Shelby Robertson, Hart D. Fisher, Joe Chiodo, and Duke Mighten.
History
Glenn Danzig, a lifelong enthusiast of comics and a musician recognized for his work in heavy metal and horror punk genres, founded Verotik in August 1994. The company’s name is a fusion of the words "violent" and "erotic," signifying its specialization in adult-oriented horror comics.
Initially, Valarie Jones from New Comics Group served as editor-in-chief, but after her departure in 1995, Steven Wardlaw assumed leadership. Between 1994 and 1995, writer and independent publisher Hart D. Fisher held the editorial role.
Verotik’s publishing strategy combined original erotic horror stories with reprints of Golden Age comics during the period from 1994 to 1998. Notably, it was the first American publisher to translate and distribute Go Nagai’s Devilman series.
Beyond comic books, Verotik ventured into other media by publishing Edward Lee’s novel Header in 1995, which was later adapted into a feature film. Additionally, the comic Grub Girl was transformed into an adult film released in 2006 featuring Brittney Skye and Eva Angelina, directed by Craven Moorehead—a collaborator with Danzig on music video projects.
Attempts to branch out into animation included plans for a Satanika movie produced by Japanese studio Madhouse; although the full film was never completed, a short pilot was created and distributed at conventions.
More recently, Cleopatra Entertainment released Verotika (2019), an anthology horror movie written, directed, and scored by Danzig himself, inspired by the company’s flagship comic series.
Danzig remains actively involved in adapting Verotik properties for film, including directing the forthcoming Ge Rouge, underscoring the company’s ongoing emphasis on cross-media expansion within the horror genre.
Controversy
In 1994, Verotik was involved in a trademark dispute initiated by AC Comics concerning reprints of Phantom Lady.
In 1996, Planet Comics, a retailer based in Oklahoma City, faced legal action for "trafficking in obscene materials" due to sales of Verotik’s Verotika #4. Following a police raid and prosecution driven by groups such as the Christian Coalition and Oklahomans for Children and Families, the store owners pleaded guilty to two felony counts. They received deferred prison sentences along with fines but avoided incarceration.
Catalogue of Publications
- Alphabet of Murder (1994), Issue #1
- Albino Spider of Dajette (1997–1998), Issues #0.5 & 1–2
- Bizo: The Intense Art of Simon Bisley (1997)
- Chiodo: Darkworks (2004); a compilation of artwork by Joe Chiodo
- Dalkiel: The Prophecy Issue #1
- Dark Horror of Morella (2000) featuring art by Tim Vigil
- Darker Horror of Morella (2001)
- Darkest Horror of Morella (2006)
- Death Dealer (1995–1997), Issues #1–4; artwork by Liam Sharp inspired by Frank Frazetta's painting
- Drukija: Contessa of Blood (2007); illustrated prose by Simon Bisley
- Ge Rouge (1997–1998), Issues 0.5 & #1–3
- G.O.T.H. (1995–1996), Issues #1–3 with art by Liam Sharp
- Grub Girl (1997), Issue #1
- Igrat (1995), Issues #1–2
- The Infernals (2017)
- Inquisitor (2002)
- Jaguar God series: Volume 1 (1996–1997), Issues #1–7; Illustrations (2001); Return to Xibalba (2003); Snake Brothers Revenge (2013)
- Joe Chiodo: How to Draw and Paint Pin-Ups (2006)
- Joe Chiodo: Works of Art (2003)
- Satanika Volume 1 (1995), Issues #1–3; Volume 2 (1995–1999), Issues #1–10, featuring art by Shelby Robertson
- Shin Devilman (1995–1996), Issues #1–3
- Sunglasses After Dark (1995–1996), Issues 0.5 & 1–6
- Venus Domina (1996–1997), Issues #1–3
- Verotika (1994–1997), Issues #1–15
- Verotik Illustrated (1997–1998), Issues #1–3
- Verotik World issues from 2002 to 2004, #1–3; and issue #4 in 2014
- WingBird series including special editions and various releases spanning 1996 through 1999
Reprints from the Golden Age
- Black Angel Issue #1 (1996) — features eight stories originally from Hillman Periodicals' 1941 publication, Air Fighters Comics
- Blue Bolt (1998) — a trade paperback compiling comics from Novelty Press' original Blue Bolt series
- Phantom Lady: Crime Never Pays (1994) — reprints selections from the Phantom Lady comic series