Dark Horse Comics
Mike Richardson opened Dark Horse Comics in Milwaukie, Oregon, during 1986. He used money from his chain of comic book shops called Pegasus Books to start the company. The first issue, Dark Horse Presents No. 1, sold approximately 50,000 copies. This number far exceeded predictions for a new publisher at that time. Paul Chadwick's Concrete made its first appearance in that initial issue alongside Chris Warner's Black Cross. The series became a platform for new creators to highlight their works. Richardson recruited artists and writers through contacts he had made while involved with the Amateur Press Association. Randy Stradley was an early collaborator who helped build the team. The success of Dark Horse Comics can be attributed to a change in comic book marketing that occurred in the 1980s when comics began to be sold in comic specific stores.
Dark Horse evolved further by buying rights to several major titles after its initial success. They acquired Godzilla in 1987 and then Aliens and Predator in 1989. Star Wars licensing came later in 1991, which was owned by Marvel prior to the Dark Horse Comics acquisition. In 1992, Richardson formed Dark Horse Entertainment, the company's critically acclaimed film and television division. The release of the first Aliens comic in 1988 and Predator in 1988 allowed popular characters to appear in their own line as well as Dark Horse Presents. Numerous crossovers included Superman and Batman of DC Comics, and WildC.A.T.s. Frank Miller introduced Sin City in a 1991 issue of Dark Horse Presents, one of the most successful titles. The Mask, a miniseries from Mark Badger, debuted in Dark Horse Presents 10-20 in 1991 and had a successful film adaptation starring Jim Carrey in 1994. However comic sales were not strengthened by the success of the film. Dark House also published Tarzan starting in 1995 until it ended in 1998.
In December 2021, Swedish gaming company Embracer Group launched its acquisition of Dark Horse Media, Dark Horse Comics' parent company. They completed the buyout in March 2022. Multiple news outlets highlighted that this deal gives Embracer Group access to Dark House's 300-plus pieces of intellectual property. Sources close to the publisher say that founder and CEO Mike Richardson maintains creative control over Dark Horse under the terms of the deal. The company receives a level of financial stability it hasn't previously enjoyed as an independent entity. This separation occurred even as they parted ways with their deal with Chinese pop culture company Vanguard Visionary Associates. In June 2022, Dark Horse announced a business partnership with Penguin Random House Publishing as the company's new primary comic book distributor. This relationship had been held by Diamond Comics Distributors for thirty years before the change. The multi-year distribution deal began in June 2023. Dark Horse also launched a Gaming and Digital Entertainment Division on the 2nd of June 2021, in partnership with AAA studios.
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Common questions
Who founded Dark Horse Comics and when was it established?
Mike Richardson opened Dark Horse Comics in Milwaukie, Oregon during 1986. He used money from his chain of comic book shops called Pegasus Books to start the company.
What major intellectual properties did Dark Horse Comics acquire after its initial success?
Dark Horse acquired Godzilla in 1987 and then Aliens and Predator in 1989. Star Wars licensing came later in 1991 which was owned by Marvel prior to the Dark House Comics acquisition.
When did Embracer Group complete their acquisition of Dark Horse Media?
Swedish gaming company Embracer Group launched its acquisition of Dark Horse Media in December 2021. They completed the buyout in March 2022.
Which publisher became the primary distributor for Dark Horse Comics in June 2023?
Dark Horse announced a business partnership with Penguin Random House Publishing as the company's new primary comic book distributor in June 2022. The multi-year distribution deal began in June 2023 replacing Diamond Comics Distributors.
What significant division did Mike Richardson form within Dark Horse Comics in 1992?
Richardson formed Dark Horse Entertainment, the company's critically acclaimed film and television division in 1992. This division allowed popular characters like Aliens and Predator to appear in their own lines alongside Dark Horse Presents.