Penguin Random House is acquiring the comic book and graphic novel company, BOOM! Studios, in a deal that will be completed later this summer, at which point BOOM! Studios will be folded into Random House Worlds. Penguin Random House moved into the comic book direct marketplace in a big way back in 2021 when it struck a distribution deal with Marvel Comics, and now Penguin Random House will own a notable player in the direct market industry (interestingly, though, Diamond Distributors will continue to distribute BOOM! Studios comic books in the direct market, despite Penguin Random House distributing Marvel, Dark Horse, and IDW).

BOOM! Studios will remain in Los Angeles, and maintain editorial independence. The section of the company that it will be joining, Random House Worlds, is where the science fiction and fantasy imprint, Del Rey, currently calls home. Besides a number of licensed titles, Random House Worlds also has a recently launched comics imprint called Inklore.

What is BOOM! Studios’ history in the marketplace?

Founded in 2005 in Los Angeles by Ross Richie and Andrew Cosby, BOOM! Studios is made up of BOOM! Studios, proper, as well as Boom! Box, KaBoom!, and Archaia (the comic book company that BOOM! purchased in 2013). Richie will be leaving the company when the deal is finished, and BOOM! Director of strategy Jen Harned will take over, reporting to Random House Worlds president Scott Shannon.

BOOM! has made a name for itself with its acclaimed licensed comics, including its long-running Power Rangers line of books (as well as Dune, Firefly,Dark Crystal, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and many more), but it has also launched its own successful properties, like the all-ages breakout series, Lumberjanes, and the Keanu Reeves-driven BRZRKR series. BOOM! had previously had a piece of the company purchased by Fox (which was then purchased by Disney). That stake in the company is being bought by Penguin Random House, as well.

Scott Shannon called the addition of BOOM! to Penguin Random House, “a major step in Penguin Random House’s expansion of support to the direct comics market and a key part of our commitment to being the best publisher for creators across all categories.”

Penguin Random House was unable to close a deal for Simon & Schuster after the U.S. government blocked the purchase, so it apparently is being aggressive in making other acquisitions.

Source: Publisher’s Weekly