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AMP Comics Launches with partnerships with The Op, Script2Comic, and Kodansha

Posted on July 23, 2024 by Graphic Policy Team

AMP Comics has announced its planned launch in 2025 with distribution through Diamond in the direct market and Simon & Schuster in the bookstore market. AMP brings together several film and comic industry veterans to establish a sustainable, creator-first publishing model. With a focus on quality over quantity and effective marketing, AMP is dedicated to benefiting both creators and readers alike.

AMP has secured a first-look deal with The Op aka USAopoly, giving the board game giant the first opportunity to create games based on AMP’s books. Additionally, AMP is now the official publisher of the Script2Comic Contest, with the 2024 winner’s work set to be financed and published in partnership with Kodansha Japan.

Leading AMP Comics as CEO is Don Handfield, a seasoned comic creator whose first book, The Rift, was adapted for television by Steven Spielberg for the Amazing Stories reboot on Apple+. Handfield is also a successful film producer and TV creator. His extensive entertainment industry experience, combined with his roles as a partner in comic financier Thunder and former board member of Scout Comics, uniquely position him to guide AMP Comics into board games, videogames, film, television, and other mediums.

Joshua Starnes, a founding partner of Red 5 Comics, takes on the role of President. David Byrne, creator of indie hits such as Stake and former co-publisher at Scout Comics, will oversee release and development strategy as Publisher. Joining them are Joel Rodriguez as Design Director, Joshua Malkin as Editor-in-Chief, and Jordan Moore as Director of Development. Additional partners and advisory board members will be announced in the coming weeks.

AMP Comics will operate as a boutique creator-based label, focusing on a select number of high-quality titles that are marketed effectively and provide transparent and timely royalties to creators. Among its exciting lineup of launch titles, MC Foley’s LoveStruck has already been picked up for development as a television series by Ryan Reynolds’ production company Maximum Effort.

Other AMP launch titles include House of Lowther by writer-artist K Lynn Smith, Lost Boy: The Origin of Peter Pan, Kronos, a sci-fi thriller by Alain Soussokho, and Saving Santa, a Christmas story by Arun Narayanan.

Additionally, Honour Bound, an origin story of Robin Hood by Omri Rose, Ambergris, a World War II historical epic by Jacobo Fe Gismera, and the recent Horror2Comic winner Hillbillies vs. Alien Chickens from Nicholas Tana will be featured. Indie hit She Bites will also see all future volumes published by the new label.

SDCC 2024: AMP Comics promises a new era

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Graphic Policy Team

Comic enthusiasts and industry insiders are in for an exciting revelation at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con with the official launch of AMP, a new indie comic label. This highly anticipated panel, “AMP Up Your Comic Collection: A New Era Begins,” will take place on Friday, July 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in Room Grand 10 & 11 at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.

AMP is set to make an impact on the comic world through its partnerships with Kodansha board game publisher The Op and production companies including Maximum Effort. Attendees will be among the first to hear about Kodansha’s role in producing the inaugural AMP/Script2Comic collaboration in the USA, with potential for worldwide manga publication.

This panel will provide a unique glimpse into the future of AMP Comics and its innovative partnerships that bridge comics, manga, and gaming. Panelists will discuss the collaborative efforts and creative processes behind these ventures, offering valuable insights for creators and fans alike.

Panelists Include:

AMP Executives and Creators
Kevin Hill – Maximum Effort
Representatives from Kodansha
Representatives from The Op

Dive into Red 5 Comics’ July Releases

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Graphic Policy Team

MYSTERY BROTHERS #1

(W) Quentin Lee (A) Elis Zill
FC · 32 pages · $3.95
Available July 20, 2022
MAY221721

When teenage Jin Huang goes to spend the summer with his estranged scientist father, Huang Ming Guang, he gets an unexpected surprise. Jin meets Adam, another teen who is introduced as his stepbrother. As Jin explores the research facility on the private island, he soon realizes his strange new brother holds a mysterious secret.

DRAGON WHISPERER: THE SEARCH FOR OBSIDIAN #2

(W) Alex Deluca (A / CA) Glen Fernandez
FC · 32 pages · $3.95
Available July 13, 2022
MAY221720

Rosalinda the Dragon Whisperer and her brave cohorts begin their search for Obsidian the Dragon! Stalking them closely are ancient enemies that would sooner see their quest fail. Just as things start to look grim, an old friend shows up to turn the tide! Meanwhile the origin of Obsidian is retold as we see the young dragon grow in his abilities and his desire to help mistreated creatures. Not all, though, see this kindness as a good thing, and troubles culminate in the first epic battle between Obsidian and Ack!

BEORN: THE LITTLEST VIKING #3

(W/A) Ben Bender
FC · 32 pages · $3.95
Available July 6, 2022
MAY221718

Welcome to the Dark Forest! It’s got dangerous trolls! And treacherous traps! And… cookies? Beorn meets one of the local inhabitants of the island while traveling the Dark Forest. Unfortunately, their first meeting gets off to a rocky start. But, what else would you expect from a Viking and a Troll?

THE BOX VOL. 1

(W) Joshua Starnes (A/CA) Raymond Estrada
FC · 112 page · $14.95
Available July 27, 2022
MAY221719

This is the story of Xira, a laboratory chimpanzee subjected to neural and synaptic enhancement experiments in order to increase her natural abilities and thereby make her capable of completing a mission in space. But, using her sharpened mind, Xira will do whatever it takes to save her baby from becoming another test subject for this ruthless project.

Merlin Hector Debuts in October for Red 5 Comics Plus The Box and Verge

Posted on July 31, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

MERLIN & HECTOR #1

(W) Rodolfo Santullo (A) Jok
FC · 32 page · $3.95
Available October 27, 2021
AUG211979

Before King Arthur, before Camelot, before Excalibur there was Merlin the swineherd. A young man of an unexceptional past who has never heard of magic, Merlin is looking at a life of hard work and small comfort, until his farm his attacked one night by rampaging monsters. Only local thief Hector believes him, but when the attacks increase it will be up to these two outcasts to save their village.

THE BOX #3

(W) Joshua Starnes (A) Raymond Estrada
FC · 32 page · $3.95
Available October 13, 2021
AUG211976

Leo meets the mysterious man searching for the Box while Clair plots her escape from the Mob. But even if she saves herself, can she save Leo?

VERGE #2

(W) Bryce McLellan (A) Silvio dB
FC · 32 page · $3.95
Available October 20, 2021
AUG211977

Connie is held captive by Jack Curious, the mysterious and dangerous fugitive who knows the secrets of the Verge. But Connie has secrets of her own, and Jack is intent on finding out who she was before she came to New York. Back in the city, Lucy and the police force prepare to storm a Viking mead hall.

Red 5 Comics in September includes Verge and The Box

Posted on July 3, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

VERGE #1

(W) Bryce McLellan (A) Silvio dB
FC · 32 page · $3.95
Available September 29, 2021
JUL211889

A mysterious time travel event known as the Verge had brought thousands of people from across all of history to New York City. Vikings, Samurai, Romans, Mayans, Cavemen, and thousands of others all live in a vast and turbulent melting pot. Connie Liu, an NYPD Detective, investigates the murder of three Samurai, a case which threatens to turn the divisions in the city into all out war.

THE BOX #2

(W) Joshua Starnes (A) Raymond Estrada
FC · 32 page · $3.95
Available September 22, 2021
JUL211888

Leo Bloom is a private detective. His partner is a Box. A magic Box from which he can take whatever he can imagine … some of the time. But when he’s framed for the kidnapping of a prominent scholar Leo suspects a plot to take his prized possession from him. Can he find out before either the police or the Mafia find him?

The Box is Coming from Red 5 Comics in August

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

Red 5 Comics has revealed their comics that are coming to shops in August 2021!

Check out the full solicit below:

THE BOX #1

(W) Joshua Starnes (A) Raymond Estrada
FC · 32 page · $3.95
Available August 18, 2021
JUN211738

Joshua Starnes and Raymond Estrada Open The Box at Red 5 Comics this Summer

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

Red 5 Comics releases its newest hit series The Box this August. Delving into the world of magic and mystery, writer Joshua Starnes introduces readers to the strange world of Leo Bloom. Leo is a private detective. His partner is a Box. A magic Box from which he can take whatever he can imagine … some of the time. But when he’s framed for the kidnapping of a prominent scholar Leo suspects a plot to take his prized possession from him. Can he find out before either the police or the Mafia find him?

A classical noir story in the vein of The Maltese Falcon and The Long Goodbye, but with a magical twist, The Box introduces us to a world of monsters and murder right next door to our everyday lives.

Starnes is joined by exciting newcomer Raymond Estrada to create a world of tiger-headed mobsters, immortal bagmen, and crotchety homicide lieutenants. Red 5 Comics will release the four-issue series monthly from August to November 2021.

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