Tag Archives: nbm publishing

Ablaze Acquires NBM

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NBM

NBM has announced that it has been acquired by Ablaze in an asset sale. NBM co-founder Terry Nantier will package new titles for Ablaze. The acquisition includes the NBM brand and catalog. It “provides for the assumption of contracts with creators and licensors and the transfer of editorial operations to Ablaze.” NBM will continue as an imprint of Ablaze.

The acquisition of NBM allows Ablaze to expand its international market reach and boost its backlist as well as launch new creator-owned titles.

NBM will be distributed along with other Ablaze titles by Simon & Schuster, Lunar, Universal, and Diamond UK.

Terry Nantier co-founded NBM (Nantier, Beall, Minoustchine Publishing) in 1976 as the first American publisher to focus exclusively on graphic novels, introducing BD to the U.S. market.

Nantier will serve as editorial consultant and packager for Ablaze, with several new books in development for 2026.

Independent Publishers Group Goes Direct to Store for Local Comic Shops

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Independent Publishers Group

Independent Publishers Group (IPG), driven by swift growth in high impact manga, graphic novel, RPG, and comic publishers on its distribution roster, is launching direct-to-store terms for the local comic shop market. This rollout includes competitive terms and marketing vehicles for advance notification and sell-in. 

More than 20 must-have frontlist titles will be featured in IPG’s new seasonal “IPG Impact” catalog, which will be circulated to all stores to drive awareness for our publishers, including NBM Publishing, Kodama, One Peace Books, SHP Comics, Dead Sky Publishing, IPI Comics, Outland Entertainment, Ponent Mon, Black Panel Press, Korero Press, ZeroZero Entertainment, and Invader Comics. This new frontlist augments IPGs large backlist in the category. 

IPG is offering flexible terms and incentives for stores ordering direct:

Retail Trade Returnable: 45% Discount, Free Freight, Net 30, and first order gets an extra 3% discount (48% total).

-OR-

Retail Trade Nonreturnable: 50% Discount, Free Freight, Net 30, and first order gets an extra 3% discount (53% total).

Order Minimums:  $100.00 net value

Multiple Objections Deemed Deficient in Objection to Diamond’s Motion to Sell Consignment Merchandise

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Diamond Comic Distributors

Publishers have been filing objections to Diamond Comic Distributor‘s motion that would allow them to sell, liquidate, dispose of, inventory it currently still has. Many publishers have already been vocal about the motion and many have responded to our inquiries with “no comment” because it’s an ongoing legal matter. TwoMorrows Publishing, Magma Comix, and Graphitti Designs, Abstract Studio, NBM, William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc., Humanoids, a joint filing by 13 publishers, GAMA, the Ad Hoc Committee of Consignors, Cryptozoic Entertainment, and Image Comics have each filed objections to the motion. Diamond’s bank lender JPMorgan Chase filed a “limited objection” and “reservation of rights.” That’s about 1/3 of the 128 publishers mentioned as impacted in Diamond’s initial motion.

But… a bunch of the filings are deficient according to the court. In other words, they don’t follow the rules for filing.

Objections filed by William M. Gaines, Agent Inc., NBM Publishing Inc., Abstract Studio, Inc., Graphitti Designs, Molten Core Media, LLC aka Magma Comix, and TwoMorrows Publishing have all been deemed “deficient” by the Clerk of the Court. The reason given:

Appearance of counsel is required. (Local Bankruptcy Rule 90101)

Local Bankruptcy Rule 9010-1 in Maryland requires a corporation to be represented by an attorney in bankruptcy proceedings. Petitions and pleadings have to be signed by an attorney. There are some exceptions as to what corporations can do and how they can participate, but in this case, they need a lawyer to file the objection.

To fix they issue, they need to get an attorney who’s barred by the District Court.

Liminal Esports LLC had their filing deemed deficient by the court and it is now stricken from the official record as they didn’t correct it in time.

Two More Objections Filed Regarding Diamond’s Motion to Sell/Liquidate/Dispose Consignment Stock

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The objections to Diamond Comic Distributor‘s motion for the “sale or other disposition of consigned inventory” are rolling in with two more comic publishers filing today and more, we’re told, on the way. On June 25, 2025, Diamond Comic Distributors submitted the motion that would allow them to sell, liquidate, dispose of, inventory it currently still has. Many publishers have been vocal about the motion and many have responded to our inquiries with “no comment” because it’s an ongoing legal matter. So far, TwoMorrows Publishing, Magma Comix, and Graphitti Designs, and Abstract Studio have each filed their own objections. Today, NBM and William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc. have each filed objections to the motion.

NBM’s objection has followed previous ones highlighting the stock was in Diamond’s possession as consignment as per an agreement and Diamond does not own the merchandise.

The financial interest and hardship towards NBM is also mentioned as the merchandise would likely be sold at a great discount hurting their ability to sell the product at “normal” prices but also impact Lunar Distribution, their new distributor, from selling product to stores as well.

You can read NBM’s filing:

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An attorney for William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc. also submitted an objection to Diamond’s motion. They too highlight a “settlement agreement,” this one from March 2011. This agreement was between Gemstone Publishing, Diamond, and Gaines Agent. This sounds different than the normal distribution agreement that others have used as their argument against Diamond’s plan.

A “settlement agreement” is a legally binding contract that resolves a dispute and prevents future litigation. We found an article by Diamond about EC Comics’ return from Gemstone around 2006. Gaines Agent says that Diamond may not dispose of or sell any of the inventory covered by the 2011 agreement. The actual “settlement agreement” was not included in this filing but is offered to be filed if the court requests it.

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NBM Announces its Summer 2025 Publications

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NBM Graphic Novels is has announced its Summer 2025 line-up including a fun guide to cryptocurrency, a biography of British soul icon Amy Winehouse, a biography of pioneering comics legend Will Eisner, and an adaptation of a shocking masterpiece of contemporary French literature!

ALICE IN CRYPTOLAND: Bitcoin, NFT and Other Curiosities

Daniel Villa Monteiro (writer), Nicolas Balas (art)

Dive with Alice into the mysterious and controversial world of cryptocurrencies.

We are on the eve of Covid confinement when the young woman received an inheritance from her grandmother and wonders what to do with this money that her banker wants to invest for her.

By chance, she discovers that parallel currencies open the door to another world. Misunderstood by her family and friends, she nevertheless threw herself into it wholeheartedly.

Her online comics on her experience make her quite the influencer, explaining crypto’s intricacies in simple terms but with eyes wide open as to its dangers. We even travel with her to El Salvador, the first country to accept Bitcoin as a national currency, and its cryptocurrency farms, to understand the power and perils of Bitcoin, NFTs, blockchains and other curiosities.

6 ½ x 9, 112 pg., full color HC, $22.99
ISBN 9781681123554
e-book: $9.99
ISBN 9781681123561
PUBLICATION DATE: May 13

ALICE IN CRYPTOLAND: Bitcoin, NFT and Other Curiosities

AMY WINEHOUSE IN COMICS

Tony Lourenço, Elsa Gambin (writers), various artists

Amy Winehouse, her music, her life, her destiny told through comics.

With her unique voice, Amy Winehouse quickly established herself as a paragon of British soul at the start of the 21st century. Winning all the awards in her path after the immense Back to Black album, her career was an explosion in the world of music.

Too brief an explosion. With multiple addictions and fragile mental health, Amy died prematurely, joining the fateful ‘Club of 27’, but leaving behind a memorable body of work.

Discover in this comics biography the eventful life of this artist with such a recognizable style, still resonating throughout the world today.

Part of the bestselling series of pop musician biographies marrying well illustrated articles presenting the facts with comics chapters presenting the feel.

7×10, 128pp., full color HC, $24.99
ISBN 9781681123592
e-book: $14.99
ISBN 9781681123608
PUBLICATION DATE: June 17

AMY WINEHOUSE IN COMICS

WILL EISNER: A Comics Biography

Stephen Weiner (writer), Dan Mazur (art)

Explore the life of Will Eisner, one of the most influential artists in the history of comics through the most appropriate medium: a graphic novel! From his immigrant roots and childhood in New York, starting his own comics studio and business, and the creation and publication of his beloved comic, The Spirit, through inventing the term “graphic novel” to convince a general trade publisher to publish the groundbreaking A Contract with God, you’ll follow along in Eisner’s life journey.

With the most prestigious comics awards named after him, Will Eisner is forever celebrated not only in what he created but his unerring belief in comics’ capacity to be better, to reach higher, to be a full art form in its own right. This is the life of this man of vision who helped to put comics on the map.

Includes an afterword by Jeff Smith (Bone, RASL, Tüki)!

6 1/2 x 9 1/2, 300pp. full color hardcover, $29.99
ISBN 9781681123578
e-book: $19.99
ISBN 9781681123585
PUBLICATION DATE: July 15

WILL EISNER: A Comics Biography

BONJOUR TRISTESSE

Françoise Sagan as adapted by Frédéric Rébéna

One of the masterpieces of contemporary French literature is brilliantly adapted to comics.

1954, Cécile, a Parisian high school student, spends the summer of her seventeenth birthday in a villa with her father Raymond, a widower, and Elsa, his mistress. Cécile and her father have a close relationship, carefree and full of pleasure. Cécile will experience her first thrills with Cyril. The atmosphere changes when Raymond announces the arrival of Anne, a friend. Different from Elsa and Cécile, Anne is a strict and moralizing woman, she appreciates culture, good manners and intelligence. As soon as she arrives, a subtle fight begins between the three women. Elsa tries to maintain the relationship with Raymond, who is also attracted to Anne. As for Cécile, she fears losing the complicity that binds her to her father, as well as their freedoms. How to avert the threat? In the burning heat of the summer, a cruel game is being prepared with tragic consequences.

A remarkable adaptation of the classic bestseller by Sagan which shocked a generation.

8 ½ x 11, 112pp., full color HC, $24.99
ISBN 9781681123615
e-book: $14.99
ISBN 9781681123622
PUBLICATION DATE: August 12

BONJOUR TRISTESSE

They Shot the Piano Player plays its way into US shops in December

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An investigation and celebration of the origins of the world-renowned Latino musical samba-jazz movement Bossa Nova, They Shot the Piano Player captures a fleeting time bursting with creative freedom at a turning-point in Latin American history in the ’60s and ’70s, before the continent was riven by totalitarian regimes. Francisco Tenório Cerqueira Júnior, born in Rio de Janeiro, was one of the most recognized musicians of the samba-jazz movement. At 3 a.m. on 18 March 1976, after giving a concert at the Gran Rex in Buenos Aires, the 35-year-old pianist went out to the local corner shop to get some provisions. He was never seen again. What happened that night? This is the question that moves the narrator of this graphic reportage to initiate an investigation into the fateful events that led to the death of a musician destined to change the course of Brazilian music forever.

Already adapted into an animated feature film starring Jeff Goldblum, the graphic novel is written by Fernando Trueba
and illustrated by Javier Mariscal. It comes to shops December 3, 2024.

They Shot the Piano Player

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story Anniversary Edition

Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

Associate Professor Akira Takasuki’s Conjecture Vol. 2 (Yen Press) – A university student who can detect lies teaming with an associate professor to investigate odd happenings was a solid debut and we’re expecting the same here.

Batman: Off-World #1 (DC Comics) – It’s Batman… in space! While the concept is… something, the comic is intriguing and showing Batman’s obsession with dealing with any contingency and going up against any opponent.

Beginning After the End Vol. 4 (Yen Press) – Arthur is finally able to travel to the city of Xyrus to reunite with his family!

Daredevil: Black Armor #1 (Marvel) – Marvel’s returning to “classic” times of characters to fill in unknown periods has been mixed but this debut is rather interesting so far pitting Daredevil up against some heavy hitters.

The Devil That Wears My Face #2 (Mad Cave Studios) – The first issue was solid mixing Face Off and The Exorcist and the second is what we’d expect as the fallout from the concept begins!

Edenfrost #1 (Mad Cave Studios) – After losing their parents in a pogrom, teenage siblings Alex and Yuli use the mystical power of a Golem to survive the chaos of the Russian Civil War. In a harrowing journey through war-torn Ukraine, the duo will face the harsh reality of warfare, ethnic bias, and national pride as they fight for their own place in the world. Can you say relevant?

The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story Anniversary Edition (Dark Horse) – If you missed out on this when it was released 10 years ago, here’s your chance to correct that mistake with a new edition with new additions! It’s the true story of the visionary manager of the Beatles, Brian Epstein!

Hellicious #1 (Massive Publishing) – There’s only one soul who Cherry thinks might be a good playmate – Satan-worshipping death metal frontman Briggy Bundy. The bad news is, he isn’t dead…Yet. If you missed the original release of this series, now’s your chance!

Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #2 (DC Comics) – The crossover might seem a little silly, the result is a lot of fun as DC’s heroes must deal with an invasion of oversized monsters. Don’t think to much and just sit back and enjoy the action.

Kiss the Scars of the Girls Vol. 1 (Yen Press) – Deep within a dense forest stands an academy for girls, whose students share a secret-they’re all vampires. To learn to hunt without attracting human attention, the maidens forge bloody bonds of sisterhood, but what fate will their ties bring…?

Red Harvest: Terror and Famin in Soviet Ukraine (NBM) – Red Harvest is based on the tragic events that took place in Soviet Ukraine and other parts of the Soviet Union from 1929 to 1933.

Somna #1 (DSTLRY) – Set amidst the terrifying backdrop of the witch hunts in a quiet 1600s English village, Somna follows one woman’s descent into an erotic escape from the confines of her puritanical world.

Universal Monsters: Dracula #2 (Skybound) – A retelling of the classic tale of Dracula with some fantastic art. The first issue was amazing and we expect no less from the second.

Void Rivals #6 (Skybound) – The series seems to have found its legs with the previous issue moving away from the guest of the week and bringing all of the teases together. Hopefully that direction continues.

Yokohama Station SF Vol. 3 (Yen Press) – The series has been interesting so far as the setting is a Japanese train station that’s sort of sentient and expanding!

GlobalComix adds Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Archie Comics, Tokyopop, and more

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GlobalComix promotion

In the lead up to the launch of its app, GlobalComix has announced new comic publishers that are coming to the digital platform’s catalog; Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Archie Comics, Tokyopop, NBM Graphic Novels, and more!

The GlobalComix App
for iOS and Android will feature:

  • Over 40k+ books in catalog with 25k+ more in pipeline and growing
  • In-App subscription purchase with worldwide access
  • Catalogs from top publishers, indie and webcomic creators
  • Curated recommendations for hundreds of new series, weekly
  • Opt-in to follow creators & publishers for new release notifications
  • Fully searchable personal library collection with reading status filters
  • Filter searches by type, format, genre, theme, art style, language, paywall, and other meaningful facets
  • Comment, react, and share your favorite stories with friends and community alike

Previously, GlobalComix partnered with publishers TKO Studios, Bad Egg Publishing, InterPop, Papercutz, Valiant Entertainment, Top Cow, Source Point Press, TPub Comics, Mad Cave Studios, and Humanoids. Since January 2023, the platform has seen a 50% increase in user signups and over 5,000 new books published; which includes PDF downloads and exclusive content partnerships. 

The GlobalComix App will be available for first impressions at the end of the first quarter 2023. Demos will be available at C2E2, McCormick Place in Chicago, IL (Mar 31 – Apr. 2).

ComiXology Has Your New Digital Comics Releases Covered with Over 125 New Comics!

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America Chavez: Made in the USA #1

Today’s new comic book day and there’s over 75 new comics you can get right now. Get shopping now or check out the new releases by the publisher below.

A Wave Blue World

AAM-Markosia

AfterShock

Albatross Funnybooks

American Mythology Productions

Archie Comics

AWA Studios

BOOM! Studios

comiXology Submit

Dark Horse

DC Comics

DC Thomson

Dynamite Entertainment

Harlequin

IDW Publishing

Image Comics

Keenspot

Kingstone Comics

Marvel

NBM

Oni Press

Papercutz

Valiant

Vault Comics

Zenescope

This site contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from these sites. Making purchases through these links helps support the site.

Review: The Beatles in Comics

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The Beatles in Comics

I remember the first time I heard of the Beatles. It was when I discovered vinyl for the firs time. I was six years old and enamored with the way they looked. One of my parents many records in their collection was Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club. When my Mom first put the record on there was no more distinct and beautiful a sound than that first spark you hear when the needle touches the record. When the music came on Ringo’s drumming and Paul and John’s vocals sounded like nothing I ever heard before.

I instantly understood why these luminaries influenced so many artists to this day. As the magic of “Yesterday,” says all you need to know of how poetic they were and for the surviving members, still are. Their dexterity when it came to speak to tapping on the nerve of the times and still making these songs timeless, is almost unfair. Their combined talents are enough to day for a supergroup. In this collection of stories and practical love letters to the group, Beatles In Comics, gives fans, a rare rendering of who these men were and are, and how hey still leave an indelible mark on music fans everywhere.

In” John, Paul & George,” we get to see how the initial band was formed. These three young men became a band and friends over their love of music. In “Astrid Kirchher,” we get to know the photographer who took their first professional photos and her impression of each band member. In “The Man who refused to sign the Beatles,” we find out about Mike Smith and how he thought they would not amount to much outside of Liverpool. In “The Queen’s Rebels,” we get a personal account of the very first time they played in front of Queen Elizabeth. In “The Ed Sullivan Show,” we get to see first hand how Beatlemania had taken over America and how they were one of Sullivan’s most popular guests. In “Yesterday,” we find about the genesis of this eternally loved song, one which has created many pale covers. In “The Beatles and Elvis,” talks about this rare meeting of the titans at Graceland.  In “New Musical Horizons,” we find out about the group’s experimenting with drugs, specifically LSD. In “Goodbye Brian,” the band loses their longtime manager and who was considered the “Fifth Beatle” as he is found dead at his house. As they struggle to move forward and record their first flop of an album. In “Yoko Ono,” John meets his soulmate and muse, Yoko, as this is also what lead ultimately to their breakup. In the last story I will highlight, “Post Beatles,” we find out what exactly happened to each member after their breakup and just how fractured their relationships became.

Overall, an engrossing and articulate collection of stories which captures the spirit of the group and the love the world had for them. The stories by Michels Mabel are well researched and endearing. The art by the different artists gives fans a gorgeous kaleidoscope of images to see the band through. Altogether, one of the best books about this gifted group and just how they affected everyone around them.

Story: Michels Mabel
Art: Lu-K, Vox, Anne Sophie Servantie, Ludivine Stock, Amandine Puntous, Romuald Gleyse, Julien Lamanda, Efix, Pierre Brallon, Ben Lebegue, Anthony Audibert, Bloop, Victor Gimenez, Akita, Laurent Houssin, Richard Di Martino, Piero Ruggeri et Filipo Neri, Martin Trystram, Clement Baloup, Edwna Cosmet et Christophe Billard, Patrick Lacan, Virginie De Lambert, Joel Alessandra and Odile Santi
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

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