Dynamite Entertainment Explained

Status:Active
Founded:[1]
Founder:Nick Barrucci
Country:United States
Headquarters:Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Distribution:Diamond Book Distributors (books)[2]
Publications:Comics
Genre:

Dynamite Entertainment is an American comic book publisher founded in 2004 by Nick Barrucci[1] in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, known for publishing comic book adaptations of licensed feature film properties, such as Army of Darkness, Terminator, and RoboCop; licensed or public domain literary properties such as Zorro, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland, Red Sonja, Tarzan, and John Carter of Mars;[3] and superhero books including Project Superpowers, which revived classic public domain characters,[4] and original creator-owned comics like The Boys.[5] [6]

Creators who have produced Dynamite's books include Alex Ross, John Cassaday, Matt Wagner, Garth Ennis, Howard Chaykin and Frank Miller. Dynamic Forces, a distribution of Dynamite's comics and books, announced a partnership with Diamond Distribution in 2008, when Diamond had the rights to publishing the international versions of books made by Dynamite Entertainment.[7]

History

Dynamite Entertainment was founded by Nick Barrucci in 2004, initially publishing one comic: Army of Darkness,[1] a miniseries it published through Devil's Due Publishing until it began self-publishing its own titles later that year. After devoting itself to publishing only Army of Darkness, which included a second miniseries, Dynamite published Red Sonja, starting with a 25-cent issue #0. It sold 240,000 copies. Issue #1 of Red Sonja, the first to sell at the full cover price of $2.99, sold 100,000 in initial orders, securing a stable position in the American comic book industry.[8] By 2009, Dynamite was publishing 14–20 comic books and 2–10 collections per month.[6]

Dynamite focuses primarily on comic book adaptations of licensed properties, such as Sherlock Holmes, The Lone Ranger, and Red Sonja. The company also publishes original titles like Project Superpowers, and creator-owned comics like The Boys.[6]

Among its adaptations are those based on classic literature such as Alice in Wonderland,[9] Dracula,[10] and Zorro;[11] television series such as [12] Battlestar Galactica,[13] and Buck Rogers,[14] and films such as Darkman,[15] The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,[16] RoboCop,[17] Highlander,[18] and the Terminator franchise.[13]

Its film adaptations also include those of classic monsters such as Dracula,[19] Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein's Monster, and the Wolfman.

The company gradually built its graphic novel program with titles like Howard Chaykin's American Flagg!, reprints of Marvel Comics' Red Sonja series, and material by creators like Jim Starlin and Jae Lee.[6]

In addition to publishing crossover storylines in which characters from these various properties meet, such as Terminator/RoboCop,[20] and Vampirella/Dracula: Unholy!,[21] Dynamite has also produced intercompany crossover books with other publishers. One, titled "Monster War", was released through Image Comics in 2005, and consisted of several titles that pitted the classic monsters against Top Cow published characters Witchblade, the Darkness, Magdalena, and Tomb Raider.[22] The other was a 2006 crossover between DC Comics' Red Sonja/Claw The Unconquered: Devil's Hands.[23]

In February 2007, Dynamite Entertainment acquired the publishing rights to Garth Ennis' creator-owned series The Boys after the book was cancelled six months into its run by DC Comics' WildStorm imprint.[5]

In 2009 Dynamite announced it would publish new comics featuring Lee Falk's The Phantom.[24]

In 2010, Dynamite began publishing comic books based on The Green Hornet, beginning with a miniseries written by Kevin Smith and followed by Green Hornet: Year One, which was written by Matt Wagner, and another written by Brett Matthews.[25]

In May 2010, Dynamite Entertainment acquired Chaos! Comics' library, which included and all of that publisher's associated assets, with the exception of Lady Death. Among these properties were the publishing labels Black Label Graphics, Infinity Comics, and the properties Evil Ernie, Smiley The Psychotic Button, Chastity, Purgatori, Jade, Omen, Bad Kitty, Cremator, Lady Demon.[26]

In October 2013, Dynamite announced it would launch a line of comics based on titles originally published by Gold Key Comics, the first of which would be , The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor, Solar: Man of the Atom, and Turok.[27]

In July 2016, author Andy Mangels stated in a New York Times interview that he was writing a new intercompany crossover mini-series for the company, in conjunction with DC Comics, Wonder Woman '77 Meets the Bionic Woman, which brought together the Lynda Carter television version of the Amazon superhero with Jaime Sommers, the cyborg super-heroine played by Lindsay Wagner in the 1970s TV series, The Bionic Woman.[28] [29] The series was released in that December.[30]

In July 2019, Sony Pictures Television and Amazon Studios premiered an adapted television series of The Boys for Amazon Prime Video after a brand licensing agreement was granted by Dynamite.[31] [32]

In 2022, Dynamite announced a deal with Disney to create a new line of comics based on various properties, including Gargoyles (TV series) with spin-offs including a Halloween Special, Dark Ages mini series, and Quest mini series, and Darkwing Duck with spin-offs including Negaduck and Justice Ducks, as well as Disney Villains characters including Maleficent, Scar (The Lion King), Hades (Disney) and Cruella De Vil. They also have the first comic book series on Lilo & Stitch and will be the first American publisher of The Nightmare Before Christmas comics

In October 2023, Dynamite announced a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to create a new line of comics based on various properties, including Thundercats, Space Ghost, Jonny Quest, The Powerpuff Girls, The Wizard of Oz, The Flintstones, and We Bare Bears.[33]

Thundercats #1 sold over 170K copies.[34]

List of Dynamite Entertainment titles

#

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

References

Inline citations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dynamite Entertainment's CEO on 10 Years of Explosive Comics. The Hollywood Reporter. McMillan, Graeme. en-US. live. July 21, 2014. February 8, 2023. February 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230208150231/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/dynamite-entertainments-ceo-10-years-720101/.
  2. Web site: Dynamite Doubles Or Triples Orders At FOC With Diamond Comics. Bleeding Cool. Johnston, Rich. en-GB. live. September 22, 2022. February 8, 2023. February 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230208145402/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dynamite-doubles-or-triples-orders-at-foc-with-diamond-comics/.
  3. Web site: Dynamite Entertainment Hires Brian Cunningham As Editor. Bleeding Cool. Johnston, Rich. en-GB. live. January 24, 2022. February 8, 2023. October 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221005013733/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dynamite-entertainment-hires-brian-cunningham-as-editor/.
  4. Web site: Ross and Krueger on Superpowers. Bradyl, Matt. . dead. en-US. July 18, 200. October 9, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071009204415/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=121397.
  5. Web site: Saying Goodbye To 'The Boys' with Garth Ennis, Part 1. CBR.com. Phegley, Kiel. en-US. live. September 25, 2012. February 8, 2023. September 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220913062730/https://www.cbr.com/saying-goodbye-to-the-boys-with-garth-ennis-part-1/.
  6. Web site: Dynamite: Five Years and Counting. Publishers Weekly. en-US. live. November 16, 2009. February 8, 2023. November 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221120132817/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/adult-announcements/article/41133-dynamite-five-years-and-counting.html.
  7. Diamond Distribution, Dynamic Forces announce new international partnership . . . . May 12, 2008 . April 5, 2014.
  8. Web site: Manning, Shaun. Dynamite Celebrates Five Years. Comic Book Resources. en-US. dead. April 16, 2009. April 17, 2009. April 18, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090418051714/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20842.
  9. Web site: The Complete Alice In Wonderland. Comic Book Roundup. en-US. live. December 2009. February 8, 2023. August 10, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130810010522/https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dynamite-entertainment/the-complete-alice-in-wonderland.
  10. Web site: The Complete Dracula #1. Grand Comics Database. en-US. live. 2009. February 8, 2023. November 21, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091121225558/http://www.comics.org/issue/635787/.
  11. Web site: 'Zorro Rides Again' unveiled by Dynamite. Digital Spy. Langshaw, Mark. en-GB. live. April 19, 2011. February 8, 2023. February 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230208162430/https://www.digitalspy.com/comics/a315466/zorro-rides-again-unveiled-by-dynamite/.
  12. Web site: New 'Xena: Warrior Princess' Series Announced. ComicBook.com. Lovett, Jamie. en-US. live. January 28, 2019. February 8, 2023. May 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200516170604/https://comicbook.com/comics/news/xena-warrior-princess-new-series-dynamite-comics/.
  13. Web site: New 'Terminator' a Dynamite adventure. Maida, Jerome. The Philadelphia Inquirer. en-US. live. December 15, 2008. February 8, 2023. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511203217/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20081215_New__Terminator__a_Dynamite_adventure.html.
  14. Web site: Buck Rogers #1: The new adventures of "Buck Rogers" begin here. "Begin" is the operative word, as a great deal happens here without resolution.. Zawisza, Doug. en-US. live. CBR.com. June 10, 2009. February 8, 2023. February 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230208164657/https://www.cbr.com/buck-rogers-1/.
  15. Web site: Darkman Returns in December. Major Spoilers. Schleicher, Stephen. en-US. live. October 22, 2007. February 8, 2023. May 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210513193708/http://majorspoilers.com/2007/10/22/darkman-returns-in-december/.
  16. Web site: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly #1. Comic Book Roundup. en-US. live. July 2009. February 8, 2023. January 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119082620/https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dynamite-entertainment/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/1.
  17. Web site: Robocop #1 Review. Schedeen, Jesse. IGN. en-US. live. May 9, 2012. February 8, 2023. February 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230208174614/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/28/robocop-1-review.
  18. Web site: Daily Reviews: Highlander #1. Comics Bulletin. Bailey, Michael. en-US. dead. December 19, 2006. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201616/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/116657503090989.htm.
  19. Web site: Blood Queen vs. Dracula. Comic Book Roundup. en-US. live. March 2015. February 8, 2023. June 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170629184457/http://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dynamite-entertainment/blood-queen-vs-dracula.
  20. Web site: The Strange History of Terminator Comics. Den of Geek. Jasper, Gavin. en-US. live. July 9, 2015. February 8, 2023. January 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230113110508/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-strange-history-of-terminator-comics/.
  21. Web site: Vampirella/Dracula: Unholy! limited series announced by Dynamite. Flickering Myth. Collinson, Gary. en-US. live. September 24, 2021. February 8, 2023. February 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230208161716/https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2021/09/vampirella-dracula-unholy-limited-series-dynamite/.
  22. Web site: Foil-Covered Monster War. IGN. Goldstein, Hilary. en-US. live. May 19, 2012. February 8, 2023. February 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230208184715/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/02/foil-covered-monster-war.
  23. Web site: Red Sonja / Claw The Unconquered: Devil's Hands News. IGN. en-US. live. 2006. February 8, 2023. February 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230208185106/https://www.ign.com/comics/red-sonjaclaw-the-unconquered-devils-hands.
  24. Web site: Phegley, Kiel. CCC09: Dynamite Entertainment. Comic Book Resources. August 10, 2009. December 7, 2021. January 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126173937/https://www.cbr.com/ccc09-dynamite-entertainment/.
  25. Brady, Matt. "Dynamite Lands 'Green Hornet' Comic Book License". Newsarama. March 31, 2009
  26. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26294 "Dynamite Acquires Chaos Comics"
  27. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=48415 "NYCC EXCLUSIVE: Gold Key Revived at Dynamite by Pak, Van Lente & More!"
  28. News: Gustines. George Gene. Dynamite Entertainment Taps '70s TV to Expand Lineup of Comics. The New York Times. July 17, 2016. February 8, 2023. July 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160718004813/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/18/business/media/dynamite-entertainment-taps-70s-tv-to-expand-lineup-of-comics.html.
  29. Web site: Wonder Woman '77 Meets Bionic Woman: All the Easter Eggs from #1-2!. Cronin, Brian. en-US. live. CBR.com. September 18, 2017. February 8, 2023. January 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210127154648/http://www.cbr.com/wonder-woman-bionic-woman-easter-eggs-1-2/.
  30. Web site: Wonder Woman '77 Meets The Bionic Woman #1. Comic Book Roundup. en-US. live. December 2016. February 8, 2023. August 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822184441/http://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dynamite-entertainment/wonder-woman-77-meets-the-bionic-woman/1.
  31. Web site: Petski, Denise . April 17, 2019 . 'The Boys' Trailer: First Look At Amazon's Superhero Drama Series . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221114140250/https://deadline.com/video/the-boys-trailer-amazon-superhero-drama-series-garth-ennis-darick-robertson-eric-kripke/ . November 14, 2022 . February 8, 2023 . . en-US.
  32. Web site: Salkowitz, Rob . October 17, 2020 . Inside The Boy's publisher Dynamite Entertainment after the series success . https://archive.today/20230208193301/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2020/10/17/inside-the-boys-publisher-dynamite-entertainments-risky-bet-on-the-series-success/?sh=3d4848e78aa4 . February 8, 2023 . February 8, 2023 . Forbes.
  33. https://www.cbr.com/warner-bros-dynamite-comics-thundercats-powerpuff-girls "Warner Bros and Dynamite Comics Making New Thundercats and Powerpuff Girls Comic Series"
  34. https://screenrant.com/thundercats-new-comics-sales-170k-record/ "Thundercats #1 Passes 170k Sales, Approaching Biggest Launch in The Decade"
  35. Web site: EXCLUSIVE: Read Elvira's Complete Ghoulish Universal Monsters Team-Up Featured in Vol. 2 Omnibus. CBR.com. Schreuer, Brandon. en-US. live. August 29, 2022. February 8, 2023. January 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230118080554/https://www.cbr.com/read-elvira-complete-ghoulish-universal-monsters-team-up-volume-2-omnibus/.
  36. Web site: 'First Family' & 'H20'. ICv2. August 18, 2023.