Sumerian Comics

Founded in 2020 after acquiring the Spain-based comic book publisher, Amigo Comics,{{Cite news|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/behemoth-publisher-amigo-comics-osiris-path-prom-of-the-dead-may-2020-solicitation/|title=Behemoth Buys Publisher Amigo Comics, Launches Osiris Path and Prom Of The Dead in May 2020 Solicitations|access-date=2020-12-17}} Behemoth Comics debuted in the March Previews catalog for Diamond Comic Distributors.{{Cite news|url=https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/MAR201701|title=OSIRIS PATH #1 (OF 3) (MR)|access-date=2020-12-17}} Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and Diamond shutting down its distribution services for a brief period, Behemoth's first titles were not released until July 2020. On May 25, 2020 Bloody Disgusting announced that Behemoth would be releasing a spin-off of the popular video game series, Hotline Miami.{{Cite news|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3617962/exclusive-hotline-miami-wildlife-comic-spin-off-video-game-series-arrives-fall/|title=[Exclusive] 'Hotline Miami: Wildlife', a Comic Spin-Off From the Video Game Series, Arrives This Fall|access-date=2020-12-17}} The title, Hotline Miami: Wildlife is an 8-part series that was released monthly beginning in September 2020.{{Cite news|url=https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comics/series/147960/hotline-miami-wildlife |title=Hotline Miami: Wildlife is a comic book series by Behemoth Comics.|access-date=2020-12-17}}

In November 2020, Bleeding Cool announced that A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night #1, written by film Director, Ana Lily Amirpour had sold through at least 10,000 copies of its first printing and would receive a second printing before the first issues releases.{{Cite news|url= https://bleedingcool.com/comics/batgirl-50-and-a-girl-walks-home-alone-at-night-get-second-printings/ |title=Batgirl #50 and A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night Get Second Printings|access-date=2020-12-17}} Shortly after Publishers Weekly and Graphic Policy revealed that Behemoth had signed a global distribution deal with Simon & Schuster and received managed publisher status with Amazon, Kindle, and ComiXology. The article also revealed that they acquired Film and TV representation for a portion of their books by the Hollywood-based Talent Agency, Grandview/Automatik founded by notable Film Producer, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (Insidious, Sinister, Upgrade). The deal with Simon & Schuster would only cover trade paperbacks for the global market meanwhile Diamond Comic Distributors would still distribute their comic books and graphic novels to hobby stores around the globe.

On February 22, 2021, as part of the Comic Industry's Annual Publisher and Retailer conference, ComicsPro, Behemoth announced that it would publish the comic MFKZ, which was adapted and released as a film on Netflix.{{Cite news|url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81037697?preventIntent=true|title=MFKZ|access-date=2021-02-22}} Shortly after the conference it was revealed that You Promised Me Darkness #1 had sold through 55,000 copies, marking the publisher's best selling first issue to date alongside MFKZ #1, which reached 40,000 copies sold. The company was revealed as a sponsor for the 2021 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.{{cite web|url=https://ollimag.com/2021/04/14/behemoth-comics-hires-steve-ekstrom-as-their-new-editorial-director/|title=Behemoth Comics Hires Steve Ekstrom As Their New Editorial Director|access-date=14 April 2021|website=Olli Mag}}

Leading off a wave of new licensed titles, Bloody Disgusting, GamesRadar+, and others revealed that Behemoth would be adapting the 2015 cult film, Turbo Kid into a prequel comic book series due to be released in September, 2021.{{Cite news|url=

https://www.gamesradar.com/cult-film-turbo-kid-returns-with-comic-book-prequel/|title=Cult film Turbo Kid returns with comic book prequel|access-date=2021-05-14}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2021/05/turbo-kid-returns-with-prequel-comic-apples-lost-adventure/|title=Turbo Kid returns with prequel comic Apple's Lost Adventure|access-date=2021-05-17}} This was followed by IGN{{Cite news|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/watch-dogs-legion-comic-behemoth-ubisoft-preview|title=Watch Dogs Legion Comic Book Will Expand on the Game's Universe|access-date=2021-07-06}} revealing that Ubisoft and Behemoth had partnered for a comic book series based on Watch Dogs: Legion with the first issue being released November 3, 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-ca/game/watch-dogs/legion/news-updates/5FTvWxcIIz3STaKI6mOig9/introducing-watch-dogs-legion-graphic-novels-and-more|title=Introducing Watch Dogs: Legion Graphic Novels And More|access-date=2021-09-12}}{{Cite news|url=https://screenrant.com/watch-dogs-legion-hackers-london-comic/|title=Watch Dogs: Legion Pits Hackers Against London's Surveillance State|access-date=2021-09-12}}

At the end of 2021, Behemoth revealed that they had surpassed half a million (500,000+) comics and graphic novels sold during the year; their first full year of operation.

At the end of 2021, Syfy and others revealed a comic by Behemoth called Kult Cable. Meant to be the lead in to a full series featuring more celebrities, the comic includes New Jersey hip-hop and punk group, Ho99o9 and the famous actor, Jack Black. The comic is a tie-in to the bands variety show of the same name that features well-known guests each episode.{{Cite news|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/free-comic-book-day-more-than-40-titles-for-2022-from-marvel-dark-horse|title=Free Comic Book Day 2022 revealed: Spider-Man, Resident Alien, Stranger Things, Doctor Who & more|access-date=2021-12-18}}

On January 25, 2022, the entertainment website GamesRadar+ previewed a new licensed series from Behemoth based on the open-world RPG video game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

Deadline Hollywood reported on March 23, 2022, that the record label Sumerian Records and their film division, Sumerian Films acquired Behemoth.

Deadline Hollywood reported the following week that Behemoth's original series, Paranormal Hitmen from creators Brett Murphy and Wilson Gandolpho is set to be adapted by Entertainment One and Hasbro into a TV series.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/paranormal-hitmen-eone-developing-tv-series-based-on-comic-books-1234995589/|title=eOne Developing 'Paranormal Hitmen' TV Series Based On Comic Books By Brett Murphy & Wilson Gandolpho|access-date=2022-04-06}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.entertainmentone.com/press/eone-developing-paranormal-hitmen-tv-series-based-on-comic-books-by-br/|title=eOne Developing 'Paranormal Hitmen' TV Series Based On Comic Books By Brett Murphy & Wilson Gandolpho|access-date=2022-04-08}}

In July 2022, Behemoth was renamed as Sumerian Comics.{{Cite news|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/behemoth-comics-changes-to-sumerian-comics-for-october-2022-solicits/|title=Behemoth Comics Changes To Sumerian Comics For October 2022 Solicits|access-date=2022-08-02}}

As part of the first titles announced under their new name, Billboard revealed that one of the best-selling Latin musicians of all time would be partnering with Sumerian for an action-packed comic book. Ozuna stated, “I love collaborating to take my creativity to new, interesting places,” Ozuna said in a statement. “I’m very excited to partner with the talented team at Sumerian and make something fresh, captivating, and fun for my fans and my culture.” {{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/ozuna-graphic-novel-sumerian-comics-artwork-1235143467/|title=Here's a First Look at Ozuna's Upcoming Graphic Novel in Partnership With Sumerian Comics|access-date=2022-09-23}}

On March 21, 2023 various news sites announced that Sumerian has teamed up with the mathcore band The Dillinger Escape Plan for a graphic novel based on their 2013 record, One of Us Is the Killer. Guitarist Ben Weinman appeared at the annual WonderCon convention in Anaheim, CA to promote the release where he signed preview copies.{{Cite news|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/the-dillinger-escape-plan-teams-up-with-sumerian-comics-for-graphic-novel-one-of-us-is-the-killer|title=THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN Teams Up With SUMERIAN COMICS For Graphic Novel 'One Of Us Is The Killer'|access-date=2022-03-21}}{{Cite news|url=https://metalinjection.net/metal-merch/the-dillinger-escape-plan-announces-one-of-us-is-the-killer-graphic-novel|title=THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN Announces One Of Us Is The Killer Graphic Novel|access-date=2023-03-21}} The book released in February 2024 with hardback and various bundle options containing a special 10 year anniversary vinyl repressing of the record.

The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Cocaine Bear star and Critics' Choice Movie Awards winning actress Brooklynn Prince would be releasing her first comic book with Sumerian. The book is titled Misfortune's Eyes and follows Vivian Nightingale, a girl who wakes up on the morning of her 15th birthday and discovers that she can see human auras.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cocaine-bear-star-brooklynn-prince-comic-1235357703/|title=12-Year-Old 'Cocaine Bear' Star Unveils New Comic Book She Created and Co-Authored (Exclusive)|access-date=2023-04-05}} The series released across February 2024 - April 2024 and Brooklynn signed copies at various stores and revealed her inspiration for the series came upon a visit with her dad to Cassadaga, Florida.{{Cite news|url=https://www.girlslife.com/trending/celebs/42887/exclusive-brooklynn-prince-misfortunes-eyes|title=EXCLUSIVE! Brooklynn Prince can quite possibly read your aura|access-date=2024-04-18}}

File:Bad Omens Standard Hardback Cover.jpg On June 8, 2023 Revolver Magazine revealed that Sumerian produced the first comic book series for the band Bad Omens. Vocalist Noah Sebastian co-wrote the four issue series and it served as an expansion on the bands third record, The Death of Peace of Mind.{{Cite news|url= https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-bad-omens-emotional-new-video-hit-song-just-pretend |title= SEE BAD OMENS' EMOTIONAL NEW VIDEO FOR HIT SONG "JUST PRETEND"|access-date=2023-07-13}}

Entertainment Weekly and Deadline revealed that Sumerian gained the rights to the 2000 classic film, American Psycho and would release a four issue limited series with more planned, in October 2023. Christian Bale's likeness was provided as part of the deal and the comic featured a dual narrative.{{Cite news|url=https://ew.com/events/comic-con/american-psycho-comic-book-sumerian-comic-con/|title=Christian Bale's Patrick Bateman returns in American Psycho comic book|access-date=2023-08-19}}{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/comic-con-christian-bale-american-psycho-comic-book-series-sumerian-1235442958/|title=Christian Bale Classic 'American Psycho' Getting Comic Book Adaptation: Comic-Con|access-date=2023-08-19}}{{Cite news|url=https://collider.com/american-psycho-comic-books-christian-bale/|title='American Psycho' Gets the Comic Book Treatment, With a Twist |access-date=2023-08-19}}

In August, 2023 Deadline and CBR detailed Sumerian's newest licensed series, Basic Instinct based on the steamy ’90s Thriller With Sharon Stone & Michael Douglas. The series would debut in November 2023.{{Cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/basic-instinct-comic-series-sharon-stone-michael-douglas-sumerian-1235508038/ |title='Basic Instinct': Steamy '90s Thriller With Sharon Stone & Michael Douglas Inspires Comic Book Adaptation; Covers Revealed |access-date=2023-08-19}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbr.com/basic-instinct-gets-comic-book-sumerian/|title=Sharon Stone's Basic Instinct Gets a Comic Book Adaptation|access-date=2023-08-19}}{{Cite news|url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/basic-instinct-getting-a-comic-book-series/|title=Basic Instinct Getting a Comic Book Series|access-date=2023-08-19}}

The website Flickering Myth previewed a new Sumerian licensed title in March 2024 based on the 1980 John Carpenter film The Fog. The title is written as a sequel to the film and takes place forty years after the events that happened in Antonio Bay.{{Cite news|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2024/03/the-ultimate-experience-in-terror-comes-to-comics-with-the-fog-1-preview/|title=The ultimate experience in terror comes to comics with The Fog #1 preview|access-date=2024-04-03}}

Revolver, Alt Press, and others revealed that, as part of the legendary post-hardcore act Underoath's upcoming 20th anniversary tour in support of their 2004 record They're Only Chasing Safety, that Sumerian would be releasing a comic book loosely based on the record and only available to VIP ticket buyers. Sumerian also noted that editions containing more than just the one issue will be released later on.{{Cite news|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/underoath-announce-theyre-only-chasing-safety-20th-anniversary-tour|title=UNDEROATH announce 'They're Only Chasing Safety' 20th anniversary tour|access-date=2024-04-18}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/underoath-announce-theyre-only-chasing-safety-20th-anniversary-tour-bv-presale/|title=Underoath TOCS Underoath announce 'They're Only Chasing Safety' 20th anniversary tour (BV presale)|access-date=2024-04-18}}

Kerrang! and many others premiered the music video for a new Puscifer song called "The Algorithm" in May 2024. The song stands as an original song written by the band for the American Psycho comic book series by Sumerian. It's part of a larger soundtrack that so far includes artists like Perturbator, Ramsey, Unlike Pluto, and others. The song originally premiered on Sirius XM Octane the day prior. As of the announcement of the Puscifer song, the other singles had amassed over 677,000 streams across platforms.{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/puscifer-releases-new-original-song-the-algorithm | title=PUSCIFER Releases New Original Song 'The Algorithm' | date=29 May 2024 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.kerrang.com/puscifer-release-new-single-the-algorithm-for-american-psycho-comic-book-series | title=Puscifer release new single, the Algorithm, for American Psycho comic… | date=29 May 2024 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-maynard-james-keenan-take-down-social-mediots-puscifers-algorithm|title=Hear MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN take down "social mediots" on PUSCIFER's "The Algorithm"}} Shortly after this reveal, further covers were announced with Ice Nine Kills,{{cite web | url=https://www.kerrang.com/hear-ice-nine-kills-team-up-with-reel-big-fish-for-glorious-walking-on-sunshine-cover | title=Hear Ice Nine Kills team up with Reel Big Fish for glorious Walking… | date=9 July 2024 }} Reel Big Fish, and Carpenter Brut.{{cite web | url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2024/07/24/news/ulvers-krystoffer-rygg-featured-on-carpenter-brut-cover-of-billy-idols-eyes-without-a-face/ | title=Ulver's Krystoffer Rygg Featured on Carpenter Brut Cover of Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face" - | date=24 July 2024 }} The soundtrack is set to release alongside the graphic novel is October.

During San Diego Comic Con, Sumerian revealed that they had taken over the license to both reprint material for The Crow and publish new stories within the universe.{{cite web | url=https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/Series/151572-CROW-DEAD-TIME | title=Series: Crow Dead Time }}

Sleep Token announced via a special site set up for news regarding the book that Sumerian produced a graphic novel for them titled Sleep Token: Teeth of God teeth-of-god.sleep-token.com/

File:The Offspring Graphic Novel.jpg Later in October, The Offspring announced alongside Sumerian that their first official graphic novel titled "Come Out and Play" would be available to pre-order the week following the release of their new record Supercharged.

The first collaboration of 2025 was revealed to be with alternative rock band Anberlin. The book, titled Godspeed after one of the bands songs was co-written by bassist Deon Rexroat. {{cite web | url=https://chaoszine.net/sumerian-comics-teams-up-with-anberlin-for-a-thrilling-sci-fi-graphic-novel/| title=Sumerian Comics Teams Up With Anberlin For a Thrilling Sci-Fi Graphic Novel}}

Shortly after the previous announcement, Sumerian and Interpol announced their team up on a graphic novel that ties into their 2004 record Antics. The graphic novel features Norman, the animatronic puppet from their music video for Evil and expands upon the story in the video.

Founded in Spain in 2012 by Juan "El" Torres, Amigo Comics is known for collecting Juan's series previously published by Image Comics such as Nancy in Hell and Drums. Amigo also published other creator-owned and licensed titles that Juan was not involved in a creative capacity. In 2019 Amigo was nominated for an Eisner Award in the Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips category for their title Sky Masters of the Space Force: The Complete Sunday Strips in Color.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/2019-eisner-nominees-complete-list-1205156

|title=Eisner Award Nominees Revealed |author=Graeme McMillan> |date=26 April 2019 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |accessdate=20 December 2020}} {{in lang|en}} On February 24, 2020, it was announced that Amigo was acquired by Behemoth Comics and all future titles would be published in the US by Behemoth but would still carry the Amigo brand. This enabled Juan to focus solely on his titles.

• American Psycho #1-5 (October 11, 2023 - June 2024){{Cite news|url= https://ew.com/events/comic-con/american-psycho-comic-book-sumerian-comic-con/|title= Christian Bale's Patrick Bateman returns in American Psycho comic book sequel|access-date=2023-07-20}}{{Cite news|url= https://deadline.com/2023/07/comic-con-christian-bale-american-psycho-comic-book-series-sumerian-1235442958/|title= Christian Bale Classic 'American Psycho' Getting Comic Book Adaptation: Comic-Con|access-date=2023-07-20}}
• The Crow: Dead Time #1-3 (October 2, 2024 - December 2024)
• Basic Instinct #1-4 (November 1, 2023 - April 2024)
• The Fog #1-4 (March 6, 2024 - June 2024)
• MFKZ #1-6{{cite web|url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/47660/behemoth-comics-announces-launch-their-happy-tank-imprint|title=BEHEMOTH COMICS ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THEIR HAPPY TANK IMPRINT|access-date=22 February 2021|website=ICv2}} (June 23, 2021 - November 24, 2021) 40,000+ sold{{Cite news|url=https://graphicpolicy.com/2021/04/30/you-promised-me-darkness-1-sells-over-55000-copies-and-mfkz-1-is-expected-over-40000-copies/|title=You Promised Me Darkness #1 Sells Over 55,000 Copies and MFKZ #1 is expected over 40,000 Copies|access-date=2021-05-14}}
• A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night #1-2 (November 18, 2020 - December 16, 2020)
• Turbo Kid #1-3{{Cite news|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/comics/3665199/turbo-kid-prequel-comic-miniseries-arriving-this-september/|title='Turbo Kid' Prequel Comic Miniseries Arriving This September|access-date=2021-05-14}} (September 29, 2021 - September 8, 2022)
• Kult Cable: ft. Ho99o9 & Jack Black (May 07, 2022){{Cite news|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/free-comic-book-day-more-than-40-titles-for-2022-from-marvel-dark-horse|title=Free Comic Book Day 2022 revealed: Spider-Man, Resident Alien, Stranger Things, Doctor Who & more |access-date=2021-12-16}}

• Hotline Miami: Wildlife #1-8 (September 23, 2020 - April 7, 2021)
• Watch Dogs: Legion #1-4 (November 3, 2021 - February 2, 2022)
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance #1-4 (June 22, 2022 - September 2024){{Cite news|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/kingdom-come-deliverance-slashes-its-way-into-comics/|title=Kingdom Come Deliverance slashes its way into comics|access-date=2022-01-26}}

• Bad Omens: Concrete Jungle #1-4 (September 6, 2023 - January 2024){{Cite news|url= https://substreammagazine.com/2023/06/bad-omens-release-new-just-pretend-video-announce-comic-book-series/|title= Bad Omens Release New "Just Pretend" Video + Announce Comic Book Series|access-date=2023-07-13}}
• The Dillinger Escape Plan: One of Us Is the Killer (February 18, 2024)
• Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows #1 (October 31, 2024)
• Underoath: They're Only Chasing Safety (November 26, 2024)
• Sleep Token: Teeth of God (November 29, 2024)
• The Offspring: Come Out and Play (January 22, 2024)
• Anberlin: Godspeed (April 1, 2025)
• Interpol: Antics (April 6, 2025)

• You Promised Me Darkness #1-5 (April 14, 2021 - August 15, 2021) 55,000+ sold
• Until My Knuckles Bleed #1-3 (January, 2022 - March, 2022)
• Paranormal Hitmen #1-4 (February, 2021 - May, 2021)
• Nancy in Hell Vol. 1: The Long Road (June, 2021)
• Osaka Mime Vol. 1 (May, 2021)
• Follow Me Into the Darkness #1-4 (February, 2022 - May, 2022)
• Heavy Metal Drummer #1-6 (February, 2022 - July, 2022)
• Dark Beach #1-6 (April, 2022 - September, 2022)
• Sara Lone #1-4 (October, 2022 - January, 2023)
• How I Became A Shoplifter #1-3 (January, 2023 - March, 2023)
• Children of the Comet #1-5 (July 2023 - December 2023)
• Misfortune's Eyes #1-3 (March, 2024 - May, 2024)

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://sumerian.ink}}
• {{URL|https://sumerianrecords.com|Sumerian Records site}}

{{Comic book publishers in North America}}

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Category:American companies established in 2020

Category:Comic book publishing companies of the United States

Category:Companies based in Nashville, Tennessee

Category:Publishing companies established in 2020