Broken Frontier

Former Atomeka Press publisher Ross Richie has announced the formation of Boom! Studios and has already lined up a full slate of creator-owned projects by some top name talent in the comic book industry.

Unlike his former company, which has largely concentrated on reprints and collections of previously published material, Boom! Studios will provide readers with a steady mix of new and archival undertakings.

From the heart of the superhero world to the boundaries of the cutting edge, the company's initial roster includes work from Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis (Hero Squared), Howard Chaykin and Don Cameron (Cyberella), Dave Johnson (The Dave Johnson Sketchbook) and a new creator-owned project from Fantastic Four and Legion of Super-Heroes writer Mark Waid.

The company's first project will be the next chapter in the story of Hero Squared by Keith Giffen and his Formerly Known As The Justice League collaborator J.M. DeMatteis. The recently released Hero Squared one-shot from Atomeka Press received excellent notices in the comics press and lots of attention from Hollywood. The new monthly three-issue mini-series will expand on that success.

For the present, the company expects to release one new title per month as well in addition to its collected editions. On tap immediately the Trencher trade paperback collecting the acclaimed previous adventures of Giffen's noted creation. After that, Boom! Will release a Cyberella paperback featuring work from acclaimed creators Howard Chaykin and Don Cameron. For the summer, Boom! has plans to release a series of trade paperbacks featuring J.M. DeMatteis' collaboration with Glenn Barr and Jon J. Muth, Seekers Into The Mystery.

Following that will be the new mystery project from Mark Waid, details of which will be announced soon.

"I'm very excited about our ability to launch Boom Studios with such an incredible roster of talent," Richie said. "The main upshot to our diverse offerings, whether it's our new projects or collected editions, will be that they're comics we ourselves would like to read. Couldn't we all do with a few more decisions made that way?"

Specifics on additional projects will follow shortly.