CrossGen Comics has launched two new imprints to publish comics that are not part of the CrossGen universe.  The first, CG Entertainment (CGE),will publish comics that are created and owned by companies outside of CrossGen.  The first studio to take advantage of CGE, which allows creators to retain complete ownership of their properties while taking advantage of marketing, licensing, printing and distribution by CrossGen, is Archangel Studios, publishers of the stylish sci-fi title, The Red Star.  Archangel recently left Image Comics (see 'Turnover At Image'), which essentially performs the same services for creators that CGE provides, raising the question of what competitive factors caused Archangel to view CrossGen as preferable.

 

The second new imprint CrossGen unveiled this week is Code 6 Comics.  'Code 6' is Florida police code for 'escaped prisoners,' and its approach is different from that of CGE.  Code 6 creators exchange a portion of the rights to their creations in exchange for page rates and benefits that will allow them to make a living creating comics.  CrossGen has indicated that Code 6 creators would be in line to receive licensing and merchandising revenues though Code 6 would have a majority ownership of the comic property.  Code 6 obviously affords CrossGen both greater risks and greater potential rewards.

 

Why is CrossGen expanding this way rather than just adding titles to the CrossGen universe?  Both the CGE and Code 6 take advantage of the considerable infrastructure in marketing, billing, and distribution that CrossGen has already put in place.  The fees generated by CGE and the potential profits from Code 6 can help amortize the costs of the entire CrossGen operation.  Will the formation of CGE and Code 6 lead to increased competition among comic publishers for independent creator-owned titles?  Don't bet against it.