Mad Cave Studios has expanded their line to include middle-grade graphic novels with the acquisition of the children’s graphic novel publisher Papercutz. Founded in 2005 by Terry Nantier and Jim Salicrup, Papercutz publishes licensed graphic novels, including the Smurfs, Geronimo Stilton, and Asterix, original titles including  Art Baltazar’s Gillbert, Jim Benton’s Attack of the Stuff, and Jeremy Whitley and Jamie Noguchi’s School for Extraterrestrial Girls, and imports from Europe and elsewhere, including Chloe, The Sisters, and Monica Adventures.

Rex E. Ogle will be the Head of Editorial for Papercutz, although Nantier and Salicrup will stay on to ensure a smooth transition. Ogle is a writer and editor whose work includes Conjuring: The Lover, the launch title for the DC Horror imprint (see “DC Launches New Horror Imprint”) as well as a number of middle-grade prose books and the upcoming graphic novel Four Eyes, to be published in May 2023 by Graphix. Ironically, Ogle was the editor of the Lego Ninjagoseries after Papercutz lost the license to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (see “Papercutz Loses Lego License to Little, Brown”).

Ogle’s comments in the announcement indicated that Papercutz will continue to publish a mix of titles. “By providing licensed books, original stories, and creator-owned projects, we'll be creating new stories for every reader and creating an entry point to the rest of our line,” he said. “As young readers grow and their tastes evolve, we'll be able to provide fresh content. Whether a child is a reluctant reader or reading well ahead of their peers, Papercutz can provide action, adventure, fantasy, mystery, scary stories, and of course, some of the most recognizable characters in the media.”

Mad Cave launched a young-adult graphic novel imprint, Maverick, in 2021 (see “Mad Cave Studios Announces YA Graphic Novel Imprint”).