Dark Horse Comics and Marvel Comics have struck a new multi-year licensing agreement for Dark Horse to publish a broad range of art books, including a new imprint for the works of legendary Marvel Comics characters and creators, the companies announced. The new line will be helmed by well-known designer, editor, and packager John Lind, who won an Eisner Award for his book design work for Kitchen Sink Books (see "
2019 Eisner Awards"), a previous Dark Horse imprint on which Lind was partnered with legendary creator Denis Kitchen (see "
Kitchen Sink at Dark Horse").
"Our initial projects will concentrate on exploring the extensive artistic and design legacy of Marvel Comics, including the substantial contributions made by its iconic creative teams," creative director, editor and designer Lind said of the new line. "Combining the incredible depth and content within Marvel’s art archives with Dark Horse’s exceptional design and production will offer fans unparalleled editions of this material."
Books published under the over-all licensing agreement will include video game art books, artist monographs highlighting Marvel talent, typography and graphic design, and retrospectives of Marvel collectibles. Dark Horse released two video game art books,
The Art of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – The Poster Collection, earlier this year.
Marvel announced a third Marvel video game art book,
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – The Poster Collection, a 42-page, 12" x 16" compendium with perforated pages, due out November 5 (bookstores) or 6 (comic stores) at $29.99.
The first book under the Bullpen Books imprint will be
The Art of the Amazing Spider-Man, collecting seven complete stories with art by John Romita Sr. from
The Amazing Spider-Man #39 - #122, shot from the original art in the Marvel archives, plus covers and essays. The 200-page, 10" x 14" hardcover will be released at $59.99 on October 15 in bookstores, and on October 16 in comic stores.
