Random House Publishing Group has entered into an agreement to acquire BOOM! Studios in a blockbuster deal on the eve of San Diego Comic-Con, the companies announced.  The deal is expected to close this summer.  Terms were not disclosed. 

BOOM!’s brands (BOOM! Studios, BOOM! Box, KaBOOM!, and Archaia) will join Del Rey, Inklore and the Random House Worlds licensed books imprint in the Random House Worlds portfolio within Random House Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House. 

BOOM!’s management (currently unclear, see “Sablik Leaving BOOM!”) will report to Scott Shannon, President of Random House Worlds.  Other Random House executives involved in the integration include Random House Worlds VP Publisher Keith Clayton and Random House Publishing Group EVP of Business Strategy Bill Takes.   

BOOM! will retain its editorial and publishing independence, according to the announcement, and remain located in their Los Angeles office.

BOOM! Founder and Chairman Ross Richie commented on the deal in a statement accompanying the announcement. “It's every entrepreneur's dream to launch a company, build it, and sell it to the best,” he said. “Their focus on readers and retail partnerships will build upon our work and help our creators achieve even more success. Personally, it's time for me to take some much-needed time off with my family and explore what's next."  

Random House Worlds President Scott Shannon shared his thoughts. “Over the past several years Random House Worlds has partnered with BOOM! Studios on various projects and had the benefit of seeing first-hand their best-in-class comic publishing," he said. "Ross and his team have built a dynamic, imaginative home for a diverse and talented roster of creators. The acquisition of BOOM! Studios is a major step in Penguin Random House’s expansion of support to the direct comics market and a key part of our commitment to being the best publisher for creators across all categories.”