Steve Massarsky, who co-founded Valiant Comics parent Voyager Communications in 1989, has succumbed to complications related to cancer and passed away on October 5th in Manhattan.  As CEO of Voyager, Massarsky was a tireless promoter who worked hard to build Valiant to the #3 publisher in only a few years in the go-go early 90s. 

Massarsky's crowning business achievement in the comics industry was the timing of the sale of the company to Acclaim, accomplished at the absolute peak of a huge bubble in comic sales driven by multiple copy sales to speculators.  The $65 million price tag was a testament to the profitability and growth of the company to that point, trends that quickly reversed as the market collapsed shortly thereafter. 

An attorney, Massarsky began his entertainment career managing artists such as the Allman Brothers Band and the Wailers, and helped launch the career of Cyndi Lauper.  As an entertainment lawyer, he represented Aerosmith, Tom Chapin, Cabbage Patch Dolls, and other brands and entertainers. 

Massarsky ran Valiant Comics, later Acclaim Comics, for a time after the acquisition in 1994, then founded the Business Incubation Group in 1999 to match angel funding and expertise with start-up companies.  

We did business with Valiant, and later Acclaim, under Massarsky's leadership from its founding until 1995, and found him a quick study in a business that was new to him, a reasonable man, and fun to be around.  Although we'd lost touch since the early days of the Business Incubation Group, we receive the news of his death with sadness and sympathy for his family.  And although his career in the comics business was brief, it had a considerable impact at a unique time in the industry.