1First Comics, as reconstituted by co-founder Ken Levin, and Devil’s Due Entertainment, Josh Blaylock’s reorganized company, have merged, bringing together their respective publishing portfolios and development pipelines, according to
Deadline.
The revival of 1First Comics has been around since 2012 with a relatively low profile and an unconventional distribution system (see "Revived First Comics Will Skip Distributors"
). It’s publishing both titles from the company’s original run from 1983 to 1992 (E-Man, Warp), and titles brought in by Levin in its new incarnation (e.g., Zen, Intergalactic Ninja).
Devil’s Due has been doing Kickstarters, digital publishing, and some print books sold through Diamond Comic Distributors since it resumed publishing for the trade in 2012 (see "Devil's Due Returns to 'Previews'"). Unlike the licensed titles that were the heart of its line in its earlier incarnation, it’s now focused on creator-owned titles, including Squarriors, Yumiko: Curse of the Merch-Girl, and Tales of Mr. Rhee.
The new company will begin publishing in September, and plans six graphic novels, the launch of five new ongoing series, and reissued trade collections of previously publishing material this year. The two managements will make autonomous publishing decisions going forward, according to the report.
