IDW Media Holdings

What IDW Media Holdings does

IDW Media Holdings is an integrated media company that develops, publishes, and monetizes intellectual property across comics, graphic novels, television, games, and merchandise. The company operates through two core divisions: IDW Publishing, the fourth largest direct market comic and graphic novel publisher in the United States, producing over 280 comics and 125 graphic novels annually with a catalog exceeding 100 original titles and 40+ in active development; and IDW Entertainment, which adapts the publishing library into television and streaming content for global platforms. IDW also owns Top Shelf Productions, an acquired literary graphic novel imprint whose catalog includes the March series by Congressman John Lewis and Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Publishing revenue is generated across direct market comic shops, retail bookstores via Penguin Random House Publisher Services, digital platforms including Webtoon and Tapas, and licensed publishing relationships with Disney, Marvel, DC, Hasbro, Paramount, SEGA, Wizards of the Coast, and Toho. Entertainment revenue is derived from development, production, and distribution deals with Netflix (Locke & Key across three seasons, October Faction, V-Wars), Apple TV+ (Surfside Girls), BBC America and AMC Studios (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency), and Syfy (Wynonna Earp), with management disclosing that each greenlit show generates $1-3 million in pure incremental profit per season.

The company was originally spun off from IDT Corporation in 2009 as CTM Media Holdings, rebranded to IDW Media Holdings in April 2015, completed an NYSE American uplisting in August 2021 with a $10.4 million public offering, and in May 2023 filed Form 15 to voluntarily terminate SEC reporting, moving to the OTCQB Venture Market (IDWM). A 1-for-100 reverse stock split was executed in July 2024 as a corporate reset, and CEO Davidi Jonas was appointed in May 2023 alongside a broader management overhaul that installed digital, editorial, and operating leadership. Underlying technology is not proprietary in the software sense; the platform is a content/IP development and licensing engine combining an editorial workforce of approximately 80 professionals, a network of 450 authors and illustrators, and distribution agreements with direct market retailers, PRH, and major streaming platforms. The integrated model is designed to create a virtuous cycle where successful entertainment adaptations drive publishing sales and merchandising, while licensed and original publishing output feeds the development pipeline.

Name

IDW Media Holdings

Legal name

IDW Media Holdings, Inc.

Website

https://idwmediaholdings.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IDW Media Holdings is an integrated media company operating IDW Publishing (the fourth largest direct market comic publisher) and IDW Entertainment (TV/streaming adaptation), serving global audiences by developing original and licensed IP across comics, graphic novels, television, and merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Comic Book and Graphic Novel Publishing

NAICS

Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Western Comic Books Publishing (Superhero, Indie) (MPAJAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Niche Channel Distribution (Religious, Comic Shops, Specialty Retail) (MPAJAKAH), Royalty, Reporting & Revenue Share Administration (MPADALAJ)

Keywords

• Comic book publishing
• Graphic novel publishing
• Licensed IP adaptation
• Television series development
• Entertainment franchise licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Newark

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Publishing Revenue: IDW Publishing generates revenue from direct market comics sales, graphic novel sales, digital sales, games revenue, and licensing of established brands. The company is the fourth largest direct market publisher of comics and graphic novels, publishing over 280 comics and 125 graphic novels annually. Revenue increased 34% to $7.5 million in Q1 2022 from $5.6 million in Q1 2021.
2. Entertainment Revenue: IDW Entertainment generates revenue from TV series development, production, and distribution deals. Revenue fluctuates with delivery of product. Q1 2022 entertainment revenue was $4.3 million, up 54% from Q1 2021, primarily from recognition of Locke & Key Season 2 revenue ($4.2 million). Deals with Netflix, BBC America, AMC, Apple TV+, Syfy.
3. Licensing and Merchandising: Successful entertainment vehicles drive additional publishing sales with merchandising opportunities and reciprocal use of IP across divisions. The virtuous cycle creates additional revenue streams beyond initial content creation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IDW Media Holdings operates as an integrated media company through two core divisions: IDW Publishing publishes over 280 comics and 125 graphic novels annually, including licensed brands (Disney, Marvel, DC Comics, Hasbro) and original IP, distributed through direct market, retail, digital, and e-commerce channels. IDW Entertainment develops, produces, and distributes television content based on the publishing IP library for streaming platforms and networks. The dual model creates a virtuous cycle where successful entertainment drives publishing sales and vice versa.

Product overview

IDW Media Holdings operates as an integrated media company with two core divisions: IDW Publishing and IDW Entertainment. IDW Publishing is a leading publisher of comic books and graphic novels that acquires and creates intellectual property, while IDW Entertainment develops that IP into television and other entertainment formats for global audiences. The company also maintains Top Shelf Productions as a distinct imprint for literary graphic novels. The integrated model enables holistic franchise development across comics, graphic novels, television, games, merchandise, and other entertainment platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Top Shelf Productions: Award-winning independent graphic novel imprint known for literary comics including March by John Lewis, Alan Moore titles, and works by Craig Thompson, Jeff Lemire

Products and services

• IDW Publishing IDW Publishing is a leading comic book and graphic novel publisher that creates and licenses intellectual property, publishing over 280 comics and 125 graphic novels annually. It distributes through direct market, retail, foreign, digital, and e-commerce channels, and is the fourth largest direct market publisher of comics and graphic novels. The division publishes licensed properties (Disney, Marvel, DC Comics, Star Trek, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sonic the Hedgehog) and an original IP line.
• IDW Entertainment IDW Entertainment develops, produces, and distributes television content based on IP from IDW Publishing, creating franchise value across streaming platforms and traditional media. Successful projects include Locke & Key (Netflix, 3 seasons), Wynonna Earp (Syfy), Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (BBC America/AMC/Netflix), and Surfside Girls (Apple TV+). The entertainment division generates $1-3 million pure incremental profit per season per show.
• Top Shelf Productions Top Shelf Productions is an award-winning independent publisher of graphic novels operating as a distinct imprint within IDW Publishing, maintaining an independent editorial approach for literary graphic novels. Its catalog includes the New York Times bestseller March by Congressman John Lewis, Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Craig Thompson's Blankets, Nate Powell's Swallow Me Whole, and Jeff Lemire's Essex County.

Quantifiable outcome

• Q1 2022 revenue of $11.8 million, up 40% year-over-year
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DisneycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed publishing relationship for Disney comics and characters. IDW debuted collection of Disney comics starting April 2015 and continues publishing Disney properties.
• Marvel EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed publishing partner for Marvel Comics properties. One of IDW's major licensed publishing relationships alongside Disney and DC Comics.
• DC ComicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed publishing partner for DC Comics properties. IDW publishes various DC-related comic titles as part of their licensed publishing business.
• HasbrocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor10-year relationship extending publishing for Hasbro properties including Transformers and My Little Pony. Celebrated decade-long partnership in 2015 and continued relationship thereafter.
• Paramount Consumer ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRenewed licensing agreement for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and other Paramount properties. Multi-year partnership ensuring continued publishing of TMNT comics.
• NetflixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming partner for Locke & Key (3 seasons), October Faction, and V-Wars series. Netflix renewed Locke & Key for Season 2 and Season 3.
• Apple TV+coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming partner for original live action series 'Surfside Girls'. IDW signed deal with Apple TV+ for original live action series.
• BBC AmericacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-production partner for 'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency'. Netflix, BBC America, AMC Studios, and Ideate Media co-produced the series.
• SyfycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCable network that acquired and renewed 'Wynonna Earp' from SEVEN24 Films and IDW Entertainment.
• AMC StudiosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-production partner for 'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency' alongside Netflix and BBC America.
• NickelodeonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed publishing partner for Nickelodeon properties as part of IDW's licensing business.
• CBS StudiosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed publishing partner for CBS Studios properties.
• SEGAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed publishing partner for Sonic the Hedgehog comics and graphic novels.
• Wizards of the CoastminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed publishing partner for Dungeons and Dragons properties.
• TohominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed publishing partner for Godzilla comics and graphic novels.
• Ideate MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandmark co-development partnership with writing duo Matt Silverstein and Dave Jeser. Also partnered on Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
• Circle of ConfusionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive producer on Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and other IDW Entertainment projects.
• Top Shelf ProductionscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAcquired Top Shelf Productions in 2015, adding award-winning independent publisher to IDW. Top Shelf operates as distinct imprint maintaining independent editorial approach. Includes library of March by John Lewis, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, From Hell, Blankets, Swallow Me Whole, Essex County.
• William Morris EndeavorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIDW Entertainment signed with William Morris Endeavor for representation in 2015.
• Hidden PicturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Todd Lieberman's Hidden Pictures on 'Radical Shift of Gravity' project.
• Universal Content Productions (UCP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partnership on 'Dark Spaces' project with Universal Content Productions.
• 20th TelevisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partnership on 'Earthdivers' with 20th Television.
• Warner Bros. TelevisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partnership on 'The Delicacy' with Warner Bros. Television.
• Anima StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partnership on 'Brutal Nature' with Anima Studios.
• Seven24minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Seven24 Films for international distribution of Wynonna Earp alongside Dynamic Television.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Marvel Entertainment: Marvel publishes comic books and graphic novels across superheroes and adjacent genres and is owned by The Walt Disney Company. It is a major licensor for IDW Publishing and a direct competitor in the direct market, making it the most strategically comparable peer.
• DC Comics: DC Comics is one of the two largest Western comic publishers (Batman, Superman, etc.) and is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Like Marvel, DC is both a licensor that supplies IDW with publishing rights and a direct competitor in the direct market.
• Lionsgate: Lionsgate is an independent film and TV studio that has acquired comic IP for adaptation and operates in the same entertainment licensing ecosystem as IDW Entertainment. Relevant as an acquirer or partner for IDW's adaptation slate.
• Hasbro Entertainment: Hasbro is one of IDW's largest licensors (Transformers, My Little Pony) and an integrated entertainment company through eOne. Comparable as a counterparty in IP licensing and a potential strategic acquirer of the publishing arm.

Direct peers

• Image Comics: Image Comics is the largest independent Western comic publisher, focused on creator-owned original titles (Spawn, The Walking Dead, Saga). It competes directly with IDW Publishing for direct market shelf space and original creator relationships.
• Dark Horse Comics: Dark Horse Comics is an independent publisher of comics and graphic novels spanning licensed (Hellboy, Star Wars historically) and original IP. It is comparable to IDW in size, business model, and mix of licensed vs. original publishing.
• BOOM! Studios: BOOM! Studios is an independent comic and graphic novel publisher with a similar mix of licensed (Buffy, Power Rangers, WWE) and original IP, plus a dedicated entertainment adaptation arm (BOOM! Studios Productions). Closely mirrors IDW's publishing-plus-entertainment dual model.
• Dynamite Entertainment: Dynamite Entertainment publishes licensed comics (Vampirella, Red Sonja, James Bond, ThunderCats) and original titles. Comparable to IDW Publishing's licensed-property focus and mid-tier direct market position.
• Oni Press: Oni Press is an independent graphic novel and comic publisher known for licensed titles (Rick and Morty, Stranger Things) and originals (Scott Pilgrim). Recently went public via a SPAC merger, making it a closely comparable scale and business-model peer.
• Skybound Entertainment: Skybound is the entertainment arm of Robert Kirkman's Image Comics imprint, producing The Walking Dead and other comic-based TV/film adaptations. Closely comparable to IDW Entertainment's role of converting comic IP into screen adaptations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IDW Media Holdings