What Oni Press does

Oni Press is an independent comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1997 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon. It operates a hybrid publishing model combining creator-owned intellectual property (where creators retain rights), licensed franchise comics (Rick and Morty, Adventure Time, Archie, Murder Drones, Biker Mice From Mars, Cult of the Lamb), and heritage brand revival (a partnership with William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. that brought EC Comics back to publication in 2024 for the first time in nearly seven decades). The company publishes 20+ titles per year across multiple imprints, including Flux House (Matt Kindt's creator-owned imprint featuring proprietary PSYCHO-VISION printing technology) and the Eisner Award-winning Magnetic Press imprint for international prestige graphic novels. Its product surface spans single-issue comics ($4.99–$8.99), prestige-format issues, trade paperbacks and hardcovers (~$19.99), collectible variants, and merchandise.

The company makes money through five streams: single-issue and collected-edition sales via comic shops and bookstores, licensing royalties from IP holders (Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, Archie Comics, Glitch Productions, Rebellion, Nacelle Company), direct-to-consumer e-commerce through its Shopify storefront, and pre-order crowdfunding on Kickstarter (Murder Drones raised $1.7M from 20,000+ backers, ranking #4 highest grossing comics campaign of all time). Distribution is being materially upgraded by a multi-year global agreement with Penguin Random House Publisher Services effective August 2026, covering frontlist, backlist, and Magnetic Press across all worldwide channels. Go-to-market is event-driven (SDCC, NYCC, ComicsPRO) and community-led, with convention exclusives, creator panels, and crowdfunding launches serving as primary acquisition and visibility engines.

Oni Press is a privately held subsidiary of Polarity, a diversified media company owned by David Steward II that also includes Lion Forge Entertainment. Founded by Joe Nozemack (now Publisher Emeritus), the company is led by President and Publisher Hunter Gorinson and Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn, with Director of Business Development Sam Kusek (joined January 2026 from Kickstarter) overseeing crowdfunding, e-commerce, and licensing. The company has won multiple Eisner, Harvey, and Ringo Awards and is approaching its 30th anniversary in 2027.

Name

Oni Press

Legal name

Oni Press

Website

https://onipress.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Oni Press is an independent Portland-based comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1997, producing creator-owned titles, licensed franchise comics (Rick and Morty, Archie, Murder Drones), and reviving EC Comics, serving comic readers, licensed-IP fans, and collectors globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Comic Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Comic Books, Graphic Novels & Manga Retail (CRALAAAF), Genre & Category Publishing (Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, etc.) (MPAJAAAB)

Keywords

• Comic book publishing
• Graphic novels
• Creator-owned comics
• Licensed franchise comics
• Comic book distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Single Issue Comics Sales: Traditional comic book single-issue format sold through comic shops and direct retail. New series debut monthly across multiple genres including horror, sci-fi, fantasy, licensed properties, and all-ages titles.
2. Trade Paperbacks and Hardcover Collections: Collected editions, deluxe hardcovers, and graphic novel collections sold through bookstores, comic shops, and online retail. Includes creator-owned works and licensed franchise adaptations.
3. Crowdfunding (Kickstarter): Major launches use Kickstarter campaigns for pre-orders and exclusive editions. Murder Drones campaign grossed $1.7 million; Covenant: The Final Chapter also uses Kickstarter. Allows exclusive merchandise and collector's items alongside standard products.
4. Licensing Royalties: Oni Press publishes licensed comics for franchises including Rick and Morty, Adventure Time, Archie, Murder Drones, Biker Mice From Mars, and Cult of the Lamb, earning royalties from IP holders such as Warner Bros. Discovery and Archie Comics.
5. E-commerce Direct Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales through Oni Press Shopify storefront (oni-press.myshopify.com) and onipress.com, selling comics, graphic novels, apparel, and merchandise including SDCC exclusives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Oni Press is a Portland-based publisher of original creator-owned comic book series and licensed franchise comics and graphic novels sold primarily through comic shops, bookstores, and its direct-to-consumer Shopify store. The company publishes across horror (EC Comics revival), science fiction, fantasy, crime, and licensed entertainment IP including Rick and Morty, Adventure Time, Archie, Murder Drones, Cult of the Lamb, Biker Mice From Mars, and Judge Dredd. It also produces branded merchandise, apparel, and Kickstarter-exclusive editions, supplemented by its Flux House and Magnetic Press imprints.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Flux House: Publishing imprint led by New York Times best-selling creator Matt Kindt, focused on creator-owned comics with new initiatives including 100% Human-Made certification for AI-free creative works.
• Magnetic Press

Products and services

• Single-Issue Comic Books Monthly single-issue comic book format (32 pages, full color) sold through comic shops and direct retail; titles span horror, sci-fi, fantasy, crime, licensed franchises, and all-ages series.
• Prestige-Format Comic Issues Extended 40-page premium single issues with no advertisements, targeting collectors and fans of high-end presentation; priced at $7.99 per issue.
• Trade Paperback Graphic Novels Collected editions and graphic novel compilations of creator-owned and licensed series sold through bookstores, comic shops, and online retail; typically 120+ pages.
• Hardcover and Deluxe Collections Premium hardcover and deluxe collected editions of flagship and award-winning comic series targeting collectors and premium buyers.
• Branded Apparel and Merchandise Comic-themed apparel and merchandise (e.g., Scott Pilgrim 20th Anniversary collection tees, SDCC exclusives) sold through the Oni Press Shopify storefront and at conventions.
• FORT PSYCHO (Flux House / Matt Kindt) Series Creator-owned comic series from Matt Kindt under the Flux House imprint, employing proprietary PSYCHO-VISION high-intensity print processes for innovative visual storytelling.
• Murder Drones: The Official Graphic Novel Series Licensed comic adaptation of Glitch Productions' Murder Drones animated series, including the main series and HOME SPECIAL adaptation of the origin episode.
• Archie Comics Relaunch (Archie #1, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Archie in Hell) Licensed comic series relaunching the Archie, Betty and Veronica, Jughead, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Josie and the Pussycats characters under the Oni Press / Archie Comics partnership.
• EC Comics Horror Anthology Line Revived horror anthology comic series under the EC Comics heritage brand, including Epitaphs from the Abyss, Cruel Universe, and Cruel Kingdom 2, featuring Jason Aaron, Brian Azzarello, and Matt Kindt.
• The Forever Home #1 Six-part sci-fi thriller comic series by Christian Ward and Sami Kivelä about a high-tech refuge family at end of time facing an apocalypse scenario.
• Judge Dredd / Biker Mice From Mars Crossover Series Two-issue crossover comic event combining Rebellion's Judge Dredd and The Nacelle Company's Biker Mice From Mars characters, produced in collaboration between Oni Press, Rebellion, and Nacelle.
• Touch Me Someplace Nowhere Creator-owned solo comic series by Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist Tradd Moore, set in alternate New York City following outsider characters and gang hierarchies.
• Covenant: The Final Chapter Final chapter of LySandra Vuong's supernatural romance comic series Covenant, originally debuted in 2024 on Webtoon, with Kickstarter campaign and retail release.
• The Art of The Toys That Made Us (Two-Volume Art Book) Two-volume hardcover art book chronicling the history of iconic toy brands (Barbie, G.I. Joe, Hot Wheels) through artwork and concept designs from the Netflix documentary series The Toys That Made Us.
• Magnetic Press Imprint (International Graphic Novels) Adjacent imprint under Oni Press publishing prestige international graphic novels, role-playing games, graphic novel adaptations, and foreign works, including Fall 2026 lineup releases.
• Flux House Imprint (Creator-Owned) Creator-owned imprint led by New York Times best-selling creator Matt Kindt at Oni Press, featuring creator-owned series and the "100% HUMAN-MADE" open-source AI-free certification initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• Murder Drones campaign became #4 highest grossing and #2 most backed comics Kickstarter of all time, raising $1.7 million from 20,000+ backers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• The Nacelle CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2026Oni Press and The Nacelle Company partnered to produce 'The Art of The Toys That Made Us,' a two-volume hardcover book featuring artwork from the Netflix documentary series, with a Kickstarter campaign live now. Also partners on Judge Dredd / Biker Mice From Mars crossover comics, Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, and additional merchandise.
• RebellionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2026Oni Press, Rebellion, and The Nacelle Company partnered for JUDGE DREDD / BIKER MICE FROM MARS #1 — a two-issue, 40-page deluxe format crossover event beginning December 2026. Rebellion is also entering a merchandising partnership with Nacelle to create action figures and collectibles featuring crossovers between Biker Mice From Mars and Rebellion's Judge Dredd characters.
• Magnetic PressminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 February 2026Magnetic Press, an Eisner Award-winning publisher of prestige graphic novels from around the globe, operates as an imprint under Oni Press distribution. Their Fall 2026 lineup includes role-playing games, graphic novel adaptations, and international works.
• Penguin Random House Publisher Services (PRHPS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 February 2026Multi-year worldwide sales and distribution agreement effective August 1, 2026. PRHPS handles global sales and distribution of Oni Press frontlist and backlist trade books, single issue comics, and the Magnetic Press imprint across all global sales channels. Positions Oni Press for growth approaching its 30th anniversary.
• Archie ComicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Oni Press and Archie Comics entered an ambitious wide-ranging publishing partnership to relaunch and reimagine Archie and related characters (Archie, Betty and Veronica, Jughead, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats) across new monthly comic series, original graphic novels, and prestige collections beginning September 2026, timed to Archie's 85th anniversary. Initial titles include Archie #1 (September), Sabrina the Teenage Witch #1 (October), and Archie in Hell #1 (November 2026).
• Matt Kindt / Flux HousecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2025Matt Kindt brought his Flux House publishing imprint to Oni Press for an array of new series beginning summer 2026, including MIND MGMT / FORT PSYCHO FCBD 2026 SPECIAL, MIND MGMT: NEW & IMPROVED #1, and FORT PSYCHO #1. Flux House is Kindt's creator-owned imprint operating within Oni Press.
• Patrick Crotty (Logo Designer)minorOthers · 6 October 2025Multiple Eisner Award nominee Patrick Crotty designed Oni Press's new logo and company icon, debuting in November 2025. Crotty was nominated for both an Eisner Award and Ringo Award for his design of Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim 20th Anniversary Hardcover Box Set.
• Glitch ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2025Oni Press partnered with Glitch Productions to adapt the global animated series Murder Drones into an official graphic novel. The Kickstarter campaign raised $1.7 million. The partnership also includes the Murder Drones HOME SPECIAL and ongoing comic adaptations of the series.
• Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 8 September 2025Oni Press has a long-standing licensing partnership with WBDGCP to publish Rick and Morty comics (over 100 issues over 10 years) and Adventure Time comics, receiving IP rights to create comics based on Warner Bros. Discovery properties.
• William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. (EC Comics)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024EC Comics, effectively shut down in 1956 by the Comics Code Authority, returned to publication through a partnership with Oni Press beginning summer 2024. First two new titles — Epitaphs from the Abyss (July) and Cruel Universe (August) — marked the first official EC Comics series in nearly seven decades. Oni Press partners with Cathy Gaines Mifsud and Corey Mifsud of William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. to oversee the publishing line.
• SpectreVisionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOni Press partners with SpectreVision (Elijah Wood's production company) for the HIGH STRANGENESS five-part comic series, inspired by real paranormal phenomena. SpectreVision brings original IP and co-development to the partnership, with national advertising support through SpectreVision Radio Network.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• BOOM! Studios: Independent comics publisher operating a similar hybrid model of creator-owned originals and major licensed franchises (e.g., Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, WWE). Closely comparable in headcount, GTM motion, and dependence on franchise licenses.
• Dark Horse Comics: Long-established independent publisher of creator-owned and licensed comics (Hellboy, The Umbrella Academy, Conan). Directly comparable in publishing breadth, awards profile, and licensing-led revenue mix; now owned by Random House, similar in scale and category.
• Image Comics: Creator-owned comics publisher and the standard-bearer for the indie comics model. Directly comparable in editorial philosophy, creator-friendly IP terms, and slate diversity; significantly larger in scale.
• IDW Publishing: Independent publisher combining licensed IP (Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, My Little Pony) with creator-owned titles. Closely comparable in licensed-franchise dependence and direct-market GTM.
• Dynamite Entertainment: Licensed-franchise-focused comics publisher (Vampirella, James Bond, Red Sonja). Comparable in heavy reliance on third-party IP licenses and direct-market single-issue economics.
• Vault Comics: Indie comics publisher focused on creator-owned horror, sci-fi, and fantasy titles. Comparable in genre mix, slate size, and indie-publisher positioning relative to majors.
• Titan Comics: UK-based comics publisher with a mix of licensed (Doctor Who, Blade Runner) and original creator-owned titles. Comparable in genre breadth and licensed-franchise strategy, with a regional angle through UK publishing.
• Magnetic Press: Eisner Award-winning imprint publishing prestige graphic novels from around the globe, operating as an Oni Press imprint since 2013. Directly comparable in editorial mission and format, though Oni now distributes its titles.

Broad incumbents

• Marvel Comics: Vertically integrated mainstream superhero publisher. Overlaps in direct-market comics and licensed IP, but operates at vastly larger scale with a portfolio of A-list entertainment IP rather than indie/creator-owned focus.

Emerging players

• Webtoon: Digital-first comics platform with a creator-friendly model (e.g., Oni's Covenant originated on Webtoon). Comparable in creator-empowerment ethos but operates in the digital-scroll format rather than print comics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/onipress
• Instagraminstagram.com/onipress
• Xx.com/OniPress

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Oni Press