Behemoth (entertainment company)

Behemoth is an American comic book, graphic novel, and video game publisher based in Dallas, Texas. The company was founded in 2020 by Nathan Yocum and Ryan Swanson. The comic division sells over half a million (500,000+) comics yearly, reached 9th in total market share in 2021,[1] and has worked on titles with Ubisoft,[4] Netflix, among others. Their titles are currently distributed globally by Simon & Schuster[5][6][7] & Diamond Comic Distributors.[8] Their video game division, Behemoth Interactive, releases titles on Steam,[9] PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S,[1] and other platforms. As of 2022, the company is owned by Sumerian Records.[2]

Behemoth (Entertainment Company)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryPublishing
Video Games[1]
Founded2020 (2020)
FounderNathan Yocum
Ryan Swanson
HeadquartersDallas, Texas
Area served
worldwide
Key people
Ash Avildsen[2]
ProductsComics
Graphic Novels
Video Games
ParentSumerian Records (2022 - present)
DivisionsBehemoth Comics
Behemoth Interactive
SubsidiariesAmigo Comics[3]
Websitelink

History

First year (2020–2021)

Founded in 2020 after acquiring the Spain-based comic book publisher, Amigo Comics,[3] Behemoth debuted in the March Previews catalog for Diamond Comic Distributors.[10] Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and Diamond shutting down its distribution services for a brief period, Behemoth's first titles were not released until July 2020. On May 25, 2020 Bloody Disgusting announced that Behemoth would be releasing a spin-off of the popular video game series, Hotline Miami.[11] The title, Hotline Miami: Wildlife is an 8-part series that was released monthly beginning in September 2020.[12]

In November 2020, Bleeding Cool announced that A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night #1, written by film Director, Ana Lily Amirpour had sold through at least 10,000 copies of its first printing and would receive a second printing before the first issues releases.[13] Shortly after Publishers Weekly and Graphic Policy[5][6] revealed that Behemoth had signed a global distribution deal with Simon & Schuster and received managed publisher status with Amazon, Kindle, and ComiXology. The article also revealed that they acquired Film and TV representation for a portion of their books by the Hollywood-based Talent Agency, Grandview/Automatik founded by notable Film Producer, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (Insidious, Sinister, Upgrade). The deal with Simon & Schuster would only cover trade paperbacks for the global market meanwhile Diamond Comic Distributors would still distribute their comic books and graphic novels to hobby stores around the globe.

On February 22, 2021 as part of the Comic Industry's Annual Publisher and Retailer conference, ComicsPro, Behemoth announced that it had opened a new imprint titled Happy Tank.[14][15][16] The label will publish comics described as adult cartoons with an overall vibe similar to the late night TV network, Adult Swim. This announcement was also coupled with the first titles that the label will publish and included the comic MFKZ, which was adapted and released as a film on Netflix in 2020.[17] Shortly after the conference it was revealed that You Promised Me Darkness #1 had sold through 55,000 copies, marking the publisher's best selling first issue to date alongside MFKZ #1, which reached 40,000 copies sold.[18] Following this Behemoth expanded by hiring Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Top Shelf Productions creator, Steve Ekstrom to take over as Editorial Director. Simultaneously Behemoth was revealed as a sponsor for the 2021 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.[19]

Leading off a wave of new licensed titles, Bloody Disgusting, GamesRadar+, and others revealed that Behemoth's imprint, Happy Tank would be adapting the 2015 cult film, Turbo Kid into a prequel comic book series due to be released in September, 2021.[20][21][22] This was followed by IGN[23] revealing that Ubisoft and Behemoth had partnered for a comic book series based on Watch Dogs: Legion with the first issue being released November 3, 2021. [24][25]

In 2021, during their Saturday evening panel at the annual New York Comic Con convention, Behemoth and video game developer Running With Scissors announced a joint deal that would see their popular video game series titled Postal receive multiple products made and published by Behemoth including a card game spin-off, a comic book series, vinyl soundtracks, and physical copies of the most recent release in the series Postal 4: No Regerts.[26]

At the end of 2021, Behemoth revealed that they had surpassed half a million (500,000+) comics and graphic novels sold during the year; their first full year of operation.[1]

Current (2022–present)

At the end of 2021, Syfy[27] and others revealed a comic by Behemoth called Kult Cable. Meant to be the lead in to a full series featuring more celebrities, the comic includes New Jersey hip-hop and punk group, Ho99o9 and the famous actor, Jack Black. The comic is a tie-in to the bands variety show of the same name that features well-known guests each episode.[28]

On January 25th, 2022 the entertainment website GamesRadar+ previewed a new licensed series from Behemoth based on the open-world RPG video game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance.[29]

Behemoth Interactive published Blank Frame, a psychological horror game on Steam to positive reviews.[30] Both the standard and soundtrack editions of the game released on January 28, 2022. A second game, Meat Saw released the follow month and accrued 20,000 downloads within the first two weeks.

Deadline Hollywood reported on March 23rd, 2022 that the record label Sumerian Records and their film division, Sumerian Films acquired Behemoth. Founder and CEO of Sumerian, Ash Avildsen, son of Oscar-winning John G. Avildsen stated "Nathan and Ryan have built Behemoth so quickly and independently with such a great original IP selection of characters, worlds and story. It was an easy decision to team up with these very talented young mavericks when the opportunity arose. They have good taste! Having a diligent, proven team in comics, graphic novels and gaming is paramount to Sumerian as we continue our passion for story-telling across all audio and visual spectrums. We will always be discovering, creating or developing IP into books, episodic series, feature films, animation and beyond.”[2]

Deadline Hollywood reported the following week that Behemoth's original series, Paranormal Hitmen from creators Brett Murphy and Wilson Gandolpho is set to be adapted by Entertainment One and Hasbro into a TV series.[31][32]

Divisions

Behemoth Interactive

Upon releasing a new trailer for the video game Vigilance 2099, Developer Envoidant Studios announced they had signed with Behemoth and their new division, Behemoth Interactive. The game is described as an open-world cyberpunk action-RPG where the player takes on the role of a bounty hunter. The game is scheduled to release on PC in 2022 via Steam with a subsequent release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.[33][34] Later in 2021 further titles were announced for release on Steam in 2022 including Blank Frame, Total Anarchy, and Contract Killer with more titles announced for 2023 and beyond as well. The latter title is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S as well.[1]

Subsidiaries

Amigo Comics

Founded in Spain in 2012 by Juan "El" Torres, Amigo Comics is known for collecting Juan's series previously published by Image Comics such as Nancy in Hell and Drums. Amigo also published other creator-owned and licensed titles that Juan was not involved in a creative capacity. In 2019 Amigo was nominated for an Eisner Award in the Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips category for their title Sky Masters of the Space Force: The Complete Sunday Strips in Color.[35] On February 24, 2020 it was announced that Amigo was acquired by Behemoth Comics and all future titles would be published in the US by Behemoth but would still carry the Amigo brand.[3] This enabled Juan to focus solely on his titles.

Behemoth Comics publications

Best selling licensed titles

Other notable licensed titles

Best selling original titles
  • You Promised Me Darkness #1-5 (April 14, 2021 - August 15, 2021) 55,000+ sold[18]
  • Until My Knuckles Bleed #1-3 (January, 2022 - March, 2022) 20,000+ sold

Other notable original titles
  • Blackout Vol. 1 (July, 2020)
  • Necromorfus #1-4 (October, 2020 - January, 2021)
  • Paranormal Hitmen #1-4 (February, 2021 - May, 2021)
  • Vietnam Horror #1—4 (March, 2021 - June, 2021)
  • Nancy in Hell Vol. 1: The Long Road (June, 2021)
  • Osaka Mime Vol. 1 (May, 2021)
  • Freak Snow #1-4 (May, 2021 - August, 2021) 10,000+ sold[36]
  • Cinnamon #1-3 (July, 2021 - September, 2021)
  • Pop Star Assassin #1-12 (October, 2021 - TBA)
  • QUAD #1-16 (January, 2022 - TBA)
  • Follow Me Into the Darkness #1-4 (February, 2022 - TBA)
  • Heavy Metal Drummer #1-6 (February, 2022 - TBA)

Behemoth Interactive games

List of video games
Title System Release date Developer(s) Publisher(s) Notes
Blank Frame Steam[37] January 28th, 2022 Through Tunnel Behemoth Interactive 20,000-50,000 copies sold[38]
Meat Saw Steam[39] March 11th, 2022 Tainted Pact Games Behemoth Interactive
Contract Killer PlayStation 5 May 19th, 2022 Paperboy Games Behemoth Interactive
Xbox Series X/S
Steam[40]
Nintendo Switch
Total Anarchy Steam[41] June, 2022 Fionn Hodgson Behemoth Interactive
Postal 4: No Regerts Steam TBA 2022 Running With Scissors Running With Scissors Physical release only
Sirenhead: Southpoint Steam Q4 2022 Illusion Interactive Behemoth Interactive
You Are Grounded! Steam Q4 2022 Sepia Games Behemoth Interactive
Without Judgement Steam[42] TBD Wushin Software Behemoth Interactive
The Henchmen PlayStation 5 TBD Alex Von Bronx Behemoth Interactive
Xbox Series X/S
Steam[43]
Vigilance 2099[44] PlayStation 5[34] TBD Envoidant Studios Behemoth Interactive
Xbox Series X/S[34]
Steam[34]

List of board games
  • Postal: The Card Game - (Behemoth Interactive, 2022)[26]

References
  1. "Exclusive: Behemoth Invests Heavily in Video Games with a New Publishing Arm". Graphic Policy. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  2. "Sumerian Records & Films Acquires Comic Book Publisher And Gaming Company Behemoth". Deadline Hollywood. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  3. "Behemoth Buys Publisher Amigo Comics, Launches Osiris Path and Prom Of The Dead in May 2020 Solicitations". Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  4. "Ubisoft, Behemoth Comics Partner for Watch Dogs: Legion Comic Series". Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  5. "Exclusive: Behemoth signs a distribution deal with Simon & Schuster". Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  6. "S&S to Distribute for Behemoth". Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  7. "Behemoth Signs Multi-Year Simon & Schuster Global Distribution Deal". Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  8. "Cardinal Dagon Launches in Behemoth Comics July 2020 Solicits, Maybe". Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  9. "Steam Publisher: Behemoth Interactive".
  10. "OSIRIS PATH #1 (OF 3) (MR)". Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  11. "[Exclusive] 'Hotline Miami: Wildlife', a Comic Spin-Off From the Video Game Series, Arrives This Fall". Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  12. "Hotline Miami: Wildlife is a comic book series by Behemoth Comics". Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  13. "Batgirl #50 and A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night Get Second Printings". Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  14. "BEHEMOTH COMICS ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THEIR HAPPY TANK IMPRINT". ICv2. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  15. "Behemoth Comics Launches New Publishing Imprint Happy Tank". First Comics News. 20 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  16. "Behemoth Comics Launches New Publishing Imprint Happy Tank". Comicon. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  17. "MFKZ". Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  18. "You Promised Me Darkness #1 Sells Over 55,000 Copies and MFKZ #1 is expected over 40,000 Copies". Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  19. "Behemoth Comics Hires Steve Ekstrom As Their New Editorial Director". Olli Mag. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  20. "'Turbo Kid' Prequel Comic Miniseries Arriving This September". Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  21. "Cult film Turbo Kid returns with comic book prequel". Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  22. "Turbo Kid returns with prequel comic Apple's Lost Adventure". Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  23. "Watch Dogs Legion Comic Book Will Expand on the Game's Universe". Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  24. "Introducing Watch Dogs: Legion Graphic Novels And More". Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  25. "Watch Dogs: Legion Pits Hackers Against London's Surveillance State". Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  26. "Going Postal: The Revival of the Worlds Most Controversial Video Game Franchise". New York Comic Con. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  27. "Free Comic Book Day 2022 revealed: Spider-Man, Resident Alien, Stranger Things, Doctor Who & more". Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  28. "Free Comic Book Day 2022 revealed: Spider-Man, Resident Alien, Stranger Things, Doctor Who & more". Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  29. "Kingdom Come Deliverance slashes its way into comics". Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  30. Steam. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  31. "eOne Developing 'Paranormal Hitmen' TV Series Based On Comic Books By Brett Murphy & Wilson Gandolpho". Retrieved 2022-04-06.
  32. "eOne Developing 'Paranormal Hitmen' TV Series Based On Comic Books By Brett Murphy & Wilson Gandolpho". Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  33. "Upcoming indie cyberpunk game 'Vigilance 2099' has a new trailer". Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  34. "Vigilance 2099 Interview – Open World, Storytelling, Combat, and More". Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  35. Graeme McMillan> (26 April 2019). "Eisner Award Nominees Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 December 2020. (in English)
  36. "FREAK SNOW #1 PRE-ORDERS REACH 10,000+ COPIES!". Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  37. "Blank Frame on Steam".
  38. "Blank Frame -".
  39. "Meat Saw on Steam".
  40. "Contract Killer on Steam".
  41. "Total Anarchy: Pavilion City on Steam".
  42. "Without Judgement on Steam".
  43. "The Henchmen on Steam".
  44. "Vigilance 2099 Unreal Engine 5 Gameplay Looks Fantastic But a Little Familiar". Retrieved 2021-08-29.
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