Speakeasy Comics
Encyclopedia
Speakeasy Comics was a Canadian publishing company of comic book
s and graphic novel
s. It was founded in August 2004 by Adam Fortier, and ceased operations on February 27, 2006.
In August 2004, Speakeasy Comics (based in Toronto) was founded by Adam Fortier. Previously, Fortier had worked for comics publishers Dreamwave Productions
(where he revived the Transformers licence in comics), Devil's Due Publishing
, UDON
, and IDW Publishing
.
In March 2005, the company published its first titles, the debut issues of Atomika
and The Grimoire
.
In November 2005, it was announced that Speakeasy had concluded a financing deal with Los Angeles-based Ardustry Entertainment, for a stated two-way purpose: Speakeasy would now also develop comics based on licenses brought by Ardustry, while Ardustry would represent Speakeasy's comics properties in the entertainment industry (movies, videogames, etc.)
However, it was learned later (according to Ardustry's Wayne Williams, who handles Business Affairs for the company) that the deal was only an option to buy Speakeasy, which expired without materialization. Cash flow problems led to Speakeasy's demise before they could materialize various lucrative licensing deals, such as with HBO (The Sopranos or Deadwood).
At 3:30pm EST February 27, 2006 Vito Delsante
(who had been handling public relations for Speakeasy Comics) announced by email the immediate closure of Speakeasy, with all March-solicited books still shipping, April and May's being tentative, and June's being cancelled. The company, however, didn't file for bankruptcy, officially in order to try and pay people owed money.
In March 2006, only Beowulf #7 was published. In May 2006, Diamond Comic Distributors
's monthly list of cancelled comics listed all the remaining unpublished Speakeasy comics, with the terminal cancel code 10 ("Supplier Out of Business").
Also, on a business model not unlike that of Image Comics
, they:
reported by industry resource site ICv2, Speakeasy's top-selling monthly comics during its year of operation were:
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s and graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
s. It was founded in August 2004 by Adam Fortier, and ceased operations on February 27, 2006.
History
In August 2004, Speakeasy Comics (based in Toronto) was founded by Adam Fortier. Previously, Fortier had worked for comics publishers Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
(where he revived the Transformers licence in comics), Devil's Due Publishing
Devil's Due Publishing
Devil's Due Publishing is an independent comic book publishers in the United States. Based in Chicago, Illinois, DDP is best known for its wide selection of genres, including licensed and original creator-owned properties that populate its monthly comic book series and graphic novels.Though...
, UDON
UDON
UDON Entertainment Corporation is a studio of Asian-influenced comic book creators that provides creative services to the entertainment industry. The company is a publisher of comic books, graphic novels, and art books, as well as English editions of Japanese manga and Korean manhwa titles. Erik...
, and IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
.
In March 2005, the company published its first titles, the debut issues of Atomika
Atomika
Atomika is an American comic book series created in 2005 by Andrew Dabb , Sal Abbinanti and Buzz , and published first by Speakeasy Comics and later by Abbinanti's Mercury Comics.-Plot:...
and The Grimoire
The Grimoire
The Grimoire was a comic book series published by Speakeasy Comics since the beginning of 2005. The acclaimed series, created by writer Sebastien Caisse and art studio Grafiksismik, had a creative team change right after the completion of its first story-arc with issue #6...
.
In November 2005, it was announced that Speakeasy had concluded a financing deal with Los Angeles-based Ardustry Entertainment, for a stated two-way purpose: Speakeasy would now also develop comics based on licenses brought by Ardustry, while Ardustry would represent Speakeasy's comics properties in the entertainment industry (movies, videogames, etc.)
However, it was learned later (according to Ardustry's Wayne Williams, who handles Business Affairs for the company) that the deal was only an option to buy Speakeasy, which expired without materialization. Cash flow problems led to Speakeasy's demise before they could materialize various lucrative licensing deals, such as with HBO (The Sopranos or Deadwood).
At 3:30pm EST February 27, 2006 Vito Delsante
Vito Delsante
Vito Delsante is a U.S. comic book writer. He has published stories in several U.S. comic books, and has worked on such characters as Batman, Wolverine from the X-Men, and Scooby Doo.-Overview:...
(who had been handling public relations for Speakeasy Comics) announced by email the immediate closure of Speakeasy, with all March-solicited books still shipping, April and May's being tentative, and June's being cancelled. The company, however, didn't file for bankruptcy, officially in order to try and pay people owed money.
In March 2006, only Beowulf #7 was published. In May 2006, Diamond Comic Distributors
Diamond Comic Distributors
Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. is the largest comic book distributor serving North America. They transport comic books from both big and small comic book publishers, or suppliers, to the retailers. Diamond dominates the direct market in the United States, and has exclusive arrangements with most...
's monthly list of cancelled comics listed all the remaining unpublished Speakeasy comics, with the terminal cancel code 10 ("Supplier Out of Business").
Controversies
- A few months after signing with the publisher, AtomikaAtomikaAtomika is an American comic book series created in 2005 by Andrew Dabb , Sal Abbinanti and Buzz , and published first by Speakeasy Comics and later by Abbinanti's Mercury Comics.-Plot:...
creator Sal Abbinanti split from Speakeasy to self-publish issues #5+ of his series under his own Mercury Comics label. - During the same period, Speakeasy-owned titles BeowulfBeowulfBeowulf , but modern scholars agree in naming it after the hero whose life is its subject." of an Old English heroic epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines, set in Scandinavia, commonly cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature.It survives in a single...
, The GrimoireThe GrimoireThe Grimoire was a comic book series published by Speakeasy Comics since the beginning of 2005. The acclaimed series, created by writer Sebastien Caisse and art studio Grafiksismik, had a creative team change right after the completion of its first story-arc with issue #6...
and Spellgame went through several creative team changes. - Yoshitaka AmanoYoshitaka Amanois a Japanese artist. He began his career as an animator and has become known for his illustrations for the anime Vampire Hunter D and for his character designs, image illustrations and title logo designs for the Final Fantasy video game series developed by Square Enix . His influences include...
's Hero, a highly anticipated graphic novelGraphic novelA graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
slated to debut in March 2005, was cancelled and postponed one year. It was resolicited in February 2006 for tentative publication in April 2006, but cancelled again in May 2006. It is now being published by Boom! StudiosBoom! StudiosBOOM! Studios is an American comic book company headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States. The "BOOM!" in BOOM! Studios is always capitalized by the company.-History:BOOM! was founded June 22, 2005 with Zombie Tales #1....
. - In October 2005, creator Frank EspinosaFrank EspinosaFrank Espinosa is an animator and cartoonist. He has worked extensively for Disney and Warner Bros., having redesigned the Looney Tunes characters in 1992, fashioned a series of Looney Tunes US postage stamps, and designed the Baby Looney Tunes characters, among other achievements.Since 2005,...
announced the moving of his RocketoRocketoRocketo is a comic book series by Frank Espinosa. Initially published by Speakeasy Comics, in 2006 Rocketo moved to Image Comics. Espinosa handles nearly every aspect of Rocketos production , with Marie Taylor credited as co-writer.Rocketo follows the life and adventures of Rocketo Garrison,...
series to Image ComicsImage ComicsImage Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
. - In December 2005:
- Speakeasy canceled orders on two months of previously ordered comics.
- Creators allegations of non-payment and mismanagement of projects started circulating.
- In January 2006:
- Creator Sal Cipriano announced he cancelled his Bio Boy series at Speakeasy, but was keeping The Hill there.
- Creator Matt Maxwell announced he had amicably parted with Speakeasy for his Strangeways series. Four issues had been solicited but still not published.
- Chimaera Studios announced moving their 8 series (Mutation, Of Bitter Souls, Super Crazy TNT Blast renamed Twilight Men, Smoke & Mirror, Lonebow, Wargod, Project Eon, and Silent Ghost) from Speakeasy to Markosia.
- Jonathan Martin's "Speakeasy Comics Archive" (a blog dedicated to Speakeasy-related news ) was shut down, presumably under "trademark infringement" litigation, however this has not been verified.
- Creators Jose Torres and Chris Dibari announced moving their series The Hunger to Markosia.
- No comic was published by Speakeasy this month.
- In February 2006, creators of the series O.C.T. - the Occult Crimes TaskforceOccult Crimes TaskforceO.C.T.: Occult Crimes Taskforce is an American four-issue comic book mini-series about the eponymous team of fictional police officers. It was created by actress Rosario Dawson, writer David Atchison and illustrator Tony Shasteen...
announced their move to Image ComicsImage ComicsImage Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
.
Publications
During its operation, Speakeasy Comics:- Published numerous comics series in monthly magazines (such as The GrimoireThe GrimoireThe Grimoire was a comic book series published by Speakeasy Comics since the beginning of 2005. The acclaimed series, created by writer Sebastien Caisse and art studio Grafiksismik, had a creative team change right after the completion of its first story-arc with issue #6...
#1-7, a modernization of BeowulfBeowulfBeowulf , but modern scholars agree in naming it after the hero whose life is its subject." of an Old English heroic epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines, set in Scandinavia, commonly cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature.It survives in a single...
#1-7, Gatesville CompanyGatesville CompanyGatesville Company was an ongoing comic book series created by writer Marc Bryant and artist Patrick McEvoy. A supernatural drama composed of self-contained issues, it started publication in July, 2005 from Speakeasy Comics...
#1-2, Spellgame #1-3, Hero At Large #1-2, Helios: In With the New #1-2, Athena Voltaire: Flight of the Falcon #1, etc.). - Had published comics series which later went to other venues before Speakeasy's demise (such as AtomikaAtomikaAtomika is an American comic book series created in 2005 by Andrew Dabb , Sal Abbinanti and Buzz , and published first by Speakeasy Comics and later by Abbinanti's Mercury Comics.-Plot:...
#1-4, RocketoRocketoRocketo is a comic book series by Frank Espinosa. Initially published by Speakeasy Comics, in 2006 Rocketo moved to Image Comics. Espinosa handles nearly every aspect of Rocketos production , with Marie Taylor credited as co-writer.Rocketo follows the life and adventures of Rocketo Garrison,...
#1-6, Of Bitter Souls #1-3, Mutation #1-3, Smoke & Mirror #1-2, Super Crazy TNT Blast #1, Lonebow #1, Wargod #1, Adventures of Bio Boy #1-2, The Hunger #1-5). - Had published the web comic Butternutsquash.net as a quarterly title. Butternutsquash #1 was published in November 2005 but the second issue was never solicited due to the company closure.
- Had announced or solicited comics series which went to other venues before publication (such as Strangeways, Project Eon, Silent Ghost, O.C.T. - the Occult Crimes Taskforce).
- Intended to collect some series in trade paperbacks when sufficient material had been created, however all solicited TPBs were eventually cancelled (such as Atomika Volume 1, Grimoire Volume 1, Beowulf Volume 1). Usually didn't reprint sold-out monthly issues, except for Atomika #1.
Also, on a business model not unlike that of Image Comics
Image Comics
Image Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
, they:
- Collected out-of-print creator-ownedCreator ownershipCreator ownership is an arrangement in which the creator or creators of a work of fiction retain full ownership of the material, regardless of whether it is self-published or by a corporate publisher. In some fields of publishing, such as fiction writing, creator ownership is a standard arrangement...
comics series (such as 2020 Visions2020 Visions2020 Visions is a science-fiction comic book written by Jamie Delano and drawn by four artists. Originally serialized as a twelve-issue full-color limited series from 1997 to 1998 at the Vertigo imprint of DC Comics, it was later collected as a black-and-white volume in a 2004 hardcover from...
#1-12 previously serialized at DC/Vertigo, the first miniseries of Phantom JackPhantom JackPhantom Jack is the eponymous character of a comic book series created by writer Michael San Giacomo. Its publication started in early 2004 as a monthly series at Image Comics, completing its first five-issues story-arc...
#1-5 previously serialized at Image ComicsImage ComicsImage Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
, or Elk's RunElk's RunElk's Run is a comic book limited series created by writer Joshua Hale Fialkov, artist Noel Tuazon, and colorist Scott A. Keating. It was published in book form on March 27, 2007 by Villard...
#1-3 Collected Edition previously self-published). - Had started publishing creator-owned independent series (such as hosting the previously self-published Elk's RunElk's RunElk's Run is a comic book limited series created by writer Joshua Hale Fialkov, artist Noel Tuazon, and colorist Scott A. Keating. It was published in book form on March 27, 2007 by Villard...
(for #4 only), or the second miniseries of Phantom JackPhantom JackPhantom Jack is the eponymous character of a comic book series created by writer Michael San Giacomo. Its publication started in early 2004 as a monthly series at Image Comics, completing its first five-issues story-arc...
: The Nowhere Man Agenda (for #1 only), etc.). - Published original graphic novels (such as Parting Ways: the Near Life Experiences of Peter Orbach by Andrew Foley, or The Living And The Dead) and graphic novellas (such as Rich JohnstonRich JohnstonRich Johnston is a writer who writes about the comic book industry.-Early life:Johnston grew up in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, studied politics at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and was an advertising copywriter until 2009; he currently lives in Kingston Vale, London, with his wife, Janice...
's The Flying Friar).
Circulation
Speakeasy titles had sales judged disappointing by some. Based on pre-order sales through Diamond Comic DistributorsDiamond Comic Distributors
Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. is the largest comic book distributor serving North America. They transport comic books from both big and small comic book publishers, or suppliers, to the retailers. Diamond dominates the direct market in the United States, and has exclusive arrangements with most...
reported by industry resource site ICv2, Speakeasy's top-selling monthly comics during its year of operation were:
- (2005.03) 7,756 copies (rank 190) for Atomika #1
- (2005.04) 6,116 copies (rank 187) for Atomika #2
- (2005.05) 3,305 copies (rank 213) for Grimoire #3
- (2005.06) 5,726 copies (rank 231) for Atomika #3
- (2005.07) 3,717 copies (rank 208) for Beowulf #3
- (2005.08) 6,381 copies (rank 203) for Atomika #4
- (2005.09) 2,019 copies (rank 251) for Smoke & Mirror #1
- (2005.10) 2,946 copies (rank 250) for The Grimoire #6
- (2005.11) 3,130 copies (rank 248) for Beowulf #5
- (2005.12) 2,463 copies (rank 273) for The Grimoire #7
- (2006.01) -- no comics published this month
- (2006.02) 2,718 copies (rank 246) for Beowulf #6
- (2006.03) -- one issue published but not ranked in Top 300 (i.e. less than 2,632 copies)
- (2006.04) -- no comics published this month
- (2006.05) -- no comics published this month
External links
- Speakeasy Comics.com (cached, from April 2005)