IDW Publishing has acquired Top Shelf Productions, the independent publisher of graphic novels whose list includes March by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (with Kevin O'Neill) and From Hell (with Eddie Campbell).
Top Shelf will remain a distinct imprint within IDW, and co-founder Chris Staros will join the company as editor-in-chief, Top Shelf Productions. His business partner, Brett Warnock, is retiring from the world of comics to explore business opportunities through his newly launched food and nature blog. Leigh Walton will continue as Top Shelf's publicist and marketing director, Chris Ross as lead designer and digital director and Zac Boone as warehouse manager.
"The acquisition of Top Shelf is a milestone for IDW," said company CEO Ted Adams. "We looked a very long time for a company that would complement our own publishing line-up, and in Top Shelf we found the ideal match. The addition of Top Shelf's library further positions IDW's leadership role among the top powerhouses in comics.”
Staros commented: "Top Shelf and IDW complement each other perfectly. We both started around the same time, and when I would watch IDW over the years, as a fellow publisher, I'd see them making smart move after smart move. Now I'm extremely excited to combine their talents and resources with Top Shelf's award-winning literary approach to comics."
