The publishing companies behind iconic characters Dennis the Menace, Roy of the Rovers and Judge Dredd are among the founding members of a new trade association launching to drive growth in the UK’s comic book industry.
Alongside Beano publisher DC Thomson and Judge Dredd publisher Rebellion Entertainment, Comic Book UK’s founding members include award-winning graphic novel publisher Avery Hill Publishing and The Phoenix Comic – publisher of the global smash hit Bunny vs Monkey franchise. The group also includes B7 Media – a drama production house that has launched a comic imprint to nurture new properties, as well as Fable – a start up set to become the western world’s leading player in the multi-billion dollar webtoon market.
Comic Book UK’s founding partners reflect the competitive advantage that the UK has in the multi-billion dollar global comics market. UK companies publish some of the world’s most recognisable and celebrated characters in titles enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of readers every week and graphic novels read by millions more each year. These characters – and the creators behind them – are fuelling the global entertainment industry, with films, TV programmes and video games based on comic-originated properties generating billions of dollars of revenue every year. Some of the world’s most valuable intellectual property has been developed in UK comics and by UK comic creators.
Mark Fuller, Comic Book UK Chief Executive, said:
“Comics are one of the jewels in the crown of the UK’s creative industries and there is enormous untapped potential for further growth. We have the creative talent and business-base to become a global comics superpower, with UK companies growing and expanding their reach into new territories alongside inward investment from the huge North American, Asian Pacific and European comic industries.
“Comic Book UK will provide the cross-industry representation and support needed to unlock this potential.”
Comic Book UK has an ambitious set of plans to drive industry growth. Priorities over its first year include:
- Carrying out research and analysis to develop clear evidence of the industry’s economic value to the UK, potential investor returns and recommendations on how best to unlock its full growth potential;
- Advising on policy measures that will help de-risk growth initiatives by UK comic companies and promote the UK as an attractive territory for international comics companies to invest in;
- Playing a constructive role in debates around regulation of generative AI, ensuring that the value of UK comic companies’ intellectual property is maintained within a regime that supports innovation.
Further members of Comic Book UK will be announced over the coming months, including a range of independent UK comic publishers with high-growth potential.
Mark Fuller, Comic Book UK Chief Executive, added:
“Our industry benefits from a diverse range of publishers, innovative start-ups, some of the world’s most celebrated creators and a thriving grassroots community. Comic Book UK has a hugely ambitious agenda and every part of the UK comic industry has a part to play in it. We look forward to shining a light on the incredible national asset that the UK comics industry is as our work moves forward.”
