Embracer Group to purchase Dark Horse Comics

[URL="https://comicbook.com/comics/news/dark-horse-comics-embracer-group-thq-nordic/"]Dark Horse Comics Will Be Purchased by European Video Game Giant[/URL]
[QUOTE]Embracer Group, a European holding company with a portfolio of video game development studios and publishers, has entered into an agreement to publish Dark Horse Comics, one of the largest publisher of comics in the United States. Embracer Group announced the purchase today, stating that the sale would be finalized in early 2022. The purchase will include Dark Horse's comics publishing arm, production company, and the comics retail chain Things From Another World. As a part of the purchase, Embracer Group will keep Dark Horse as a separate operating entity, similar to nine other companies owned by the group. Current Dark Horse CEO Mike Richardson will continue to the lead the company after the acquisition. Financial details of the purchase were not disclosed. [/QUOTE]

So Dark Horse Comics is no longer an independent publisher?

[QUOTE=Zauriel;5861135]So Dark Horse Comics is no longer an independent publisher?[/QUOTE]

Yes, assuming the deal goes through they will be owned by a parent company.

Here's the press release from Embracer: [url]https://embracer.com/release/embracer-group-enters-into-an-agreement-to-acquire-dark-horse-and-forms-the-tenth-operative-group/[/url]

Hoping this leads to DH reviving their superhero books.

So the new set up is not all that different from the situation with Valiant currently, an "independent" wing inside a larger multinational media conglomerate. Oh wait that's the Marvel and Dc set up as well.


-M

Earlier this month [URL="https://www.cbr.com/dark-horse-comics-reportedly-looking-to-sell-to-a-hollywood-studio/"]Bloomberg reported[/URL] they were looking to sell to a Hollywood studio, or conglomerate like Viacom. So it's not completely unexpected I suppose.

Looking over [URL="https://embracer.com/release/embracer-group-enters-into-an-agreement-to-acquire-dark-horse-and-forms-the-tenth-operative-group/"]Embracer Group's press release[/URL] is interesting. 80% of shares belonged to an unnamed Hong Kong-based shareholder, and only 20% were owned by the CEO & COO.
It's also amusing which titles they highlight as Dark Horse owned properties: The Mask, Time Cop, Father’s Day, and Ghost. Presumably because major franchises like Hellboy are creator-owned.

Looks like Embracer/THQ Nordic didn't really buy Dark Horse for their IP, but primarily as a production house. This way they can have merch, comics, and TV pitches of their games getting produced.

[QUOTE=TotalSnorefest;5861578]Looks like Embracer/THQ Nordic didn't really buy Dark Horse for their IP, but primarily as a production house. This way they can have merch, comics, and TV pitches of their games getting produced.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it does feel like another piece for their big picture puzzle.

[QUOTE=Shadowras;5861195]Hoping this leads to DH reviving their superhero books.[/QUOTE]

I swear if Ghost comes back I will buy 100 copies. She's been my favorite hero since I was a kid.

[URL="https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/08/19/embracer-lord-of-the-rings/"]Embracer bought the Lord of the Rings licensing rights - wonder if we'll get any comics via Dark Horse.[/URL]