Lion Forge Comics
Lion Forge Comics was an American comic book publisher founded in 2011 by David Steward II and Carl Reed, dedicated to offering ethnically diverse creators opportunities to develop stories featuring diverse characters.[1][2] The company initially emphasized digital distribution through platforms like Amazon Kindle and iVerse Media's Comics Plus, while later expanding into print and acquiring assets such as the comics news site The BEAT in 2017.[3][4] Notable publications included original graphic novels like Upgrade Soul, which received the 2016 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics, and Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven, nominated for multiple Glyph Awards and the Dwayne McDuffie Award.[5][6] In 2019, Lion Forge merged with Oni Press to create Oni–Lion Forge, a move that generated industry controversy over perceived shifts in creative control and independence, though executives maintained it preserved both imprints' missions.[7][8] Following the merger, the comics publishing operations faced challenges including staff layoffs and financial rumors in the early 2020s, leading to a pivot toward animation and transmedia under Lion Forge Entertainment, which secured a $30 million investment in 2025 to expand diverse content production.[9][10] By 2022, the Lion Forge Comics imprint had become largely dormant in publishing, with Oni Press assuming primary responsibilities, while the broader entity continues in entertainment.Founding and Early Development
Establishment in 2011
Lion Forge Comics was established in 2011 by David Steward II and Carl Reed in St. Louis, Missouri, with the explicit objective of providing ethnically diverse creators a platform to develop stories featuring ethnically diverse characters.[1][2] The founders sought to address perceived underrepresentation in the mainstream comics industry, drawing from their prior experiences in media and entertainment ventures.[1] David Steward II, leveraging family resources from his father David Steward's successful technology firm World Wide Technology, positioned the company as an independent publisher focused on inclusive narratives without competing directly with dominant players like Marvel or DC.[11] From inception, Lion Forge emphasized "comics for everyone" as its motto, aiming to broaden the medium's appeal through creator-driven content rather than franchise extensions.[12] The company's early structure included a small team, with operations centered on identifying and supporting underrepresented talent, though initial output was limited as it built distribution networks and partnerships.[13] By prioritizing authenticity in storytelling, Lion Forge differentiated itself in a market historically dominated by homogeneous character archetypes, though critics later questioned the sustainability of such niche-focused publishing models amid broader industry consolidation.[4]Initial Focus on Digital Publishing and Diversity
Lion Forge Comics was founded in 2011 by David Steward II and Carl Reed as a digital-first publisher, aiming to exploit the rapid growth in digital comics distribution to reach underserved audiences without relying on conventional print channels. The company debuted its initial titles in March 2013, releasing a dozen digital comic books optimized for tablets, e-readers, and online platforms, which allowed for lower entry barriers compared to physical distribution networks dominated by established players. This strategy aligned with industry trends, as digital comic sales surged from $25 million in 2011 to $70 million in 2012, enabling startups like Lion Forge to test markets and iterate quickly.[14][15][16] From inception, Lion Forge emphasized diversity in both creators and content, positioning itself to provide outlets for underrepresented voices, particularly African-American talent, in an industry historically lacking such representation. The founders, both African-American entrepreneurs, sought to create comics reflecting multicultural demographics, filling voids left by defunct lines like Milestone Comics by prioritizing ethnically diverse characters and narratives. This mission was encapsulated in the company's motto, "Comics for everyone," which extended to hiring diverse staff and producing stories across genres for varied audiences, including children and adults from different cultural backgrounds.[16][1][17] Early efforts combined digital accessibility with inclusive content creation, such as developing original titles featuring protagonists from minority communities, though the publisher later pivoted toward print partnerships as digital-only distribution proved challenging for sustained growth. Despite initial resistance from traditional comic ecosystems, Lion Forge's approach garnered attention for its potential to diversify the medium both on the page and behind the scenes.[8][11]Publishing Operations
Key Imprints and Lines
Lion Forge Comics established multiple imprints and publishing lines to expand its portfolio beyond initial digital-first comics, targeting diverse audiences including children, superhero enthusiasts, and readers of prestige graphic novels.[18] In 2014, the company launched ROAR Comics, a children's line featuring licensed properties such as Punky Brewster, Saved by the Bell, and Care Bears, alongside original titles aimed at young readers.[18] This was followed in 2016 by CubHouse, another kids' imprint focused on age-appropriate comics to attract younger demographics back to the medium.[19] For mature and genre-specific content, Lion Forge introduced Catalyst Prime in 2016 as its shared superhero universe, emphasizing diverse creators and characters, with an initial one-shot edited by Joe Illidge.[20] In 2018, the publisher acquired Magnetic Press and integrated it as the Magnetic Collection, specializing in high-end, critically acclaimed graphic novels and translated European works, which garnered multiple Eisner Award nominations.[16][21] Additionally, Lion Forge ventured into hybrid media with the 2018 launch of Quillion, an imprint blending comics and tabletop gaming elements to appeal to interactive storytelling fans.[22] These imprints reflected the company's strategy to segment its output by genre and format, supporting both licensed adaptations and original creator-driven series.[5]Catalyst Prime Universe
The Catalyst Prime Universe comprises a shared superhero continuity developed by Lion Forge Comics, debuting with the one-shot Catalyst Prime: The Event distributed on Free Comic Book Day, May 6, 2017.[23] Supervised by senior editor Joseph Illidge, the imprint centered on narratives featuring protagonists from underrepresented demographics, including Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ individuals, alongside creators of similar backgrounds such as writers Christopher Priest, Brandon Thomas, and Joe Casey.[24] Over the following months, Lion Forge released seven interconnected ongoing series, establishing a gradual buildup of titles rather than a simultaneous launch.[23] The foundational premise stems from "The Event," a cataclysmic incident in which five astronauts undertake a mission to deflect the Icarus asteroid from colliding with Earth, resulting in its fragmentation and subsequent empowerment of a limited number of humans exposed to its exotic materials.[25] This event, detailed in the inaugural one-shot co-written by Christopher Priest and Illidge, mirrors elemental superhero origin tropes—such as cosmic radiation granting abilities—but incorporates contemporary emphases on global impacts and selective power manifestation among diverse civilians.[26] Subsequent series explored individual heroes navigating these powers amid societal disruption, with crossovers emerging later to unify the lore. The core titles, launched between May and December 2017, include:- Noble (May 3, 2017), written by Brandon Thomas with art by Roger Robinson, following returned astronaut David Powell confronting his altered physiology and family dynamics.[23][27]
- Accell (June 14, 2017), by Joe Casey and Damion Scott, centering on a college student with super-speed abilities balancing heroism and personal life.[23]
- Superb (July 19, 2017), by Maurice Dyer, Fiona Staples-inspired art by Walker Howard, depicting a young Black girl discovering flight powers.[23]
- Incidentals (August 23, 2017), by Casey and Will Rosado, tracking siblings inheriting abilities from their late scientist parent.[23]
- Astonisher (October 4, 2017), exploring a hero's confrontation with emerging threats.[23]
- Kino (November 29, 2017), by Alotta Forrestier and Jefte Palo, involving underwater explorer Alistair Meath escaping abyssal perils.[23][28]
- Summit (December 20, 2017), by A. David Lewis and Noel Tuazon, featuring scientist Valentina Resnick-Baker harnessing newfound strength.[23]