IDW Publishing and Hasbro Extend Comic Partnership
IDW Publishing’s licensing agreement to publish comic books based on properties from toy making giant, Hasbro, has been extended. The announcement was made in an official press release. IDW and Hasbro also noted that 2015 marks the 10-year anniversary of Hasbro and IDW’s publishing relationship.
IDW currently publishes comics based on Hasbro properties including Transformers, G.I. Joe, the merchandising franchise juggernaut My Little Pony, and more. In addition, IDW plans to publish comics based on Jem & The Holograms starting next month. Littlest Pet Shop and Dungeons & Dragons comics will also continue to be published under the IDW banner. IDW plans to continue publishing comics, trade paperbacks, hardcover editions, micro comic fun packs and limited collections based on Hasbro toy properties.
Speaking on the announcement, IDW CEO & Publisher Ted Adams stated: “At this point, I almost feel I’ve run out of superlatives for Hasbro. They remain an absolutely fantastic collaborator on every level. After ten years in business together, it’s clear what a huge part of our success Hasbro has been, and what an appropriate time this is to solidify our relationship well into the future.”
Hasbro’s Director of Global Publishing, Michael Kelly stated on the news: “IDW embodies all of the great qualities Hasbro looks for in a publisher, and we share common values. With IDW, we know we can count on superb storytelling, innovative distribution strategies, and bold thinking. We’ve come a long way together in ten years, but this is only the beginning.”
IDW and Hasbro would not reveal further details on the extension of the publishing arrangement. For example, the duration of the new deal was not specified if it was five years, 10 years or possibly even longer. IDW did say that the deal is an extension “on most licenses and formats moving into the future.” It does appear that IDW will be the main comic publisher for Hasbro toy lines for the foreseeable future.