Art and illustrated book publisher Abrams has signed a letter of intent to purchase SelfMadeHero, a London-based graphic novel publisher. Following completion of the deal, Abrams will launch a SelfMadeHero North American list beginning in 2012. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The new imprint will continue to be called SelfMadeHero and it will release new titles in North America and in the U.K. Emma Hayley, SelfMadeHero managing director, will continue directing the company. Beginning in April 2012, SelfMadHero distribution in the U.K. and export markets will be handled by U.K. distributor Abrams & Chronicle Books. North American distribution will be handled by Abrams.
Abrams president and CEO Michael Jacobs said the acquisition will, “expand our reach in the still growing markets for comics and graphic novels.” Jacobs also said the acquisition is a “perfect complement” for Abrams ComicArts, an Abrams imprint that specializes in comics, graphic novels and reference and historical works on comics and pop culture that is directed by executive editor Charles Kochman.
Although SelfMadeHero titles will now be published into the U.S. market, some of their graphic novels are already available in the U.S., among them Johnny Cash: I See A Darkness by Reinhard Kleist. The house publishes a broad range of graphic novels in such genres as fiction, graphic biography, classic adaptations and more.
Hayley noted that the two houses have “worked together successfully in the past,” and called the acquisition, “an exciting new phase in the development of SelfMadeHero.” Hayley also said she looked forward to, “developing SelfMadeHero into a global name. It has always been our ambition to be recognized as one of the leading publishers of graphic novels internationally and working with Abrams is a major step in fulfilling this aim.”
