Have you just completed a comic book and are looking for a publishing house that might publish your work?
If so, take a look at the following 19 top comic book publishers that accept submissions across the United States, Canada and the UK.
1. Antarctic Press
Ben Dunn established Antarctic Press in 1984. Since then, it has amassed more than 5,000 publications — all of which are comic books. More importantly, the creators retain ownership of their works, which partly explains the lasting popularity of this publisher in San Antonio, Texas, among writers and readers.
Antarctic Press is packed with comic book titles spanning superheroes, adventure, action, fantasy, and even manga. Kamen America Vol. 1 (Mark Pellegrini, Timothy Lim) and all first four issues of Arya from Sofia Davila and Minjun Chen are sold out, indicating high demand for many of its series.
The publishing house encourages writers to be adept at other creative fields relevant to comic book creation. Why? It will help them collect a bigger chunk of the royalties. But even if you only focus on writing, feel free to submit your work to Antarctic Press.
2. Alterna Comics
Alterna Comics is the brainchild of Peter Simeti. Located in New Hampshire, the 16-year-old publishing house prioritizes the welfare of creators and fans. No publication is overpriced nor inaccessible since its comics have worldwide distribution.
You can discover engaging reads for young adults and mature readers at Alterna Comics. The top genres include action, humor, sci-fi, and horror. If you’re a fan of terror, don’t forget Robert Geronimo’s sinister Blood Realm and Peter Simeti’s limited series The Chair.
For now, Alterna Comics is specifically looking for both limited and ongoing series. They prefer stories that combine genres, with each issue containing at least 20 pages. The submissions page has the form and all other essential details.
3. Iron Circus Comics
C. Spike Trotman launched this Chicago-based publishing company 15 years ago. It specializes in comic books that celebrate diversity and unconventional writing. In fact, many of its alternative offerings are recipients of big awards and became bestsellers.
Iron Circus Comics has comics in digital, paperback, and hardbound variants. Teens and adults alike will find something to like such as Abby Howard’s spooky anthology The Crossroads at Midnight and Melanie Gillman’s coming-of-age As the Crow Flies.
Unsolicited submissions are more than welcome here! If you have an unpublished graphic novel or a bunch of digital comics that you want to be released in print for the first time, go ahead and send your project.
4. Fantagraphics
For many decades now, there’s one publishing house in Seattle, Washington, that treasured and pushed the boundaries of comic books — that’s Fantagraphics. It recognizes the pioneers of comics and graphic novels while championing new artists around the world.
Many of the world’s best comics come from Fantagraphics. This isn’t a big surprise when genres range from satire and politics to erotica and psychedelic. Its best recent releases include the collected edition of Johnny Ryan’s one-of-a-kind Prison Pit and Peter Bagge’s cultural landmark The Complete Hate.
Fantagraphics prides itself on stellar and distinct stories told through comics. They’re more interested in artistic innovation, visual brilliance, thematic complexity, and literary spectacle than the usual styles and genres in popular comics. All questions related to submitting your comic book are on the FAQs page.
5. Last Gasp
Ron Turner is the mind behind the most respected publisher of independent and alternative comic books in San Francisco, California. Known by casual and hardcore fans as Last Gasp, the business catapulted the careers of many groundbreaking artists and writers in the industry.
Similar to Fantagraphics, Last Gasp is the home of eccentric comic book titles that are hard to come by these days. It not only has Suehiro Maruo’s The Strange Tale of Panorama Island but also Laugh in the Dark No. 1 from artists like Justin Green and Kim Deitch.
Typically, this publisher doesn’t review unsolicited work. Nonetheless, Last Gasp is still open to hearing about your comic book submission if you use the contact form.
6. Northwest Press
At the start of the 2010s, Charles Christensen pushed the boundaries of visually-charged literature that highlighted the LGBTQ+ community. Northwest Press is a Seattle-based comics publisher specializing in queer titles, some of which were recipients of the Lambda Literary Award and the Ignatz Award.
Recognizing and highlighting the history and present issues of LGBTQ+ people, Northwest Press publishes romance, erotica, humor, nonfiction, adventure, and anthologies. A few series you can read in paperback right now are Jon Macy’s Fearful Hunter and Rick Worley’s hilarious A Waste of Time.
Northwest Press is currently seeking completed LGBTQ+ comics and graphic novels. In other words, the company isn’t interested in printing ongoing or serial titles (unless you put all issues into a collection).
7. Dark Horse Comics
Mike Richardson didn’t immediately think of having his own publishing house. At first, his only business goal was to establish a comic book shop, Pegasus Books. However, he quickly realized the need to make better comic books. And so in 1986, Mike finally launched Dark Horse Comics in Milwaukie, Oregon.
Dark Horse Comics arguably has one of the biggest catalogs in comics. It includes not just superheroes and action & adventure but also graphic literature, manga, manhwa, and short stories. If you’re a fan of Brian Michael Bendis, his sci-fi series like Pearl and Joy Operations are right here.
This iconic comic book publisher is open to unsolicited proposals. However, each writer must have a team of artists and creative professionals to completely realize their work.
8. Top Shelf Productions
Headquartered in San Diego, California, Top Shelf Productions acknowledges the power of comic books to illustrate social realities and connect with readers through images and letters. Entering its 25th year in 2022, it has grown into one of the best imprints at IDW Publishing.
The company proudly embraces the creative freedom and unrestrained storytelling of comic books. As such, Top Shelf Productions has titles like Erin Nations’s biographical LGBT comic Gumballs and Michael Slack’s acclaimed short story collection Land of O.
Top Shelf Productions accepts online submissions. The team will do their best to read all projects, but they cannot guarantee a reply to every writer due to the sheer quantity of work they must evaluate.
9. Committed Comics
Three years before Thomas Doherty and fellow comics enthusiast Alejandro Cruz launched Committed Comics, they already imagined a platform to make it easier for artists and writers to enter the industry. Situated in Redmond, Washington, their independent publishing business is still turning heads as much as it did in 1999.
Your next favorite indie comic might just come from here. The Committed Comics catalog contains the gargantuan omnibus edition of Bill Maus’s Nira X, which has more than 300 pages. Another intriguing title here is Christopher Tung’s God Among Men.
Committed Comics is on the lookout for exceptional comic book writers. If you have a fresh and riveting story that isn’t designed for a monthly release and is partially complete (at the least), you can send your submission by mail.
10. Abrams
The storied history of Abrams dates back to 1949 when Harry N. Abrams founded his company with just one other individual serving as his editor-in-chief. As it evolved and built its reputation over the decades, the New York-based publisher developed the Abrams ComicArts imprint, which specializes in comics and graphic novels.
ABRAMS boasts hall-of-fame titles and the most exciting contemporary works in comic books. Superhero fans have Alex Ross’s Fantastic Four: Full Circle. Moreover, the 2017 edition of Mark Evanier’s Kirby: King of Comics features an introduction from none other than Neil Gaiman.
Although it’s closed to unsolicited proposals, ABRAMS is open to agented submissions. If you don’t have one, you should check resources on locating a reputable literary agent.
11. Image Comics
Aside from Dark Horse Comics, Oregon is home to another titan in the comic book industry. Erected 30 years ago by a group of influential and successful artists, Image Comics in Portland is now one of the top publishers of comic books and graphic novels in the US.
The company cares most about the quality of writing that goes behind each story, so almost all genres (sci-fi, romance, horror, etc.) and subgenres are present. Recently, Image Comics launched the newest issues of Charles Soule’s Eight Billion Genies and James Tynion IV’s The Department of Truth.
You can never go wrong with Image Comics. Visit the submissions section for details about preparing a proposal.
12. Darby Pop Publishing
Known for animated shows Godzilla: The Series and G.I. Joe Renegades, Jeff Kline established Darby Pop Publishing in the early 2010s. Initially, he sought peers who dreamed of publishing their passion project. Since then, his company in Los Angeles, California, has released more than a hundred comic book titles.
Darby Pop Publishing offers not just single issues of comic books but also trade paperbacks and even rare versions that you can only get at conventions. Readers are particularly fond of Jeff Kline’s brilliantly funny Indestructible and A.J. Scherkenbach’s stylish and action-packed Sweet Lullaby.
This one-of-a-kind publishing house accepts comic book submissions that meet certain criteria. For one, the projects must already be finished (i.e. no ongoing titles allowed). Plus, submissions must include an accomplished waiver.
13. Mad Cave Studios
Are you in Miami, Florida? If so, Mad Cave Studios should be your go-to publisher. Launched only eight years ago, this indie company built a steady and loyal following with its assortment of top-notch stories. Here, it’s easy to lose yourself in wholly fictional worlds that otherwise feel fully realized from their lore to their characters.
From gripping noir to fantasy, there’s always something to be excited about at Mad Cave Studios. Every title is immersive and features compelling characters. Some of the best issues this year are from David Hazan’s Nottingham and Jasmine Walls’s teen favorite The Last Session.
Recently, Mad Cave Studios closed its submission window for unsolicited comics. The good news is that it only lasts throughout October. Once November arrives, the publisher will once again accept manuscripts.
14. NBM Publishing
The history of comic books wouldn’t be complete without NBM Publishing. Established by Terry Nantier in 1976, NBM Publishing was the first publishing house in the US to launch a graphic novel. Furthermore, this New York company previously worked with industry legends like Will Eisner and Dave McKean.
This legendary publisher has an eclectic collection of comics in genres like mystery, humor, classic tales, and erotica. Its nonfiction titles include biographies, true crime, and references. If you want laughs with your horror, check all volumes of Richard Moore’s Boneyard.
NBM Publishing is open to submissions from writers with previously published works. You can also apply if you’re a fairly accomplished webcomic creator. Regardless, the company can only cater to authors from North America for now.
15. Humanoids
In the 1970s in Paris, France, Jean Giraud, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, and Philippe Druillet yearned to explore the possibilities of comic books. Hence, they launched their own magazine called Métal Hurlant, which then had its US alternative, Heavy Metal. And while Humanoids originated in France, its base operations are now in Los Angeles, California.
Humanoids excels in practically all genres from sci-fi and fantasy to horror and adventure. Kids and older readers won’t run out of good reads like Melody Cooper’s modern superhero series Omni or Ignited by Mark Waid and Kwanza Osajyefo.
Originality and innovation are always welcome at Humanoids. Writers can accomplish the submission form and the pitch sheet whether they have an artist to work with or not. If the team likes your comic, you should get a response within a month.
16. Deadstar Publishing
Deadstar Publishing made its way into the comic book industry with the main goal of finding promising new artists and writers. And since its inception in 2010, this humble publisher in Cardiff, Wales, UK, has helped many people land long-term, well-paying, and creatively fulfilling positions.
Judging by the company name, it’s not too surprising that Deadstar Publishing focuses on horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. Plus, there are themes and subgenres like supernatural, war, Western, steampunk, robots, and apocalyptic. If you need a sample, check the issues of 7 Shades by Pete Rogers and David Clifford.
Deadstar Publishing is keen on publishing graphic novels and one-shot comic book projects — but don’t lose hope if you have an unfinished serial title. The team still accepts those works, especially if you have at least one arc prepared. For more information, visit the submissions page.
17. Drawn & Quarterly
Based in Montreal, Quebec, Drawn & Quarterly is the pinnacle of technical and artistic excellence in comics in Canada. Starting as a one-issue magazine, this universally acclaimed publisher has built an international roster of award-winning writers and artists.
Since it’s one of the world’s most revered comic book publishers, Drawn & Quarterly continually pushes the envelope of visual and literary storytelling. It prints compelling works of fiction and nonfiction. Kids will certainly appreciate Elise Gravel’s The Mushroom Fan Club and Shigeru Mizuki’s The Birth of Kitaro.
To begin your publishing journey at Drawn & Quarterly, you just need to prepare a cover letter and PDF file. Simply scroll down the homepage to find the email address for sending submissions.
18. Nobrow Press
Sam Arthur and Alex Spiro founded Nobrow Press to discover new artists and authors while introducing renowned figures to a bigger audience. Amusingly, this 14-year-old publishing house in London employs 14 employees today, ensuring that each title meets its high standards in production and storytelling.
At Nobrow Press, you’ll discover comic book series and graphic novels that intrigue readers of all ages. Both volumes of Alexis Deacon’s YA fantasy Curse of the Chosen are available. Likewise, the publisher has Sam Bosma’s award-winning Fantasy Sports.
If you believe your work suits the catalog, prepare your comic book submission by reading the full guidelines. Aside from drawings and descriptions of characters, your submission must include a sample.
19. Black Panel Press
Andrew Benteau launched Black Panel Press five years ago. Located in Toronto, Canada, this independent company helped readers in both US and Canada to access the best comics and graphic novels from other parts of the world. In addition, its writers can rest easy knowing that they have full control of their works.
The current portfolio is relatively humble in size at the moment, but no one can deny the quality of Black Panel Press publications. Genres include fantasy, sci-fi, satire, and slice of life. Fans of thrilling stories can read adventure comics like Nicolas Andre’s Ivanhoe Backus and Augustus Mora’s Illegal Cargo.
Black Panel Press isn’t interested in the superhero genre or projects that require single-issue prints. On the bright side, it’s actively seeking comics in the form of graphic novels, especially if you’ve finished the story already.
Do you know any other comic book publishers that accept submissions? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
I am Ruposhree, a regular happy-go-lucky girl with not-so-regular (read extraordinary) dreams. I love reading, obsessing over random TV series, dreaming of unrealistic vacations, and most importantly, trying my hand at writing. I want to believe that I somehow have a way with words and maybe one day I’ll manage to see and be everything that I ever dreamt of!