Cartoon Network & BOOM! Studios ink a groundbreaking first-look deal!

March 10, 2014 – Los Angeles, CA – Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of the network, and BOOM! Studios are proud to announce a groundbreaking first look deal, the first agreement of its kind that the network has done in publishing. The partnership will give the award-winning comic book publisher the first option to license all-new Cartoon Network original comedies for adaptation into comics and graphic novels.

BOOM! Studios began its relationship with Cartoon Network Enterprises in 2012 with the release of the ADVENTURE TIME comic book series through its KaBOOM! imprint in February of that year. Since then, BOOM! has developed the franchise into a series of top-selling monthly releases, successful spin-off limited series, original graphic novels, trade collections, and collector hardcovers. Based on the top-rated Cartoon Network animated series of the same name, the ADVENTURE TIME comic has gone on to win an Eisner Award, multiple Harvey Awards, Shel Dorf Award, and back-to-back Diamond Gem Awards. In addition to widespread critical acclaim, the series has been a runaway commercial success with multiple ADVENTURE TIME collections debuting on the New York Times Bestsellers list, the first two collected volumes placing in the top 25 graphic novels and trades through Diamond Comic Distributors for 2013, and the ADVENTURE TIME VOL. 1 PLAYING WITH FIRE original graphic novel debuting in the #1 spot through Diamond Comic Distributors in May 2013.

BOOM!’s second launch of a Cartoon Network property, REGULAR SHOW, debuted in April 2013 as the highest-selling title in the publisher’s eight-year history. Based on the Emmy® Award-winning Cartoon Network original series, the franchise includes a monthly comic series and a spin-off mini-series currently in progress, and collections and original graphic novels are planned for future release.

The new expanded partnership will allow BOOM! to work with Cartoon Network Enterprises to introduce new animated comedy properties to the comic book and book markets closer to the debut of each show.

“The ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW comic book series have become all-ages successes as a direct result of our strong partnership with BOOM! and its ability to tap talented artists that bring our brands to life into comics,” said Pete Yoder, vice president of consumer products, North America for Cartoon Network Enterprises. “As we grow our roster of original comedies, it’s a great opportunity to expand our relationship with BOOM! and allow us to build on this strong success with additional brands debuting later this year.”

The first property to be encompassed by this new partnership is STEVEN UNIVERSE. Created by Rebecca Sugar, STEVEN UNIVERSE is Cartoon Network’s newest original comedy series about a boy named Steven and a team of magical Guardians of the Universe, and it will debut as a monthly comic series in August. A sneak peek of the new title premiered within the ADVENTURE TIME 2013 SPOOOKTACULAR in October 2013. Additional properties along with creative team details will be announced at a further date.

“Our partners at Cartoon Network have a stellar lineup of new shows that we are looking forward to publish as equally stellar all-ages comics, following the tremendous success of ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW,” said BOOM! Studios Founder and CEO Ross Richie. “STEVEN UNIVERSE has that same edginess that will resonate with readers—and that’s just the beginning. Wait until you see what else is in the pipeline!”