Dark Horse Comics

Dark Horse Comics is one of the largest and most respected independent comic book publishers in the world. Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Oregon, Dark Horse was built on a simple idea: give creators more control over their work. That approach helped set it apart from the larger publishers and made it a favorite among both readers and creators.

What They Do

Dark Horse publishes a wide variety of comics, graphic novels, and manga. Their titles cover genres like science fiction, horror, fantasy, action, and drama. They’ve worked with both original properties and licensed franchises, creating new stories and expanding beloved worlds.

They also operate Dark Horse Entertainment, which helps bring their comics to film and TV. Many of their properties have been adapted into major media.

Notable Titles and Franchises

Some of the most popular and influential comics from Dark Horse include:

• Hellboy by Mike Mignola
• Sin City by Frank Miller
• The Umbrella Academy by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá
• 300 by Frank Miller
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (licensed)
• Alien, Predator, and Terminator (licensed)
• Star Wars comics (before the license moved to Marvel)

They also publish translated manga, such as Berserk, Blade of the Immortal, and Gantz.

Creator-Friendly Approach

Dark Horse has long been known for supporting creator-owned comics. This means writers and artists keep the rights to their creations, unlike at some major publishers. That philosophy attracted well-known creators like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, and Brian Wood.

Awards and Recognition

Over the years, Dark Horse Comics has earned many awards, including:

• Eisner Awards for titles like Hellboy, Black Hammer, and Beasts of Burden
• Harvey Awards for storytelling and artistic excellence
• Recognition for promoting artistic freedom and supporting creator-owned work

Cultural Impact

Dark Horse helped redefine what independent comics could be. By blending high-quality storytelling with a strong respect for creators, they brought more mature, experimental, and thoughtful comics into the spotlight.

The company also played a key role in bringing manga to Western audiences and expanding the role of comics in multimedia entertainment.