Dark Horse Media, Milwaukie, Oregon, publishers of Hellboy, Umbrella Academy, Sin City, Black Hammer and many other creator-owned comedy e-book series since the mid-1980s and one of the five most sensible publishers in the U. S. comedy e-book industry. Sweden’s Embracer Group, a corporate holding company specializing in gaming and entertainment properties, which also just acquired game publisher Asmodee for more than $3 billion. This progression has been rumored for some time in the industry, especially after Dark Horse hired an investment advisor to research market opportunities.
Per the announcement, Embracer acquired 80% of Dark Horse from the Chinese investment corporation that took a majority stake in the company in 2018, and 20% from founder/publisher Mike Richardson. The value of the acquisition was not disclosed. As a component of the deal, Embracer acquired Dark Horse Publishing, which produces periodicals, promotional books, merchandise and games; Dark Horse Entertainment, the film and television production arm of the company that produces the films Hellboy, Umbrella Academy and Resident Alien, among others; and Thing from Another World, a store with 3 physical stores and an online presence.
According to the figures cited in the announcement, Dark Horse generated just under $100 million in profits in 2021, with an EBIT of around $14 million. Embracer expects its earnings to reach approximately $22 million through fiscal 23/24, thanks to synergies between Dark Horse IP and the functions of the other nine gaming and entertainment corporations in Embracer’s portfolio.
Embracer Group sees the deal as imperative to “strengthen its transmedia functions by adding expertise in content development, comedy e-book publishing, and film and television production. “or controls more than three hundred IP addresses, many of which are considered through the Embracer Group to be “attractive for long-term transmedia exploitation, adding the creation of new video games. “
Richardson, a mythical figure in the comedy e-book industry, will continue as CEO, along with the rest of his control team. “I can’t express the excitement I feel when Dark Horse enters this new bankruptcy in our history,” he said. The synergies that exist with Embracer’s business networking paintings promise exciting new opportunities not only for Dark Horse, but also for the creators and corporations we paint with. I’ve had several compelling conversations with Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors, and I’m very inspired by him and what he and his team have built. I must say that the long term of our company has never been brighter.
Brilliant or not, the long term looks different now that one of the leading e-book publishers of independent comedians for decades is now firmly under the control of foreign companies.