The comic book publishing industry in the US is a vibrant sector that produces various comic formats, including graphic novels and digital comics. Companies range from major players like Marvel and DC Comics to independent publishers and digital platforms. As interactive storytelling gains popularity, comic publishers are exploring multimedia adaptations, like films and video games, increasing their audience reach. The rise of indie creators and platforms like Kickstarter allows for a swelling diversity of voices and stories, pushing against traditional norms and genres. Readers increasingly prefer digital access, driving a significant transformation in how comics are created and distributed.

This list highlights 14 notable investors in the US comic book publishing industry, including corporate heavyweights and specialized venture firms. These investors are headquartered across significant locations such as San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, showcasing their regional influence. With firm sizes ranging from small startups to corporate giants, most were founded between 2004 and 2017. Notably, investments made in 2024 demonstrate commitment to innovation within the comic book ecosystem, with several partnerships totaling hundreds of millions in financing, reinforcing growth in this fascinating sector.

Top 14 Comic Book Publishing Investors in the US

1. 500 Global

• Website: 500.co
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 98
• LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. Among its notable transactions, 500 Global has invested in Tapas Media, which raised a total of $1.4 million in seed rounds in 2012 and 2013, focusing on digital comics and storytelling. Additionally, the firm invested in Tokyo Otaku Mode, which raised over $2.6 million in a Series A round in 2014, a company that caters to fans of anime, manga, and related media, further indicating its interest in the comic book publishing sector. These investments highlight 500 Global's engagement with companies that are relevant to the comic book industry.

2. Amazon

• Website: amazon.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States (USA)
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 37
• LinkedIn: amazon

Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational technology company based in Seattle, Washington, primarily known for its e-commerce platform. Founded in 1994, Amazon has expanded its services to include cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. As an investor, Amazon has made significant moves in the comic book publishing industry, most notably through its acquisition of comiXology in 2014, a leading digital comic book platform that allows users to purchase and read comics online. This acquisition has positioned Amazon as a key player in the digital comic book market. Additionally, Amazon's investment in Superplastic in 2023, which focuses on creating animated content and characters, aligns with comic book culture and storytelling. These transactions highlight Amazon's active role in the comic book publishing landscape, making it a relevant investor in this category.

3. Tcg

• Website: tcg.co
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 5
• LinkedIn: the-chernin-group

The Chernin Group (TCG) is a venture capital firm based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2010. TCG focuses on building consumer businesses across various industries, including digital media and health and wellness. They provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs and management teams, helping them scale their operations and realize their visions. Notably, TCG has made significant investments in companies that intersect with comic book culture, such as Funko, which specializes in collectible figures of popular characters, including those from comic books. They also acquired a majority stake in Crunchyroll, a leading streaming service for anime content, which often overlaps with comic book narratives. These transactions highlight TCG's engagement in sectors that appeal to comic book fans, although their primary focus is not solely on comic book publishing.

4. betaworks

• Website: betaworks.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2008
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: betaworks

Betaworks is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in New York, founded in 2008. They focus on early-stage technology companies and provide investment, mentorship, and resources through their Camp program. Betaworks has been involved in several notable transactions, including investments in Superplastic, a designer toy brand that has raised significant funding to develop animated digital media stars based on its characters. Their participation in Superplastic's funding rounds, including a $20 million Series A extension in 2023 and earlier rounds, highlights their engagement in creative content that resonates with comic book publishing. Additionally, Betaworks invested in Kickstarter, a platform that has been instrumental in funding comic book projects, further showcasing their connection to the comic book industry.

5. Accel

• Website: accel.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 1983
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 101
• LinkedIn: accel-vc

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983, based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in investing in startups and early-stage companies primarily in the technology sector. The firm has a global presence with additional offices in London, India, and China. Notably, Accel has participated in significant funding rounds for Legendary Entertainment, which raised $128 million in 2012 and $40 million in 2011. Legendary is recognized for its work in film and television, particularly in adapting comic book properties. While Accel's investments are predominantly in technology, their involvement with Legendary Entertainment highlights a potential interest in the comic book publishing and adaptation space, suggesting a broader investment strategy that includes media and entertainment.

6. BITKRAFT Ventures

• Website: bitkraft.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2017
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 26
• LinkedIn: bitkraftvc

BITKRAFT Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2017. They specialize in investments in gaming and emerging technologies, providing funding and support to startups in these sectors. Their focus on Synthetic Reality™ positions them at the forefront of innovation in the gaming industry. Notably, BITKRAFT Ventures has made investments in the comic book space, including a seed round for 555 Comic in May 2022. This investment highlights their interest in the comic book publishing industry, alongside their other ventures such as New Tales and Joyride Games, which, while primarily focused on gaming, demonstrate their broad investment strategy that includes creative content.

7. Disney and ESPN Media Networks

• Website: thewaltdisneycompany.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Burbank, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2004
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: disney-and-espn-media-networks

Disney and ESPN Media Networks, a corporate investor based in Burbank, California, is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, which was founded in 2004. The company is a major player in the entertainment and media sector, offering a diverse range of products and services, including movies, television shows, theme parks, and consumer products. Disney's acquisition of Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 billion significantly enhanced its portfolio in the comic book publishing industry, allowing it to leverage Marvel's extensive library of characters and stories across various media platforms. Additionally, Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 and Middle-earth Enterprises in 2013 further illustrates its strategy to dominate the entertainment landscape, including comic book adaptations and related content. Disney's focus on storytelling and iconic franchises positions it as a key investor in the comic book publishing space, making it a relevant entity in this category.

8. Goldman Sachs

• Website: goldmansachs.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 1998
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 59
• LinkedIn: goldman-sachs

Goldman Sachs is a prominent investment bank and financial services firm founded in 1998, headquartered in New York, New York. The firm provides a wide range of services including investment banking, asset management, and wealth management, catering to a diverse clientele that includes corporations, financial institutions, and individuals. Among its notable transactions, Goldman Sachs has invested in Legendary Entertainment, raising $150 million in debt financing and $128 million in a private equity round in April 2012. Legendary Entertainment is known for its work in film and television, including adaptations of comic book properties, which positions Goldman Sachs within the entertainment sector that intersects with comic book publishing. Additionally, Goldman Sachs has been involved in transactions with other media companies, such as Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Leaf Group, further showcasing its engagement in the broader entertainment landscape.

9. GV (Google Ventures)

• Website: gv.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2009
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 74
• LinkedIn: gv

GV (Google Ventures) is a venture capital firm founded in 2009, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with over $10 billion in assets under management. The firm focuses on various sectors, including life sciences and artificial intelligence, but has also made notable investments in the publishing sector. For instance, GV participated in funding rounds for Superplastic, a company that blends technology and entertainment, creating synthetic characters that resonate with comic book culture. They also invested in Wonderbly, a children's book publisher, which showcases their interest in the publishing industry. These transactions highlight GV's potential relevance to comic book publishing, as they support innovative companies that intersect with the comic and entertainment landscape.

10. Social Starts

• Website: socialstarts.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: social-starts

Social Starts is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, primarily targeting startups that promote health and happiness. Utilizing analytics, Social Starts identifies promising companies across various sectors, including e-commerce and biotech. Among their notable transactions, they invested in Comixology, a leading digital comic book platform, in July 2013, which raised $25,000 in an angel round. This investment highlights their engagement with the comic book publishing industry. Additionally, they have invested in other companies like Tokyo Otaku Mode, which caters to fans of Japanese pop culture, further indicating a potential interest in related sectors. However, their primary focus remains on health and happiness, which may limit their relevance in the broader comic book publishing landscape.

11. Precursor Ventures

• Website: precursorvc.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2015
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 30
• LinkedIn: precursor-ventures

Precursor Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. They specialize in investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the pre-seed and seed stages. The firm focuses on building long-term relationships with founders, providing both financial support and strategic guidance to help startups grow. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of innovative companies across various sectors. Notably, they have invested in 'The Companion', a project that aligns with comic book publishing, as well as other ventures like 'Rebel Girls' and 'MerchBooth.com', which may also intersect with the comic book and entertainment industries. Their active investment strategy, with 30 investments in 2024 alone, demonstrates their commitment to supporting emerging companies, including those in the comic book publishing space.

12. Kkr

• Website: kkr.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 1976
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 74
• LinkedIn: kkr

KKR & Co. Inc. is a prominent investment firm based in New York, specializing in private equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. Founded in 1976, KKR has established itself as a leader in asset management, providing solutions to both institutional investors and individual clients. In recent years, KKR has made significant strides in the publishing sector, acquiring Simon & Schuster for $1.62 billion in August 2023, which is a major player in the book publishing industry, including comic books. Additionally, KKR acquired RBmedia in July 2018, a company that produces audiobooks and other media, which may intersect with comic book adaptations. Their acquisition of OverDrive, a leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools, further emphasizes their commitment to the publishing landscape, enabling access to a wide range of reading materials, including comics. These transactions highlight KKR's strategic interest in the publishing industry, making them a noteworthy investor in the comic book publishing sector.

13. Apollo Global Management, Inc.

• Website: apollo.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 1990
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 46
• LinkedIn: apollo-global-management-inc

Apollo Global Management, Inc. is an asset management firm founded in 1990, based in New York, specializing in alternative assets and retirement solutions. The firm manages a diverse portfolio across credit, private equity, and real assets, catering to institutional investors, corporations, and individual clients. Notably, Apollo has made significant investments in the entertainment sector, including a minority stake in Legendary Entertainment for $760 million, which is known for its involvement in comic book adaptations and related media. This investment allows Legendary management to regain operational control, highlighting Apollo's strategic interest in the entertainment industry. Additionally, Apollo's acquisition of AOL and Shutterfly, along with its financing activities in various sectors, showcases its broad investment strategy while maintaining a foothold in areas that intersect with comic book publishing.

14. New York Angels

• Website: newyorkangels.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2004
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn: new-york-angels

New York Angels is an angel investment group based in New York, founded in 2004. They provide funding and mentorship to early-stage companies across various industries, including technology and healthcare. Notably, they have made investments in the comic book publishing context, such as Comixology, which raised $150,000 in debt financing in 2010, and Rebel Girls, which raised an undisclosed amount in a seed round in 2020. These transactions highlight their engagement with the comic book industry, showcasing their ability to support creative ventures alongside their broader investment strategy. Their members, experienced entrepreneurs and investors, offer strategic guidance to help startups navigate growth and funding challenges.

Comic Book Publishing Insights: Key Investors in the US

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
500 Global	San Francisco, California, United States (USA)	201-500	2010	98
Amazon	Seattle, Washington, United States (USA)	10001+		37
Tcg	Los Angeles, California, United States (USA)	51-200	2010	5
betaworks	New York, New York, United States (USA)	11-50	2008	7
Accel	Palo Alto, California, United States (USA)	51-200	1983	101
BITKRAFT Ventures	Denver, Colorado, United States (USA)	11-50	2017	26
Disney and ESPN Media Networks	Burbank, California, United States (USA)	10001+	2004	7
Goldman Sachs	New York, New York, United States (USA)	10001+	1998	59
GV (Google Ventures)	San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States (USA)	51-200	2009	74
Social Starts	San Francisco, California, United States (USA)	11-50	2012	1
Precursor Ventures	San Francisco, California, United States (USA)	1-10	2015	30
Kkr	New York, New York, United States (USA)	1001-5000	1976	74
Apollo Global Management, Inc.	New York, New York, United States (USA)	1001-5000	1990	46
New York Angels	New York, New York, United States (USA)	51-200	2004	0

Want to find more investors focusing on the comic book publishing industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the comic book publishingindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

• Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
• Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
• Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
• ...and much more!