Random House Worlds to acquire Keanu Reeves’ comic book publisher BOOM! Studios

Random House Worlds has agreed to acquire Los Angeles-based comic book and graphic novel publisher BOOM! Studios, behind "The Matrix" actor Keanu Reeves’s BRZRKR comic book series. BOOM! Studios will retain editorial and publishing independence. The terms of the deal were not disclosed but the transaction is expected to complete this summer.

Ross Richie, BOOM! founder and chairman, will report to Scott Shannon, president of Random House Worlds. BOOM! Studios titles will continue to be distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors to the direct market and Simon & Schuster to the bookstore trade. 

Founded in 2005 by Richie, BOOM! Studios publishes under four distinct lines—BOOM! Studios, BOOM! Box, KaBOOM!, and Archaia. It has published the BRZRKR series, created and written by Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt and drawn by Ron Garney, as well as Power Rangers, Dune, The Expanse, Garfield, Firefly, Labyrinth, and The Dark Crystal. 

Random House Worlds is a portfolio of imprints within the Random House Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, which includes Del Rey and Inklore.

Richie said: "It’s every entrepreneur’s dream to launch a company, build it, and sell it to the best. I’m excited to hand the reins of BOOM! over to the best and largest publisher in the world. Their focus on readers and retail partnerships will build upon our work and help our creators achieve even more success. Personally, it’s time for me to take some much-needed time off with my family and explore what’s next."

Shannon said: "The acquisition of BOOM! Studios is a major step in Penguin Random House’s expansion of support to the direct comics market and a key part of our commitment to being the best publisher for creators across all categories. We are excited to continue that tradition with BOOM! as part of the Random House Publishing Group."