Alias Enterprises

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Alias Enterprises is a US publishing company. Their main divisions are Alias Comics (all-ages comic books) and Cross Culture (Christian comic books). Based in San Diego, California, it was founded in January 2005 by Brett Burner and Mike S. Miller. They publish comics such as Lullaby, The 10th Muse, The Legend of Isis, and Sixgun Samurai.

Contents

[edit] History

Alias was founded by artist Mike S. Miller and publisher Brett Burner (also owner of Lamp Post Publications [1]). In January 2005, they launched their first productions through Image Comics filling a virtually untapped market with three all-ages titles: Lullaby: Wisdom Seeker, Lions, Tigers and Bears, and The Imaginaries. All three were successful projects in the independent marketplace, particularly Lullaby, which has seen continuing success since its initial release. In 2005, Alias expanded into a self-publishing company, with plans to launch 12 titles in April of that year with cover prices of 75 cents. The titles all shipped late and were released irregularly afterwards, but landed them a spot with Diamond Comic Distributors as a Top 20 Publisher.

Alias Comics offered 25 cent preview issues, 75 cent introductory issues, and 50 thousand copies of free (to retailer) preview books called 'the Comic Book Digest' as marketing efforts, but continued to have problems with shipping. In mid 2005, Alias chose to move its comic printing stateside, but due to the accumulation of problems at the Domestic printer, decided to go back to its original partner in South Korea. The subsequent lapse in shipping, going from a domestic printer to a South Korean printer resulted in a two to three month lapse in delivery of Alias comic books to comic stores. Being gone from the shelves for so long created several problems for the fledgling company, causing a loss of retailer and consumer confidence.

Nearly a year after opening their doors, several Alias comic book creators began to leave the publisher, citing various concerns. In 2005, studios Monkey Pharmacy, Runemaster Studios, and Dabel Brothers Productions stopped producing books for publication by Alias.

In November 2005, Alias underwent a restructuring plan (PR). Its publisher, Brett Burner, purchased majority shares of the company in order to take control of the company's financial records.

In March 2006, Alias announced a new policy toward its creators requiring work to be completed and in-hand before being solicited for publication, citing an effort to maintain a more exact release schedule (PR).

In 2006, Alias signed an agreement [2] with Christian publisher Zondervan to produce twenty-four manga or graphic novels to be released over the next few years through its Cross Culture division, consisting of three eight-book series. These titles include: Hand of the Morningstar, Kingdoms, and The Manga Bible.

Also in 2006, Alias' Christian division 'Cross Culture Entertainment' began publication of Bubblemag, a Christian pop culture magazine http://www.bubblemag.com

In Fall 2006, Alias executives announced his intention to rebrand Alias Comics as a Christian comic company. Within a few weeks, Abacus Comics opened for business. Abacus Comics is owned solely by Miller, and was opened for the express purpose of publishing several of his "creator-owned" titles which were initially run through Alias Comics.

In 2007, Lamp Post Inc. obtained full rights to all of Alias and Cross Culture properties, placing them under its label.

[edit] Publications

In alphabetical order:

  • ArmorQuest: Genesis (2005-2006) by Ben Avery and Sherwin Schwartzrock
  • Atomik Mike (2006+) by Stephan Nilson
  • The Blackbeard Legacy (2006+)
  • Chrono Mechanics (2006+) by Art Thibert and Richard Birdsall
  • David: The Sheperd's Song (2005) by Royden Lepp
  • David's Mighty Men (2005) by Javier Saltares
  • Deal with the Devil (2005) by Mike S. Miller and Sherwin Schwartzrock [1]
  • The Devil's Keeper (2005+) by Mike S. Miller/Sean Jordan and Carlos Paul
  • The Dreamland Chronicles (2005+) by Scott Christian Sava
  • The Hammer Kid (2006) by Kevin Grevioux
  • Hyper-Actives volume 1 (2005-2006) by Darin Wagner & Clint Hilinski
  • Judo Girl (2005+) by Darren G. Davis, Terrance Griep, Nadir Balan
  • Killer Stunts, Inc. (2005) by Scott Kinney
  • Legacy Manga Digest (2005) by Carmen Trifilleti and Edu Francisco
  • The Legend of Isis (2005) by Ryan Scott Ottney, Darren G. Davis, et al.
  • Lethal Instinct (2005+) [3]
  • Lullaby volume 2 (2005+) by Mike S. Miller & Hector Sevilla
  • Monkey in a Wagon vs. Lemur on a Big Wheel (2005) by Ken Lillie-Paetz and Chris Moreno
  • Opposite Forces volume 2 (2005) by Tom Bancroft
  • Orion the Hunter (2006)
  • OZF5 (2005) by Ramon Madrigal and Ryan Ottley
  • Pakkins' Land volume 2 (2005+) by Gary Shipman
  • Psi-Kix (2005+)
  • Revere (2006+) by Ed Lavallee and Grant Bond (cartoonist)
  • Sixgun Samurai (2005+) by Mike S. Miller, Sean Jordan and Harold Edge
  • Super Teen*topia (2006+) by Kirk Kushin
  • Ted Noodleman: Bicycle Delivery Boy (2005) by Jim Keplinger & Ryan Ottley
  • Tenth Muse volume 2 (2005+) by Darren G. Davis and various
  • Twin Blades (2006+) by Adrian Todd and Ryan Odagawa
  • Valkyries (2006+) by Kevin Grevioux
  • Victoria's Secret Service (2005) by Darren G. Davis & Nadir Balan
  • Yenny volume 2 (2005+) by David Alvarez

Comics that went to other venues after publication at Alias:

Comics that came to Alias after initial publication at another venue:

Cancelled Alias comics:

  • The Gimoles

[edit] Circulation

According to the sales estimates from industry resource site ICv2 [4], Alias' top-selling monthly comics for their first year were:

  • (2005.05) 4,945 copies (rank 188) for 10th Muse Volume 2 #1 [5]
  • (2005.06) 7,836 copies (rank 214) for Lethal Instinct #1 [6]
  • (2005.07) 4,005 copies (rank 203) for Legend of Isis #2 [7]
  • (2005.08) 3,546 copies (rank 242) for Legend of Isis #3 [8]
  • (2005.09) 3,286 copies (rank 222) for XIII #2 [9]
  • (2005.10) 3,352 copies (rank 243) for Legend of Isis #4 [10]
  • (2005.11) 7,432 copies (rank 195) for Lullaby #1 [11]
  • (2005.12) 3,038 copies (rank 251) for Legend of Isis #7 [12]
  • (2006.01) 3,886 copies (rank 208) for Lullaby #2 [13]
  • (2006.02) -- no issue shipped, only a TPB [14]
  • (2006.03) 3,909 copies (rank 261) for Victoria's Secret Service #1 [15]
  • (2006.04) 4,701 copies (rank 210) for Lullaby #3 [16]
  • (2006.05) 2,959 copies (rank 291) for Blackbeard Legacy #1 [17]

(Those are only initial pre-order sales via Diamond U.S. and do not include possible reorders or sales through other channels.)

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Lionsgate picks up 'Devil', Hollywood Reporter, May 9, 2008

[edit] References

[edit] External links