Mark Millar moves Millarworld to Dark Horse – and here’s what it means – UPDATED

In somewhat stunning news, Dark Horse will be the new publisher of Mark Millar’s  Millarworld.

Previously published by Image, Millarworld is a sprawling universe of more than “20 franchises & 40 graphic novels plus the FIVE NEW SERIES we’re launching in 2024 and a slew of hardcover OMNIBUS EDITIONS” as Millar tweeted. 

The news broke earlier at Forbes, in an article by Josh Weiss. 

The titles involved in the deal include such best sellers and Netflix-inspiration as Wanted, Nemesis, Jupiter’s Legacy, The Magic Order, the recent Millarworld cross over Big Game, and call for both new titles and an extensive series of both budget and deluxe collections.

According to Millar he’ll  announce five new titles for 2024, a Nemesis series, the collection Nemesis: Rogues’ Gallery. The details will be announced on March 21, 2024. And 2025 will see four all-new series from Millar.

The deal is interesting in so many ways, not least of which that Millar “sold” Millarworld to Netflix – with MUCH fanfare – back in 2017. At that time – at the dawn of the Streaming Wars Era – it seemed that Netflix had bought media rights to Millar’s work and hired him in an “exec producer” type role. Significantly, the publishing rights remained at Image, as Millar told me in a Q&A at C2E2 a few months later. 

Since then, the much-heralded-deal resulted in only a few shows at Netflix, including the flop Jupiter’s Legacy, the recent The Chosen, and the off again, on again The Magic Order.

Notably, the announcement of the Dark Horse Millarworld deal doesn’t mention The Kingsmen or Kick-Ass, two of Millar’s biggest media hits.  Those were excluded from the Netflix deal as well.

Also notable: Millar’s recent full-on Twitter charm offensive preceding the announcement of the move to Dark Horse. His ongoing Twitter presence landed him back in the middle of The Discourse, with him offering creators and publishers alike a stream of startling but seemingly well-meaning advice.  More recent tweets involved things like a session at the boozer followed by a bad hangover. Well, it sounds like he has a lot to celebrate!

Whatever his drinking habits, Millar had successfully bet on himself now, not once, or twice but three times! First by leaving Big Two comics and going to Image in the first place; then by selling media rights to his work to the then up and coming Netflix; and now by selling publishing to a new company that will promote the heck out of it.

What does Dark Horse get? A sizable (40 graphic novels) backlist of the kind that publishers crave, and new material based on franchises that haven’t been over exposed.

UPDATE: welp I forgot one very important part of this deal: Dark Horse already HAS a deal with Netflix! On the production end, of course it includes Umbrella Academy and upcoming streamers based on Bang! and MIND MGMT. Dark Horse also has a publishing deal which includes Stranger Things. So yeah, a well-nigh perfect pact.

As for Image…well, Millar’s most recent tweet’s about Image didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about sales (although they weren’t CM Punk-type bridge exploders either.) Suffice to say, Image will survive.

Back to the actual deal: first out, new trade editions of The Magic Order Volumes 1 and 2 (of 5), with art by Olivier Coipel and Dave Stewart in Vol. 1 and Stuart Immonen, Sunny Gho and David Curiel for Vol. 2.

Next: a one volume reprint of Nemesis: Reloaded, with art by Jorge Jiménez and  Giovanna Niro.

And also: a new Dark Horse edition of Night Club Volume 1 with art by Juanan Ramirez.

Dark Horse Library Editions, oversized “omnibus” editions, will collect various titles starting with Wanted (JG Jones and Paul Mounts) and Big Game (Pepe Larraz and Giovanna Niro). Future editions planned include The Ambassadors and The Magic Order and many more.

Millar and Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson released excited statements to cement the pact:

“Can I just say that I’ve been a Dark Horse fan since the beginning, and this has been a decades long love affair finally consummated?” said Mark Millar. “I’ve loved what Mike and the team have been doing for years and so many of my friends are over there having a great time. I really just wanted to join the party and not only haul my massive, shelf-groaning library with me, but also commit to several years of really exciting stuff in the wake of our Big Game crossover event. We’re launching five new titles in 2024, all of which will be revealed on March 21. Beyond this, I’m working hard on the 2025 launches right now, four completely new series you’re going to love. This feels like a partnership made in heaven already and now the strikes are over and the pandemic is in the rear-view mirror, we can start to roll out all the associated shows and movies at Netflix too. I’m buzzing, but this might just be the booze.”

“I’ve admired Mark’s work for years and I’m very excited to bring his Millarworld of stories to Dark Horse,” said Dark Horse President Mike Richardson. “Mark’s world-building and character creation has put him at the forefront of the comics industry and we couldn’t be happier about welcoming him and his team to Dark Horse. As a big fan, I’m looking forward to seeing what surprises he has in store for us.”

Well, a LOT to come on this. Here’s the known release schedule as collated at Forbes:

• The Magic Order Volumes 1 and 2 (June 25 & August 13)
• Nemesis: Reloaded (July 10)
• Night Club Volume 1 (July 30)
• Wanted & Big Game Library Edition (TBD)
• The Ambassadors Library Edition (TBD)
• The Magic Order Library Edition (TBD)

About The Magic Order Volume 1: We live in a world where we’ve never seen a monster, and The Magic Order is the reason we sleep safely in our beds. By day, they live among us as our neighbors, friends, and co-workers, but by night they are the sorcerers, magicians, and wizards that protect us from the forces of darkness, unless the darkness gets them first. Magic meets the Mob in the 184-page The Magic Order Volume 1 (of 5), as five families of magicians sworn to protect our world for generations must battle an enemy who’s picking them off one by one. Pre-order from bookstore, comic shop, and Amazon and Barnes and Noble for $19.99. The first trade paperback volume is set to arrive in bookstores on June 25, 2024 and comic shops June 26, 2024. The Magic Order Volume 2 (176 pages) is also available for pre-order from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and your local bookstore or comic shop  for $19.99. It arrives in bookstores on August 13, 2024 and comic shops August 14, 2024.

About Nemesis: Reloaded: The world’s most evil comic book character is back! Who is Nemesis, and why does this eccentric billionaire who dresses up in a mask and cape want to terrorize people instead of helping them? Isn’t that how this is supposed to go? Trigger warning: Too violent and just too cool for some! Don’t say we didn’t warn you. The 144-page Nemesis: Reloaded arrives in bookstores on July 9, 2024 and comic shops on July 10, 2024. Pre-order at your local comic shop, bookstore, or from Amazon or Barnes and Noble  for $19.99.

About Night Club: You’re 17 years old and you’ve been bitten by a vampire. Do you live in the shadows and drink human blood, or do you use your newfound gifts for the dream costumed-superhero life you’ve always wanted? You’re bulletproof, you can crawl up walls, and you can turn to mist or bats. Why not have a little fun? Pre-order Night Club Volume 1 in paperback and enjoy the 176-page first arc of the bestselling horror series in bookstores on July 30, 2024 and comic shops on July 31, 2024. Get it from your local bookstore, comic shop, Amazon or Barnes and Noble  for $19.99.

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