Innovation Publishing (also known as Innovation Books and the Innovative Corporation) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

comic book A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...

company based in Wheeling,

West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the Bur ...

. It was co-founded by

David Campiti David Campiti (born May 9, 1958) is an United States of America, American animation producer, comic book writer, talent agent, and co-founder of Innovation Publishing. As CEO of Glass House Graphics, Campiti oversees an international animation stu ...

in 1988 after writing a business proposal and raising US$400,000 to finance its launch. Innovation became #4 in market share, below

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...

, and

Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, and manga publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, Oregon comic book shops known ...

Overview

The company published many adaptations and

tie-in A tie-in work is a work of fiction or other product based on a media property such as a film, video game, television series, board game, web site, role-playing game or literary property. Tie-ins are authorized by the owners of the original prope ...

series of existing media properties, such as

Anne Rice Anne Rice (born Howard Allen Frances O'Brien; October 4, 1941 – December 11, 2021) was an American author of gothic fiction, erotic literature, and Christian literature. She was best known for her series of novels ''The Vampire Chronicles''. B ...

novels A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itself ...

Interview with the Vampire ''Interview with the Vampire'' is a gothic horror and vampire novel by American author Anne Rice, published in 1976. It was her debut novel. Based on a short story Rice wrote around 1968, the novel centers on vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac ...

'', ''

The Vampire Lestat ''The Vampire Lestat'' (1985) is a vampire novel by American writer Anne Rice, the second in her ''Vampire Chronicles'', following ''Interview with the Vampire'' (1976). The story is told from the point of view of the vampire Lestat de Lioncour ...

'', and ''

Queen of the Damned ''Queen of the Damned'' is a 2002 vampire film directed by Michael Rymer, loosely based on the third novel of Anne Rice's '' The Vampire Chronicles'' series, ''The Queen of the Damned'' (1988), although the film contains many plot elements from t ...

''. It also published adaptations of novels such as

Terry Pratchett Sir Terence David John Pratchett (28 April 1948 – 12 March 2015) was an English humourist, satirist, and author of fantasy novels, especially comical works. He is best known for his ''Discworld'' series of 41 novels. Pratchett's first nov ...

's ''

The Colour of Magic ''The Colour of Magic'' is a 1983 fantasy comedy novel by Terry Pratchett, and is the first book of the ''Discworld'' series. The first printing of the British edition consisted of only 506 copies. Pratchett has described it as "an attempt to ...

'' and ''

The Light Fantastic ''The Light Fantastic'' is a comic fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett, the second of the ''Discworld'' series. It was published on 2 June 1986, the first printing being of 1,034 copies. The title, taken from a poem by John Milton, in which it re ...

'',

Piers Anthony Piers Anthony Dillingham Jacob (born 6 August 1934) is an American author in the science fiction and Fantasy (genre), fantasy genres, publishing under the name Piers Anthony. He is best known for his :Xanth books, long-running novel series set in ...

's ''

On a Pale Horse ''On a Pale Horse'' is a fantasy novel by Piers Anthony, first published in 1983. It is the first of eight books in the '' Incarnations of Immortality'' series. The book focuses on Zane, a photographer about to commit suicide who instead kills ...

'',

Don Pendleton Donald Eugene Pendleton (December 12, 1927 – October 23, 1995) was an American author of fiction and non-fiction books, best known for his creation of the fictional character Mack Bolan, which have sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide ...

's '' The Executioner'',

Larry Niven Laurence van Cott Niven (; born April 30, 1938) is an American science fiction writer. His best-known works are ''Ringworld'' (1970), which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards, and, with Jerry Pournelle, ''The Mote in God's Eye'' ...

and

Jerry Pournelle Jerry Eugene Pournelle (; August 7, 1933 – September 8, 2017) was an American scientist in the area of operations research and human factors research, a science fiction writer, essayist, journalist, and one of the first bloggers. In the 1960s ...

's ''

Lucifer's Hammer ''Lucifer's Hammer'' is a science fiction apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction, post-apocalypse-survival novel by American writers Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle that was first published in 1977. It was nominated for the Hugo Award f ...

'', and

Gene Wolfe Gene Rodman Wolfe (May 7, 1931 – April 14, 2019) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He was noted for his dense, allusive prose as well as the strong influence of his Catholic faith. He was a prolific short story writer and nove ...

's ''

The Shadow of the Torturer ''The Shadow of the Torturer'' is a fantasy novel by American writer Gene Wolfe, published by Simon & Schuster in May 1980. It is the first of four volumes in ''The Book of the New Sun'' which Wolfe had completed in draft before ''The Shadow of ...

''; the

TV series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed betw ...

Dark Shadows ''Dark Shadows'' is an American gothic soap opera that aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966, to April 2, 1971. The show depicted the lives, loves, trials, and tribulations of the wealthy Collins family of Collinsport ...

'', ''

Quantum Leap ''Quantum Leap'' is an American science fiction television series, created by Donald P. Bellisario, that premiered on NBC and aired for five seasons, from March 26, 1989, to May 5, 1993. The series stars Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett, a physi ...

'', ''

Beauty and the Beast ''Beauty and the Beast'' (french: La Belle et la Bête) is a fairy tale written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve, Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740 in ''La Jeune Américaine et les contes marins'' ( ...

'' and ''

Lost In Space ''Lost in Space'' is an American science fiction television series, created and produced by Irwin Allen, which originally aired between 1965 and 1968 on CBS. The series was inspired by the 1812 novel ''The Swiss Family Robinson.'' The series fo ...

''; films such as ''

Forbidden Planet ''Forbidden Planet'' is a 1956 American science fiction film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, produced by Nicholas Nayfack, and directed by Fred M. Wilcox (director), Fred M. Wilcox from a script by Cyril Hume that was based on an original film story ...

'', '' Psycho'', '' Child's Play'', and ''

A Nightmare on Elm Street ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' is a 1984 American supernatural slasher film written and directed by Wes Craven and produced by Robert Shaye. It is the first installment in the ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' franchise and stars Heather Langenkamp ...

''; and even the 1949

Republic A republic () is a "state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th c ...

movie serial A serial film, film serial (or just serial), movie serial, or chapter play, is a motion picture form popular during the first half of the 20th century, consisting of a series of short subjects exhibited in consecutive order at one theater, gene ...

''King of the Rocket Men''. Innovation's original series included writer Kevin Juaire's ''

Hero Alliance ''The Hero Alliance'' is a fictional American team of comic book superheroes in an eponymous series published by different companies. It was created by writer Kevin Juaire. Publication history ''Hero Alliance'' was first published in 1986 as ' ...

''; ''Legends of the Stargrazers''; and writer Mike Barr's ''

The Maze Agency ''The Maze Agency'' is an American mystery comic book series created by Mike W. Barr and first professionally published in 1988. It revolves around a pair of detectives (Jennifer Mays and Gabriel Webb) and their adventures solving puzzling murders. ...

'' (continuing a series originally published by Comico). Innovation was one of the first companies to delve heavily into recruiting talents from Brazil, starting the American careers of

Mike Deodato Mike Deodato (; born May 23, 1963), sometimes credited as Mike Deodato Jr., is the professional pseudonym of Brazilian comic book artist Deodato Taumaturgo Borges Filho. Early life Mike Deodato was born on May 23, 1963 in Campina Grande, Paraíb ...

(''Beauty and the Beast'') and Joe Bennett (''The Light Fantastic''), among others. 1992 Russ Manning "Best Newcomer" Award–winner

Mike Okamoto Mike Okamoto (born Detroit, Michigan, United States) is an American comic book artist and commercial illustrator best known for co-creating Marvel Comics' ''Atomic Age''; as a " good girl art" cartoonist; and as the five-time International Networ ...

broke into comic books illustrating ''The Maze Agency'' #15 (Aug. 1990) and ''Hero Alliance'' #11–12 (Nov.–Dec. 1990). Campiti left Innovation in 1993 to launch

Glasshouse Graphics David Campiti (born May 9, 1958) is an United States of America, American animation producer, comic book writer, talent agent, and co-founder of Innovation Publishing. As CEO of Glass House Graphics, Campiti oversees an international animation stu ...

, a studio/agency for illustrators, writers, painters, and digital designers. Shortly thereafter, in early 1994, Innovation closed, leaving substantial debts to creators, printers, and investors."Newswatch: Innovation Goes Under Leaving Substantial Debts to Creators, Printers, and Investors", ''The Comics Journal'' #166 (February 1994), pp. 34–37.

Titles published

Adaptations

* Anne Rice ** ''

'' (1991–1993), #1–12 ** ''The Master of Rampling Gate'' (1991), TPB ** ''

'' (1990–1991), #1–12 (collected in 1991 as ''The Vampire Lestat: The Graphic Novel'') ** ''

'' (1991–1993), #1–11 (#12 is unpublished) ** ''The Vampire Companion'' (1990–1992), #1–3 * ''

'' (1993), #1–6 * '' Bozo, the World's Most Famous Clown'' (1992), #1 * '' Child's Play'' * ''

'' (1991), #1–4 * ''

'' **Book One (1992–1993), #1–4 **Book Two (1993), #1–4 **Book Three (1993), #1 * ''

'' (1992–1993), #1–4 (collected in 1993 as ''Forbidden Planet: The Saga of the Krell'') * ''

'' (1992–1993), #1–4 * ''

Lost in Space ''Lost in Space'' is an American science fiction television series, created and produced by Irwin Allen, which originally aired between 1965 and 1968 on CBS. The series was inspired by the 1812 novel ''The Swiss Family Robinson.'' The series fo ...

'' ** v1 (1991–1993), #1–18 ** ''Lost in Space: Project Robinson'' (1993), #1 * ''

'' (1993), #1–2 (#3–6 unpublished) * '' Mack Bolan: The Executioner'' (1993), #1–3 (#4 is unpublished) * ''

'' ** ''Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare'' (1991), #1–3 and 3-D (reprints #3 with 3-D sections) ** ''Nightmares on Elm Street'' (1991–1992), #1–6 ** ''A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Beginning'' (1993), #1–2 (#3 unpublished) * ''

'' (1991–1993), #1–5 (#6 is unpublished) * ''

'' (1991–1993), #1–13 * ''

The Phantom of the Opera ''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pierr ...

'' (1991), TPB * '' Psycho'' (1992), #1–3 * '' Rocket Man: King of the Rocket Men'' (1991), #1–4 * ''

'' (1991), #1–3 * ''

Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a " consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, deduction, forensic science and ...

A Study in Scarlet ''A Study in Scarlet'' is an 1887 detective novel by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle. The story marks the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, who would become the most famous detective duo in literature. The book's title deri ...

'' (1989), TPB

Original series

* ''

3×3 Eyes ''3×3 Eyes'' (pronounced in Japanese) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuzo Takada. It was serialized in Kodansha's ''seinen'' manga magazines ''Young Magazine Kaizokuban'' and ''Weekly Young Magazine'' from 1987 to 2 ...

'' (translation of the manga) * ''Ack the Barbarian'' (1991), #1 * ''All Hallow's Eve'' (1991), #1 * ''Angel of Death'' (1990), #1–4 * ''Angry Shadows'' (1989), #1 * ''Avenue X'' (1992), #1 * ''Black and White Magic!'' (1991), #1 * ''Biff Thundersaur'' (1991), #1 * ''Celestial Mechanics: The Adventures of Widget Wilhelmina Jones'' (1990–1991), #1–3 * ''Cobalt Blue'' (1989), TPB * ''Cyberpunk'' ** ''Cyberpunk'' Graphic Novel #1 (1989) ** v1 (1989–1990), #1–2 (reprints the 1989 graphic novel) ** Book Two v1 (1990), #1–2 (collected in 1990 as ''Cyberpunk Book Two'' Graphic Novel #1) ** ''The Seraphim Files'' (1990), #1–2 (collected in 1990 as ''Cyberpunk: The Seraphim Files'' Book One) * ''The Dead Heat'' (1990), #1 (All American Comics imprint) * ''Gnatrat: The Movie'' (1986) * ''The Group Larue'' (1989), #1–3 (collected as ''The Group Larue'' Graphic Novel #1) * ''Headman'' (1990), #1 * ''

'' ** ''End of the Golden Age'' (1989), #1–3 (reprints the

Pied Piper The Pied Piper of Hamelin (german: der Rattenfänger von Hameln, also known as the Pan Piper or the Rat-Catcher of Hamelin) is the title character of a legend from the town of Hamelin (Hameln), Lower Saxony, Germany. The legend dates back to ...

graphic album) ** v2 (1989–1991), #1–17 (continues from

Wonder Comics Wonder Comics or Wonder Color Comics was a very short-lived American comic book publishing company that existed from 1985 to 1987. They only published a few titles, some of which moved to another short-lived company, Pied Piper Comics, after their ...

) ** ''Hero Alliance Annual'' (1990), #1 ** ''Hero Alliance & Justice Machine: Identity Crisis'' (1990), #1 ** ''Hero Alliance Quarterly'' (1991–1992), #1–4 ** ''Hero Alliance Special'' (1992), #1 * ''

Justice Machine The Justice Machine is a fictional team of superheroes originally created by Michael Gustovich and appearing in comic books from many small publishers in the 1980s and 1990s. Publication history Justice Machine debuted in Noble Comics' ''Justice ...

'' (from Comico) ** ''The New Justice Machine'' (1989–1990) ** ''Justice Machine Summer Spectacular'' (1990) ** v3 (1990–1991), #1–7 * ''Lunatic Fringe'' (1989), #1–2 * ''Legends of the Stargrazers'' (1989–1990), #1–6 (collected as ''Legends of the Stargrazers'' Graphic Novels #1 & 2) * ''

'' ** v1 (1989–1990), #8–23 (from Comico) ** Annual (1990), #1 ** Special (1990), #1 * ''Mangle Tangle Tales'' (1990), #1 * ''Masques'' (1992), #1–2 * ''Media Starr'' (1989), #1–3 (collected as ''Media Starr'' Graphic Novel #1) * ''Neon City'' (1991), #1 * ''Neon City: After the Fall'' (1992), #1 * ''Newstralia'' (1989–1990), #1–5 * Alex Niño's ''Nightmare'' (1989), #1 * Bruce Jones' ''Outer Edge'' (1993), #1 * ''Power Factor'' ** v1 (1990–1991), #1–3 (#1 reprints

and #2 reprints

Pied Piper Comics Pied Piper Comics was a short-lived American comic book publishing company that ran from 1986 to 1988. Most of the company's titles were picked up from other publishers, and then most later moved to David Campiti's Innovation Publishing. Pied Pi ...

) ** Special (1991), #1 * ''Professor Om'' (1990), #1 * Bruce Jones' ''Razor's Edge'' (1993), #1 *

Walt Kelly Walter Crawford Kelly Jr. (August 25, 1913 – October 18, 1973), commonly known as Walt Kelly, was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip ''Pogo (comic strip), Pogo''. He began his animation career in 1936 at The Walt ...

's ''Santa Claus Adventures'' (1990) * ''Scaramouch'' (1990–1991), #1–2 * ''Sentry Special'' (1991), #1 (a ''Hero Alliance'' character) * ''Seraphim'' (1990), #1 * ''Straw Men'' (1989–1990), #1–8 (All-American Comics imprint) * ''SoulQuest'' (1989), TPB * ''Timedrifter'' (1990–1991), #1–3 * '' Torchy'' (1991–1992), #1–5 (reprints from

Quality Comics Quality Comics was an American comic book publishing company which operated from 1937 to 1956 and was a creative, influential force in what historians and fans call the Golden Age of Comic Books. Notable, long-running titles published by Qualit ...

) * ''Vigil: Fall from Grance'' (1992), #1–2 (collected as ''Vigil: Fall from Grace'') * ''Vigil: The Golden Parts'' (1992), #1 * ''Vigial: Kukulkan'' (1993), #1 * ''Wonderworlds'' (1992), #1

References

External links

*
Innovation Comics Checklist
{{Comic book publishers in North America navbox Defunct comics and manga publishing companies Comic book publishing companies of the United States Companies established in 1988 Companies disestablished in 1994 1988 establishments in West Virginia 1994 disestablishments in West Virginia Publishing companies established in 1988