Virgin Comics Is Shut Down

[iSteve]

New York Times

August 27, 2008
Arts, Briefly
Virgin Comics Venture Is Shut Down
Compiled by JULIE BLOOM

Virgin Comics, the joint venture between Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and the Indian comics publisher Gotham Entertainment Group, has been shut down, Publishers Weekly reported. The company’s New York office and publishing unit has been closed and its eight staff members have apparently lost their jobs, according to the report. Virgin Comics was formed in 2006 to create superhero and adventure print comics based on Indian mythology, which could also be licensed for film and merchandising. In addition to publishing approximately 18 trade paperback collections and three hardcover titles, the company produced more than a dozen different comics series. Mr. Branson provided financing, along with the author Deepak Chopra and his son, Gotham, who is the editor in chief of Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation.

[horatio616]

Possible headline:

"Virgin Comics Closes It's Legs"


It's sad that this has happened. I understand that they were trying to market product toward different cultures and I hate to see it fail. Really though, was it a shock? Did anyone know people that bought these books?

[conorkilpatrick]

Virgin Comics has issued the following statement:

Virgin Comics announced today that it will be reorganizing its operations and closing its New York office to consolidate in an LA base.

The Company is currently working with management to restructure the business and will release its future plans in the next few weeks.

Sharad Devarajan, CEO, said, “We remain excited about the business and partnerships we have built through Virgin Comics and are working towards a restructuring that properly takes the business forward. The decision to scale down the New York operations and concentrate on core activities is due to the current macro-economic downturn and is in no way a reflection on the dedicated and valuable employees we have had the privilege to work with.”

[cam-]

An LA base eh?

More Porn Actress based comics in the pipeline I suppose.

[six-gun]

I was waiting for the Hardcover for Dan Dare, I hope this doesn't nix that possibility

[cammyknoxville]

Virgin Comics was kind enough to sponsor three of my episodes in the past, so I'm pretty sad to hear this news. I hope the Rep. who was helping me with the sponsoring kept his job!

[cromulent]

Except for Dan Dare, I stayed away from this line.


You might say I had a Virgin to them. :(

[jaflanagan]

You know, I never read Mike Carey's Stranded, and I don't know why. I tried Dock Walloper, and while I liked it a bit, I didn't continue.

The Jenna Jameson thing pissed me off though. That was not where we needed to go.

[racemccloud]

There's a Virgin Comics?

Man, I gotta go further down the New Release wall.