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==History==
==History==
During Image's initial stages, Silvestri shared a studio with [[Jim Lee]], where he created his first [[creator ownership|creator-owned]] comic, ''[[Cyberforce]]'', as part of Image's initial line-up.
During initial stages of [[Image Comics]], [[Mark Silvestri]] shared a studio with [[Jim Lee]], where he created his first [[creator ownership|creator-owned]] comic, ''[[Cyberforce]]'', as part of Image's initial line-up. After setting up his own studio, Top Cow Productions, he expanded into other comics, launching ''[[Codename: Strykeforce]]'', a new ''Cyberforce'' series and various spin-offs.


After setting up his own studio, Top Cow expanded into other comics, launching ''[[Codename: Strykeforce]]'', a new ''Cyberforce'' series and various spin-offs. The company attracted various professionals known across the industry, including artist [[Brandon Peterson]], writer [[Garth Ennis]] and former Marvel staffer [[David Wohl]]. It also helped launch the careers of various writers and artists, such as [[Christina Z.]], [[Joe Benitez]], [[Michael Turner (artist)|Michael Turner]] and [[David Finch]]. Turner and Finch have since worked for [[DC Comics|DC]] and [[Marvel Comics]].
The company attracted several professionals known across the industry, including artist [[Brandon Peterson]], writer [[Garth Ennis]] and former Marvel staffer [[David Wohl]]. It also helped launch the careers of various writers and artists, such as [[Christina Z.]], [[Joe Benitez]], [[Michael Turner (artist)|Michael Turner]] and [[David Finch]]. Turner and Finch have since worked for [[DC Comics|DC]] and [[Marvel Comics]].


In 1996, Top Cow was briefly moved away from Image during a power struggle with Image associate [[Rob Liefeld]], returning shortly afterwards, when Liefeld left the company. At the same time, Top Cow was abandoning superheroes and moving into a darker subsegment of the [[fantasy]] genre, with new properties ''[[Witchblade]]'' (where Turner had his first smash hit) and ''[[The Darkness (comics)|The Darkness]]'' (where Marc Silvestri returned to artist duties). Due to the success of ''Witchblade'' Top Cow began cashing in on Turner giving most to all books Turner variants, producing multiple "clone artists" and soon enough Top Cow began cashing in on [[T&A]].
In 1996, Top Cow briefly departed from Image during a power struggle with Image associate [[Rob Liefeld]] until Liefeld left the company shortly after. At the same time, Top Cow was abandoning superheroes and moving into a darker subsegment, the [[fantasy]] genre. New properties were ''[[Witchblade]]'' (where Turner had his first big success) and ''[[The Darkness (comics)|The Darkness]]'' (where Marc Silvestri returned to artist duties). Due to the success of ''Witchblade'' Top Cow began cashing in on Turner. Most of its books turned to Turner variants, producing multiple "clone artists". Soon enough Top Cow also began cashing in on [[T&A]].


Due to the success of these titles, Top Cow, which was now functioning like a regular publishing company, launched a line of creator-owned comics, that included '' Turner's [[Fathom (comics)|Fathom]]'' and ''[[Aphrodite IX]]''. Unfortunately, problems with deadlines and royalties forced Michael Turner to leave the company, and Top Cow went back to focus on their chief properties. Silvestri tried the concept once more with a new imprint, [[Joe's Comics]], created exclusively for [[J. Michael Straczynski]], launching ''[[Rising Stars]]'' and ''[[Midnight Nation]]'', but once again disagreements led to the imprint's demise.
Due to the success of these titles, Top Cow, which was now functioning like a regular publishing company, launched a line of creator-owned comics, that included '' Turner's [[Fathom (comics)|Fathom]]'' and ''[[Aphrodite IX]]''. Unfortunately, problems with deadlines and royalties forced Michael Turner to leave the company, and Top Cow went back to focus on their chief properties. Silvestri tried the old concept once more with a new imprint, [[Joe's Comics]], created exclusively for [[J. Michael Straczynski]], by launching ''[[Rising Stars]]'' and ''[[Midnight Nation]]''. Again disagreements led to the imprint's demise.


Top Cow is also known for bringing ''[[Tomb Raider]]'''s [[Lara Croft]] to comics, with various graphic novels written and drawn by some of the industry's best known creators, including [[Dan Jurgens]] and [[Paul Jenkins]] and artist [[Andy Park]]. The cartoon ''[[Battle of the Planets]]'' is another licensed property where Top Cow has invested, thanks to the collaboration of cover artist [[Alex Ross]].
Top Cow is also known for bringing ''[[Tomb Raider]]'''s [[Lara Croft]] to comics, with various graphic novels written and drawn by some of the industry's best known creators, including [[Dan Jurgens]] and [[Paul Jenkins]] and artist [[Andy Park]]. The cartoon ''[[Battle of the Planets]]'' is another, licensed property where Top Cow has invested, thanks to the collaboration of cover artist [[Alex Ross]].


In 2006, Top Cow made a business agreement with Marvel Comics to use several of their licensed properties in their own series, with characters including Wolverine and the Punisher confirmed so far, appearing in Darkness/Wolverine and Witchblade/Punisher crossovers. Also, as part of this agreement, several Top Cow artists are to provide art chores on various Marvel series, with Tyler Kirkham currently already completed a 2 issue arc for ''Amazing Spider-Man'''s Civil War issues 531 and 532. Top Cow also relauched Cyberforce during this period.
In 2006, Top Cow made a business agreement with Marvel Comics to use several of their licensed properties in their own series, with characters including Wolverine and the Punisher, appearing in crossovers (Darkness/Wolverine and Witchblade/Punisher). Also, as part of this agreement, several Top Cow artists are to provide art chores on various Marvel series (e.g. with Tyler Kirkham completing a 2 issue arc for ''Amazing Spider-Man'''s Civil War issues 531 and 532). Top Cow also relaunched Cyberforce during this period, while managing editor Renae Geerlings replaced the outgoing Jim McLaughlin as Editor-In-Chief of Top Cow Entertainment.


⚫
At the 2007 [[New York Comic-Con]] it was announced that Top Cow will be one of the first major comics publishers to offer online distribution, through a partnership with [[IGN.com]]. The initial titles offered will be [[Tomb Raider series#Comic books|Tomb Raider]] #1-50, ''[[The Darkness (comics)|The Darkness]]'' #1-50 and ''[[Witchblade]]'' #1-50, at around $1 per issue.
In 2006, managing editor Renae Geerlings replaced the outgoing Jim McLaughlin as Editor-In-Chief of Top Cow Entertainment.

⚫
At the 2007 [[New York Comic-Con]] it was announced that Top Cow will be one of the first major comics publishers to offer online distribution, through a partnership with [[IGN.com]]. The initial titles offered will be [[Tomb Raider series#Comic books|Tomb Raider]] #1-50, ''[[The Darkness (comics)|The Darkness]]'' #1-50 and ''[[Witchblade]]'' #1-50, at around $1 per issue. <ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=102847 NYCC 07/D2: HAWKINS CORRECTS, CLARIFIES TOP COW DIGITAL COMICS], February 25, 2007, [[Newsarama]]</ref>


==Top Cow Bibliography==
==Top Cow Bibliography==

Revision as of 18:44, 22 August 2007

Top Cow Productions (TCP) is a partner studio of Image Comics founded by Marc Silvestri in 1992.

History

During initial stages of Image Comics, Mark Silvestri shared a studio with Jim Lee, where he created his first creator-owned comic, Cyberforce, as part of Image's initial line-up. After setting up his own studio, Top Cow Productions, he expanded into other comics, launching Codename: Strykeforce, a new Cyberforce series and various spin-offs.

The company attracted several professionals known across the industry, including artist Brandon Peterson, writer Garth Ennis and former Marvel staffer David Wohl. It also helped launch the careers of various writers and artists, such as Christina Z., Joe Benitez, Michael Turner and David Finch. Turner and Finch have since worked for DC and Marvel Comics.

In 1996, Top Cow briefly departed from Image during a power struggle with Image associate Rob Liefeld until Liefeld left the company shortly after. At the same time, Top Cow was abandoning superheroes and moving into a darker subsegment, the fantasy genre. New properties were Witchblade (where Turner had his first big success) and The Darkness (where Marc Silvestri returned to artist duties). Due to the success of Witchblade Top Cow began cashing in on Turner. Most of its books turned to Turner variants, producing multiple "clone artists". Soon enough Top Cow also began cashing in on T&A.

Due to the success of these titles, Top Cow, which was now functioning like a regular publishing company, launched a line of creator-owned comics, that included Turner's Fathom and Aphrodite IX. Unfortunately, problems with deadlines and royalties forced Michael Turner to leave the company, and Top Cow went back to focus on their chief properties. Silvestri tried the old concept once more with a new imprint, Joe's Comics, created exclusively for J. Michael Straczynski, by launching Rising Stars and Midnight Nation. Again disagreements led to the imprint's demise.

Top Cow is also known for bringing Tomb Raider's Lara Croft to comics, with various graphic novels written and drawn by some of the industry's best known creators, including Dan Jurgens and Paul Jenkins and artist Andy Park. The cartoon Battle of the Planets is another, licensed property where Top Cow has invested, thanks to the collaboration of cover artist Alex Ross.

In 2006, Top Cow made a business agreement with Marvel Comics to use several of their licensed properties in their own series, with characters including Wolverine and the Punisher, appearing in crossovers (Darkness/Wolverine and Witchblade/Punisher). Also, as part of this agreement, several Top Cow artists are to provide art chores on various Marvel series (e.g. with Tyler Kirkham completing a 2 issue arc for Amazing Spider-Man's Civil War issues 531 and 532). Top Cow also relaunched Cyberforce during this period, while managing editor Renae Geerlings replaced the outgoing Jim McLaughlin as Editor-In-Chief of Top Cow Entertainment.

At the 2007 New York Comic-Con it was announced that Top Cow will be one of the first major comics publishers to offer online distribution, through a partnership with IGN.com. The initial titles offered will be Tomb Raider #1-50, The Darkness #1-50 and Witchblade #1-50, at around $1 per issue.

Top Cow Bibliography

A - C

D - G

H - K

L - P

R - T

U - Z

References

  1. ^ Top Cow's Pilot Season with Rob Levin and Jason Aaron, August 9, 2007, Comic Book Resources

External links

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