 Aftershock Comics logo | |
| Founded | April 2015[1] |
|---|---|
| Founder | Joe Pruett Mike Marts Lee Kramer Jon Kramer Michael Richter |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Headquarters location | Sherman Oaks,California |
| Distribution | Diamond Book Distributors (books) |
| Publication types | Comic books, graphic novels |
| Official website | http://aftershockcomics.com |
AfterShock Comics is an Americancomic book publisher founded in April 2015.[1]
The company was co-founded byJoe Pruett, editor of the noted comic anthologyNegative Burn and Mike Marts, the former executive editor in charge ofMarvel Comics'X-Men franchise andDC Comics'Batman franchise.[2] Other co-founders include Lee Kramer, Jon Kramer, and Michael Richter.[3] Other senior executives include Jawad Qureshi and Steve Rotterdam.[3]
AfterShock's published works arecreator-owned and its portfolio includes comics byCullen Bunn,Warren Ellis,[4]Garth Ennis,[5]Marguerite Bennett,[6] andAdam Glass,[7] among others.
AfterShock Comics won the New Publisher of the Year Diamond Gem Award in 2017.[8]
The label attracted attention in 2016 when it publishedPaul Jenkins' comicAlters, featuring the characterChalice, touted as the firsttransgender superhero.[9][10] In a column forThe Mary Sue, transgender activist Jes Grobman dismissedAlters as "cliche".[11] Other critics were more positive; one noted that "[t]he visuals are beautiful and deserve attention, while the story looks to be addressing something avoided in American society."[12]
In December 2022, AfterShock Comics filed forChapter 11 bankruptcy leaving many of their contributing artists unpaid for their work.[13][14]
In May 2025, the publisher announced to finally emerge from bankruptcy protection restructured and fully prepared to meet its financial and contractual obligations.[15]