 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Paradox Press" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(January 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
 | |
| Parent company | DC Comics |
|---|---|
| Status | Defunct (2001) |
| Predecessor | Piranha Press |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Headquarters location | New York City |
| Key people | Andrew Helfer Bronwyn Carlton Jim Higgins Heidi MacDonald |
| Publication types | Graphic novels |
Paradox Press was a division ofDC Comics formed in 1993 after editor Mark Nevelow departed fromPiranha Press. Under the initial editorship ofAndrew Helfer andBronwyn Carlton, the imprint was renamed. Paradox was best known for publishing the graphic novelsA History of Violence andRoad to Perdition, both of which were later adapted into feature films. Jim Higgins edited the line after Helfer's departure, andHeidi MacDonald briefly took the helm in 2000 at the time of the line's final threeBig Books, none of which ever saw publication.
Paradox Press was designed to publishgraphic novels that were not of the superhero genre (as comprises most of DC's publishing efforts) and without the fantasy and sci-fi elements of DC's "mature reader" lineVertigo Comics.
Because of the limited interest in non-fantasy stories among the graphic novel demographic, the line produced only a handful of books over its decade-long history. While almost all received critical acclaim, none reached high sales amongst the general graphic-novel and comic book reading populace. Two of the imprint's books —A History of Violence andRoad to Perdition — were adapted into successful films, andScott McCloud'sUnderstanding Comics (originally published throughKitchen Sink Press) is considered one of the authoritative bibles of the medium. The true-life anthology series ofBig Books also found a niche following.The Big Book Of series was an anthology series, each devoted to a theme or concept, e.g.,The Big Book of Conspiracies andThe Big Book of Urban Legends.
The imprint was phased out after attracting low sales, and most of the books under the Paradox label are out of print for the foreseeable future. Those books that have remained in print were rereleased under DC's more lucrative Vertigo label.
Below is a list of books published under the Paradox Press logo:
In addition, several magazines entitledWeird collected reprint material from the above volumes.
Slated for 2001 Paradox Press had intentions to release a book known asThe Big Book of Wild Women. From time to time mentions of this book can be found on the internet. The book is narrated by "Susie the Floozie". The book was to profile notable women throughout history who had made an impact on American culture while pushing the envelope of unconventional behavior. Among the women to be profiled were risquénightclub singer-comicRusty Warren, B-movie goddessTura Satana, presidential candidateVictoria Woodhull, 19th century sex starLola Montes, legendary seductressCleopatra, scandalous writerAnaïs Nin and kinky pin-up iconBettie Page.DC comics stated at the time that the book was in a perpetual "pre-production".[1]
| Key People |
|  | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publications | |||||||||||
| Universe | |||||||||||
| Lines and imprints |
| ||||||||||
| Adaptations | |||||||||||
| Related | |||||||||||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
