American comic book publishing company
AWA Studios Status Active Founded November 2018 (2018-11 ) Founder Country of origin United States Headquarters location New York City Distribution Simon & Schuster (books)[ 1] Key people
Axel Alonso (CCO )
Jonathan F. Miller (chair)
Publication types Comics
Graphic Novels Fiction genres Imprints Owner(s) Official website Official website
Artists Writers & Artisans, Inc. or AWA Studios is an American independent comic book publisher founded in November 2018 by Axel Alonso , Bill Jemas and Jonathan F. Miller. [ 3]
History
AWA Studios was founded in November 2018 by Axel Alonso and Bill Jemas from Marvel Comics , with the addition of Jonathan F. Miller from Fandom , with Jemas as Chief Executive Officer, Alonso as Chief Creative Officer, and Miller as a Senior Council member. The initials in the company's name stand for "Artists Writers & Artisans".[ 3] Initial funders included Lightspeed Venture Partners and James Murdoch 's Lupa Systems. Elisabeth Murdoch 's SISTER media investment firm also contributed funding in March 2020[ 4] and Fremantle contributed funding in February 2023.[ 5] Over time, a Creative Council was joined by J. Michael Straczynski , Reginald Hudlin , Garth Ennis , Gregg Hurwitz , Margaret Stohl and Frank Cho .[ 6]
American Ronin was presented as a potential book from AWA in June 2019.[ 7] In August 2019, Straczynski announced a new shared universe for AWA, debuting in 2020 with The Resistance .[ 8] During New York Comic Con 2019, AWA released Upshot Now No. 0.[ 9] AWA Studios premiered with four titles, released in March 2020 under its Upshot imprint.[ 10]
In June 2021, AWA announced the foundation of its own film/TV division, being helmed by Zach Studin as President.[ 11] [ 12]
Since 2023, the Upshot Studios imprint was merged into AWA.[citation needed ]
In June 2024, AWA announced an alliance with Vertigo Entertainment to create a new horror storytelling pipeline called FUTURE OF FEAR.[ 13]
Key people
Leadership team
Axel Alonso , co-founder & chief creative officer (2018–present)[ 3]
Jonathan F. Miller , co-founder & co-chairman of the board (2018–present)[ 3]
Zach Studin, president, AWA Studios (2021–present)[ 14]
Matthew Anderson, co-chairman of the board & chief executive officer (2022–present)[ 15]
Diya Sagar, chief financial officer (2023–present)[ 16]
Creative council
Imprints
Upshot imprint logo
Current
List of works
Series
Announced series
Graphic novels
One-shots
Overview of AWA Studios one-shots
Title
Writer(s)
Artist(s)
Colorist(s)
Release date
Note(s)
The Resistance: Reborns [ 31]
J. Michael Straczynski
C. P. Smith
Snakebite Cortez
January 6, 2021
Part of The Resistance universe.
ET-ER [ 58]
Jeff McComsey Dan Panosian
Javier Pulido Shawn Crystal
Javier Pulido Jean-Francois Beaulieu
October 13, 2021
Part of the ET-ER universe.
ET-ER Vol. 2
John Lees Michael Coast Stuart Moore
Vladimir Krstić-Laci Mark Texeira Nelson Blake II
June 8, 2022
Magazines
Overview of AWA Studios magazines
Title
Issues
Writer(s)
Artist(s)
Colorist(s)
Start date
Conclusion date
Notes
Upshot Now [ 9]
#0–
Various
October 3–6, 2019 (New York Comic Con )
Present
The official magazine of AWA's Upshot imprint, featuring previews of its comic books and graphic novels.
Film and TV adaptations
References
^ "Comic Publishers are flocking to Simon & Schuster for Distribution" . March 15, 2021.
^ Goldbart, Max (February 14, 2023). "Fremantle Invests In Lis & James Murdoch-Backed AWA" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved February 14, 2023 .
^ a b c d Gustines, George Gene (March 20, 2019). "A Comic Book Publisher Creates Its Own Origin Story" . The New York Times .
^ Lang, Brent (March 18, 2020). "Sister Invests in AWA Studios, New Comic Book Company From Marvel Vets (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Retrieved April 28, 2020 .
^ Szalai, Georg (February 14, 2023). "Fremantle Takes Minority Stake in Artists, Writers & Artisans, Plans Adaptation of Comic 'Devil's Highway' " . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 5, 2025 .
^ a b c d e f g Marston, George (March 20, 2019). "ENNIS, JMS, HUDLIN, CHO, STOHL, More Join Bill Jemas' AWA" . Newsarama . Archived from the original on August 16, 2019.
^ a b Burlingame, Russ (June 5, 2019). "Peter Milligan Talks AWA's American Ronin" . ComicBook.com .
^ a b Babos, John (August 9, 2019). "J. Michael Straczynski, Mike Deodato Jr. Team for 'The Resistance' Comic" . Hollywood Reporter .
^ a b "AWA To Debut Sampler Magazine UPSHOT NOW at NYCC" (Press release). Artists Writers & Artisans. September 25, 2019. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019 – via Newsarama .
^ Arvedon, Jon (February 11, 2020). "AWA Studios Creators and Execs Preview Upshot Imprint Titles" . CBR . Retrieved April 28, 2020 .
^ Goldsmith, Jill (June 10, 2021). "Zach Studin To Lead New Studio Division For Graphic Fiction Publisher AWA" . Deadline . Retrieved August 7, 2021 .
^ "Bill Jemas, AWA Launches Film and TV Studios Division" . CBR . June 11, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021 .
^ Earl, William (June 10, 2024). "AWA, Vertigo Entertainment Announce Partnership to Create New Horror Storytelling Pipeline (EXCLUSIVE)" .
^ "Our Team" . AWA Studios . Retrieved August 5, 2025 .
^ "Our Team" . AWA Studios . Retrieved August 5, 2025 .
^ "AWA Appoints Diya Sagar as Chief Financial Officer" . icv2.com . Retrieved August 5, 2025 .
^ a b c d e f Jackie (November 21, 2022). "AWA Studios Enlists Top Creatives to Shepherd Content Derived From Graphic Novels" . AWA: Artists Writers & Artisans . Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ Destito, Deanna (June 5, 2020). "AWA Studios launches new imprint iPOP! with BE WAWA" . The Beat . Retrieved October 13, 2020 .
^ "The Borough of Brooklyn is the Setting for New Supernatural Comic Series, 'Lesser Evils' " . BK Reader . May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022 .
^ Destito, Deanna (March 10, 2020). "PREVIEW: Take a peek at AWA's ARCHANGEL 8 ahead of its debut" . comicsbeat.com . Retrieved July 9, 2020 .
^ Johnston, Rich (July 9, 2019). "John Lees and Dalibor Talajić Launch "Hotell" From AWA Comics" . Bleeding Cool .
^ Johnston, Rich (July 9, 2019). "Jason Starr and Will Conrad Launch "Red Border" From AWA Comics" . Bleeding Cool .
^ a b Johnston, Rich (July 9, 2019). "Benjamin Percy Launches Two Comics From AWA – Year Zero and Devil's Highway" . Bleeding Cool .
^ "Old Haunts " .
^ "Bad Mother Comic Series By Christa Faust - AWA Studios" .
^ "Grendel Kentucky Comic Series - AWA Studios" .
^ Johnston, Rich (September 23, 2019). "Tommy Lee Edwards Draws Cannabis Horror Comic For AWA – "Grendel, Kentucky" " . Bleeding Cool .
^ McMillan, Graeme (August 20, 2020). "Zombie Comic 'Year Zero' Getting Second Volume" . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 27, 2020 .
^ a b Johnston, Rich (September 23, 2019). "Kaare Andrews to Launch Two Comics, "E-Ratic" and "Lil' Freakin Maniacs" From AWA" . Bleeding Cool .
^ Johnston, Rich (September 23, 2019). "Cullen Bunn and Nelson Blake II's "Byte Sized" Coming From AWA Comics" . Bleeding Cool .
^ a b "JMS and Mike Deodato's Resistance Returns – AWA January 2021 Solicits" . Bleeding Cool . October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020 .
^ a b Johnston, Rich (November 20, 2020). "AWA Has a Casual Fling – and Redemption – in February 2021 Solicits" . Bleeding Cool . Retrieved November 26, 2020 .
^ McMillan, Graeme (December 14, 2020). "Sci-Fi Comic 'Chariot' to Hit Stores in March" . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 29, 2020 .
^ McMillan, Graeme (January 15, 2021). "Pandemic Sci-Fi Comic 'The Resistance' Returns in New 'Uprising' " . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 26, 2021 .
^ Tantimedh, Adi (January 25, 2021). "Marjorie Finnegan: AWA Teases Garth Ennis' Time Travel Caper Comedy" . Bleeding Cool . Retrieved January 26, 2021 .
^ Johnston, Rich (March 19, 2021). "J Michael Straczynski and Mike Choi Launch Moths #1 From AWA in June" . Bleeding Cool . Retrieved April 1, 2021 .
^ Johnston, Rich (September 23, 2019). "Babylon 5's Joe Michael Straczynski to Write Resistance Spinoff, "Moths", From AWA Comics" . Bleeding Cool .
^ Burdette, Chad (January 25, 2021). "Frank Cho returns to comics with Fight Girls from AWA Publishing" . comic-watch.com . Retrieved February 4, 2021 .
^ Avila, Mike (May 13, 2021). "Mark Russell's 'Not All Robots' is a parable of toxic masculinity & AI supremacy in our capitalist hellscape" . Syfy Wire . Retrieved July 13, 2021 .
^ Avila, Mike (June 11, 2021). "Imagine a world with millions of telepaths. J. Michael Straczynski did, and wrote a comic about it" . Syfy Wire . Retrieved June 16, 2021 .
^ "AWA Studios announces Out from Rob Williams, Will Conrad and Marco Lesko" . Graphic Policy . July 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021 .
^ Johnston, Rich (August 17, 2021). "Gregg Hurwitz & Mark Texeira's Knighted, Batman Of The AWA Universe" . Bleeding Cool . Retrieved November 23, 2021 .
^ Dyce, Andrew (September 16, 2021). "Horror Anthology HOTELL Returns For Volume 2 This December (Exclusive)" . Screen Rant . Retrieved November 23, 2021 .
^ Dyce, Andrew (September 7, 2021). " 'Crimson Cage' is The Comic Wrestling Fans Have Been Waiting For (Exclusive)" . Screen Rant . Retrieved November 23, 2021 .
^ Johnston, Rich (October 24, 2021). "Jeff McComsey, Lee Loughridge, Mike Deodato's The Fourth Man from AWA" . Bleeding Cool . Retrieved October 28, 2021 .
^ Johnston, Rich (September 23, 2019). "The Daily Show's Al Madrigal to Write New Comic, "Primos", For AWA" . Bleeding Cool .
^ Mega, Al (December 28, 2021). "AWA announces Hit Me, a female driven crime thriller comic book series from creator Christa Faust and artist Priscilla Petraites" . comiccrusaders.com . Retrieved February 3, 2022 .
^ King, Samantha (January 22, 2022). "Writer of Barbaric Pens New Fantastic Four-Style Superhero Comic" . Screen Rant . Retrieved February 3, 2022 .
^ Brooke, David (February 23, 2022). "Devil's Highway Vol. 2 sets to crank up the paranoia and speed" . Adventures in Poor Taste . Retrieved February 24, 2022 .
^ MacNamee, Olly (March 17, 2022). "AWA Studios Announces New Sci-Fi Anthology 'Newthink' " . comicon.com . Retrieved April 12, 2022 .
^ "AWA Studios' High School Superhero Returns in E-Ratic: Recharged Volume 2" . Comics . Retrieved June 30, 2022 .
^ "AWA unveils Mark Russell and Ramon Rosanas's "Rumpus Room" " . Multiversity Comics . June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023 .
^ Brooke, David (August 16, 2023). "EXCLUSIVE AWA Studios First Look: Red Light #1" . Adventures in Poor Taste . Retrieved August 22, 2023 .
^ Chiu-Tabet, Christopher (November 16, 2023). "J. Michael Straczynski and Mike Choi to Weave a Superhero Romance in "U And I" " . Multiversity Comics . Retrieved November 20, 2023 .
^ "AWA Studios - All of the comics fit to print" . awastudios.net . Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2020 .
^ Johnston, Rich (July 8, 2019). "Ales Kot's "Savior" Gets a Name Change to "YT S@vior" for AWA" . bleedingcool .
^ Whalen, Andrew (September 24, 2019). "UPCOMING COMIC 'SAVIOR' STARS CORPORATE FASCIST MEGACHURCH MESSIAH" . newsweek .
^ Johnston, Rich (September 23, 2019). "Jeff McComsey and Javier Pulido's Universal Healthcare Comic, "ET ER" From AWA Comics" . Bleeding Cool .
^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 12, 2021). " 'Top Gun: Maverick' Helmer Joseph Kosinski To Direct 'Chariot,' Graphic Novel Adaptation Won By Warner Bros; Julian Meiojas Scripting, 21 Laps Producing" . Deadline . Retrieved July 4, 2022 .
^ Kroll, Justin (June 22, 2022). "Elle Callahan To Write And Direct Adaptation Of Graphic Novel 'Hotell' As AWA Studios Ramps Up Slate" . Deadline . Retrieved July 4, 2022 .
^ Lang, Brent (July 11, 2023). "James Ashcroft Directing Feature Film Adaptation of 'Old Haunts' for AWA Studios (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Retrieved August 5, 2025 .
^ Complex, Valerie (December 1, 2022). "AWA Studios Partners With LuckyChap Entertainment For Feature Film Adaptation Of Garth Ennis Graphic Novel 'Marjorie Finnegan, Temporal Criminal' " . Deadline . Retrieved December 12, 2022 .
^ Johnston, Rich (September 23, 2019). " "Marjorie Finnegan, Temporal Criminal" by Garth Ennis, From AWA, to Be Announced at NYCC" . Bleeding Cool .
^ Ramachandran, Naman (February 14, 2023). "Fremantle Takes Stake in Graphic Novel Publisher AWA, Sets Thriller 'Devil's Highway' " . Variety . Retrieved August 5, 2025 .
External links