IDW SELLOFF? Comics Publisher IDW At Financial Breaking Point, Will Close Or Be Sold

[Justin 6,706]

It looks like Comics and Board Games Publisher IDW is facing major financial trouble and is being put up for sale. IDW is known for licensing existing well-known brands and developing comic books around those brands and franchises. However that model has not proven to be entirely sustainable.

When I first saw this my heart skipped a beat.. I immediately thought of the new line of Atari comic books and thought "Isn't IDW the comics publisher that has an agreement with Atari?" Well, yes and no. It's actually Dynamite who published the Atari comic books, along with Tim Lapetino's "The Art Of Atari". However IDW has put out a wonderful line of Atari board games based on loved Atari franchises like Centipede, Missile Command, and Asteroids. The comic book industry is facing some hard financial realities which will become more and more evident over the next 2-5 years. Here's more:

 

 

From Chris Arrant, Editor Newsarama

IDW For Sale? J.P. MORGAN Hired To Review Company & 'Maximize Stockholder Value'

IDW owns or co-owns over 200 franchises

https://www.newsarama.com/44484-idw-for-sale-j-p-morgan-hired-to-review-company-maximize-stockholder-value.html

[TrekMD 1,553]

That is unfortunate.  They produce good books!

[kamakazi20012 3,327]

 I didn't know of the board games.  I'd have grabbed those.

[Justin 6,706]

11 hours ago, kamakazi20012 said:

 I didn't know of the board games.  I'd have grabbed those.

@kamakazi20012 I've got good news! The Centipede and Missile Command board games are still available on Amazon, and at very reasonable prices. You can grab them here:

Centipede: https://www.amazon.com/IDW-Games-Ataris-Centipede-Board/dp/B07573VNQJ

Centipede "2600 Edition": https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/kisn/?mrkgcl=507&mrkgadid=3189408283&itm=178188462050

Missile Command: https://www.amazon.com/IDW-Games-Missile-Command-Strategy/dp/B077BTGRKZ/

[nosweargamer 6,544]

Thanks Justin! Those are great prices! I just ordered one of each.

FYI - I don't think Asteroids ever got released. It also looks like they had a Joust planned.

I wonder if IDW spent too much on all the licenses they acquired 

 

[Justin 6,706]

1 hour ago, nosweargamer said:

FYI - I don't think Asteroids ever got released. It also looks like they had a Joust planned.

I was thinking the same thing. Looks like it was supposed to come out a year ago but I can't find any new or used.

1 hour ago, nosweargamer said:

I wonder if IDW spent too much on all the licenses they acquired 

Basically. I hear their model just wasn't profitable and they relied too heavily on licensing other brands. That's like paying rent on everything you create.