Devil's Due Publishing
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAn independent American comic-book publisher known for licensed adaptations, creator-owned series, graphic novels, and digital distribution.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Devil's Due Publishing, commonly abbreviated DDP, is an independent comic-book publisher based in Chicago, Illinois. The company began in 1998 as a combination commercial-art studio and small-press comic publisher before concentrating primarily on comic books and related publishing activities. It subsequently grew into one of the larger comic publishers in North America, operating alongside the dominant mainstream publishers while emphasizing a broad mixture of licensed properties, original creator-owned works, adaptations, reprints, and graphic novels. The publisher's catalogue has covered multiple genres and formats rather than relying on one single fictional universe. Its licensed publishing included comic-book adaptations and continuations associated with established entertainment properties, while its creator-owned output included series such as Hack/Slash. DDP also worked with external rights holders and publishers. In 2004, Pat Broderick revived Micronauts through Devil's Due, although that version ended after ten issues. The company published an American comic-book version of Vampire Hunter D, written by Jimmy Palmiotti under the title American Wasteland. It also issued I Am Legion, an eight-issue English-language republication of Je suis légion by Fabien Nury and John Cassaday, as part of a broader arrangement to reprint works from Humanoids Publishing, including The Zombies That Ate the World. Devil's Due extended some properties beyond conventional comic-book publication. In 2005 it collaborated with Chicago's New Millennium Theatre Company on Stagefright, a stage production based on Hack/Slash. The play was presented at Chicago's National Pastime Theater from September 23 through October 29, 2005. The company also pursued screen and interactive-media opportunities. It was represented in Hollywood by Alter Ego Entertainment and Prime Universe, which shared a first-look arrangement with the publisher covering possible film, television, and video-game development of Devil's Due properties. The business underwent an organizational restructuring in December 2008, involving changes among editorial personnel, marketing management, and the chief executive position. In 2009, the publisher faced public allegations that some creative teams had not been paid. Reporting at the time indicated that Tim Seeley was the only creator specifically identified as unpaid in correspondence with chief executive Joshua Blaylock, although the wider dispute generated reputational concerns about the company's creator relations and operations. In 2010, Devil's Due and Checker Book Publishing Group established Devil's Due Digital, a digital distribution business focused on comics and graphic novels. In June 2015, Devil's Due Entertainment announced plans to merge with First Comics. The available reference material does not establish whether that proposed merger was completed or define the company's current operating status. Devil's Due is therefore best characterized as an independent comic-book publishing brand with a historically diverse catalogue and documented efforts to expand into theater, digital distribution, and audiovisual licensing.
History
Devil's Due Publishing was established in 1998 in the United States as both a commercial-art studio and a small-press comic-book publisher. Its early activities soon narrowed toward comic-book publishing, allowing the company to develop a broader catalogue and become one of the more prominent independent publishers in North America. Based in Chicago, the company operated across licensed and creator-owned publishing rather than being tied to one house-created superhero line. Its publishing programme included monthly comics, graphic novels, adaptations, and reprints. A notable licensed initiative came in 2004, when Pat Broderick revived Micronauts through Devil's Due. That series was cancelled after ten issues. The company also published Vampire Hunter D material in American comic-book form. The project was written by Jimmy Palmiotti and carried the title American Wasteland. In addition, DDP worked with Humanoids Publishing on English-language republication projects. One such project was I Am Legion, an eight-issue version of Fabien Nury and John Cassaday's Je suis légion; the arrangement also covered works such as The Zombies That Ate the World. Devil's Due explored media extensions beyond printed comics. Its Hack/Slash property was adapted into the stage production Stagefright through a collaboration with Chicago's New Millennium Theatre Company. The play ran at the National Pastime Theater from September 23 to October 29, 2005. The publisher also maintained representation in Hollywood through Alter Ego Entertainment and Prime Universe. Those parties shared a first-look arrangement intended to identify film, television, and video-game opportunities based on Devil's Due properties. The company restructured in December 2008. The changes affected editorial staff, marketing management, and senior leadership, including the chief executive role. The following year brought a public dispute over alleged nonpayment to creative contributors. Bleeding Cool reported allegations involving several creative teams and contacted CEO Joshua Blaylock; the reporting specifically stated that Tim Seeley had gone unpaid. The episode became one of the most significant publicly documented controversies associated with the publisher, although the available material does not provide a final legal determination or a complete accounting of the claims. In 2010, DDP and Checker Book Publishing Group launched Devil's Due Digital, a separate digital distribution operation focused on comics and graphic novels. This reflected the publisher's attempt to participate in digital circulation as the comics market developed beyond traditional print retailers. On June 16, 2015, Devil's Due Entertainment announced plans to merge with First Comics. The available sources do not establish whether the proposed combination was completed. Consequently, the present status, ownership, and continuing publication activity of Devil's Due Publishing cannot be confirmed from the supplied material.
- 2015
Planned merger with First Comics announced
[1]Devil's Due Entertainment announces plans to merge with First Comics; completion is not confirmed by the supplied sources.
- 2010
Devil's Due Digital launches
[1]Devil's Due and Checker Book Publishing Group establish a digital comics and graphic-novel distribution company.
- 2008
Organizational restructuring
[1]The company restructures its editorial, marketing, and executive organization.
- 2005
Hack/Slash reaches the stage
[1]Stagefright, a stage production based on Hack/Slash, is presented in Chicago through a partnership with New Millennium Theatre Company.
- 2004
Micronauts revival launches
[1]Pat Broderick revives Micronauts through Devil's Due; the title later ends after ten issues.
- 1998
Company begins as an art studio and small press
[1]Devil's Due Publishing starts operations as a commercial-art studio and small comic-book publisher in the United States.
Products and positioning
An independent, genre-diverse comic-book publisher combining licensed properties, creator-owned series, international reprints, graphic novels, and experiments in digital and cross-media distribution.
Creator-owned horror comic series
Hack/Slash
Hack/Slash is a creator-owned comic property associated with Devil's Due and centered on horror-oriented storytelling. It represents the publisher's role in developing original genre material rather than publishing only licensed adaptations. The property also served as the basis for Stagefright, a Chicago theatrical production created with New Millennium Theatre Company in 2005.
Licensed science-fiction comic series · 2004
Micronauts
Devil's Due published a revival of Micronauts by Pat Broderick in 2004. The series extended the publisher's licensed publishing programme into science fiction and demonstrated its willingness to revive established properties. The Devil's Due version was cancelled after ten issues.
Licensed adaptation comic
Vampire Hunter D: American Wasteland
American Wasteland was Devil's Due's American comic-book version of Vampire Hunter D. The project was written by Jimmy Palmiotti and brought the established Japanese dark-fantasy property into an American comic publishing format.
Translated and reprinted graphic serial
I Am Legion
I Am Legion was an eight-issue English-language republication of Je suis légion by Fabien Nury and John Cassaday. Devil's Due released it as part of a larger reprint arrangement with Humanoids Publishing, which also included titles such as The Zombies That Ate the World.
Reprinted graphic novel series
The Zombies That Ate the World
The Zombies That Ate the World was among the works covered by Devil's Due's broader reprint relationship with Humanoids Publishing. The title illustrates the publisher's participation in bringing existing international or specialist graphic-novel material to an English-language readership.
Digital comics distribution · 2010
Devil's Due Digital
Devil's Due Digital was a distribution venture formed by Devil's Due Publishing and Checker Book Publishing Group in 2010. It focused on digital comics and graphic novels, extending the company's activities beyond physical comic-book publication.
Controversies
2009
Allegations of unpaid creative teams
Devil's Due was accused in public reporting of failing to pay several creative teams. Coverage involving CEO Joshua Blaylock specifically identified Tim Seeley as unpaid, while the available sources do not establish the full scope or final resolution of the allegations.
Brand decisions
2015
Planned merger with First ComicsM&ABackground
Devil's Due Entertainment sought a possible combination with First Comics.
Action taken
The company announced plans to merge with First Comics.
Aftermath
The supplied reference material does not confirm whether the proposed merger closed.
2010
Entry into digital distributionStrategyBackground
Digital delivery was becoming an increasingly important channel for comics and graphic novels.
Action taken
Devil's Due partnered with Checker Book Publishing Group to establish Devil's Due Digital.
Aftermath
The venture expanded the brand's business scope into digital comic and graphic-novel distribution, but its long-term performance is not documented in the supplied sources.
2008
Corporate restructuringStrategyBackground
The publisher revised its organization after several years of expansion in independent, licensed, and creator-owned comic publishing.
Action taken
Devil's Due changed personnel in editorial and marketing functions and installed a new chief executive.
Aftermath
The restructuring was followed in 2009 by public allegations concerning payments to creative contributors.
Sources2 sources
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