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Independent comic publisher Vault Comics — publisher of fantasy hit Barbaric, Unnatural Order, and the music-based imprint Headshell, which has featured comics written by Fallout Boy’s Pete Wentz and Def Leppard — is growing, as next-generation sci-fi publisher Aethon Books has acquired a majority stake in the company.

The deal — terms of which were not made public — was initially announced by Forbes, which quoted Aethon CEO, Rhett C. Bruno as saying, “Since we met the team at Vault, we have shared a vision of creating a one-stop-shop for the next generation of market-leading fantasy and science fiction authors and their stories. By joining forces with Vault, we believe we are one step closer to that dream.”

Vault and Aethon’s relationship dates back to 2023, when the two companies came to a deal that would see Aethon publish ebook and audiobook adaptations of Vault comic book series. The new partnership between the two companies offers a new influx of cash to Vault, as well as access to Aethon’s publishing and distribution capabilities, while Aethon gains a comic book publisher; previously, the company had partnered with Webtoon for comic strip adaptations of its own books. It’s the rare example of a win/win acquisition in the publishing world.

Vault’s executive team will not change as a result of the new set-up; CEO Damian Wassel and CCO Adrian Wassel will remain in their current positions, although Aethon’s Bruno and Steve Beaulieu will join the board. No current Vault staff will be released as a result of the buy out, with both parties portraying the deal as purely additive to the company.

“The goal is to expand what we’ve been able to offer everyone we’ve been working with across the publishing line,” Damian Wassel told Forbes, promising “additional product categories and a significantly expanded marketing budget and resources behind everything we’re bringing to the comic and graphic novel categories.” (Announcements of new projects and, fascinatingly, new licenses should be expected, apparently.)

News of Vault’s new parent company comes just weeks after Vault announced that it was partnering with New York Times bestselling prose author Jeremy Robinson for a new imprint titled Breakneck Comics, intended to release three graphic novels annually. The lines between prose and comic publishing keep blurring for Vault, it seems…

Get ready for what's next with our guide to upcoming comics, how to buy comics at a comic shop, and our guide to Free Comic Book Day 2025.