 | |
| Industry | Comics |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Wendy and Richard Pini |
| Headquarters | Poughkeepsie, New York |
Key people | Wendy and Richard Pini |
| Divisions | Apple Comics Father Tree Press |
| Website | www.elfquest.com |
WaRP Graphics, later Warp Graphics, is an alternative comics publisher best known for creating and being the original publisher of the Elfquest comic book series. It was created and incorporated in 1977 by Wendy and Richard Pini. The company title is an acronym formed from the founding couple's name: Wendy and Richard Pini (in later years the capitalization was changed from WaRP to Warp, a mostly aesthetic move).
In addition to Elfquest, Warp also published several other comic book series, including MythAdventures and related titles by Robert Asprin, and Thunder Bunny, created by Martin Greim.
Warp was also the original publisher of A Distant Soil by Colleen Doran, until Doran left under acrimonious circumstances, alleging that WaRP attempted to claim copyright on her work, which WaRP denied.[1][2] Warp sued licensee publisher Starblaze Graphics for, among other issues, publication of unauthorized Elfquest reprints, inaccurate reporting of royalties, but primarily for tortious interference in Warp's contract with Doran (who was also named in the Donning lawsuit), by attempting to assume the rights to A Distant Soil.[3] Starblaze countersued; the dispute was settled out of court by Donning and Doran in 1988.[4][5] All rights previously licensed to Donning in Elfquest reverted to Warp; Warp reverted all rights in A Distant Soil to Doran.
- ^ "The Battle for A Distant Soil," The Comics Journal #108 (May 1986), pp. 7–12.
- ^ "Doran/WaRP Dispute Now Settled," The Comics Journal #110 (August 1986), p. 17.
- ^ "NewsWatch: WaRP files $4 million lawsuit," The Comics Journal #115 (April 1987), pp. 11–12.
- ^ "Donning Sues WaRP," The Comics Journal #123 (July 1988), p. 8-9.
- ^ "NewsWatch: WaRP & Donning Settle," The Comics Journal #125 (October 1988), pp. 15–16.