Definition
Amigo Comics was a Spanish comic‑book publishing company that specialized in creator‑owned titles, primarily distributed in the United States.
Overview
Founded in 2012 by Spanish writer and artist Juan “El” Torres, Amigo Comics operated as an independent imprint focused on delivering a diverse range of genre stories—including horror, fantasy, science‑fiction, and action—to the North‑American market. Although based in Spain, the company’s publications were released exclusively through U.S. distribution channels, chiefly Diamond Comic Distributors. In 2019 the publisher earned its first Eisner Award nomination for Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips for the title Sky Masters of the Space Force: The Complete Sunday Strips in Color.
In March 2020, Amigo Comics entered an imprint agreement with Behemoth Comics, under which future releases would be published in the United States through the Behemoth imprint. The partnership ended in early 2021 when Amigo ceased operations owing to non‑payment issues with Behemoth, and no further titles have been released since that time.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Amigo” derives from the Spanish word for “friend.” The choice reflects the company’s stated mission to foster a collaborative, creator‑friendly environment and to present comics that appeal to a broad, inclusive readership.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founder | Juan “El” Torres |
| Country of Origin | Spain |
| Year Founded | 2012 |
| Parent / Imprint | Behemoth Comics (imprint agreement, 2020‑2021) |
| Distribution | Diamond Comic Distributors (U.S.) |
| Publication Model | Creator‑owned, creator‑controlled intellectual property; titles licensed to foreign publishers |
| Notable Titles | Alan Dracon, Apocalypse Girl (v1 & v2), Arkane Secrets, Barbara the Barbarian, The Blackening, Nancy in Hell, Rogues! (multiple volumes), Sky Masters of the Space Force (archival collection) |
| Awards & Recognition | 2019 Eisner Award nomination (Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips) |
| Status | Defunct (ceased activity early 2021) |
Related Topics
- Behemoth Comics – U.S. publisher that partnered with Amigo Comics for imprint distribution.
- Creator‑Owned Comics – A publishing model granting creators full ownership of their work, a principle central to Amigo’s business approach.
- Eisner Awards – Prestigious comic‑industry awards for which Amigo received a nomination in 2019.
- Diamond Comic Distributors – Primary distributor of Amigo titles within the United States.
- Spanish Comic‑Book Industry – Contextual background for Amigo’s origin and its role as a Spanish entity publishing for an English‑language market.