Red Giant Entertainment

{{multiple issues| {{COI|date=September 2015}} {{cleanup-PR|date=March 2016}} {{primary sources|date=March 2016}} {{update|date=February 2020}} }} {{Infobox publisher | name = Red Giant Entertainment, Inc. | image = 125px | caption = | parent = | status = | traded_as = {{OTCQB|REDG}} | predecessor = Castmor Resources, Ltd. | founded = {{start date|2005}} in Nevada | founder = Benny R. Powell | successor = | country = United States | headquarters = Clermont, Florida | distribution = Diamond Book Distributors<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.diamondbookdistributors.com/default.asp?t=2&m=1&c=53&s=660 |title=Our Publishers |access-date=2017-09-11 |archive-date=2017-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911072326/http://www.diamondbookdistributors.com/default.asp?t=2&m=1&c=53&s=660 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | keypeople = Benny R. Powell (CEO)<br>Chris Crosby (CTO)<br>Mark Fischbach Board member | publications = Comic books | topics = | genre = Superheroes | imprints = Absolute Comics | revenue = | owner = | numemployees = | website = {{URL|http://www.redgiantentertainment.com}} }}

'''Red Giant Entertainment, Inc.''' is a Florida-headquartered comic book publisher and "transmedia" entertainment company established in 2005. Red Giant was founded by Benny R. Powell, former marketing writer for Priceline.com.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.linkedin.com/pub/benny-powell/16/401/413 |title=LinkedIn Profile: Benny R. Powell |work=LinkedIn.com}}</ref> Other key players included David Campiti, director and COO; and Chris Crosby, CTO and the CEO of Keenspot Entertainment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/print-edition/2013/04/05/meet-red-giants-5-key-players.html|title=Meet Red Giant's 5 Key Players |work=Orlando Business Journal|first=Abraham|last=Aboraya|date=Apr 5, 2013}}</ref> Mark "Markiplier" Fischbach joined the board in November 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/11G026162-001.htm|title=Mark 'Markiplier' Fischbach Joins Red Giant Entertainment's Board of Directors: YouTube Superstar Brings Extraordinary New Media Expertise To Board|work=CNN Money|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112183801/http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/11G026162-001.htm|archivedate=2014-11-12}}</ref>

==History== The company was incorporated June 27, 2005, in Nevada under the name '''Castmor Resources, Ltd'''. '''Red Giant Entertainment, Inc.''', meanwhile, was established in Clermont, Florida, in 2010. Castmore acquired Red Giant Entertainment on June 11, 2012; changing its name to Red Giant Entertainment, Inc. on June 26, 2012.

On March 4, 2013, Red Giant acquired ComicGenesis, LLC ("ComicGenesis"), a Nevada limited liability company that operated a user-generated comics site that hosted over 10,000 independent webcomics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1411179/000116552713001017/g7183a.txt|title=Red Giant Entertainment 10K Filing|work=SEC |date=February 20, 2014}}</ref>

David Campiti of Glass House Graphics joined Red Giant's board of directors in 2013,<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/top-comics-industry-talent-agent-joins-red-giant-entertainment-otcqb-redg-1764589.htm |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530234641/http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/top-comics-industry-talent-agent-joins-red-giant-entertainment-otcqb-redg-1764589.htm|archive-date=May 30, 2013|title=Top Comics Industry Talent Agent Joins Red Giant Entertainment: David Campiti Brings Over Three Decades Experience to Red Giant Board of Directors|work=Marketwired |date=March 5, 2013}}</ref> as board director and COO; he left the company in 2018.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

==Works==

===Comics===

====Webcomics==== Red Giant published webcomics with partner Keenspot. Titles included ''Wayward Sons: Legends'', ''Exposure'', ''Jade Warriors'', ''Buzzboy'', ''Medusa's Daughter'', ''Katrina'', and ''Porcelain''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.keenspot.com |title=Keenspot.com Homepage}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/update-red-giants-supernovas-explodes-onto-comixology-otcqb-redg-1775878.htm |title=Red Giant's 'SUPERNOVAS' Explodes Onto comiXology |work=Marketwired |date=April 7, 2013 |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |access-date=January 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715040343/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/update-red-giants-supernovas-explodes-onto-comixology-otcqb-redg-1775878.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=September 2015}}

====Giant-Size Comics==== Red Giant's ''Giant-Size Comics'' was a print comic book line of free, ad-supported anthology titles which debuted on May 3, 2014, as part of Free Comic Book Day. The line featured work by Mort Castle, story editor Brian Augustyn, and Larry Hama.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/206?articleID=141866 |title=Red Giant To Join In Free Comic Book Day |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216201926/http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/206?articleID=141866 |archivedate=2013-12-16 |date=2014|website=FreeComicBookDay.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/print-edition/2013/04/05/they-might-be-red-giants.html |title=They Might Be Red Giants |work=Orlando Business Journal |date=April 5, 2013|first=Abraham|last=Aboraya}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20131119-910741.html |title=Comics Veteran Brian Augustyn Joins Red Giant Entertainment |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 14, 2017 |archive-date=December 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231185546/http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20131119-910741.html }}</ref>

As of 2019, Red Giant began crowdfunding projects under the '''Absolute Comics''' imprint.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.absolutecomics.net/about-us|title=About Us|website=Absolute Comics|access-date=March 18, 2023}}</ref> Comics falling under this label are all set within one shared universe, with cross-over events happening frequently. Some of the series in the Absolute Comics Universe are ''White Widow'', ''Dual Identity'', and ''Wayward Sons''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Web Comic 'Wayward Sons' Getting Big-Screen Adaptation: From "The LEGO Movie" producers Lin Pictures, the movie follows a group of aliens who inspire humanity's myths and legends|first=BORYS|last=KIT|date=April 10, 2013 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/web-comic-wayward-sons-getting-436907/|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>

====Collections==== * ''The Cartoon Art of Mike Deodato, Jr.'' (Dec 2013) * ''Mike Deodato's Jade Warriors'' (Spring 2014) * ''Mike Deodato's Comics & Stories'' (Summer 2014)<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/red-giant-to-release-new-original-projects-from-superstar-comic-artist-mike-deodato-otcqb-redg-1827745.htm |title=Red Giant to Release New Original Projects From Superstar Comic Artist Mike Deodato |publisher=MarketWired |date=September 5, 2013 |access-date=September 10, 2014 |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001002959/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/red-giant-to-release-new-original-projects-from-superstar-comic-artist-mike-deodato-otcqb-redg-1827745.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=September 2015}} * ''Mike Deodato Jr's Sketchbook'' (2014)

====Graphic novels==== : Source: <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/-Red-Giant-Entertainment-?store=allproducts&keyword=%22Red+Giant+Entertainment%22|title=BN Search|accessdate=23 December 2014}}</ref>

* ''Banzai Girl Volume 1 Dreams Betrayed'' (November 2014) * ''Buzzboy: Sidekicks Rule!'' Paperback (January 3, 2012) * ''Drow Tales Volume 1: Moonless Age'' TP Paperback (July 3, 2012) * ''Exposure Volume 1'' (January 21, 2014) * ''Exposure Volume 2 Blind Faith'' (November 2014) * ''Medusa's Daughter'' Graphic Novel HC (2012) * ''Medusa's Daughter'' Graphic Novel Library HC (February 17, 2015) * ''Roboy Red'' Graphic Novel Comic (2012) * ''Wayward Sons Volume 1 (Wayward Sons: Legends)'' (December 2011) * ''Wayward Sons Volume 2 (Wayward Sons: Legends)'' (February 2014) * ''Wayward Sons Volume 3'' (April 2014) * ''Wayward Sons Volume 4'' (October 2014)

===Film=== The following Red Giant Media film projects are in various stages of development, production or release:

* ''Niko: The Journey To Magika'' (Released on Hulu on December 12, 2014)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/red-giant-entertainment-wraps-magika-post-production-1765156.htm |title=Red Giant Entertainment Wraps "Magika" Post-Production |work=Marketwired |date=March 6, 2013 |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |access-date=January 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715040107/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/red-giant-entertainment-wraps-magika-post-production-1765156.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=September 2015}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1814809/|title=Niko: Journey to Magika|work=IMDb |date=January 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/red-giant-animated-movie-niko-journey-to-magika-to-premiere-on-hulu-otc-redg-1972320.htm|work=Press Release|date=November 28, 2014|access-date=2015-09-29|title=Red Giant Animated Movie NIKO: JOURNEY TO MAGIKA To Premiere On Hulu|archive-date=2015-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001010648/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/red-giant-animated-movie-niko-journey-to-magika-to-premiere-on-hulu-otc-redg-1972320.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=September 2015}} * ''Katrina'' (status: In production) * ''Omphalos (2014)'' (status: post-production)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1884378/ |title=Omphalos (2014) - IMDb|work=IMDb |date=February 16, 2014}}</ref> * ''Shockwave, Darkside'' (status: RELEASED;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://redgiantentertainment.com/shockwavedarksidefilm.html |title=Red Giant Entertainment - SHOCKWAVE DARKSIDE Feature Film |work=RedGiant |date=February 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1972752/ |title=Shockwave Darkside (2014) - IMDb |work=IMDb |date=February 21, 2014}}</ref> UK Premiere: August 21, 2014<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/london-frightfest-unveils-biggest-ever-line-up-1201252832/|title=London FrightFest Unveils Biggest Ever Line-up - Variety |work=Variety|date=June 27, 2014|first1=Leo|last1=Barraclough|access-date=2015-09-29}}</ref>)

===Television=== The following Red Giant television projects are in various stages of development and production. * ''Exposure'' (status: development announced; Kevin VanHook producer)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2013/07/30/red-giant-entertainments-exposure-to.html|title='I, Robot' effects supervisor to produce Red Giant's 'Exposure' as TV show|work=Orlando Business Journal |date=July 30, 2013|first=Abraham |last=Aboraya}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2013/07/behind-the-deal-red-giants.html |title=Behind the deal: Red Giant's 'Exposure' to become TV show thanks to San Diego Comic-Con |work=Orlando Business Journal |date=July 31, 2013|first=Abraham |last=Aboraya}}</ref>

===Video Games and Apps=== Bandai Namco Games America Inc. announced a partnership to provide more comic influenced games on July 23, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140723-907956.html|title=BANDAI NAMCO Announces Outcast Odyssey as a Part of San Diego Comic Con Mobile Games Lineup!|work=Wall Street Journal|date=July 23, 2014|access-date=March 14, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054747/http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140723-907956.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Controversy== Red Giant became embroiled in controversy related to a benefit comic it sponsored in response to the March 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. In April 2011 the company announced it was spearheading ''Japan Needs Heroes'', a Kickstarter crowd-funded anthology project which was intended to benefit "victims of Japan's tragedies." Including a foreword by Stan Lee, and contributions from, among others, Larry Hama, Mike Deodato, and Peter David,<ref name=BC /> the project was described this way: {{blockquote|''Japan Needs Heroes'' is a comic book anthology project that will be released early summer 2011, with creators from across every genre and representing nearly every major comic book publisher. It will focus on stories of inspiration with messages of hope and promises of a better tomorrow by working with the heroes in each of us. It is expected to be between 200 to 300 pages and will be published in full color with its printing being provided at cost by the printer.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Comic Book Icon Stan Lee Joins Industry Creators for Japan Benefit Graphic Novel: JAPAN NEEDS HEROES, a comic book anthology will donate 100% of its profits to help those affected by tragedies in Japan|date=April 7, 2011|website=PRWeb|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/japan_needs_heros/2011_tsunami_earthquake/prweb5227854.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413151038/http://www.prweb.com/releases/japan_needs_heros/2011_tsunami_earthquake/prweb5227854.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 13, 2011}}</ref> }}

The project was fully funded in May 2011, and a second round of funding took place in 2013.<ref name=BC /><ref>{{cite news|url=|title=JAPAN NEEDS HEROES II|author=Benny Powell|date=2013|publisher=Kickstarter}}</ref> By January 2014, however, nothing had been delivered to project backers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7A3lZhGqog |title=JAPAN NEEDS HEROES stalled Kickstarter project, a timeline|work=YouTube |date=January 2, 2014}}</ref> Finally, in January 2015, digital downloads were sent to the Kickstarter backers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://redgiant.myshopify.com/products/japan-needs-heroes-digital-download |title=Japan Needs Heroes - Digital Download |work=Red Giant Entertainment, Online Store |date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917154320/http://redgiant.myshopify.com/products/japan-needs-heroes-digital-download |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In regardings to the printed hardcover and paperback books, however, although Red Giant claimed the project had gone to the printer,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/RedGiantEntertainmentFansAndInvestorsGroup/permalink/1561619607413715/|title=Red Giant Entertainment Fans and Investors Group|website=Facebook|accessdate=1 January 2015}}</ref> as of at least February 2015 nothing had not been mailed to project backers.<ref name=BC>{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/02/11/red-giant-entertainment-needs-heroes/ |title=Red Giant Entertainment Needs Heroes|first=Rich|last=Johnston|author-link=Rich Johnston|work=Bleeding Cool|date=February 11, 2015}}</ref> In the summer of 2015, at San Diego Comic-Con, Lee and Campiti displayed printed copies of ''Japan Needs Heroes''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/RedGiantEntertainment/photos/a.406579232813695.1073741836.129182517220036/627386444066305/?type=1&theater |title=Foreword writer Stan "The Man" Lee and Dazzlin' Dave Campiti celebrate the release of Red Giant's benefit book JAPAN NEEDS HEROES! |work=Red Giant Entertainment, Facebook |date=July 12, 2015}}</ref> (although still no hard copies had been delivered).

Finally, after many years of silence, Powell of Red Giant claimed that the books (and associated merchandise) had been held by the warehouse company and not released.<ref>{{cite news|url=|title=Update #33: And Now... Fulfillment|author=Benny Powell|date=April 2, 2021|publisher=Kickstarter}}</ref> Ultimately, Red Giant issued refunds and released the donations to the Japan Society.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

==References== {{Reflist|33em}}

==External links== * {{official|http://www.redgiantentertainment.com}}

Category:Companies based in Florida Category:Entertainment companies established in 2005 Category:Comic book publishing companies of the United States Category:American webcomic creators Category:Toys based on comics Category:American companies established in 2005 Category:Film production companies based in Florida