Warren Publishing was an American magazine and comic book publishing company based in New York City. It was founded in 1957 by James Warren, who continued in the business for decades. Warren was predominantly known for its science-fiction and horror-fantasy magazines and movie-based publications. By publishing comics in the magazine (8½" × 11") format, Warren was able to circumvent contemporary restrictions of the Comics Code Authority, which demanded that all comic book publications "clean, proper and family-oriented", thereby gaining access to an adult audience with more mature stories. In this way, Warren paved the way for such later graphic-story magazines as the American version of Heavy Metal, Marvel Comics' Epic Illustrated and Psycho and other series from Skywald Publications.
James Warren's bad health, combined with changing tastes and business problems, led to internal turmoil and editorial turnover. The company suspended publishing in late 1981, and Warren declared bankruptcy in 1983. In August 1983, Harris Publications acquired the company assets at auction.
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Trivia[]
- Following Warren's demise, its series Creepy and Epic were taken over by Dark Horse Comics.