If you’re looking for who owns comico comics, you’ve probably realized things are a bit of a head-scratcher. There isn't just one "Comico." There are actually two completely separate entities sharing the name, and they couldn’t be more different if they tried. One is a ghost of the 1980s American indie scene, and the other is a massive tech titan in the world of digital webtoons.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a trademark nightmare.
Most people asking about the owner today are usually looking for the powerhouse behind the Pocket Comics app or the Japanese webtoon portal. But if you’re a collector holding an old copy of Grendel or The Elementals, you’re looking for a guy named Andrew Rev.
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Let’s break down who actually holds the keys to both.
The Modern Giant: Who Owns the Comico Webtoon Platform?
When you see the colorful Comico logo on your phone today, you’re looking at a product of NHN Corporation (formerly NHN Entertainment). Specifically, it is managed by NHN comico Corp., a subsidiary based in Japan.
NHN isn't some small-time publisher. They are a multi-billion dollar South Korean IT conglomerate. If you’ve ever played a mobile game from the Hangame portal or used the PAYCO payment service in Korea, you’ve touched the NHN ecosystem. They launched Comico in Japan back in 2013, and it blew up almost immediately.
Why? Because they were one of the first to bet big on the vertical scrolling format.
The NHN Ownership Structure
- Parent Company: NHN Corporation (Listed on the KRX as 181710).
- Primary Subsidiary: NHN Japan Corporation.
- Direct Operator: NHN comico Corp.
By 2026, NHN has solidified Comico as a top-tier player in the global webtoon race, competing directly with giants like Naver (Line Webtoon) and Kakao (Piccoma). In North America and Europe, they largely operate under the brand Pocket Comics. So, if you’re paying for "coins" to read the latest romance drama, your money is ultimately flowing back to Seongnam, South Korea.
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The 80s Legend: Who Owns Comico: The Comic Company?
Now, let’s pivot. If you’re a fan of "The Comic Company" from Norristown, Pennsylvania—the one that published Robotech, Mage, and Johnny Quest—the ownership story gets way more cinematic and a lot more controversial.
Comico was founded in 1982 by Gerry Giovinco and Bill Cucinotta. They were huge. For a minute there, they were the "third" big publisher behind Marvel and DC. But they flew too close to the sun with newsstand distribution, went bankrupt in 1990, and everything changed.
The Andrew Rev Era
In 1990, a businessman named Andrew Rev bought the assets of Comico out of bankruptcy.
Rev is a polarizing figure in the industry. He basically became a "phantom" owner for decades. He kept the trademarks and certain rights to titles like The Elementals, but he didn't actually publish much. For years, fans and creators were frustrated because beloved characters were essentially locked in a vault.
Fast forward to the early 2020s, and Rev resurfaced under the name Terrific Production LLC. He’s made several attempts to relaunch these classic properties. However, many of the original creators, like Matt Wagner (Grendel) or Sam Kieth (The Maxx), moved their work elsewhere long ago (to Dark Horse or Image) because they were smart enough to keep their creator-owned rights.
So, who owns this version of Comico? Andrew Rev still holds the corporate shell and certain legacy intellectual properties, though its footprint in the 2026 market is tiny compared to the webtoon giant.
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Why the Name Confusion Matters
It’s easy to see why Google gets confused.
The Japanese NHN Comico and the American Andrew Rev Comico have nothing to do with each other. It’s a name collision. NHN chose the name "Comico" because it sounds like "comics" in a cute, digital-friendly way. They didn't buy the 1980s company; they just started a new one with a similar name in a different country.
Who owns what right now?
- The Tech Platform (comico.jp / Pocket Comics): NHN Corporation. This is where the money and the massive user base are.
- The Classic IP (Elementals, etc.): Andrew Rev / Terrific Production. This is where the 80s nostalgia lives.
- The Original Founders: Gerry Giovinco and Bill Cucinotta eventually launched CO2 Comics, which they call the "spiritual successor" to their original vision, though they don't own the "Comico" name anymore.
What This Means for You
If you're an investor, you're looking at NHN. They are a tech-first company using data and AI to dominate the "snack culture" of digital reading. They aren't just a comic book company; they are a cloud, gaming, and fintech beast.
If you're a reader trying to find your favorite old 80s series, you're likely going to have to hunt for back issues in long boxes. Because of the complex ownership history under Andrew Rev, many of those classic Comico titles haven't seen a proper digital reprint or a modern "prestige" collection in years.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of these two very different worlds, here is how you should navigate them:
- For Webtoon Fans: If you want to support the artists on the modern platform, use the official Pocket Comics app. It’s the legitimate English-language arm of NHN’s Comico. Avoid "aggregator" sites that pirate the work, as NHN is known for being aggressive with takedowns to protect their creators.
- For Collectors: If you’re buying Comico back issues, focus on the 1982–1989 era. These are the "true" Comico books before the bankruptcy and the ownership shift. Titles like Grendel #1 (1983) or The Rocketeer are the blue-chip items here.
- For Creators: Always check the "Work for Hire" vs. "Creator Owned" status in any contract. The Comico story is the ultimate cautionary tale of what happens when a publisher owns the rights to your characters and then goes through a messy ownership change.
The world of who owns comico comics is split between a Korean tech giant and an American independent owner. Depending on whether you're reading on a screen or a printed page, you're dealing with two very different legacies.