Dynamite Entertainment announced Wednesday morning that it will be publishing comics based on Grumpy Cat starting this summer, with online comic strips at a dedicated website launching ahead of a three-issue Grumpy Cat print comic book series this fall and subsequent collected edition to be released in time for the holiday season.
“I can tell you, we’re thrilled, just absolutely thrilled, to bring this adorable curmudgeon’s misadventures to the comic world,” Dynamite’s marketing manager Keith Davidsen said in a press release announcing the publisher’s partnership with Grumpy Cat Limited, the company run by owner Tabatha Bundesen and her brother Bryan. Davidsen boasted that Grumpy Cat — real name Tardar Sauce — offers “the perfect combination of unbearable cuteness, instant fan appeal, and established multimedia presence,” adding, “If you love the memes, the videos, and that irresistible scowl, then get ready for the wildly fun antics of Grumpy Cat and Pokey in Dynamite’s all-new, all-sensational Grumpy Cat comics!”
The partnership continues Dynamite’s trend of licensing pop culture properties that might fall outside the comic book norm. In addition to titles based on Red Sonja, Flash Gordon and Vampirella, the company also publishes material based on mobile game Doodle Jump, Fox’s Bob’s Burgers and this month signed a deal with YouTube stars SMOSH for a line of comic books to be launched later this year.
It’s also a continuation of Grumpy Cat’s cultural domination. Since becoming an Internet meme following an appearance on Reddit in late 2012, the feline phenomenon has gone on to become the official “spokescat” of cat food brand Friskies, made appearances on Good Morning America, American Idol and The Bachelorette, become the star of a series of books published by Chronicle Books, and starred in her own movie, last year’s Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever, where she was voiced by Aubrey Plaza.
