Atlas Comics! From 1970s Imprint to 2020s Revival!

For many comic fans the name Atlas Comics evokes an odd footnote in comics history — a publisher that briefly flickered in the 1970s only to vanish, swallowed by the tides of industry change. But thanks to renewed interest and a high-profile relaunch, Atlas Comics is now back on the cultural radar, this time with ambitious multimedia plans that stretch beyond nostalgia.

The Origins: Seaboard’s Atlas Comics (1974–1975)

Atlas Comics was originally launched in 1974 as an imprint of Seaboard Publishing by Martin Goodman, the founder of Marvel Comics. After he left Marvel in the early ’70s, Goodman wanted to compete directly with his old company — so he created Seaboard, and under that umbrella, Atlas Comics was born as a spoiler brand aimed at drawing talent and readers away from the mainstream comic houses. (Hollywood Reporter)

Despite high hopes, strong creative talent, and a handful of intriguing characters, Atlas/Seaboard’s publishing output was limited — around 28 comic issues — and the company folded within a year or so. (Hollywood Reporter)

The Trademark Tangle: Rights, Names, and Disputes

Decades later, when Goodman’s grandson Jason Goodman attempted to revive the Atlas legacy, he ran into a legal wrinkle that speaks to the complexity of comic book IP rights.

The original trademark for “Atlas Comics” had been forgotten and effectively abandoned. In the early 2000s, Jeffrey Stevens registered the Atlas Comics trademark, which was eventually acquired by Dynamite Entertainment, a company known for reviving classic comic properties. Dynamite’s legal position is that it owns the trademark Atlas Comics — the name itself — though not the underlying characters. (SMASH PAGES)

Jason Goodman’s Nemesis Group attempted to challenge this and reboot Atlas Comics in 2010 — even pairing with Ardden Entertainment for new “#0” issues — but was ultimately sidetracked by the trademark dispute. (SMASH PAGES)

So, for many years it appeared the rights situation was split:

• Dynamite Entertainment controls the Atlas Comics name and related trademark, and

• Nemesis Group/Goodman held the character library and attempted publishing rights.

A Bold Relaunch: Atlas/Seaboard in the 2020s

In a twist that brings the story full circle, producer Steven Paul’s SP Media Group acquired a majority stake in the Atlas Comics character library and its associated intellectual property, bringing Goodman’s heirs back into the picture and launching a planned revival of the brand. (ICv2)

At New York Comic Con in 2024, the relaunch was formally announced under the banner Atlas/Seaboard — a deliberate nod to the legacy name and heritage of the original 1970s publisher. As part of the relaunch:

• Walmart partnered on exclusive merchandise such as action figures (with Mego Toys) and apparel (with Mad Engine), aimed at general retail audiences. (ICv2)

• A live-action film development deal was announced with Paramount Pictures, with the character Devilina selected as an early key property — reported to be in scripting or development stages with writers attached. (Deadline)

The relaunch is led by Paul, Scott Karol (President of SP Media Group/Atlas Comics), and Jason Goodman — with creative input from seasoned comic veterans such as Jeff Rovin (former editor-in-chief). (The Beat)

Characters and Merchandise: What’s Re-Emerging?

Though the original Atlas line published only a small number of titles in the 1970s, several classic characters are now being re-introduced:

• Devilina — a high-concept supernatural heroine being developed into a Paramount film project and flagged as a flagship character. (Deadline)

• Grim Ghost, Phoenix, and Hands of the Dragon — featured in the initial wave of merchandise and marked as future comic and multimedia content. (ICv2)

Collectibles tied to these characters — including action figures with comic inserts — were made available exclusively at major retail outlets like Walmart ahead of comics store issues. (ICv2)

Studio executives have signalled that stand-alone comics and broader releases are expected to follow the first wave of merchandise and the first film’s launch, likely into 2026 and beyond. (ICv2)

Where Things Stand (Late 2025)

As of late 2025, the revival of Atlas Comics under the Atlas/Seaboard banner appears to be progressing in multiple media directions:

• A live-action Devilina movie is in development with Paramount — the project has moved beyond announcement into scripting and early production planning. (Deadline)

• Merchandise partnerships — notably with Walmart — have rolled out collectibles designed to reintroduce classic characters to a broader audience. (ICv2)

• The characters and legacy IP have re-entered cultural conversation in comics and entertainment circles, positioning Atlas/Seaboard not just as a nostalgic revival but as a multi-platform content strategy. (The Beat)

However, the trademark ownership issue remains nuanced: while SP Media and Goodman concentrate on character-based content and legacy partnerships, Dynamite Entertainment still retains the trademark rights to the Atlas Comics name itself and has historically used it for limited-edition products. (SMASH PAGES)

Conclusion: A Legacy Reimagined

From its brief original run in the 1970s to decades of legal twists and marketplace dormancy, Atlas Comics has always been more legacy than living brand.

Today, under the banner of Atlas/Seaboard, it is being reimagined as:

• a content IP source for film and TV

• a collectibles and merchandise brand

• and potentially a new publishing entity that bridges past and present storytelling

Whether this revival will firmly establish Atlas as a long-term player in comics or entertainment — rather than a heritage brand with flashes of visibility — remains to be seen. But after nearly 50 years, Atlas Comics might finally be walking the talk of legacy, continuity, and creative resurgence. (The Beat)

You can listen to a deeper discussion of this story HERE.