DSTLRY (stylized DSTLRY and pronounced "Distillery") is an independent creator-owned American comic book publisher founded in 2023 by David Steinberger and Chip Mosher.
DSTLRY releases miniseries, usually with three or four issues. The single issues are 48-page, magazine-sized, and perfect bound. Once a series is completed, it will be released in a hardcover collection. Additionally, DSTLRY produces merchandize such as card games, soundtracks and vinyl figures.
History David Steinberger, the co-founder and former chief executive officer of comiXology and Chip Mosher, the former head of content at comiXology, announced DSTLRY on April 13, 2023, in The New York Times.
David Steinberger said that DSTLRY will focus on ethics, creator empowerment, and equity. Along with up-front participation by the founding creators, DSTLRY sets aside an additional 3% of company equity to be distributed among the creators who have projects released within the first three years. This equity will be distributed based on performance of titles.
As reported by Forbes, David Steinberger stated, "One of the biggest things that made comiXology successful was our understanding of the industry pain points. Obviously we want to correct the situation with creator rights by giving them real equity and ownership. If they contribute to the success of our brand, they get to benefit from that. When you align the interests of the creator and the publisher, we all share in the rewards." Furthermore Steinberger continued, "We want to avoid all the scams and issues associated with crypto, so there are no wallets, no NFTs, no cryptocurrency components. At the same time, we recognize that collectability is a fundamental part of the comics community. When we did straight digital distribution, we were only able to get about 15% of the total market. With DSTLRY, rather than fighting against the collector aspect, we are playing into it."
In July 2024, DSTLRY left their distributor Lunar Distribution to sign a multi-year exclusive deal with Diamond Comic Distributors. However, Diamond filed for bankruptcy in January 2025. The shift to another new distributor in July 2025, this time Penguin Random House, resulted in massive delays and cancellations to the scheduled books.
Publication history
DSTLRY's debut publication, The Devil's Cut, received 50,000 orders from comic book retailers and sales made from San Diego Comic-Con. The Devil's Cut contains 11 different stories, all from the founding creators. This initial issue is never to be re-printed in its initial 88-page format. Many of the stories in The Devil's Cut expanded into comic book series in the fourth quarter of 2023. DSTLRY co-founders Chip Mosher and David Steinberger said in a joint statement, "We're overjoyed by The Devil's Cut's reception... Our goal is to provide the most nurturing environment for creators to craft their best work and package that into premium formats. We couldn't be happier that retailers are as excited by The Devil's Cut as we are."
In October 2023 DSTLRY launched its first title, Gone, a 48-page science fiction adventure written, drawn and colored by Jock as a continuation of his eight-page story, "The Stowaway" from The Devil's Cut.
In November 2023, the company published Somna: A Bedtime Story, which was written and drawn by Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay. The series is described as "an intoxicating blend of horror, eroticism, and the supernatural." Somna: A Bedtime Story was the recipient of the 2024 Eisner Award for Best New Series.
Founding creators Source: Mirka Andolfo Brian Azzarello Marc Bernardin Elsa Charretier Becky Cloonan Lee Garbett Jock Joëlle Jones Tula Lotay Jamie McKelvie Junko Mizuno Stephanie Phillips Scott Snyder James Tynion IV Ram V
List of publications
Series Title Issues Writer Artist Colorist Start date Conclusion date Gone #1–3 Jock Somna: A Bedtime Story Becky CloonanTula Lotay Lee LoughridgeDee Cunniffe Blasfamous Mirka Andolfo White Boat Scott Snyder Francesco Francavilla Spectregraph #1–4 James Tynion IV Christian Ward The Blood Brothers Mother #1–4 Brian Azzarello Eduardo Risso Life #1–6 Brian AzzarelloStephanie Phillips Danijel Zezelj Lee Loughridge The Big Burn #1–3 Joe Henderson Lee Garbett Lee Loughridge The Missionary Ryan Stegman Jason Howard Tamra Bonvillain Time Waits #1–3 Chip ZdarskyDavid Brothers Marcus To Matt Wilson One for Sorrow #1–3 Jamie McKelvie align="center" rowspan="1" The City Beneath Her Feet James Tynion IV Elsa Charretier Jordie Bellaire align="center" rowspan="1" Warm Fusion Scott Hoffman Alberto Ponticelli Lee Loughridge You Won't Feel a Thing Scott Snyder Jock JockLee Loughridge align="center" rowspan="3" White House Robot Romance Chip Zdarsky Rachael Scott Tamra Bonvillain Endeavour Stephanie Phillips Marc Laming Lee Loughridge
One-shots Title Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Release date The Devil's Cut Scott SnyderBrian AzzarelloMarc BernardinJames Tynion IVRam V.Stephanie PhillipsBecky CloonanJamie McKelvieJockMirka AndolfoTula LotayElsa Charretier & Pierrick Colinet Becky CloonanJamie McKelvieMirka AndolfoTula LotayElsa CharretierEduardo RissoFrancesco FrancavillaLee GarbettJockChristian WardJoëlle JonesJunko MizunoAriela Kristantina Lee LoughridgeNick Filardi Come Find Me: An Autumnal Offering Joe PavelkaBecky CloonanMolly MendozaVanesa R. Del ReyCeline LoupE.M. Carroll HamletMachineBecky CloonanMolly MendozaVanesa R. Del ReyAndrew BetschCeline LoupE.M. Carroll HamletMachineLee LoughridgeJohn StarrCeline LoupE.M. Carroll Through the Boughs: A Yuletide Offering Patrick McHaleJ.K.Sweeney BooJames Tynion IVMolly MendozaRyan AndrewsK. WrotenGrim Wilkins Jim CampbellSweeney BooJensine EckwallMolly MendozaRyan AndrewsK. WrotenGrim Wilkins
References