Athleta Comics Becomes Athlitacomics, Teases Big Year in 2014 With Protectors #1 Cover Release

Athleta Comics, the small publisher founded by NFL player Israel Idonije, announced today that it has changed its name to Athlitacomics, LLC, "due to the expansion of its business activities and in preparation for the upcoming announcements of those activities." That sounds vaguely like they hope to move into merchandising or other media, and that "Athleta" may have been trademarked by someone else in one of the areas into which they hoped to expand, though that's obviously speculation. "We have some exciting things rolling out this year, so we have made a few changes to our brand to reflect who we are as a company and where we are going," said Idonije, who created The Protectors, Athlitacomics' first project, during NFL training camp in 2007.

The Protectors are a chosen handful of athletes who learn they are blessed with more than elite athletic ability. Idonije debuted The Protectors in 2013 with a limited edition #0 issue. The full scope of the story will apparently now unfold in earnest in 2014. Within the next month, Athlitacomics will announce the release date for The Protectors #1 as well as news of other company ventures. Besides Idonije, the acclaimed creative team of writer Ron Marz and artist Bart Sears are behind The Protectors. Athlitacomics, LLC creates and develops comic properties and related merchandise in the merged niche market of comics and sports. Idonije started Athlitacomics, a publishing company to appeal to sports fans and comic book fans alike. The company's mission is to inspire, unite, and entertain the world with incredible stories. Their website and Twitter have changed to reflect the new name.