A comic book publisher based in Glasgow has announced its upcoming closure due to rising costs.

Black Hearted Press (BHP) Comics, which is based in the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) on Sauchiehall Street, is 'winding down' after 12 years of publication.

First set up in 2011 as an underground comic publisher, BHP grew and became one of Scotland's leading independent publishers which was shortlisted for multiple awards including 'Publisher of the Year'.

It broke barriers in the existing comic book market with its diversity projects and its women in politics anthology We Shall Fight Until We Win. 

They broke into the US market in 2019, but challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, as well as escalating costs and shrinking profit margins, have left a negative impact. 

The BHP store will close on December 1, 2023. 

In a statement, BHP publisher Sha Nazir said: “I've loved working with everyone at BHP Comics and I'm really proud of all we’ve achieved. It’s been a tough decision to wind the company down but we feel it’s the right one.

“Over the course of the next few months, we’ll be selling off all remaining BHP stock. If you've got a gap in your collection, now’s the time to grab it.

"BHP has been instrumental in opening numerous doors, and I take immense pride in its profound impact on both Scottish and UK comics publishing.

"We broke many barriers, getting wider acceptance of comics in UK publishing, increasing representation and being the only person of colour publisher in Scotland for far too long.

“BHP’s legacy lives on through the many lives it has touched. It will be around for the next few years in schools because of Freedom Bound and our titles will live on in the shelves of our readers and no doubt pop up in charity shops for years to come.”