“As part of our agreement we can’t disclose the cost of acquisition. But the buyout will help us establish an end-to-end content creation and distribution capability,” ACK Media founder and CEO Samir Patil said.

Established in 1952 to import and distribute books and magazines in India, IBH has 10 offices in major metros across India. It has a distribution network that includes over 2,500 stores and 15,000 vendors.

“This acquisition is essential for our overall strategy of expanding the children’s media category to all forms -- print, video, games, toys, merchandise, and other products,” Patil said.

ACK Media sells about 3.5 million comic books a year, published in English and many regional languages, to readers in India and overseas.