Digital comics may be the future for the comic book medium, but that doesn’t mean print isn’t also. IDW Publishing announced today it at reached an agreement with the digital comics company Thrillbent to begin publishing print editions of its various titles beginning in early 2015. Thrillbent, which was founded by noted comics writer/editor Mark Waid and writer/producer John Rogers, has over 15 ongoing digital series currently being serialized at Thrillbent.com including works by James Tynion IV, Barry Kitson, Tom Scioli and Tom Peyer, in addition to works by Waid and Rogers.

“While we have always proudly been digital-first, print was always in Thrillbent’s business plan--but for a start-up company like ours, it was cost-prohibitive,” Waid said in a press release from IDW. “Once we proved our commitment to ongoing content--Thrillbent currently hosts literally hundreds of new comics, with more added every week--we were courted by several print publishers looking to partner. IDW was the clear choice--its track record for innovation is unbeatable and undeniable.”

The first fruit of Thrillbent’s partnership with IDW will be a collection of the second volume of Waid’s Empire series with Barry Kitson, as well as a reprint of the original first volume. That series follows a despotic super villain who has conquered his world but faces new challenges in governing and maintaining control. The series was originally published by the now-defunct Gorilla Comics, but was quickly picked up by DC Comics in 2003 who published its first complete volume. Waid and Kitson have been serializing new Empire stories at Thrillbent.com over the past year.

IDW will also be publishing a print edition of Insufferable, a series by Waid and Peter Krause, creators of the hit Boom! Series Irredeemable.

“We’re very happy to be partnered with Mark, John Rogers and all the other great Thrillbent creators to help bring their work to comic fans in this way,” says IDW Editor-In-Chief Chris Ryall. “