Publishing: Los Angeles entertainment investment banker Ocean...

Publishing: Los Angeles entertainment investment banker Ocean Capital Corp. is expected to announce today an agreement to buy Kitchen Sink Press, the company that owns book publishing and merchandising rights for the comic-book-style novel “The Crow.” The film version of “The Crow,” released by Miramax and starring the late Brandon Lee, is currently one of the top films in the country, having grossed $24 million since it opened earlier this month. Northampton, Mass.-based Kitchen Sink is one of the nation’s largest publishers of comic books, graphic novels and trading cards. It also specializes in publishing reprints of classic comics such as “Batman” and “Superman.” The company has a roster of more than 200 artists and an inventory of more than 1,900 titles. One of the major stockholders is Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who will continue to hold equity in the company. Founder and Publisher Denis Kitchen is expected to retain his positions with the company. Ocean Capital is expected to pay cash and stock, although the exact terms are not being disclosed. The deal is the first buyout for Ocean Capital as a principal.