Based in Richmond, Virginia, it was founded in 2002 by graphic designer Chris Pitzer.
AdHouse was known primarily as a publisher of graphic novels, beginning with 2002's Pulpatoon: Pilgrimage, traditional comic book series, and art books, including James Jean's Process Recess; The company announced on July 14, 2021, that it would cease publications after its 101st book.
Among the reasons, Pitzer mentioned his older age, as well as "low sales on recent releases, uneasiness about the crowdfunding model, and the lack of conventions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"[2] In 2004, AdHouse's Project: Telstar received Domtar Paper's Kudos Award for Excellence.
AdHouse's first publication, Pulpatoon Pilgrimage, won the 2002 Small Press Expo Ignatz Award for Outstanding Debut and the 2002 Ninth Art Lighthouse Award for Debut Book, and was nominated for a 2003 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Novel.