As a reminder that the comics trade remains to be buzzing alongside, each Mad Cave and Oni have introduced a bunch of hires and promotions. In ONi’s case a few of them return a couple of months, however principally…comics proceed to be made and that’s excellent news.
• Mad Cave has employed editor Sarah Brunstad and digital advertising specialist Troy-Jefferey Allen.
Brunstad was previously at Marvel engaged on titles together with Captain Marvel, Black Widow, and Aliens vs. Avengers, and likewise labored on Mad Cave’s upcoming anthology, LA Sturdy.
“After a decade-plus at Marvel, I’m thrilled to hitch Mad Cave Studio and assist broaden their line of numerous, cutting-edge comics,” mentioned Brunstad in an announcement. “Mad Cave’s inventive strategy is fearless and modern, and the trade wants that greater than ever. It’s an honor to be a part of a group with such a fierce dedication to telling daring tales and reaching new audiences.”
Troy-Jefferey Allen was previously at Diamond Comics, and the place is labored with websites like this one on getting info and on many different issues. He additionally makes comics. “It’s no secret that Mad Cave Studios has been making waves within the publishing world these previous few years,” mentioned Allen. “Being invited into the cave alongside a lot expertise and experience is invigorating.”
• Over at Oni, an enormous wave of recent hires and promotions – all forward of subsequent week’s ComicsPro assembly Glendale, CA, the place it guarantees some main annoncements. (Disclosure Oni is sponsoring the Beat’s protection of ComicsPro.)
PROMOTIONS
Spencer Simpson | VP, Advertising & Gross sales
Former VP, Gross sales Spencer Simpson has been promoted to the brand new position of VP, Advertising and Gross sales.
Simpson started his profession in publishing working in bookstores earlier than becoming a member of the company workplaces of Books-A-Million in Retailer Operations. He grew to become a Purchaser for American Wholesale Guide Firm in 2011, curating for over 200 shops the choice of graphic novels, manga, and different classes. In 2014, he spearheaded a periodical comics program in 2nd & Charles and Books-A-Million, launching the Fried Pie variant imprint and 2nd & Charles’ annual comics conference program. In 2018, he joined BOOM! Studios as Director of Gross sales and, in 2021, moved to DC Comics, the place he served as Director of Gross sales after which subsequently Director of Channel Technique, Guide Market earlier than becoming a member of Oni Press in 2023.
“I’m so excited to be working with one of the best gross sales and advertising group in comics. We’re coming off one of the best 12 months in Oni Press’s storied historical past, and I look ahead to collaborating additional with Dan Crary, Katie Sainz, Michael Torma, and Kaia Rokke to construct off of that stellar efficiency.”
Jung Hu Lee | Affiliate Editor
Jung Hu Lee, editor on the EC line, Journey Time, and Rick and Morty has been promoted to Affiliate EDitor.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, raised in Washington, DC and Maryland, Lee graduated from the College of Pittsburgh’s English Writing program. Publish-university, they labored as a library web page, bookseller, newspaper intern, substitute trainer, particular ed. tutor, EMT recruit, TV manufacturing technician, and analysis assistant earlier than shifting to Portland in 2010. They began at Oni Press in 2013 as a Warehouse Assistant, after which as Logistics Coordinator in 2018. Beginning in August 2022, they started as an Editorial Assistant, then as Assistant Editor in 2023.
“I’m excited to proceed my time right here at Oni on this new position,” mentioned Lee. “I really really feel we’re placing out a few of the greatest comics and graphic novels within the trade presently, and I hope to assist proceed that.”
Sara Harding | Administrative Supervisor
Sara Harding strikes to Administrative Supervisor from Government Coordinator in October 2023. Whereas having an intensive historical past in administrative and authorized fields, she additionally thrives within the creativity of the comics/publishing world. Beforehand, she has offered her modifying skills on .SELF by Christopher Sebela and Cara McGee (Comixology/Darkish Horse), All of the Devils are Right here by Jarred Lujan and Matt Harding (Scout Comics), and numerous creator-owned anthologies akin to Not Forgotten, A Chilly, Darkish Universe, and Large Hype: Quantity One. Moreover, she has written for the horror anthology From the Static (Band of Bards).
“It’s been an absolute blast being part of such a inventive and hardworking group!” Stated Harding, “I’m thrilled to have the ability to proceed supporting the easiest of one of the best and seeing new expertise blossom below the Oni banner.”
| Advertising and Communications Supervisor
Kaia Rokke has been promoted to Advertising and Communications Supervisor from Advertising & Communications Coordinator.
Rokke joined Oni Press in October 2023 after graduating from Candy Briar Faculty and might be managing advertising, publicity, and social media efforts for Oni’s rising slate of comics and graphic novels.
“I really feel so fortunate to be persevering with with Oni Press,” mentioned Rokke. “There may be a lot vitality in every thing we’re making in the intervening time; the passion for these tales and artwork is extremely contagious and I’m excited to be in the midst of it.”
NEW HIRES
| Senior Editor
After interning with DC Comics, Gronowitz joined BOOM! Studios in 2019, the place she introduced her expertise and enthusiasm to a wide range of BOOM! Studios and Archaia tasks, from single-issue sequence like Darcy Van Poelgeest’s Lotus Land, Christopher Cantwell’s Briar, and Jude Ellison S. Doyle’s Maw to authentic graphic novels akin to Eighty Days by A. C. Esguerra and Higher Angels by Jeff Jensen. As a six-year veteran of BOOM!’s Editorial group, Gronowitz helped spearhead the Jim Henson Firm license and was the lead Editor of the acclaimed and long-running Energy Rangers comics, launching the all-new Energy Rangers Prime sequence in 2024.
“Becoming a member of the Editorial group at Oni Press has been a dream come true,” mentioned Gronowitz. “I really feel extremely lucky that I get to collaborate with such a passionate and devoted group of trade veterans and rising stars alike. From Gender Queer to Tea Dragon Society to the revival of EC Comics, Oni Press has lengthy been a champion of numerous, groundbreaking, and iconic artistic endeavors, and I’m thrilled and honored to be part of all of it.”
Elyse Raimo | Director of Reporting & Particular Tasks
Beforehand Finance Supervisor for BOOM! Studios for 5 years, Raimo joins Oni because the Director of Reporting & Particular Tasks. On this specialised position, Raimo manages royalties administration and accounting, inside and exterior reporting for a number of distributors and distributors, in addition to strategic oversight of Oni’s rising direct-to-consumer operations by channels together with OniPress.com and Kickstarter.
“I’m thrilled to be at Oni with many new and likewise acquainted faces,” mentioned Raimo. “The group right here has confirmed to be wonderful and keen about this trade and its ever-shapeshifting wants. I can’t wait to see what we will all collectively do right here.”
Megan Christopher | Director of Operations
A veteran of BOOM! Studios and TKO Studios, Christopher brings practically a decade of expertise in venture administration, effectivity, and expansive logistical pondering to Oni Press as Director of Operations. Whereas at BOOM! she managed success on record-shattering Kickstarter tasks, together with BRZRKR and Mighty Morphin Energy Rangers Full Comedian Guide Collections, and drove inside initiatives to set future tasks up for achievement.
“I’m excited to hitch Oni Press as the corporate stretches its wings and tackles new challenges,” mentioned Christopher. “It’s such a welcoming surroundings, and I really like seeing everybody’s enthusiasm for what comes subsequent.”
| Assistant Editor
After interning at Warner Bros. and DC Comics, and graduating from Chapman College, Sayadi joined Oni Press in Could of 2024 as Assistant Editor and, within the first eight months of her tenure has helped pioneer quite a few tasks, akin to The Autumn Kingdom, Goat Magic, Plague Home, Agent Cupcake, Out of Alcatraz, and extra.
“It’s so thrilling to work for a corporation that acknowledges and celebrates new, thrilling, and numerous creators and tales,” mentioned Sayadi. “You may inform Oni’s on the forefront of a brand-new period of comics publishing. I’m pumped to be even a small a part of bringing our viewers comics and books that we at Oni are so happy with!”
Melanie Ujimori | Prepress Lead
Ujimori started her profession as a silkscreen t-shirt designer earlier than shifting on to print publication. Previous to Oni, Ujimori labored at Seven Seas Leisure for 3 years doing prepress on manga, Korean webtoons, and Chinese language danmei. A part of the Eisner and Ignatz-winning Parts: Fireplace Anthology, her earlier lettering shoppers embody Vault (She Stated Destroy), Distinction Engine (The Makers Membership), HarperAlley (As much as No Ghoul), and DC (Lady Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story). Many years in the past, a tiny Mel in Hawaii pointed on the jet planes flying overhead and mentioned “I wish to be a pilot in High Gun and combat large robots in area!” She now finds working in print way more fulfilling and much much less hazardous.
