Joseph Montagne has been named VP and publisher at the Abrams ComicArts division, PW reports. Previously associate publisher and VP, Montagne will oversee the graphic novel and manga output from the imprint. He joined AbramsComic Arts when it was established in 2023 as a division incorporating most of Abrams comics publishing, include the launch of the new Kana manga imprint. Montagne was previously in global publishing at Média-Participations in France and Belgium, the parent company of Abrams.
Although not mentioned in the PW story, Rodolphe Lachat, who was named the head of Abrams ComicArts when it launched, is no longer associated with the line, The Beat has learned.
UPDATE: To clear up some confusion, Montagne is replacing Lachat. Charlie Kochman will report to Montagne, and remains editor in chief at Abrams ComicArts, as well as Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid editor, perhaps the most secure job in publishing.
Montagne will report to Abrams president and CEO Mary McAveney, who announced “Joseph’s exceptional skill set and enterprising approach make him the ideal leader for Abrams ComicArts. His promotion aligns perfectly with our long-term strategy to expand and innovate within this dynamic sector. We are confident that under his leadership, Abrams ComicArts will thrive and set new standards in the industry.”
“It is truly an honor and a dream come true to step into this role and lead Abrams ComicArts during such an exciting time…. I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead,” said Montagne in his statement.
The excitement seems warranted. In addition to launching the Kana manga line, under the new organization – which saw ComicArts become its own division, alongside adult and children’s book – Abrams has released such well received books as The Road graphic novel, and Rick Parker’s Drafted. They are also home to the Megascope imprint – spotlighting SF/F books by authors of color; Surely Books, an LGBTQ imprint; the Frank Miller Presents line; and a series of team-ups with Marvel including the upcoming The Avengers in the Veracity Trap!by Chip Kidd and Michael Cho. A graphic novel adaptation of Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Talents (April), from the creative team of John Jennings, Damian Duffy, and David Brame from Megascope is another 2025 highlight.
In short, Montagne has quite the slate to oversee, and we’ll doubtless be hearing more from him in the coming months.
