Business Wrap-up: Rebellion goes with Lunar, Dynamite explores, comings and goings

Wrapping up some of the weeks business news:

• Rebellion joins Lunar

Another publisher has declared for Lunar this week:  Rebellion Publishing, the home of 2000 AD and The Treasury of British Comics, has signed a non-exclusive deal with Lunar Distribution to distribute to the Direct Market.

The new partnership means that across the Summer, Rebellion will be sharing their core backlist with Lunar retailers for the first time. Ben Smith, Head of Film, TV and Publishing for Rebellion, says of the partnership, “We are thrilled to be working with Lunar and expanding the channels US comics stories can find our books in. Lunar have proven they are an invaluable addition to the Direct Market, now more than ever”.

“We are excited to welcome Rebellion Publishing to the Lunar family, a name synonymous with high-quality storytelling and innovative comics,” says Christina Merkler, Co-Owner, Lunar Distribution. “This collaboration allows us to expand our offerings and bring Rebellion’s diverse catalog of graphic novels to our retail accounts. We are committed to supporting creators and publishers in delivering compelling narratives to comic fans around the world”.

Starting with June’s edition of the Lunar Catalogue, Rebellion products will be available for Lunar retailers for shipping in August 2025. This makes it easy for retailers around the world to add The Galaxy’s Greatest Comics to their monthly purchases, and share characters including Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, The Trigan Empire and more with an international readership.

The initial line-up of titles available includes all six volumes of the bestselling Best of 2000 AD series, titles from the new reader-friendly Essential line, including Essential Judge Dredd and Essential Judge Anderson, as well as the Eisner-Winning book I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted The Future by Michael Molcher. 

• Dynamite still undeclared

I wrote a round-up of Diamond Bankruptcy news for Publishers Weekly, which included a statement from Dynamite’s Nick Barrucci:

“We’ve had conversations with each of the major distributors and will be speaking with the new owners of Diamond as we are evaluating our options as the new chapter of the comic industry begins,” said Dynamite founder and CEO Nick Barrucci in a statement to PW. “Luckily, we are well positioned to work with the multiple options of distribution in the industry. Considering the size of our company we are fortunate that we did not have to make an immediate decision on where to have our books distributed.” Barrucci added that Dynamite continues to focus on the long term and what’s best for readers, stores, and licensors.

Otherwise, as the title suggested, just lots of question marks everywhere about many things. 

• Mad Cave hires

More hirings and promotions at Mad Cave including the promotion of Kristen Simon to Executive Editor of Nakama Press, the addition of Charles Beacham as Editor, Holly Aitchison as Trade Marketing Manager, and the onboarding of Summer Marketing Interns Gillian McMahon and Yomari Lobo. 

Kristen Simon has been promoted to Executive Editor for Nakama Press, Mad Cave’s imprint dedicated to global storytelling and manga-inspired narratives. A seasoned editor with decades of experience in the comics industry, Simon has been integral to the successful launch and direction of Nakama’s debut titles.

Mad Cave also welcomes Charles Beacham as a new Editor under Executive Editorial Director Mike Marts. Charles brings editorial expertise from his time at Marvel and IDW, where he worked on major properties including Star Wars and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

In the Marketing Department, Holly Aitchison joins the team as Trade Marketing Manager, overseeing trade-facing campaigns, metadata optimization, and retailer engagement across independent bookstores, libraries, and the direct market.

Additionally, Mad Cave welcomes two Summer Marketing Interns: Gillian McMahon and Yomari Lobo, who will support upcoming seasonal campaigns, digital initiatives, and social media planning as the company ramps up for a major summer of releases and convention appearances.

• Ignition adds two

And ignition Press is also growing, having added Scott Newman as Art Director and Joe Campagna  as Print Manager.

Scott Newman joins Ignition Press as Art Director and in his newly created role will oversee the company’s graphic design including single issues, collected editions, merchandise, promotional items, and all other elements of the company’s visual brand. Newman has been working with Ignition Press since last Fall as a freelance designer, including designing the company’s logo, promotional assets, and trade dress. Newman is an award-winning graphic designer and art director with 20 years’ experience including notable tenures at Archaia Entertainment, BOOM! Studios, and Skybound. He has contributed to countless comic book, graphic novel, and book projects over the years, including the graphic novel adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, The Art of Invincible Season One, Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, James Tynion IV’s The Woods, and Lev Grossman’s The Magicians among many others.   

Joe Campagna joins Ignition Press as Print Manager and in his newly created role will oversee and build the publisher’s production and prepress workflows, supply chain, and act as primary liaison for manufacturing partners. Campagna, a creative professional with a deep passion for art, storytelling, and visual communication, comes to the upstart publisher with over 20 years’ experience. Campagna began his career at Rodale, followed by a nearly 15-year stint at DC Comics as Production Manager and Director of New and Repurposed Material where he oversaw the creation and adaptation of some of the most iconic content in publishing. For the last five years, Campagna has expanded his knowledge base in the corporate world adding valuable project management and client service experience, before returning to his first love at Ignition Press: art and storytelling.