Comics folks continue to move around and get promoted. The latest company to announce some changes is IDW, which just announced that former DC editor Maggie Howell has joined as Senior Editor of Original Content, with Megan Brown also joining the Originals team, where she will focus on Middle Grade and Young Adult content. The Originals line is run by Mark Doyle and as the name indicates, is focused on bringing more original material to IDW. PR below:
Maggie Howell
Howell joins IDW after five years at DC Comics, where she focused exclusively on mature-reader originals and standalone evergreen superhero titles as a Vertigo and Black Label editor. She worked on several Eisner Award-winning and nominated series, including Mister Miracle and Far Sector, and managed the expansion of the Batman: White Knight universe. Howell also helped develop and launch multiple lines and imprints spearheaded by Mark Doyle, including Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman Universe and Joe Hill’s Hill House Comics.
“The best thing about original comics is that they offer a truly unlimited outlet for creative vision, which opens doors to talent who might not otherwise find a path to the medium,” says Howell. “Those new ideas and voices nurture the industry, and finding and developing them was a thrill that fueled the work I did alongside Mark Doyle at DC. IDW’s commitment to their Originals program in pursuit of those same goals is refreshing and inspiring, and I’m beyond excited to be a part of it.”
Megan Brown
Prior to joining the Originals team, Megan Brown worked with IDW as an Editor for two years, helping shape new directions for licensed comics including My Little Pony, Marvel Action: Captain Marvel, Star Trek, and more.
“IDW has always been a great home for kids’ comics,” says Brown. “It’s exciting for me, as someone who’s gotten to work on many licensed titles for younger readers, to take what I’ve learned to Originals! I’m really stoked to dive into the Middle Grade and Young Adult space, and to continue to build upon IDW’s library of diverse and meaningful stories.”
Mark Doyle, IDW’s Editorial Director of Originals, says, “I’m thrilled that Maggie is joining our team. I’ve always been impressed by her incredible story sense and dedication to bringing new voices to comics — I know she’ll thrive at IDW! And Megan has shown a great capacity and passion for original stories and it will be great to see her expand on that passion along with Erika Turner’s drive and focus… We’re building a great team here and we’re excited about the big things planned for next year and beyond!”
Meanwhile, some other folks have been moving around as my LinkedIn notices and other sites keep telling me.
• At DC, Katie Kubert has been promoted to senior editor, global publishing innovation, Newsarama reports, adding that it is known internally as the “GUPPI Group.” Among the projects she’ll work on, things like the Fortnite crossover, DC/s Webtoon offerings and other material in a variety of media.
• Stuart Schreck has joined Diamond Comic Distributors in the Purchasing department, he announced. He was formerly a sales manager at DC Comics for 20+ years. At Diamond:
I’m excited to be contributing again to the Comic Book industry. I’m also nervous and eager to give my all to a community that strives to do better each and every day.
• Joan Hilty, formerly the global comics editor at Nickelodeon, has joined Avatar Studios as Executive Editor — still at Nickelodeon but working on the much loved franchise.
• Over in France, Olivier Jalabert has joined Dupuis as Senior Editor – he was formerly at Glenat.
• This is a few months old, but Jann Jones has left Legendary Comics for new vistas. We interviewed her about her projects there a few months back.
