Heavy Metal has promoted comics industry veteran Joseph Illidge to the role of executive editor, according to a report today by The Hollywood Reporter.
The publisher first added Illidge to its editorial staff in March as co-managing editor. Prior to this role, Illidge was most recently with Valiant, followed by A Wave Blue World. He was named to that co-managing editor spot beside Ricardo Llarena. In his new position, Illidge will work to develop content and creator relationships.
In addition to the Illidge promotion, THR also reported that Kris Longo (who is The Beat’s ad rep) is joining the company as chief sales officer. Longo’s resume includes more than a decade working within advertising for DC Comics, as well as a role as the VP of business development for Bonfire Agency.
Heavy Metal is a sci-fi and comics magazine that has been publishing stories since 1977. At a time when other publishers were still (relatively) adhering to the comics code, Heavy Metal was publishing darker stories in a range of genres and tones, from erotica to steampunk. Illidge joins a long list of comics royalty that have served as top editor of the decades-old publication, including Kevin Eastman, and, more recently, Grant Morrison.
I wish him luck, nothing is easy in publishing these days.
Wonderful! Really excited for Kris Longo too! He’s a brilliant guy.
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