Music-based comics publisher Z2 has been ramping up behind the scenes over the last year, with acclaimed projects ranging from The Gorillaz to Charlie Parker. Now they have announced a new wave of hires, including a new CFO and ex-Marvel editor Chris Robinson joining the team as they plan to double their output in 2021.
They join the existing Z2 team of Jeremy Atkins, Rantz Hosely, Anthony Laulletta and Dominique Roses.
Z2 principals Josh Frankel and Sridhar Reddy also spoke with ICv2 about their recent success.
“This past year has been tremendous, and has proven that our business approach is working, and as a result given us the confidence to continue to grow our full-time staff” says publisher and cofounder, Josh Frankel. “When you are operating as a startup, one of my personal beliefs is that every hire should be given the same level of consideration; from junior staff to senior executives. We couldn’t be more excited about the direction we are moving in and the people who have now come along for the ride. It is their hard work and dedication that will truly empower us as we prepare for our busiest publishing year yet!”
And the new hires:
As a recent addition to its executive team, Z2 has hired Kevin Meek as Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel. Prior to joining Z2, Meek practiced corporate law at the national law firm Robins Kaplan LLP, where he represented clients in several multimillion dollar transactions and earned recognition from The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.“I could not be more excited to join the incredibly talented group of people that Josh and Sridhar have assembled” says Meek. “With our upcoming collaborations with A-list artists, and our amazing team, the sky is limit for Z2.”
After six years of freelance design work for Z2, Tyler Boss officially joins the team full time as the Design Director. Boss is best known for his comic “4 Kids Walk into a Bank” which is set to be made into a motion picture, with Boss attached to executive produce.
“I count myself lucky to be a part of such a great team of people, and the creative opportunities Z2’s slate of titles presents” says Tyler Boss.
Rebecca Cicione joined the Z2 Comics team this summer, as Senior Digital Marketing Associate. She’s focused her career in the entertainment and nonprofit worlds, most recently coming from the festival marketing team at Danny Wimmer Presents.
Cicione says “I’m beyond excited to to be on such an innovative and growing team at Z2! The growth in just the past few months is mind-blowing and I’m honored to be part of this company that perfectly hits the intersection of music and graphic novels and gives artists and fans such a cool and unique product.”
Courtney Menard joins Z2 Comics as the Director of Production Design, focusing on elevating the production value and quality of each book project. Previously she worked as a print shop technician at the School of Visual Arts and spent two years as the Programming Coordinator and Co-Curator of the Comic Arts Brooklyn Festival.
Menard says “It’s been exciting to dive into the intersection of comics and music, and to tackle the unique challenges that putting together these types of books presents!”
Chris Robinson is the editor behind Marvel’s biggest and most beloved initiatives like Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Black Panther, Jonathan Hickman’s X-Men, the Grand Design line of graphic novels, the Marvel Hip-Hop variant program, and the expansion of Marvel’s Voices. He has edited fan-favorite runs for characters like Ghost Rider, Domino, and Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur. Robinson joins Z2 as a senior editor, overseeing multiple tentpole projects to be announced for 2021.
“When Z2 reached out to me about joining the company as full editor, I was really impressed with their game plan to expand readership and adapt to the challenges that 2020 had brought to the industry” says Chris Robinson. “If you were entertained or felt seen by my contributions at the House of Ideas, you won’t want to miss my new slate of graphic novels at Z2!”
After six years of freelance design work for Z2, Tyler Boss officially joins the team full time as the Design Director. Boss is best known for his comic “4 Kids Walk into a Bank” which is set to be made into a motion picture, with Boss attached to executive produce.
Rebecca Cicione joined the Z2 Comics team this summer, as Senior Digital Marketing Associate. She’s focused her career in the entertainment and nonprofit worlds, most recently coming from the festival marketing team at Danny Wimmer Presents.
Courtney Menard joins Z2 Comics as the Director of Production Design, focusing on elevating the production value and quality of each book project. Previously she worked as a print shop technician at the School of Visual Arts and spent two years as the Programming Coordinator and Co-Curator of the Comic Arts Brooklyn Festival.
Chris Robinson is the editor behind Marvel’s biggest and most beloved initiatives like Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Black Panther, Jonathan Hickman’s X-Men, the Grand Design line of graphic novels, the Marvel Hip-Hop variant program, and the expansion of Marvel’s Voices. He has edited fan-favorite runs for characters like Ghost Rider, Domino, and Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur. Robinson joins Z2 as a senior editor, overseeing multiple tentpole projects to be announced for 2021.
