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In the wake of several major organizational changes at Dark Horse Comics (formally known as Dark Horse Media), a significant majority of the company's staff are worried there could be more changes coming - including a reduction in its publication of creator-owned comics, which the company was built on with franchises like Mike Mignola's Hellboy, Kentaro Miura's Berserk, and Frank Miller's Sin City. This has come out as part of an announced attempt at a workers union within the company.

According to a press release, 59 Dark Horse employees have signed a letter of intent to unionize under the name Dark Horse Workers United. The effort, done in conjunction with the Communication Workers of America, is now seeking public support as it awaits a decision from newly-promoted Dark Horse CEO Jay Komas. The workers have given him until June 3 (that's seven days) to voluntarily recognize the group on behalf of the company.

"In solidarity, we stand together to contend for our rights as workers, vote as a democratic body, and improve our material conditions," reads a quote from the organization. 

The specific concerns the union has identified as things they wish to see protected are "equitable pay, workplace democracy, and a continued commitment to creator-owned comics." The Dark Horse staff involved in the union have not said what inside information they have to believe the publisher's commitment to creator-owned comics is at risk, however, two major creator-owned franchise have publicly quit Dark Horse in favor of other publishers: Frank Miller's Sin City in 2022, and Matt Kindt's Mind MGMT (and Flux House imprint) in 2026.

Related: Comic industry unions: The unfortunate, failed history of comic creators and collective action

Mike Mignola, who owns (and is the primary writer and artist) of Dark Horse's long-running comics/movie/gaming franchise Hellboy, has recently voiced concerns about the company's decision to layoff its founder/CEO Mike Richardson in March 2026, and expressed optimism but also realism about how the company is changing.

"For me—As far as I know Dark Horse is still home to Hellboy and my new 'Lands Unknown' books," says Mignola. "My hope is that things will continue as they have as far as publishing goes. Time will tell."

This is the third recent effort at unionization of employees at US-based comic publishers, following efforts at Image Comics and Seven Seas Publishing.

Get ready for what's next with our list to upcoming comics and how to buy comics at a comic shop.