IDW Publishing's company "reset" includes a new editor-in-chief, two new publishers, and more

In the wake of mass layoffs last week, IDW Media Holdings has officially announced new promotions and new hires at IDW Publishing, including confirmation that Mark Doyle and Tara McCrillis have been named co-publishers, while Jamie S. Rich has become the company’s editor-in-chief.

Beyond those promotions, IDW has named Z2 Comics founder Josh Frankel as the company’s Chief Digital Officer.

In a statement, new CEO Davidi Jonas says, “We have a streamlined, integrated organization with an awesome new leadership team. We are working toward robust profitability, alongside superior marketing, sales, licensor relations, as well as best-in-industry terms for creators, increased live and digital fan engagement, novel play modalities, and continued (and elevating) dedication to authentic, engaging storytelling and entertainment. I have, thank God, had tremendous fortune in my young career, and have a track record of creating value, and with the blessing of an amazing team of colleagues, I guarantee that IDW will embody a spirit of fun & excellence.”

IDW’s new publishers

Prior to stepping into his new role, Mark Doyle served as the editorial director of original content, a position he took in March 2021. As such, he was responsible for the April 2022 launch of the IDW Originals line — a line that included material from creators including Scott Snyder, G. Willow Wilson, Liana Kangas, and Nick Brokenshire. At the time of the line’s launch, Doyle described a desire to “make IDW the destination for premier talent and rising stars,” an ambition he can more easily pursue in his new position. Before IDW, Doyle has worked as an executive editor at DC, having headed up the Vertigo imprint before its closure in 2019.

Tara McCrillis originally joined IDW in 2019 as the director of design and production as part of a wider shake-up within IDW Publishing as a whole; she was promoted to the position of VP Publishing Operations less than two years later, before taking on her new position. Prior to her time at IDW, she was the Director of Publishing Operations at Fodor’s Travel, and had served as the publishing operations manager at lifestyle magazine publisher GreenGale Publishing.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this new role with IDW Publishing,” says Mark Doyle in an accompanying statement. “I have an amazing partner in my Co-Publisher, Tara. The publishing world has a dearth of super talented people who work so hard behind the scenes—the unsung but incredibly deserving heroes of our industry—and Tara is one of the best. The new leadership team is passionate about the storytelling we create, and we have an incredible lineup of books planned—I’m thrilled to help share these stories with the world.”  

"Mark’s tireless dedication and vision have been integral to IDW's growth and success, and I am thrilled for this opportunity to partner with him on our publishing efforts," adds Doyle’s co-publisher Tara McCrillis. "Together with our amazingly talented editorial and design teams, we will continue to elevate IDW's creative output and strengthen our relationships with partners, retailers, creators, and fans."

IDW’s new editor-in-chief

Impressively, Jamie Rich’s new position at IDW marks the third time he’s been an editor-in-chief of a comics publisher, following his brief stint as EiC at Tapas Media, and a period in the early '00s as editor-in-chief of Oni Press. (He has also served as a senior editor at DC, where he was variously responsible for the Vertigo imprint, the Batman line, the Superman line, and the Justice League line, as well as a number of DC Black Label titles.)

Beyond that, he’s worked as a writer both inside and outside the comic book medium, having written series including 12 Reasons Why I Love Her, Lady Killer (co-written with Joelle Jones), and the Archer Coe books, as well as three novels, starting with '00s Cut My Hair.

Rich’s new title as editor-in-chief comes less than a year after he officially joined IDW; the release announcing his arrival was dated May 9, 2022.

In his own statement, Rich said of his new title, "I am honored to lead such a talented Editorial team," says Jamie Rich, EIC. "I look forward to helping shape the future of IDW's editorial offerings by collaborating with Mark, Tara, and the rest of the leadership team to deliver amazing stories to our readers."

IDW’s new chief digital officer

Josh Frankel, who founded Z2 Comics in 2010 but left the company last year, is a new face at IDW, taking on the new position of chief digital officer. In his own statement, he said, “We are fans ourselves, and we know how important it is to connect with our fans and give them deep, varied, and meaningful engagement with the stories and creators they love. IDW knows that to be connected we must meet our fans where they are at, and our plans for digital innovation are aimed at giving our fans the delight and attention that we would want as fellow travelers.”

IDW's other job changes

ALthough it didn't make it into the press release, Popverse has confirmed that IDW senior editor Heather Antos has been promoted to be group editor of IDW's licensed titles - the powerhouse of the entire company. She previously oversaw the Star Trek titles, and her new job has her adding Sonic the Hedgehog and others to that portfolio.

IDW’s new reality

The new roles and Frankel’s arrival were announced to the company in an all-hands meeting earlier this week; Popverse believes that further promotions were announced at that meeting, but those have not been confirmed by IDW. Popverse has asked IDW for comment and confirmation of certain new placements.

In the wake of last week’s layoffs at IDW, here’s a guide as to who remains at the publisher, and who was pushed out.