A Day In The Life Of Mad Cave Studios’ Mark London

Head Into The Mad Cave

Mad Cave Studios is a US indie publisher who has really come to the fore in the past five years and here’s a day in the life of its CEO and Chief Creative Officer Mark London and the company…

TRIPWIRE: What is a typical day in the office at Mad Cave?

MARK LONDON: It’s anything but typical. So many projects going on, and tons of excitement surrounding each one. Besides the usual morning shuffle of emails we all go through, departments start checking in with each other pretty early on in Slack. I usually chat with Chris Fernandez and Mark Irwin to get updated, and then we establish a sort of general focus throughout the day. Typically, I will take care of some business matters early on so then I can put on my creative hat to focus on writing scripts and new pitches to develop into future Work-For-Hire projects. Luckily, I have the best colleagues in the business, and they are the ones who help me juggle it all.

TW: How often does the central team meet virtually for a chat about future happenings at Mad Cave?

ML: Mad Cave has a solid structure in place, and we truly believe communication is key to success. Each department has its usual weekly meetings to make sure everything is on track. I am always thinking about the future and visualizing what I want for Mad Cave. In that regard, Chris Fernandez, Mark Irwin, and I are always discussing the future of Mad Cave.

TW: With the inclusion of Mike Marts now as EVP and Editor in chief how has that changed the company dynamic?

ML: Mad Cave has grown very organically, with no gimmicks. As a result, Mike was able to fit right into what we were already doing. What Mike will be changing at Mad Cave is the level of experience we have here. With his knowledge and a keen eye for talent and quality, Mike will be able to better establish our three imprints as major players in the comic book and graphic novel space.

TW: It is yourself and Mark Irwin and now Mike Marts who are at the core of the company. So what does each of you bring to the company?

ML: Don’t forget Chris Fernandez, Mad Cave’s Publisher. He’s been here from the beginning and is an integral part of the company. Together, Chris and I have been able to grow Mad Cave into the monster it has become. Chris and I both come from outside of comics and because of that Mad Cave has a different feel than other Publishers. I think if you ask the creators we’ve worked with they can attest. Mark Irwin and Mike Marts each bring over 30 years of experience to the table. Years of comic book experience in both the business and editorial side of things. Each of them both have built a stellar reputation in the industry, and we are more than proud to have them here at Mad Cave.

I think because of our diverse professional backgrounds, Mad Cave has developed a synergy and professionalism that is unreplicable. Everyone at Mad Cave, Maverick, and PaperCutz is a unique individual that brings an incomparable characteristic that has helped foster that environment.

TW: Mad Cave just had a major presence at NY Comic Con in October so how will the company build on that?

ML: I believe 2022 was our sixth consecutive year at NYCC, and each year we’re humbled by the reception that we get from our fans. The fans are the people that make this possible, so I want to thank everyone who came by to chat. We feel a responsibility to make amazing books for fans to enjoy, and with every book, we strive to do better for Mad Cave fans. We always strive to make a splash at NYCC, whether through new series announcements or this year’s news about Mike Marts coming on board. It seems like Mad Cave set the bar pretty high this year, so I can only imagine what we will be announcing at next year’s show.

TW: What plans does the company have for future show appearances in the coming year?

ML: It’s very important for Mad Cave, Maverick, and Papercutz to consistently attend shows annually. Not only do these shows give us a chance to showcase new titles and meet fans, but it also allows us to remain relevant in the public eye. Mad Cave’s Marketing Director, Allison Pond, and Director of Sales, Kurt Nelson, are always looking for new opportunities to showcase Mad Cave to new readers. In addition to industry events, book fairs, and festivals, Mad Cave will be at major comic conventions like Emerald City, San Diego Comic-Con, MegaCon, and New York Comic-Con.

TW: Are there any plans for the company to attend any shows in places like the UK in 2023?

ML: Absolutely. This year we attended the Frankfurt Book Fair, and next year we will be attending Angouleme. We are also looking to attend Thought Bubble in the UK. Thanks to our partnership with Simon and Schuster, Mad Cave’s plans to aggressively increase our presence overseas is well underway.

TW: What is the one thing you are most proud of that Mad Cave has achieved in the last twelve months?

ML:  In general, I am most proud of the growth Mad Cave has achieved and the way the team galvanized to make this growth possible. We have grown in sheer numbers by bringing on a talented editorial team and a hungry sales team, and we have also grown by acquiring PaperCutz. With the experienced team we’ve built, and the knowledgeable individuals we brought on from PaperCutz, Mad Cave as a whole is confident we can take the Middle-Grade imprint to the next level.

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