Comics News
Dark Horse CEO And Founder Mike Richardson Is Out
The End Of An Era At Dark Horse
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Dark Horse founder and its CEO Mike Richardson has been removed from the company…
Richardson founded Dark Horse as a retailer back in 1986 but since gaming company Embracer took it over, Richardson has been marginalised there. Embracer put out a statement about the change at the top:
“As part of our long-term vision to better align Dark Horse within a more connected and forward-looking group structure, we are implementing changes to modernise the business and strengthen collaboration across publishing, games, film, merchandise and other key areas,” Embracer said in a statement sent to business partners and creators in announcing the one-two punch of firing and promotion. “Our goal is simple: to ensure Dark Horse is positioned for sustained success while continuing to serve creators, partners and fans at the highest level.”
In his place, Embracer, the video game holding company that bought Dark Horse back in 2022, is installing gaming exec Jay Komas as interim CEO.
Richardson oversaw a boom period at the company with titles like Hellboy by Mike Mignola and Frank Miller’s Sin City, both of which went on to be translated to the big screen. Its last big hit was arguably Gerard Way’s Umbrella Academy, which Netflix adapted as a TV show.
Licensed comics that were elevated were also a focus at the company, with Dark Horse publishing Alien and Predator comics. The two sci-fi franchises were first combined under his Alien vs Predator comics, with the title eventually moving to the big screen in the early 2000s. Dark Horse was also a longtime home of Star Wars comics, picking up that license after Marvel Comics gave it up around 1990. it was also the publisher of Conan comics too at one point.
Embracer continued to state that Richardson’s temporary replacement Komas “brings extensive experience with global intellectual properties across games, film and consumer products. Over the course of his career, he has held senior leadership roles at Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard and LucasArts, where he worked with some of the most recognized entertainment brands in the world. His background in managing and expanding IP across multiple categories will be instrumental as we build on Dark Horse’s legacy and strengthen its position in an increasingly connected entertainment landscape.”
They did acknowledge Richardson’s legacy though:
We shall follow this story closely as it continues to develop.
