Well, looks like this Monkeybrain just got Monkeypromoted. No? No good? Ok.
Allison Baker, the co-founder and co-publisher of digital comics wonderhouse Monkeybrain, has signed on at IDW as Director of Operations. As announced at CBR, which also hosts the Allison Types column, Allison will not work with coordinating IDW’s production schedule alongside editorial, production and IDW’s games department.
Monkeybrain somewhat partnered with IDW in 2013, as IDW publishes most (but not all) of Monkeybrain’s print collections, such as “Edison Rex” by co-founder Chris Roberson and Dennis Calero. Having watched Monkeybrain launch on the scene and find such success has been a pleasure, so it’s great to see Allison get such a great and tremendous opportunity. It’ll be interesting to see how this will also strengthen the connection between Monkeybrain and IDW as well, as one could only assume there are other good things in the works to that end as well.
Congratulations, Allison! For the official press release from IDW, please see below.
IDW Publishing Press Release
IDW Publishing is very pleased to announce that Allison Baker will be joining the publisher as Director of Operations. Allison’s primary role will be coordinating and expediting the operation of IDW Publishing’s ever-increasing production schedule, working directly with the Editorial and Production departments, as well as the newly formed IDW Games division.
Allison is the co-publisher and co-founder of Monkeybrain, Inc., originally founded as a traditional print independent book publisher specializing in science fiction & fantasy and nonfiction genre studies. In 2012, Monkeybrain launched a new creator-owned digital comics line, Monkeybrain Comics, which has garnered several Eisner Award nominations, including an Eisner Award win for Best Digital Series in 2013.
“I’ve been impressed with Allison’s skill set since we started working with her, publishing the Monkeybrain titles,” said Ted Adams, IDW CEO and Publisher. “When this position opened up, she was the first person I thought of, and I’m excited she was able to accept it. We’re all looking forward to what she can bring to the table at IDW.”
“I am beyond thrilled to be joining the IDW team,” said Allison. “IDW publishes so many fantastic comics for so many different kinds of readers, and really strives to discover new ways to deliver them to audiences. A diverse comics field is a healthy one, and I’m delighted to be a part of that in any way I can.”
The most important qualities in an ideal Director of Operations are flexibility and a wide range of expertise. Allison’s experience in both the publishing and entertainment industry certainly fit the bill. She held the position of Director of Operations for Robert Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios from 2002 to 2005, and for the last eight years served as Director of Production at Joe Slade White and Co., an award-winning political media consultancy firm that produces radio and television spots for political campaigns, initiatives, and corporations on city, state, and national levels. Most recently, Allison has become well known for writing the column “Allison Types” for Comic Book Resources.
About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; V-Wars from New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry; Ragnarök from Eisner Award-winner Walter Simonson; Winterworld, created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino; and Little Nemo from the award-winning duo of Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist’s Edition imprint.
IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood’s Lore; Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film, Kurtzman/Orci are producing a movie based on Locke & Key at Universal.
