In a true shocker for the comic book industry, Dark Horse CEO Mike Richardson, who founded the company 40 years ago in 1986, has been let go, and replaced by a gaming executive.
The news came yesterday (March 4) from The Hollywood Reporter, who framed it as “is out,” which makes it clear that Richardson did not leave by choice. Instead, it was the choice of Embracer, a Swedish company that mostly specializes in owning other video game companies. Richardson sold Dark Horse to Embracer in 2022, and though he stayed on as CEO since then, he’s subsequently been replaced by gaming exec Jay Komas, who will be the interim CEO of the company.
“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 modernize the business and strengthen collaboration across publishing, games, film, merchandise and other key areas,” Embracer said in a statement via THR. “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.”
Boy, that sure is a lot of words! More disturbing than the corporate speak is that Konas, again per THR, was campaigning for Richardson’s job for months, but also doesn’t have any Hollywood experience. He has worked in “senior leadership roles at Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard and LucasArts” with a “background in managing and expanding IP across multiple categories.” Given Dark Horse helped pioneer IP back in the ’80s with licensed sequels to Aliens, Terminator and Predator, as well as Star Wars, it’s not totally out of left field. And there have been plenty of other Dark Horse comics that have made the leap to movies and TV, from The Umbrella Academy and Sin City to The Mask.
But — to be frank — seeing the company pivot from a comic book lifer like Richardson to a gaming exec who may or may not be interested in comics is alarming. Richardson is so passionate about the medium he left his job and took out a loan in 1980 to open Pegasus Fantasy Books, which later became the chain Things From Another World. He then launched Dark Horse Comics off the success of the store(s) in 1986, and expanded what the company does dramatically since then, with a long list of books, monthly comic books, collectibles, and more.
What this means for the future of Dark Horse — as well as Richardson — is TBD. As is, Embracer certainly picked the dark horse candidate here. We’ll see if Konas takes the company the distance, or pivots it in another direction.
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