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Anyone paying attention to comings and goings in the comic book industry over the last few months might have noticed some high-profile movements, including two big-name players becoming seemingly free agents after leaving their respective gigs — leading many people to speculate about what might be next. Now we know, with the news that former Boom! Studios president of publishing Filip Sablik and former IDW editor-in-chief Jamie S. Rich have teamed to create a new publisher… and they’ve got a couple of surprise names in the mix for the company, as well.

The new publisher — which, as yet, has no known name — will see Sablik assume the role of publisher, with Rich serving as editor-in-chief, the role he fulfilled not only at IDW Publishing, but also Tapas Media and Oni Press. As that suggests, Rich has quite the resume; he was also a group editor at DC, heading up both the Batman and Justice League groups at different periods of his time there, as well as leading the Vertigo/DC’s Young Animal imprints. Sablik is no slouch in the experience department, either; in addition to his Boom! Studios stint, which lasted 12 years, he has worked with both Top Cow and Diamond Comic Distributors.

Joining the two executives will be Jeremy Haun, known for his work as a creator on projects including Marvel’s Captain America, DC’s Batman and Constantine, and a number of creator-owned works including 40 Seconds, The Beauty, and his recent anthology collection, Haunthology. Given his extensive, 20+ year history as a writer and artist, it’s unsurprising to see him slot into a creative role at the new company; he’ll become the publisher’s creative director.

Behind the whole venture is Eric Gitter, a name perhaps not immediately familiar to comic industry watchers. His work might be far more familiar, however; a film and television producer, Gitter was one of the figures responsible for the 2010 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World movie, 2017’s Atomic Blonde — based on the Oni Press graphic novel The Coldest City — and Netflix’s Extraction movies, which are also based on a comic book property, namely 2014’s Ciudad by Ande Parks, Joe and Anthony Russo, and Fernando Leon Gonzalez. Gitter had previously headed up Oni Press' screen division in addition to his own Closed on Mondays shingle. Gitter is the founder of the new publisher, which will be represented by WME and attorneys Fred Goodman and Rich Marin of Marin Goodman, LLP.

More information about the publisher — including its name, and initial line up of releases — will be announced at a later date, according to the company.

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