Rich Johnson (publishing executive)
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Rich Johnson is a publishing executive notable for his contributions in the field of graphic novels.
Johnson is a former Vice President of Book Trade Sales at DC Comics who has been credited with popularizing the graphic novel genre in mainstream bookstores and libraries.[1] Under his watch DC Comics had their first New York Times Bestseller with Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman: Endless Nights.[citation needed] He also co-founded and was Co-Publishing Director for Yen Press and co-founded the magazine Yen Plus.[1]
In 2011, he was a judge for the comic industry's highest award - The Eisner Awards.[2]
From July 2016 to May 2019, he was Vice-President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development at Lion Forge Comics.[3][4] In 2022, he was appointed Vice-President of Sales & Business Development at Diamond Book Distributors, the book trade division of Diamond Comic Distributors.[5]
He has previously been a publishing consultant and packager as well as the writer of "Graphic Details" – a column that appears on the industry site comicsbeat.com.[citation needed]
From 2022 to 2025, he wrote several books for Universe Publishing celebrating the history of various Marvel Comics characters: Captain America, Spider-Man, The Hulk, and The Avengers.
He is also the author of the graphic memoir My Father's Eyes.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Interview with Rich Johnson of Yen Press". ICv2: Inside Pop Culture. November 7, 2006.
- ^ "Past Judges". Comic-Con International: San Diego. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- ^ "In Advance of San Diego, Lion Forge Hires Rich Johnson, Mark Smylie, Joe Illidge". Publishers Weekly. July 18, 2016.
- ^ Beat Staff (May 9, 2019). "More Details Emerge Regarding Lion Forge & Oni Press Merger and Layoffs". Comics Beat.
- ^ Reid, Calvin (April 20, 2022). "Rich Johnson Joins Diamond Book Distributors". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
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