Michael Martens will step down as Dark Horse’s Vice President of Book Trade Sales on September 1st after twenty-two years with the publisher.
Martens was key in Dark Horse Comics’ expansion in the bookstore market and most recently spearheaded their association with Penguin Random House Publisher Services.
“Twenty-two years after arriving at Dark Horse, I find myself thinking about all the things I still want to do in my life. Creative things, fun things, volunteer things. Things that don’t involve long hours in front of a computer screen and a crazy travel schedule. It is hard to leave a rewarding position at Dark Horse, but it is time for me,” noted Michael Martens. “I want to thank Mike Richardson and Neil Hankerson for trusting me and giving me the freedom to learn the book business while steering Dark Horse into the uncharted waters of returnability, Amazon, and BISAC codes.”
“This is a truly sad moment for Dark Horse and for me personally. Michael has been an instrumental part of our success since he, with his wife, Cindy, left his home in Madison, Wisconsin, twenty-two years ago and helped lead Dark Horse’s growth over the last two decades. We will miss Michael but wish him all the best as he sets out on his new adventures,” remarked Dark Horse president Mike Richardson.
Martens has spent 34 years in the comic industry, spending twelve years as Vice President of Customer Service at Capital City Distribution prior to his work at Dark Horse.
Dark Horse will announce Martens successor during the American Library Association Annual Conference in June.