Tue Jul 20, 2010 — by Robert Greenberger

Waid, Cebulski Promoted

BOOM! and Marvel up the Creative Ante

Yesterday, BOOM! Studios joined the growing number of companies to add the rank of Chief Creative Officer to their mastheads. Mark Waid, the publisher's Editor-in-Chief was named CCO with Matt Gagnon promoted to Editor-in-Chief. Marvel also formalized C.B. Cebulski's talent scout role by naming him Senior Vice President, Creator & Content Development of Marvel Entertainment.

In both cases, the emphasis has been placed on creative and talent issues, which acknowledges the shifting playing field for the top publishers. To fuel the growing number of titles released in America, talent from all corners of the world and the creative community has to be scouted, groomed, and put to work.

Recently, DC Entertainment named Geoff Johns its first CCO followed by Marvel upping Joe Quesada to the same title. IDW most recently named Chris Ryall their own CCO.

At San Diego's Comic-Con International, opening tomorrow, the expectation is that more talent exclusives will be signed, another acknowledgment of the increased competition.

ComicMix congratulates all three men on their new assignments.

Here are the formal press releases:

July 19th, 2010 – Los Angeles, CA – BOOM! Studios, 2009's "Best Publisher" and the recipient of 7 Eisner and 5 Harvey Award nominations announced today that Mark Waid has been promoted to Chief Creative Officer.

Matt Gagnon has received a promotion to Editor-in-Chief.

For the past three years, Mark Waid has been serving as Editor-in-Chief of BOOM! Studios and has been one of the leading factors in the amazing growth that's seen the company increase its market share tenfold. Managing Editor Matt Gagnon has, likewise since his hiring in 2008, been a critical player in the company's explosive expansion.

"Mark Waid is one of the most well-loved and dynamic personalities in comics," said Ross Richie, Chief Executive Officer of BOOM!. "When he assumed the editorial reigns at BOOM! in 2007, he had his work cut out for him – I had not run the trains on time, and much of the editorial schedule was wrecked. Mark used his 25 years of experience in the business to methodically put our core titles like ZOMBIE TALES and CTHULHU TALES back on track, added fresh comics creators with fresh voices to our line, and righted our business and helped define our brand. Without that intervention, there's no way we could have achieved the meteoric growth we've enjoyed. He's been a world-class talent, and it's a pleasure to commemorate that with this promotion."

Waid added, "Ross is too kind and perhaps drinks a little much. Let’s save the accolades for Matt Gagnon. He’s got an uncanny eye for talent and a gift for finding diamonds in the dark, secret mineshafts in which freelancers dwell. He’s unearthed breathtaking talents, among them HEXED’s Emma Rios, THE UNKNOWN ’s Minck Oosterveer, and IRREDEEMABLE’s Peter Krause. Moreover, Matt has worked hands-on to make sure that BOOM!’s books are there for readers every month, on time, and that they’re great reads. I am extremely proud of his accomplishments, and we’re overdue in acknowledging them as I shift my responsibilities within the company to focus on our expanding opportunities both inside and outside publishing. Between the upcoming line of comics and graphic novels we’re doing with Stan Lee and POW! Entertainment, our increasing digital-media strategies, and our continued growth in Hollywood, my energies are more dedicated to BOOM! than ever before.”

Waid has been, for over twenty years, one of America’s best-selling comic book authors, having contributed to every major publisher and having written a wider range of well-known comic characters than any comics writer in history, including Spider-Man, The X-Men, Batman, Superman, Archie, and Captain America. The series Waid launched at BOOM! last year, IRREDEEMABLE, was nominated for "Best New Series," "Best Writer," and "Best Cover Artist" in the 2010 Eisner Awards and "Best Writer" and "Best New Series" by the 2010 Harvey Awards. This success has been followed up with the critically acclaimed sister title, INCORRUPTIBLE.

Gagnon came to BOOM! from Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles, one of the most influential comic book retail stores in the country. Meltdown is renowned for a cutting-edge approach to retailing and a sophisticated and varied line of products, a philosophy that Gagnon had a hand in shaping at the super-store. He brings that same approach to BOOM!, breaking new ground with a strong editorial voice.

New York, NY – JULY 19,  2010 – Marvel Worldwide, Inc announced today that it has promoted C.B. Cebulski to Senior Vice President, Creator & Content Development of Marvel Entertainment.  In this new role, Mr. Cebulski will report to Jim Sokolowski, Chief Operating Officer - Publishing, Marvel Worldwide, Inc., C.B. will discover, develop and nurture new talent, brainstorm new initiatives and advise on creative directions for Marvel’s key titles. In addition to these responsibilities, Mr. Cebulski will work on creative aspects of development of larger corporate initiatives. The announcement was made today by Dan Buckley, Publisher & President of the Print, Animation & Digital Divisions, Marvel Worldwide, Inc.

Mr. Buckley stated, “It’s with tremendous pride that I announce C.B Cebulski’s promotion to Senior Vice President, Creator & Content Development. C.B. has been an instrumental part of Marvel’s success, recruiting the top talent in the industry and developing key global relationships. As he moves into this new role, I’m excited to see just what kind of new talent and creative directions C.B. brings to Marvel.”Having started his career as an editor at Marvel, Mr. Cebulski was one of the driving forces behind the creation of Marvel’s Talent Management department, where he then worked as a talent scout, recruiting international artists for Marvel’s ever-growing stable of premiere pencilers and painters. Mr. Cebulski has also written fan favorite stories featuring all of Marvel’s key heroes, including the X-Men, Avengers, Spider-Man, Runaways, and the Loners. He also served as head writer for Activision’s Marvel: Ultimate Alliance video game, which drew praise from all corners for its nuanced storytelling and faiful adaptation of Marvel’s most popular characters.

“I was first welcomed into the Marvel family almost a decade ago, and the company and I have grown together through all the amazing changes that Marvel has experienced,” said C.B. Cebulski. “I’m thrilled by the prospects and challenges this new position offers and to be working with Joe Quesada, Tom Brevoort and Axel Alonso to expand Marvel’s already amazing line of comics and characters. This marks not only the next step in my personal path at Marvel, but also the next phase in our relationship with our creative partners and talent.”

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