Mike Richardson Out as CEO of Dark Horse Entertainment After 40 Years

Publisher and producer Mike Richardson is out as CEO of Dark Horse Comics, the media company he built up from a comic book store business.

In his stead, Embracer, the video game holding company that bought Dark Horse in 2022, is installing gaming exec Jay Komas as interim CEO.

“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 sent to business partners and creators in announcing the one-two punch of firing and promotion. “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.”

Richardon started off as a comics retailer with his Oregon-based store Pegasus Fantasy Books, which was later renamed Things From Another World. In 1986, he began publishing comics, with a concerted effort to protect creators rights. Dark Horse became of the home of Frank Miller, putting out Sin City and 300, and Mike Mignola, who has created a whole Hellboy universe since first creating the character in the early 1990s.

Licensed comics that were elevated were also a focus, with Dark Horse publishing Alien and Predator comics. The two sci-fi franchises were first combined under his Alien vs Predator comics, with the title eventually moving to the big screen in the early 2000s. Dark Horse was also a longtime home of Star Wars comics, picking up that license after Marvel Comics gave it up around 1990.

And under Richardson, Dark Horse was the first comic company that made a serious and concerted effort to take its comics to Hollywood and to remain involved as producers. The Mask and Timecop were early hits, Barb Wire was a notorious failure, and Hellboy, built on the strength of his relationship with producer Larry Gordon, remains a notable Hollywood franchise. He was most recently an exec producer on The Umbrella Academy, Netflix’s adaptation of Dark Horse’s comic created by Gerard Way.

Richardson sold the company to Embracer a Swedish-based umbrella corporation that primarily owns several video game companies, in 2022, staying on as CEO.

It is unclear what Embracer has in store for Dark Horse. It is unclear what are its interests in publishing, not a core business, nor is it clear what kind of commitment it will have to the screen business, although the company’s statement indicated it wants to remain in the IP management business. Komas, however, does not have direct Hollywood experience.

Komas, the company stated, “brings extensive experience with global intellectual properties across games, film and consumer products. Over the course of his career, he has held senior leadership roles at Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard and LucasArts, where he worked with some of the most recognized entertainment brands in the world. His background in managing and expanding IP across multiple categories will be instrumental as we build on Dark Horse’s legacy and strengthen its position in an increasingly connected entertainment landscape.”