Oni Press

The company name derives from oni, the word for the ogre demons popular in Japanese folklore. Oni Press used the term "real mainstream," coined by Stephen L. Holland of the UK comic shop Page 45, to suggest that the subject matter it publishes is more in line with the popular genres of other media, such as thrillers, romances and realistic drama. For the most part, Oni Press avoids publishing superhero titles, unless interesting creators approach these concepts from an unusual angle. However, at one point, Rich Johnston of All The Rage reported that Oni Press and Marvel Comics were creating a publishing deal for Oni creators to work on Marvel superhero characters, but the deal fell apart. Oni Press publishes few comic books on an ongoing monthly basis - Marc Guggenheim's Resurrection, Antony Johnston and Christopher Mitten's Wasteland and Brian Hurrt and Cullen Bunn's Sixth Gun. Greg Rucka's Queen & Country was published monthly from 2001 to 2007. Most of its titles are either irregular recurring miniseries, often published in four to six monthly installments, or original graphic novels. Oni Press material initially released as comic books is usually later collected into trade paperbacks. They have published well over 100 titles, with multiple books undergoing reprints due to sustained popularity. Several of their books have won the Eisner Award including: Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim, Rick Spear and Chuck BB's Black Metal, Hope Larson's Grey Horses, and Greg Rucka's Whiteout: Melt and Queen & Country, with many more receiving nominations. ==History==

2010 It was founded in 1997 by Bob Schreck and Joe Nozemack with the goal of publishing comics and graphic novels they would want to read. Unsatisfied with the material that was dominating the industry, they believed firmly that sequential art could be used to tell virtually any story. Schreck left the company in 1999, leaving Oni Press owned by Nozemack and Jamie S. Rich. In 2004, Rich left the company; Oni Press was then owned by Nozemack, James Lucas Jones, and Charlie Chu. In 2016, the publisher launched Limerence Press, an imprint for erotic and sex-education comics, "focused on positive, diverse, and approachable stories that reflect a wide variety of emotional and intimate experiences". Oni Press underwent a reorganization in January 2018, with Nozemack acting as founder and chief financial officer, Jones as publisher, Chu as vice president of creative & business development. and other staff also promoted. In March 2019, Oni was the 9th or 10th ranked publisher on Diamond's Direct Market market share chart, by unit share or dollar share. Nozemack stepped down as president in an advisory role. Jones remained as publisher and president, and Chu remained as vice president of creative & business development. The company began emphasizing the Oni brand, with the Lion Forge name becoming "largely dormant". In June 2021, Gaydos stepped down as editor-in-chief. Jones became interim editor-in-chief. OLFPG filed a "Demurrer and Motion to Dismiss" which arguing the plaintiffs misrepresent the nature of the book and further lacks standing to sue. followed by publicity director Tara Lehmann leaving the company. In July, the company laid off senior VP of sales and marketing Alex Segura, sales manager Henry Barajas, senior editor Amanda Meadows, and editor Jasmine Amiri. Senior vice president of games and operations Steve Ellis and associate publisher Michelle Nguyen remained with the company. Additionally, Oni Press cancelled both their floor space and their panels at the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con. Sierra Hahn was then named the company's new editor-in-chief in February 2023. ==List of titles==