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Nearly 40 years to the day Dark Horse Comics was launched, founder Mike Richardson is no longer CEO, with a more gaming-focused manager from Embracer Group, whom Richardson sold the company to in 2021, tapped to become 'interim' CEO.

In a statement sent out to the media, this move is described as Dark Horse's new owner's plan to implement "changes to modernize the business and strengthen collaboration across publishing, games, film, merchandise, and other key areas." The statement, sent by Dark Horse's vice president of product development and sales, Randy Lahrman, stresses this leadership change was done in order to "better align Dark Horse within a more connected and forward-looking group structure" within Embracer.

"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," writes Lahrman. 

Lahrman does conclude the message commending Richardson's importance to the company's past.

"... it is important to recognize Mike Richardson’s extraordinary contribution to Dark Horse and the broader comics and entertainment industry," Lahrman writes. "Without his dedication, vision and creative leadership, Dark Horse would not be the company it is today. His impact on creators, stories and fans over the decades has been profound, and we are deeply grateful for the foundation he built."

Dark Horse Comics began in 1986 as a creator-centric comic publisher sprouting out of Richardson's comic book store chain Things From Another World. It quickly became a multimedia empire, spurring a parent company named Dark Horse Media to encompass its various comic book, manga, TV, media, gaming, and product divisions. Richardson, now 75, worked tirelessly as CEO, publisher, and even occasionally stepping in to edit, write, and do a bit of art to keep the company growing.

Richardson's exit as Dark Horse CEO comes five years after he sold Dark Horse to the giant gaming company known as Embracer Group. To replace Richardson, Embracer is bringing over a manager from its newly acquired Middle-earth Enterprises division (think Lord of the Rings) to lead the company on an interim basis. Jay Komas comes to Dark Horse as interim CEO after two years as general manager & head of franchise development for Middle-earth Enterprises, and a resume that includes stints at Google, LucasArts, Activision Blizzard, and EA.

"Jay brings extensive experience with global intellectual properties across games, film, and consumer products," writes Lahrman. "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."

Lahrman stresses that this abrupt change and bringing in an outside CEO "does not change anything to do with the company and business will continue as usual."

Stay tuned to Popverse for more on this developing situation.

Get ready for what's next with our list to upcoming comics and how to buy comics at a comic shop, and our guide to all the free comics you can get with this year's Free Comic Book Day and Comics Giveaway Day.