The recent appointment of Jake Thomas as Group Editor for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) line at IDW Publishing signals an exciting new chapter for fans of the franchise and comic collectors alike. His extensive background in comics editing positions him well to lead one of the industry’s most beloved series.
Jake Thomas has transitioned from his role as Executive Editor at Humanoids, a company facing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, to his new responsibilities at IDW, where he will oversee not only the TMNT line but also properties like Godzilla and Sonic The Hedgehog. Bobby Curnow, IDW’s Editor-in-Chief, expressed confidence in Thomas’s ability, stating, “We’re thrilled to have Jake Thomas at IDW helming our TMNT line. I’ve been extremely impressed by Jake’s creativity, organization, and dedication to working with artists and business partners alike to find the best path forward in any given situation. I’ve enjoyed seeing Jake’s leadership in action and know he will take the Turtles into a new era of awesomeness. We can’t wait to read all the great comics Jake will bring to the table!”
Thomas’s move comes amid notable staffing changes at IDW. In March, Darran Robinson, previously Associate Art Director at DC, took on a new role as Art Director at IDW, focusing on designs and logos for various projects. Meanwhile, Corey Wells, a former comic book store manager with experience in direct market sales at TKO Studios, joined IDW as Fan Engagement Coordinator in September. Aub Driver, VP of Marketing at IDW, stated, “We’re thrilled to welcome Corey and Darran to the IDW team. Corey brings a deep understanding of fandom and community engagement that will help strengthen our connection with readers across every platform, while Darran’s creative eye and design expertise will elevate how we present our stories visually. Both bring fresh energy and perspective to IDW’s next chapter, and I’m excited to see the mark they’ll make on our brand and our fans.”
Additionally, Ryan Balkam has been promoted from Specialty Sales Manager to Director of Sales, following his contributions to the TMNT 2024 relaunch and the TMNT #13 blind bag program. Driver remarked, “Ryan’s insight and dedication to our retail and distribution partners have been invaluable. His ability to blend data with a genuine passion for the comics industry makes him an incredible asset to IDW. This promotion is well-earned, and we’re excited to see him continue to drive growth and collaboration across our sales ecosystem.” Cassandra Jones also received a promotion from Editorial Assistant to Associate Editor, reflecting her significant contributions to projects including Star Trek and Monster High. Curnow highlighted her vital role, stating, “Cassandra Jones has consistently gone above and beyond in every editorial endeavor she has been tasked with. She has provided crucial support to our Star Trek line and is always bringing us exciting new projects and ideas. IDW knows that Cassandra will be an integral part of our team, and we are therefore delighted to see her take on more responsibilities with her new role as an Associate Editor.”
Based on reporting by https://www.facebook.com/richard.james.johnston. Read the full story at https://bleedingcool.com/comics/jake-thomas-quits-humanoids-to-be-the-new-tmnt-group-editor-at-idw/.