UPDATE 6/27/2014 1:55 PM PT: Chris Roberson has commented to The Comics Reporter about what Allison Baker's new job at IDW Publishing means -- or doesn't mean -- for Monkeybrain Comics.

"It's business as usual, actually," Roberson told the site. "I've taken over more of the day-to-day operations, since Allison will have her hands full with her new position at IDW, but otherwise things will continue on as they have. The company is still wholly owned by the two of us, and always will be."

Additionally, Roberson clarified that Monkeybrain will remained headquartered in Portland, though Baker will commute to IDW's San Diego offices, "spending workdays there and weekends and holidays here."


In 2012, Allison Baker and Chris Roberson dove full-force into the world of digital comics with the launch of Monkeybrain Comics. Since then, the husband-and-wife team have seen their venture grow from a handful of digital-only titles to an operation with dozens of series from a vast array of creative talent -- including Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover's Eisner Award-winning "Bandette" -- in both digital and print formats.

Now, IDW Publishing has hired Baker as IDW's new Director of Operations. Baker will coordinate the operations of IDW's publishing schedule, working closely with editorial, production and the new IDW Games division. Monkeybrain has worked closely with IDW since February 2013, with IDW publishing collected trade paperback editions of several Monkeybrain digital titles, including "Edison Rex," "Knuckleheads" and more.

In addition to her new duties as IDW's Director of Operations, Baker currently writes CBR's Allison Types column. "I am beyond thrilled to be joining the IDW team," Baker said via press release. "IDW publishes so many fantastic comics for so many different kinds of readers, and really strives to discover new ways to deliver them to audiences. A diverse comics field is a healthy one, and I'm delighted to be a part of that in any way I can."

Official Press Release

IDW Publishing is very pleased to announce thatAllison Bakerwill be joining the publisher as Director of Operations. Allison's primary role will be coordinating and expediting the operation of IDW Publishing's ever-increasing production schedule, working directly with the Editorial and Production departments, as well as the newly formed IDW Games division.

Allison is the co-publisher and co-founder of Monkeybrain, Inc., originally founded as a traditional print independent book publisher specializing in science fiction & fantasy and nonfiction genre studies. In 2012, Monkeybrain launched a new creator-owned digital comics line, Monkeybrain Comics, which has garnered several Eisner Award nominations, including an Eisner Award win for Best Digital Series in 2013.

"I've been impressed with Allison's skill set since we started working with her, publishing the Monkeybrain titles," saidTed Adams, IDW CEO and Publisher. "When this position opened up, she was the first person I thought of, and I'm excited she was able to accept it. We're all looking forward to what she can bring to the table at IDW."

"I am beyond thrilled to be joining the IDW team," said Allison. "IDW publishes so many fantastic comics for so many different kinds of readers, and really strives to discover new ways to deliver them to audiences. A diverse comics field is a healthy one, and I'm delighted to be a part of that in any way I can."

The most important qualities in an ideal Director of Operations are flexibility and a wide range of expertise. Allison's experience in both the publishing and entertainment industry certainly fit the bill. She held the position of Director of Operations forRobert Rodriguez's Troublemaker Studios from 2002 to 2005, and for the last eight years served as Director of Production at Joe Slade White and Co., an award-winning political media consultancy firm that produces radio and television spots for political campaigns, initiatives, and corporations on city, state, and national levels. Most recently, Allison has become well known for writing the column "Allison Types" for Comic Book Resources.

About IDW Publishing

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro'sThe TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY;Paramount'sStar Trek;Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD's Judge Dredd; TheRocketeer; Toho's Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast's Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; V-Wars from New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry; Ragnarök from Eisner Award-winner Walter Simonson; Winterworld, created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino; and Little Nemo from the award-winning duo of Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint.

IDW's critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot;Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film, Kurtzman/Orci are producing a movie based on Locke & Key at Universal.