Rich Johnson (publishing executive)
Encyclopedia
Rich Johnson is a publishing executive notable for his contributions in the field of graphic novel
s.
Johnson is a former Vice President of Book Trade Sales at DC Comics
who has been credited with popularizing the graphic novel genre in mainstream bookstores and libraries. Under his watch DC Comics had their first New York Times Bestseller with Neil Gaiman
’s The Sandman: Endless Nights. He also co-founded and was Co-Publishing Director for Yen Press
and co-founded the magazine Yen Plus
.
Johnson is currently a publishing consultant and packager as well as the writer of "Graphic Details" – a column that appears on the industry site comicsbeat.com.
In 2011 he will be a judge for the comic industry's highest award - The Eisner Award
s. He is also the author of the graphic memoir My Father's Eyes.
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
s.
Johnson is a former Vice President of Book Trade Sales at DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
who has been credited with popularizing the graphic novel genre in mainstream bookstores and libraries. Under his watch DC Comics had their first New York Times Bestseller with Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
’s The Sandman: Endless Nights. He also co-founded and was Co-Publishing Director for Yen Press
Yen Press
Yen Press is the manga and graphic novel imprint of Hachette Book Group. In addition to their regular book releases, Yen Press produces a monthly anthology called Yen Plus. The company's varied list demonstrates an interest in publishing a wide variety of Japanese manga, Korean manhwa, and other...
and co-founded the magazine Yen Plus
Yen Plus
Yen Plus is an American monthly anthology magazine of Japanese manga, Korean manhwa, and Original English-language manga published by Yen Press. The first issue went on sale on July 29, 2008 with five manga titles originally published by Gangan Comics, four manhwa titles, and two OEL manga titles...
.
Johnson is currently a publishing consultant and packager as well as the writer of "Graphic Details" – a column that appears on the industry site comicsbeat.com.
In 2011 he will be a judge for the comic industry's highest award - The Eisner Award
Eisner Award
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
s. He is also the author of the graphic memoir My Father's Eyes.