ComicsPRO News: New Oni Lion Forge President and Publisher Hunter Gorinson has brought in former Diamond Comic Distributors Vice President-Purchasing Bill Schanes as Publishing Consultant, the company announced at the ComicsPro Annual Meeting.  Schanes joins other recent Oni Lion Forge additions Gorinson (see “Hunter Gorinson To Take the Reins”), Sierra Hahn as Editor-in-Chief (see “Sierra Hahn New EIC”), and Michael Torma as Senior Sales Manager (see “Oni Hires Third Eye Manager”), as the company rebuilds after major layoffs last summer (see “A Smaller Oni Lion Forge”).

Schanes was at Diamond for 25 years, retiring in 2013 (see “Schanes Stepping Down at Diamond”), and also spent time at Cryptozoic Entertainment (see “Schanes Joins Cryptozoic”).  He also had experience as a publisher; Pacific Comics, which he co-founded with his brother Steve in 1971, published creator-owned work by Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Neal Adams, Dave Stevens, Richard, Corben, Sergio Aragones, and others.

“Bill is universally respected throughout our industry, and with good reason:  As a retailer, publisher, and distributor, he personally helped build the foundations of the Direct Market as we know it today,” Gorinson said of the hire.  “There are few who can rival his experience, instinct, or wisdom, and we’re fortunate to be able to draw on all three as Oni writes a new chapter for the future.”

Always focused on the heart of the business, Schanes framed his role as adding value for comic stores.  “I’m looking forward to working closely with Hunter and the Oni-Lion Forge team, as they have an ambitious publishing program, one which I believe can add value to the comics book specialty retailers,” he said.