In response to questions from ICv2, an OLFPG spokesperson responded “Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group, LLC, recently made personnel changes and will continue in its mission of publishing groundbreaking stories by the best creators in the industry, with a focus on diverse, inclusive, and unique stories.”
The news was met with dismay on social media; iZombie creator Chris Robrson Tweeted “It's hard to imagine Oni Press without James Lucas Jones and Charlie Chu at the helm. Those two have been the bedrock of that outfit for AGES.” And writer David Precht Tweeted “As someone with a book in production at Oni… this is news to me.”
Just two weeks ago, Jones told Publishers Weekly that Oni was planning to add staff and expand its adult catalog. Plans for the publisher’s 25th anniversary include new editions of some classic series, and Jones told PW “We’re also actively expanding our licensing partnerships, with several big announcements that are sure to shake up things for fans of Oni Press.”
Oni Press merged with Lion Forge under the umbrella of Lion Forge parent company Polarity in 2019 (see “Lion Forge, Oni Press to Merge”). A third publisher, Magnetic Press, split off from Oni/Lion Forge. Oni restructured in 2018, with Jones moving from Editor-in-Chief to Publisher, Chu promoted from editorial to VP-Creative and Business Development, and Founder and Publisher Joe Nozemack moving to CFO (see “Oni Reorganizes”).