Oni Press to Oversee Magnetic Press Book Market & Direct Market Distribution

Leading Comic and Graphic Novel Publishers Under the Polarity Umbrella to Unify Distribution of Award-Winning Comic and Graphic Novel Libraries via Diamond, Lunar, and Simon & Schuster

PORTLAND, OR (March 20, 2025)— Oni Press – the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comic books and graphic novels since 1997 – and Magnetic Press are proud to announce a new strategic partnership in which Oni will oversee distribution of Magnetic's Eisner Award-winning catalog via Oni's longstanding distribution partners: Simon & Schuster in the book market, and Diamond Comics and Lunar Distribution in the direct market of independent comic shop retailers. Mutually owned by Polarity – entrepreneur David Steward II's diversified media company that also counts Lion Forge Entertainment amongst its growing stable of entertainment entities – the new partnership between the sister companies is intended to extend the reach and impact of Magentic's widely acclaimed catalog of graphic novels, role-playing games, and tabletop games that includes notable works by Mathieu Bablet (Carbon & Silicon), Guillaume Singelin (Frontier) and hundreds more luminary talents from around the globe.

Under the new arrangement, Magnetic's new slate of titles – beginning in Fall 2025 – will receive additional marketing, sales, and manufacturing support from the Oni Press with all future releases co-branded between both companies Magnetic Press Founder and Publisher Mike Kennedy will continue to oversee Magentic's creative and editorial operations from the company's Chicago, IL headquarters and report to Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson.

“Oni and Magnetic have been sister companies for more than five years, and this new partnership truly will allow us to offer the best of both worlds: Magnetic's world-class graphic novels and games, coupled with Oni's formidable presence in comic shops and book stores,” said Kennedy. “Together, we look forward to providing readers with an even broader selection of compelling stories and artwork. The Magnetic Press line will continue to champion its unique editorial vision while benefiting from Oni Press's established distribution and marketing channels.”

“Few American publishers can match the exceptional roster of international talents that Mike Kennedy has brought to English language audiences under the Magnetic Press banner. As both colleagues and fans, we've watched as Magnetic has strategically expanded its footprint to include hugely successful crowdfunding and tabletop game initiatives over the past several years,” said Gorinson. “Now, as Magnetic's award-winning catalog reaches critical mass with a bevy of exciting new titles for 2025, we're proud to extend their reach farther than ever before with expanded distribution and support for some of the most beautifully packaged graphic novels anywhere in the industry today.”

Founded in 2014 by former Archaia Publisher Mike Kennedy, Magnetic Press has garnered international acclaim for its dedication to publishing high-quality graphic novels and art books from creators around the world. With a focus on visually dynamic and emotionally resonant storytelling, Magnetic Press has introduced English-speaking audiences to a diverse array of award-winning titles, including Love: The Tiger by Brremaud and Bertolucci, The Ghost of Gaudi by Juan Torres and Jesus Alonso, Jazz Maynard by Roger and Raule, and many more. Magnetic continued to build on its success and find new recognition, including being honored with their first Eisner Award for Best Publication Design for their work on the box set of DRACULA / FRANKENSTEIN by Georges Bess. And just last month it was announced at Angoulême International Comics Festival that Magnetic had entered an exclusive first-look partnership with the renowned French design studio Label 619 that will spawn several highly anticipated new releases beginning in late 2025.

Headquartered in Portland, OR, Oni Press has endured as one of the industry's premier publishers of comics and graphic novels for nearly three decades. The multiple Eisner, Harvey and Ringo Award-winning publisher recently announced that it had celebrated its most successful year of publishing to date in 2024 with the launch of several major new initiatives, including the 20th anniversary of creator Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim series; the chart-topping resurrection of the EC Comics publishing line with major new series including Epitaphs from the Abyss, Cruel Universe, and Cruel Kingdom; the launch of new licensed comics and graphic novel partnerships for Devolver Digital and Massive Monster's Cult of the Lamb, The Nacelle Company's Biker Mice from Mars and RoboForce, Sesame Workshop's Sesame Street; and much more.

The first wave of Magnetic Press titles to be produced and distributed in partnership with Oni Press will be revealed in the weeks ahead.