Rich Named Tapas Media Editor-in-Chief

Novelist, comics writer, and veteran comics editor Jamie S. Rich, previously a DC group editor, has been named editor-in-chief of Tapas Media effective June 21. In his new role at Tapas Media, a digital comics platform offering vertical scroll webcomics for mobile devices, Rich will oversee the creation of traditional print comics and webcomics.

Rich is the latest high profile hiring at Tapas, as the digital comics platform looks to expand beyond its core business of creating vertical scroll webcomics for phones and tablets. He’s also the latest of several former DC staff to join Tapas, among them former DC colleagues Michele Wells, now Tapas CCO, and Alex R. Carr, now Tapas senior director of publisher relations.

“My roots are in indie comics, which have always tended to be the place for more personal storytelling and a variety of genres,” said Rich, who also cited the influence of manga on his storytelling. “There were never any limits to the types of stories or style of artwork. I look at all the fresh talent at Tapas and I see the comics that will mean something to today's readers and inspire the next generation of talent."

Rich began his career in comics in 1994, working as an assistant editor at Dark Horse Comics. He moved to Oni Press in 1998, where he rose to become editor-in-chief. He is a novelist (Cut My Hair, 2000), and has collaborated on a number graphic novels with artist Joëlle Jones. He joined DC in 2015 overseeing the Vertigo imprint, as well as working with editor Gerard Way to launch DC’s Young Animal line of comics.

Wells said she was “thrilled” to have Rich on board as both a creator and an editor. “He has an innate understanding of the storytelling power of comics, and its ability to transcend the medium to both entertain and empower. Jamie is uniquely positioned to help us expand our global reach by guiding the next generation of creators in finding just the right story to tell at just the right time.”