Oni Press has long been a cornerstone of independent comics, but under the leadership of publisher Hunter Gorinson and editor-in-chief Sierra Hahn, the company is hitting new heights. With a mix of fan-favorite franchises, bold new creator-owned projects, and ambitious publishing initiatives, 2025 is shaping up to be one of its most defining years.
In an exclusive interview with AIPT, Gorinson and Hahn broke down their strategy, upcoming releases, and how they plan to keep Oni at the forefront of the industry.
Editors note: Don’t miss our extended chat with Gorinson and Hahn about EC Comics and our check-in with them last March 2023.
Building Momentum
Last year saw Oni Press making waves with the success of Cult of the Lamb‘s Kickstarter, the 20th anniversary of Scott Pilgrim, and the revival of EC Comics. So how do they top that?
“A couple of years ago, when me and Sierra came into the company, we started putting together this plan for how we were going to get some really cool stuff into the marketplace with Oni,” Gorinson explained. “That plan was intended to be done in stages. We knew that we couldn’t do it all at once, but this year is kind of part of that. EC was part of that plan. Cult of the Lamb was part of that plan, and the books that we’re putting forward this year are also part of that plan.”
For Hahn, the excitement lies in the range of genres Oni is bringing to the table: “You have your sci-fi, you have your crime, you have your horror, but they all feel like they have some of that Oni DNA—that left-of-center DNA. We’re genuinely having a good time. We really enjoy what we’re making, and no two books really look the same, even though they have that DNA in common.”
A Stacked Lineup
Oni Press is not pulling any punches with its 2025 slate. The publisher is rolling out an impressive mix of titles, including Out of Alcatraz by Christopher Cantwell and Tyler Crook, Plague House by Michael W. Conrad and Dave Chisholm, Free for All by Patrick Horvath, and the much-anticipated return of Adventure Time comics.
Gorinson emphasized, “This is a very strong stable of comics, you know what I mean?”
Adventure Time’s return, in particular, is a major moment. With an entire generation of fans who grew up on the show now becoming adults, Oni is betting big on rekindling the love for the beloved animated series. “I told retailers at ComicsPro that it was a little bit like Absolute Adventure Time—a great place to jump into the series,” Gorinson said. “Nick Wynn, who’s largely handling the series, is creating an A+ comic book. It’s going to melt some people’s faces off, to be honest with you.”
The EC Comics Revival
One of Oni’s most audacious moves in recent years was reviving the legendary EC Comics brand, known for its horror roots. The next major release under the EC banner is Blood Type, which marks the first serialized horror story from EC in decades.
“There is a formula and a shape to an EC story, and part of the challenge is maintaining it while reinventing it at the same time,” Hahn explained. “You don’t want to feel like, ‘Oh, I just read the same story over and over again with different clothes on it.’”
A Variant Cover Like No Other
Oni Press is pushing the boundaries of marketing with The Dark Regards variant cover, which will contain actual human blood—an homage to the famous 1977 KISS Marvel comic. This strikingly macabre move has already garnered significant buzz among collectors and horror fans alike.
“I had to make some rather gray market deals and signed quite a few waivers, but we’re getting blood into this comic,” Gorinson revealed. “I have the date, it’s going to happen within the next 30 days. A mortician might be involved.”
Gorinson, along with other key figures behind the book, will contribute their own blood to the ink used for the variant cover. “It’ll be my blood, Dave’s blood, and hopefully our editor Carl Boers as well,” he said. “It’s mostly ink, of course, but there will be some of us in there.”
The process will be carefully documented, ensuring fans get a glimpse of this unprecedented collectible’s creation. With horror being such a strong component of Oni’s publishing strategy, this bold marketing move is a testament to the company’s commitment to pushing boundaries.
The Future of Oni Press
With graphic novels playing an increasingly crucial role in their strategy, Oni is embracing the format in a big way. Upcoming releases include Hey, Mary, Heaven, West Virginia, and Meat Eaters by Meredith McClaren. “Graphic novels are an essential part of what Oni does,” Gorinson stated. “And we have books planned out all the way to 2027.”
A major addition to their lineup is Benjamin, a mind-bending sci-fi noir about a dead author who mysteriously wakes up decades after his demise. Written by Ben H. Winters (The Last Policeman) and illustrated by Leomacs, the book is described as “an ode to writers like Philip K. Dick and Thomas Pynchon, and the existential science fiction that predicted the many crises of our decaying future.”
“It’s about a sci-fi writer named Benjamin, written by Ben H. Winters,” Gorinson teased. “He wakes up in a burnt-out motel room in Los Angeles and has to figure out why he’s alive again. Am I a robot? Am I a simulacrum? Am I an alien? It’s a quasi-dreamlike journey through LA to solve his greatest mystery—himself.”
What’s Next?
Oni Press is not just thinking about the present—it’s looking ahead.
“We have three big EC books coming this summer,” Gorinson hinted. “Blood Type in June, Catacomb of Torment in July, and the return of Cruel Universe in August. And that’s just scratching the surface.”
When asked about their approach to publishing, Hahn summed up their philosophy: “It’s about reaching different audiences, bringing them in, and showing them what else we’re doing and then continue to advance from those successes.”
And for those wondering if Oni has another major acquisition in the works?
“Doing something else would be a great idea, wouldn’t it?” Gorinson said with a smirk. “We’ll be talking again this time next year.”
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