Marvel Comics is going through another major shake-up.
Following the exit of longtime sales boss David Gabriel and three Marvel editors, including Daredevil editor Devin Lewis, who just helped sell 300,000 copies of its latest relaunch, Marvel is now making a much bigger leadership change at the top.
According to THR, Marvel has promoted Brad Winderbaum, the head of Marvel Television and Animation, to oversee Marvel television, animation, comics, and franchise.
Disney’s David Abdo is also moving over from Disney Music Group to become general manager of comics and franchise.
The move means longtime Marvel Comics executive Dan Buckley is exiting the company. Buckley will remain at Marvel through mid-2027 to help with the transition.
Brad Winderbaum Takes Over Marvel Comics
Winderbaum has been with Marvel since Iron Man and has worked his way through the Marvel Studios system.
He currently oversees Marvel’s live-action and animated shows and has executive producer credits on projects including Loki Season 2, Hawkeye, Agatha All Along, Daredevil: Born Again, X-Men ’97, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Now, Winderbaum will also oversee the creative direction of Marvel’s publishing line, along with the company’s brand and franchise efforts.
Marvel Comics editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski will report to Winderbaum.
Kevin Feige praised the move in a statement, saying Winderbaum and Abdo will help build “the next 90 years of Marvel’s comic book legacy.”
“Brad’s exceptional creative leadership and David’s deep experience in operations and digital innovation will be a powerful pairing as we begin building out the next 90 years of Marvel’s comic book legacy,” said Feige in a statement. “Brad brings a proven ability to lead creative teams and craft ongoing, episodic narratives that resonate with our fans around the world, while David offers a strong track record of operational excellence and strategic growth. I’m excited for what they’ll be able to do together.”
Dan Buckley Exiting Marvel
Dan Buckley has been one of the biggest names at Marvel Comics for decades.
He served as publisher, president of Marvel Entertainment, and most recently head of Marvel comics and franchise.
Feige credited Buckley for helping guide major Marvel eras and events, including Civil War, Secret Wars, X-Men: Age of Krakoa, the upcoming Marvel Midnight imprint, and the company’s expansion into games, TV, animation, and more.
Buckley’s exit marks another big change for Marvel at a time when the comics side has already been hit with leadership turnover.
Marvel Comics Has Been Losing Ground To DC
The timing is hard to ignore.
THR notes the change comes after Marvel lost its position as the comics market share leader for the first time this century, with DC taking the top spot thanks in part to the success of its Absolute Universe line.
DC has also been gaining heat with fans and retailers, while Marvel has faced criticism over its publishing direction.
Another Disney Shake-Up Around Marvel
The comics move also follows layoffs on the Marvel Studios side.
Disney recently got rid of Marvel Studios’ in-house VFX team, including longtime Marvel visual development artist Andy Park.
Put together, the changes make it look like Disney and Marvel are restructuring multiple areas at once, from comics publishing to Marvel Studios support teams.
The big question now is what Feige and Winderbaum want Marvel Comics to become.
Feige added publishing to his portfolio in 2023, and THR notes many observers had been waiting to see when he would put his stamp on that side of the company.
Now it looks like that moment has arrived.
