Although Oni Press has long been the cornerstone of independent comics, the company is hitting new heights under the leadership of publisher Hunter Gollinson and editor-in-chief Sierra Hearn. With a mix of fan favorite franchises, bold new creator-owned projects and ambitious publishing initiatives, 2025 is becoming one of the most decisive years.
In an exclusive interview with AIPT, Gorinson and Hahn defeated their strategy, upcoming releases, and plans to keep Oni at the forefront of the industry.
Editor’s Note: Don’t miss out on the expanded chat with Golinson and Hearn last March about EC comics and check-in with them.
Building momentum
Last year, Oni Press made waves with the 20th anniversary of Rum’s kickstarter cult Scott Pilgrim and the successful return of EC comics. So how do they outweigh that?
“A few years ago, when I and Sierra joined the company, we started putting together this plan on how to get some really cool stuff to the market with Oni,” explained Golinson. “The plan was meant to be done in stages. We knew we couldn’t do everything at once, but this year it’s part of that. The EC was part of that plan. The Lamb Cult is part of that plan, and the book we’re proposing this year is part of that plan.”
For Hearn, excitement is in the range of genres Oni is brought to the table: “You have your sci-fi, you have your crimes, you have your fears, but they all feel like they have a part of that oni DNA – we’re having a really good time.
Stacked lineup
Oni Press hasn’t pulled a punch in the 2025 slate. The publisher develops an impressive mix of titles, including free titles for Christopher Cantwell’s Alcatraz and Tyler Crook, Michael W. Conrad and Dave Chischolm’s Plague House and Patrick Holvas all.
Golinson emphasized, “This is a very powerful cartoon stability. Do you know what I mean?”
In particular, his return to Adventure Time is a huge moment. With the entire generation of fans grown up on the show growing up, Oni has a big bet on rekindling his love for the beloved animated series. “I told the ComicsPro retailer it was like an absolute adventure time. It’s a great place to dive into the series,” Golinson said. “Nick Wynn, who mainly deals with series, makes A+ comic books. To be honest with you, it melts some people’s faces.”
EC Comic Revival
One of ONI’s most audacious moves in recent years has been to revive the legendary EC comic brand known for its horror roots. The next major release of the EC banner is Blood Type, which marks the first serialized horror story of EC in decades.
“E-commerce stories have formulas and forms, and some of the challenges keep it up while reinventing it,” explained Hearn. “You don’t want to feel like, ‘Oh, I’ve read the same story over and over again, and don’t want to read it in different clothes.’ ”
Unparalleled variant cover
Oni Press is pushing the boundaries of Dark areed with The Dark, which contains real human blood. This surprisingly creepy move has already attracted a lot of attention among collectors and horror fans.
“I had to trade in a pretty grey market and sign a fair number of exemptions, but we’re bleeding into this cartoon,” Golinson revealed. “I have a date, it will happen within the next 30 days. You may be involved.”
Golinson, along with other important figures behind the book, donates his blood to the ink used for variant covers. “That would do with my blood, Dave’s blood and hopefully editor Carl Bohr,” he said. “Of course it’s mainly ink, but there will be some of us there.”
This process is carefully documented and gives fans a glimpse into the creation of this unprecedented collectible. As horror is a powerful component of ONI’s publishing strategy, this bold marketing move is a testament to the company’s commitment to driving boundaries.
The future of ONI Press
ONI accepts this format on a large scale as graphic novels play an increasingly important role in strategy. Future releases include meat eaters by Hay, Mary, Heaven, West Virginia and Meredith McClalen. “Graphic novels are an important part of what ONI does,” Gorinson said. “And we’re planning all the way through 2027.”
A major addition to their lineup is Benjamin, a heart-breaking sci-fi noir about a dead writer who awakens decades after his end of mise. Written by Ben H. Winters (The Last Cop) and illustrated by Leomac, the book is described as “an existential science fiction that predicts the Ode formula for writers like Philip K. Dick and Thomas Pynchon and many crises in our declining future.”
“It’s about a science fiction writer named Benjamin, written by Ben H. Winters,” teased Golinson. “He needs to wake up in a burnt-out motel room in Los Angeles and figure out why he’s alive again. Am I a robot? Am I a simulation? Am I an alien?
What’s next?
Oni Press not only thinks about the present, but also looks ahead.
“Three big EC books will be appearing this summer,” hinted Golinson. “Blood type in June, catacombs of pain in July, and cruel return to the universe in August.
When asked about their approach to publishing, Hearn summed up their philosophy. “It’s about reaching a variety of viewers, taking them with you, showing them what else they’re doing, and continuing to move forward from those successes.”
And for those wondering if ONI has another major acquisition in the work?
“Doing something else would be a great idea, right?” Golinson said with a smirk. “I’ll talk again next year.”
