Archaia Restructures; Creators Chill

Archaia Studios Press honcho Mark Smylie issued a press release yesterday regarding company restructuring with the amicable departure of co-publisher Aki Liao. (You can read the full copy of it here at Newsarama.) While this seems to have disturbed some involved parties, I also wanted to present the other side of the story, namely those of us feeling, well, fine about the ASP plan.

To whit, the press release issued tonight:

For Immediate Release:

Creators Express Support for Publisher Archaia’s Restructuring

May 21, 2008 – Boston, MA. In response to Mark Smylie’s announcement of a temporary company restructuring, the comic creators who have titles with his Archaia Studios Press are speaking out to express their confidence in the business and support of this move. The creators were alerted in advance by Smylie both of co-publisher Aki Liao’s personal decision to depart and of the planned effects that potentially would have on their books.

Several ASP creators are optimistic and unphased by the announced course correction including mpMann (Innana’s Tears), Josh Hechinger (Grave Doug Freshley), Dave Moran (Robotika), A. David Lewis (Some New Kind of Slaughter), and Tom Pinchuk & Kate Glasheen (Hybrid Bastards),. In fact, even as Smylie offered to renegotiate any contracts should creators feel disgruntled and wish to take titles elsewhere, mpMann, for instance, is keeping all three of his current properties at ASP. He posted as much online, saying, “In February of last year I completed work on Inanna’s Tears, in June, it was Some New Kind of Slaughter, and this past February I finished The Grave Doug Freshley. That’s approximately 400pp of comics I had hoped to see out this year. They may be delayed, but I expect them to show up proudly emblazoned with the ASP logo.”

Mouse Guard creator David Petersen echoed these sentiments on his blog. “I have no plans to move Mouse Guard to another publisher.” There has been no change in plans concerning ASP’s attendance at the San Diego Comic-Con International nor, more immediately, at either Book Expo America and the American Library Association conference.

“This announcement could easily get blown out of proportions,” said Lewis. “But Mark and Aki are being totally responsible and cautious in every capacity here. They’ve been transparent about what’s going on, realistic about its effects, and dedicated to moving forward with all standing commitments – and ASP’s growth! Aki’s departing from a very successful company that he’s helped to build, and I’m more inclined to thank him for his hard efforts than panic over what’s simply a changing of the guard.”

Lewis also noted the addition of skilled individuals such as Pauline Benney, Joe Illidge, and Thor Olavsrud to ASP’s administration over the last year as a sign of the company’s general health.

So…we cool?