Background

Dave Olbrich @ Comic Con 2008

I graduated from high school with my sight set on a career in comic books. I worked at a comic book store, graduated from college (specializing in publications), edited a fan magazine, ran a comic distribution warehouse and was the founding publisher of Malibu Comics. I also administered the Jack Kirby Awards, edited the first comic industry business publication, founded and administered the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, worked for Marvel, worked for Humanoids Publishing and founded DoggWorks (with Gary Guzzo) an agency for comic writers and artists.

Now I’m just a funny book fanatic. Mostly I’m going to be looking back at my time in the comic book business and relating some of the stories that I can remember. I encourage anyone visiting here to help me recollect better, correct me, or ask questions that I can answer.

What could you possibly ask me … well let’s see. Here is a bunch of trivia items from my background.

• I grew up in Southern Minnesota with three real sisters and five foster sisters, no brothers.

• I grew up on a farm (or farmland) … see you could ask me what that means.

• I lived six miles from the nearest town, Claremont (population 520 or so).

• Television and comics were my early companions. Wild, Wild West, Saturday morning cartoons, the John Steed/Emma Peel Avengers, Kolchak the Night Stalker.

• Played and loved high school football … remain a rabid NFL fan … go Vikings.

• Watching pro wrestling was the most compelling reason to miss church on Sunday.

• I’ve been to at least 3 Wrestlemanias

• Went to college in La Crosse, Wisconsin when the drinking age was 18.

• Managed, but didn’t own a comic book store in La Crosse

• Worked for Fantagaphics Books for two years, one in Connecticut, one in California.

• Served as the founding publisher at Malibu Comics from 1986 to 1995

• Administered the Jack Kirby Awards, founded and administered the Will Eisner Awards

• Edited and published the first business magazine for the comics industry

• founded DoggWorks (with Gary Guzzo) an agency for comic writers and artitsts

• worked briefly for Marvel Comics, including when Marvel bought Heroes World

• served as Director of US Publishing for Humanoids Publishing

• currently a partner in The Pack, comic packaging company

Oh, yeah, as I was the contract architect and administrator for my entire career at Malibu Comics, I LOVE questions about the terms of comic book contracts.

But it is my blog … so I’ll do as I please.

Dave's business card for THE PACK