Dark Horse Comics employees have officially formed a union, designating themselves as Dark Horse Workers United and affiliating with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The newly formed union is advocating for improved compensation, greater workplace democracy, and a sustained commitment to creator-owned comics.
The union has formally requested voluntary recognition from Dark Horse Comics and its interim CEO, Jay Komas, with a deadline of June 3. Should the company not agree to voluntary recognition by this date, Dark Horse Workers United plans to file a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to initiate a union election.
Key factors contributing to the unionization effort include recent layoffs, a wage and hiring freeze, shifts in leadership, the emergence of artificial intelligence in the industry, and mandatory return-to-office policies that have impacted employees economically. This move positions Dark Horse as the third U.S. comic publisher to establish a union affiliated with the CWA, following similar actions by workers at Image Comics and Seven Seas Entertainment.
The formation of the union occurs amidst significant structural changes within Dark Horse's parent company, Embracer Group. Embracer plans to split into two publicly traded companies, with Dark Horse Media becoming part of Fellowship Entertainment, slated for a 2027 Nasdaq Stockholm listing. This follows a period of financial restructuring for Embracer, including layoffs and asset sales, after a planned investment failed to materialize. Dark Horse founder and CEO Mike Richardson departed the company in March after 40 years, with Jay Komas, General Manager of Middle-earth Enterprises, stepping in as interim CEO.
Source: Anime News Network(https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2026-05-28/comic-publisher-dark-horse-workers-form-union/.237882)
