Media Release -- As part of Dynamite Entertainment's continued expansion, the publisher welcomes the longtime comics and graphic novel professional Alan Payne to its growing staff.

A veteran of more than 25 years as a comic book professional, Alan began his career at DreamHaven books in Minneapolis before moving to Malibu Comics in 1992. Most recently, Payne joins Dynamite after nearly ten years with IDW Publishing, where he built one of the most reputable graphic novel sales departments in the industry. Alan not only managed all sales and marketing into traditional brick and mortar and online retail, but placed IDW's titles into the mass market, achieving unparalleled success. The company saw incredible sales growth under Payne's watch, and initiated new category offerings in both children's and prose books. Previously, he served as the National Sales Manager for TokyoPop and was integral part in their dominance of the manga industry, departing at the height of their success.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity to be involved in expanding Dynamite and working with it's fabulous staff. I've always admired Dynamite's ability to initiate programs for properties from Red Sonja to Army Of Darkness, Vampirella, Flash Gordon, The Shadow, Doc Savage, Bob's Burgers, and recently one of the greatest icons known world wide - James Bond. This is a great time to be a part of their continued growth," says newly appointed VP of Sales & Marketing, Alan Payne. "Dynamite has some amazing properties that appeal to a wide variety of fans and we are going to have a lot of fun getting the next round of amazing books into the hands of current and new readers."

"Alan's experience in bringing comics and graphic novels to a larger audience is second to none. He helped blaze the trail of graphic novels to bookstores beginning with manga and took TokyoPop to the height of their success. After joining IDW, he was instrumental in building and establishing one of the most successful bookstore programs in the industry bringing licensed and creator driven comics to a larger audience," says Dynamite CEO/Publisher, Nick Barrucci. "We are proud to have someone of Alan's reputation and expertise joining the Dynamite team as our Vice President of Sales & Marketing and bringing Dynamite to the next level, taking our diverse library of comics to a larger audience."

About Dynamite Entertainment:

Dynamite was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including The Boys, The Shadow, Red Sonja, Warlord of Mars, Bionic Man, A Game of Thrones, and more. Dynamite owns and controls an extensive library with over 3,000 characters (which includes the Harris Comics and Chaos Comics properties), such as Vampirella, Pantha, Evil Ernie, Smiley the Psychotic Button, Chastity, and Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt. In addition to their critically-acclaimed titles and bestselling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Kevin Smith, Alex Ross, Neil Gaiman, Andy Diggle, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Jae Lee, Marc Guggenheim, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Matt Wagner, Gail Simone, Steve Niles, James Robinson, and a host of up-and-coming new talent. Dynamite is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their titles - including Alex Ross and Jim Krueger's Project Superpowers - have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors. In 2005, Diamond awarded the company a GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%) and again in 2011. The company has also been nominated for and won several industry awards, including the prestigious Harvey and Eisner Awards.

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