RENAE GEERLINGS NAMED TOP COW EDITOR IN CHIEF

[MattBrady]

Press Release

Renae Geerlings, a 9-year veteran of comic book editorial, has ascended to a position achieved by precious few women: She will soon be the editor-in-chief of a publishing company. Geerlings will take over as editor-in-chief at Top Cow Productions on March 1, 2006.

“Renae has shown time and time again that she's an expert in all areas of our business,” said Top Cow founder and CEO Marc Silvestri. “In story sense, scheduling, talent relations, and anything else that comes up, she's the tops. We're proud and happy to give her this well-deserved promotion.”

“Over the last decade, I've come to know a lot of Top Cow fans personally, and I feel a huge responsibility to them for all of their support and friendship,” said Geerlings. “Meanwhile, outgoing Editor-in-Chief Jim McLauchlin raised the bar during his tenure with books such as Common Grounds, Freshmen, and Wanted, so I have big shoes to fill. I'm honored to work side by side with Marc Silvestri to continue our tradition of high-quality art and great stories.”

Current Top Cow Editor-in-Chief Jim McLauchlin will step down from his full-time position on March 1. McLauchlin returns to his prior career as a sportswriter and broadcaster, where he will be working for FHM, Playboy, Baseball America, and Fox. He will remain with Top Cow as a sales and marketing consultant as well for the next 12 months. McLauchlin will also remain in the comic business as the president of the charitable organization ACTOR, A Commitment To Our Roots, a cause to which he remains deeply devoted.

[Arnout]

You know, it's been a while since I read any Top Cow, but back when I was collecting Darkness & reading Witchblade, I always felt that, whenever Renae edited, sooner or later some glitch in story contuinuity would turn up.

On the other hand, she's been around that studio for so long, and she's done some great things (Joe's Comics was under her purview, if I remember correctly) and I never really know who's responsible for that kind of stuff, anyway.

Kudos Renae, & best of luck.
(plus: she looks hot. That's always a plus, and a definite step up from that McLaughlin guy. Wonder why he left though...)

[BrotherI]

Jim! Before you leave, maybe you can tell me what happened to V.I.C.E?

Well, good luck I guess. Jim sent me a bunch of free comics and got me hooked on Witchblade, a book that now dominates my "must-read" books.

Good luck all.

[Cray_ws]

Congrats to you Renae,

I surely hope you can shake up Top Cow as whole and give it some much needed direction. If anything I think a woman's perspective is sorely needed there. Don't be afraid to set the tone now that you have the brass in your hands.

Three things every EIC is judged by:

3. Quality of the recruited talent
2. Quality of the books (reading & art)
1. Books published in a timely manner

But ultimately none above matters as long as the overall sales of Top Cow remain steady or improve. I think improving sales won't be too hard considering what Top Cow has done under McLauchlin term and yet to do.

Future looks bright for you and Top Cow.

[ToneyT]

Congratulations Renae

[MisterE]

Renae is still hot.

She really should go completely blonde though so people can mistake her for some actress on one of those law and order shows.

EDIT: She'd make for a great hard-edged police captain on one of those shows. The sultry, no-nonsense female police captain... yeah.

Captain Renae: "That's two issues late in a row, Silvestri! I've got the Mayor crawling so far up my back, people are calling me the Hunchback of Notre Dame! [pause] I want your pen and your badge -- on my desk -- NOW."

Officer Silvestri: "But Cap..."

Captain Renae: "Did I stutter?"

[WebHobbit]

Renae is great. Congratz to her. And I'm not just saying that cause she published my letter once.

[Hrc]

Congrats to Renae.

Looking forward to more great stuff from TC.

[Julio Diaz]

Jim McLaughlin doesn't get enough credit for all he did at Top Cow. Under his steerage, the company for the first time published books that I felt were really worth reading and that really earned the company some respect. There was a time when I never could have imagined reading a Top Cow book, but comics like "Common Grounds" and "Freshmen" changed that. Great work, sir, and best of luck to you with the boys of summer.

And best of luck to Renae in her new role!

[Egg]

Congratulations to Renae! I've met her at some shows and she's an intensely nice person. I'm happy for her!

[Nate28]

Congratz, and shes a hotty too.

[Paul Sizer]

Originally posted by Arnout
Kudos Renae, & best of luck.
(plus: she looks hot. That's always a plus, and a definite step up from that McLaughlin guy. Wonder why he left though...)

Could we please, in this industry, just have ONE compliment directed toward a female creator/editor/professional that DOESN'T feel the need to mention her looks or "hotness"? Even if said in jest, this just makes ALL of us male creators/fans look like the horny 13 year old boys the rest of the world thinks we are.

[bossofbam]

Now if only Jim would go back to doing the letters at Wizard, all would be right with the Universe.

[steveupson]

Congratulations.
I confess I don't follow Top Cow comics, but more women in high editorial positions in comics can only help the industry.

[mrhelm]

Originally posted by Paul Sizer

Could we please, in this industry, just have ONE compliment directed toward a female creator/editor/professional that DOESN'T feel the need to mention her looks or "hotness"? Even if said in jest, this just makes ALL of us male creators/fans look like the horny 13 year old boys the rest of the world thinks we are.

Well, only if they aren't hot...

Seriously, it does seem kind of silly, but we are dealing with male power fantasy fans here. That being said, I got to say I find it better for fans to think a creator's hot rather than a comic character. That's just creepy.

[Paul Sizer]

Originally posted by mrhelm
Well, only if they aren't hot...

Seriously, it does seem kind of silly, but we are dealing with male power fantasy fans here. That being said, I got to say I find it better for fans to think a creator's hot rather than a comic character. That's just creepy.

TO EVERYONE:
How about the revolutionary idea that we judge people on their accomplishments?

I know coming to a comics forum and not expecting slobbering fanboys is like going to the bank and not expecting to find money, but still... Grow up, folks!
Anyone who complains that people don't respect them and their love for comic books but react like this to women are the answer to their own question.

Have your own mental "hot lists", but please don't disrespect someone's accomplishments with an off-handed sexist remark. It kills the credibility of what you say that IS heartfelt.

[Fats Tuesday]

Originally posted by Paul Sizer
TO EVERYONE:
How about the revolutionary idea that we judge people on their accomplishments?

I know coming to a comics forum and not expecting slobbering fanboys is like going to the bank and not expecting to find money, but still... Grow up, folks!
Anyone who complains that people don't respect them and their love for comic books but react like this to women are the answer to their own question.

Have your own mental "hot lists", but please don't disrespect someone's accomplishments with an off-handed sexist remark. It kills the credibility of what you say that IS heartfelt.

How is calling someone "hot", sexist or disrespectful to their achievements?

[rogue_tomato]

Congrats to Renae, and best of luck!

[Paul Sizer]

Originally posted by Fats Tuesday
How is calling someone "hot", sexist or disrespectful to their achievements?

I feel it just reinforces the stereotype that women need to be told they're good looking to be justified in thier work. It's not an outright attack on them, but I feel it's just unnecessary (and unprofessional) to include it in a compliment.

Most guys wouldn't take the time to say "John Cassaday is a great artist on ASTONISHING X-MEN and he's really hot to boot" unless they were COMPLETELY joking and made that fact known.

Just my opinion, but I think it's an important subject for our industry to address more often, so that it's NOT such a rarity for a female to get good work and high placed positions.

[AlexLothos]

Congrats Renae! I heard the news last night on the Bendis boards. Keep up the great work!

[Justin M. Campbell]

Is Ms. (Mrs.) Geerlings the Renae who worked on the Joe's Comics line a few years ago?

[Drew Melbourne]

Sorry to see Jim go, but that's great news for Renae! I've had the chance to meet most of the Top Cow staff, and they're in good hands with Renae. And it sounds like Jim has some really fun, really exciting opportunities ahead of him. Sounds like a big win for everybody!

I'd also like to agree with Paul's sentiment above: John Cassaday IS really hot. (I admit I may have missed the substance of Paul's post.)

[jayb00gie]

Originally posted by Paul Sizer
Most guys wouldn't take the time to say "John Cassaday is a great artist on ASTONISHING X-MEN and he's really hot to boot" unless they were COMPLETELY joking and made that fact known.

Well I don't know about John Cassady, but John Paul Leon is still, and always will be, the handsomest man in comics. Whoo… that's a sexy cuban!

Congrats Renae!

[Justin M. Campbell]

originally posted by Paul Sizer
Most guys wouldn't take the time to say "John Cassaday is a great artist on ASTONISHING X-MEN and he's really hot to boot" unless they were COMPLETELY joking and made that fact known.

Well, in the interest of fairness: John Cassady is a fairly attractive man. He looks like a cross between Hugh Jackman & Steve Zahn, w/ Zahn's sense of humour, I'd guess.

[Dallan]

Congrats Renae!

You know who's really cute? That guy who plays Sabretooth in the X-men movies.