NEWS

Internationally renowned publisher Humanoids announced today that it has hired Holly Aitchison as Director of Sales and Esther Kim as Director of Marketing, as well as promoted Amanda Lucido to Director of U.S. Publishing Operations, just as the company launches one of its most ambitious and expansive publishing slates in 2023, leading up to the historic 50th Anniversary of the highly acclaimed publishing house, founded by legendary French creators Jean Giraud (known as Mœbius), Philippe Druillet, and Jean-Pierre Dionnet, in 1974. 

2022 was a banner year for Humanoids as they continued to achieve historic sales—over 3 million copies and counting— of the beloved creation from famed creator Alejandro Jodorowsky and artist Mœbius, The Incal, cementing its place as the bestselling science-fiction graphic novel of all time. The universe of The Incal also expanded with brand new material The Incal: Psychoverse from visionary storytellers GLAAD and Eisner Award-winning writer Mark Russell (Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles) and star artist Yanick Paquette (Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing) with colorist Dave McCaig and letterer Troy Peteri. The Incal: Psychoverse was Humanoids’ best selling new graphic novel release of the year and launched to wide acclaim. 

As Humanoids’ growth continued on a global scale in 2022, the company welcomed Marie-Christine Conchon, one of the French publishing industry’s most seasoned executives, as CEO of its French and European publishing operations. The company also expanded its film and television global studio operations, now reaching over 40 projects in various stages of development. 
Humanoids’ most recent hires in the U.S. office include Holly Aitchison as Director of Sales and Esther Kim as Director of Marketing. 

Holly Aitchison brings nearly a decade of experience in the comic book publishing industry. With their extensive background in Operations, Sales, Retail, Marketing, and Client Relations, they have been referred to as “Comics’ Swiss Army Knife.” Beginning in 2015, they were a key member of the BOOM! Studios Sales team, assisting with the growth of the company within the book market and library spaces, as well as spearheading digital sales expansion. Most recently, they were a part of the Oni Press team, managing Consumer Marketing, while developing eCommerce and Merchandising. In their time in the industry, they have worked on marketing and selling award-winning titles like Chef’s Kiss by Jarrett Melendez and Danica Brine, the Scott Pilgrim series by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Klaus by Grant Morrison and Dan Mora, Sacrifice of Darkness by Roxane Gay, and many more.

Esther Kim began her comic book career in 2012 as a retail assistant then expanded the role to manager and co-owner of the nationally recognized Fantom Comics in Washington, D.C. In 2017, she joined Image Comics in Portland, Oregon as a member of the Sales team. Most recently, she was Marketing Manager at BOOM! Studios, where she worked on publicity and marketing for a diverse array of highly acclaimed record-breaking series including Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR, Something Is Killing The Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, and R.L. Stine’s Just Beyond which inspired a TV series now streaming on Disney+. 

In addition, Humanoids promoted Amanda Lucido to Director of U.S. Publishing Operations.
Amanda Lucido is a writer, filmmaker, and creative coordinator who joined Humanoids in 2018 as they fortified their Los Angeles headquarters. She supported multiple initiatives including the development of the Life Drawn and U.S. Originals imprints, expanding their foothold from the European to the American market and into the film and television space. Amanda began in Editorial but quickly evolved to support each department in various capacities. She now oversees all day-to-day operations of the U.S. Publishing Branch and looks forward to leaning into and expanding Humanoids’ rich history and catalog.

“Humanoids has long been synonymous with groundbreaking science-fiction and fantasy graphic novels that originated amid—and continue to bring greater awareness to—the French medium of bande dessinée, while also breaking new ground through expansion of its editorial ambitions in a variety of genres and aesthetics, and not without the contributions of the U.S. comics industry’s top talent. This year, we anticipate our biggest releases yet, and are proud to announce the addition of Holly Aitchison and Esther Kim to our Sales and Marketing departments, as well as the promotion of the extremely talented Amanda Lucido,” said Alex Donoghue, COO, U.S. Operations, Humanoids. “In 2023, we’ll continue to develop incredible graphic novel, film, and media projects such as the Taika Waititi-directed The Incal, the mind-bending expansion of this cult-favorite universe in all new original graphic novels (The Incal: Dying Star, The Incal: Kill Wolfhead), and so much more.

HUMANOIDS is a global entertainment media company dedicated to bringing to life innovative and elevated content with stunning visuals. Grounded by a fiercely independent spirit, the company is passionate about creating content that explores the power of art beyond boundaries, while focusing on the imaginative depth of fandom. Headquartered in Los Angeles and led by CEO Fabrice Giger and Group COO Matthieu Coppet, HUMANOIDS is a major content provider in the expansive entertainment industry, recognized for its multi-genre catalogue—from science-fiction, fantasy and thriller to comedy, adventure and children’s tales. Above all else, creators have always been the heart of HUMANOIDS as it continues to attract leading talents as collaborators and true auteurs of the iconic brand.