For its 40th anniversary, Dark Horse is getting organized. Workers at Dark Horse Media have announced plans to unionize under the name Dark Horse Workers United (DHWU). The group is asking interim CEO Jay Komas and Dark Horse leadership to voluntarily recognize the union by June 3, which will allow for a more streamlined negotiation process.
Dark Horse Workers United cites three primary goals: improving job security, wages, and benefits; increasing transparency and equity in the workplace to foster more comfortable communication between teams, and in which integral workplace information is shared with the entire company; and taking “a seat at the table” when it comes to critical decision-making that impacts stakeholders including workers.
In its statement, DHWU writes, “We are the workers that make Dark Horse a home to the unique comics, creators, and creative principles known around the world.”
Noting that the company is the third-largest American comics publisher (after Marvel and DC), the statement continues, “Dark Horse publishes an expansive collection of titles that span a diverse spectrum of voices and genres. Creator rights were at the heart of Dark Horse’s founding, and our company strives to make fair deals with artists and writers to this day.
“However, as the workers of Dark Horse, we are regularly undercompensated and discounted, despite our essential role in the publishing process. Unfortunately, this is all too common in creative industries. Our union is fighting to win the same dignity and support for Dark Horse workers that we promise Dark Horse creators. Our union fights not only to secure workers’ rights for Dark Horse employees, but also to support the comics and entertainment industries at large to a better and brighter future for all.”
As a union, DHWU aims to foster democracy, diversity, equity, solidarity, and transparency at the publisher, with the following definitions of each:
- Democracy: Our voices should be heard and valued, with fair representation.
- Diversity: Our work environment and publication titles should foster an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels respected.
- Equity: We must collectively address each other’s individual needs, and work to reduce systemic inequality.
- Solidarity: We are strongest together. We stand together.
- Transparency: We are committed to safety and approachability in our work environment through clear communication and fellowship.
“The looming uncertainty from recent layoffs, wage/hiring freeze, change in leadership power, emergence of artificial intelligence, and return-to-office policies (despite their economic impact on employees) have fueled us to organize and collectively address our concerns,” DHWU wrote in a May 27 Bluesky post. A follow-up post reads, “These are just a few examples of why we are seeking a democratic workplace.”
DHWU’s announcement comes after months of turmoil at Dark Horse, following the removal of founder and former CEO Mike Richardson and the recent announcement that it will close its physical retail locations. As noted by several industry people on social media, however, Dark Horse has faced several controversies before now, including multiple sexual misconduct allegations against former editor-in-chief Scott Allie.
DHWU is organizing with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the largest communications and media labor union in the U.S. The CWA has supported other comics unions, including Seven Seas Entertainment and Image Comics.
Dark Horse workers are among those at nearly a dozen book and comics publishers in the U.S. who have announced unionization efforts in the last decade. Most recently, a supermajority of 600 workers at Hachette—known as the Hachette Workers Coalition—signed to join Washington-Baltimore NewsGuild-CWA Local 32035, of the AFL-CIO. If its upcoming election succeeds, the HWC would be the largest union in trade publisher history, per Publishers Weekly.
It would be a huge win for DHWU to gain voluntary recognition from Dark Horse, though a refusal won’t end the group’s organizing efforts. There’s been a major push for unionization in comics for years, and creators and readers alike seem to be in full support. Responses to the announcement from Dark Horse Workers United have been positive, with thousands of supporters sharing words of encouragement and solidarity on social media. Hopefully, leadership gets on board.
To support DHWU, you can sign the petition for voluntary recognition, which will be delivered to Komas and Dark Horse leadership; share support graphics on social media; and follow the union on Bluesky, Instagram, Tumblr, and X.
At time of writing, DHWU has not called for a boycott of Dark Horse. In a May 27 Bluesky post, the DHWU states, “IMPORTANT: Dark Horse Workers United is NOT calling for a boycott of @darkhorse.com at this time. You may absolutely continue to buy your single issues, collected editions, manga, etc at this time!”
