EXCLUSIVE — Getting To The (Source) Point With Josh Werner And Dirk Manning

Source Point Press founder Josh Werner and twenty-plus year comics industry veteran Dirk Manning share big announcements with Comicon’s Brendan M Allen regarding the future of Source Point Press. Manning has been teasing the release over the last several weeks on his socials, and is finally ready to spill the beans. They discuss the history of SPP, their renewed vigor for the comics industry, upcoming projects, and (spoiler). 

Full details follow the video interview below.

Formed in 2012 and then launching onto the national scene in January 2018, Source Point Press has been a destination comic publisher for fans and creators specializing in horror, pulp, and speculative fiction comics and graphic novels. 

Now, thirteen years after the formation of the company, the entire comics industry faces some of the most turbulent times in recent memory. In light of this, Source Point Press has stepped back, regrouped under new management, and is “returning to their roots.”

Dirk Manning is a veteran comics writer with more than twenty years’ experience. His books include Nightmare World, Tales of Mr. Rhee, The Adventures of Cthulhu Jr. and Friends, and Hope, along with the inspirational/how-to column turned book Write or Wrong: A Writer’s Guide to Creating Comics. Now, in addition to ‘writer’ and ‘Special Projects Manager,’ he can add ‘Publisher’ to his resume, as he assumes the role at Source Point Press moving forward.

“Honestly, (this) was not something I ever aspired to do,” said Manning. “However, when the opportunity to help revitalize the Source Point Press brand and bring it back to what people know and remember it for, the potential excited me more than it scared me… so here we are!

“Every successful publisher is known for the type and quality of work they usher into marketplace, and during its prime Source Point Press was known for creator-driven graphic novels by some of the most unique, cutting-edge, and talented voices in the independent comic book scene producing accessible, entertaining, and high quality work predominantly in the genres of horror, pulp, and speculative fiction… and that’s what we’re going to focusing on again moving forward.”

Manning will not be helming the revitalization of Source Point Press alone, though.

“Returning Source Point Press to its roots meant maintaining the guidance of one of the founders of the company who helped develop it, so I only agreed to do this if Source Point Press co-founder Josh Werner agreed to stay on as Chief Creative Officer,” said Manning.

Werner, whose credits include The Winchester Mystery House, Murder by Mail, Rampant, Crossbone Skully, Holliston, Frantic, and Classic Pulp, was equally excited to position Source Point Press as a premier publisher of creator-centric genre specific graphic novels.

“From the very beginning I sought out to lift up creative voices,” said Werner. “To help elevate their work to a higher platform and create opportunities for readers to access incredible new content from a source that they could trust to bring them exciting stories worth diving into. I’m incredibly grateful for the journey Source Point Press has taken me on, but it’s time to go back to basics and focus on putting great stories on the global stage.”

Travis McIntire, former Chief Executive Officer of Source Point Press, recently made the decision to step away from publishing to focus his efforts on Whalebacker, a new company he founded to provide creative service and shipping logistics support for those in the tabletop gaming and comics industries.

In preparation for their relaunch, in recent months Source Point Press has partnered with Chaney Entertainment to resurrect the previously lost Lon Chaney golden age horror film London After Midnight as a graphic novel. Another project sees Manning team up with Josh Malerman, author of Bird Box for his graphic novel writing debut RSVP: E.S.P. These titles, alongside several new graphic novels by current and up-and-coming creators will soon be made available to book stores through Simon and Schuster and other direct market options.

Source Point Press will be releasing their full roster of new graphic novels along with ordering details in the coming months. Readers, retailers, and creators interested in considering partnering with Source Point Press can follow their social media channels for updates as the publisher finishes redesigning their website for relaunch in the coming weeks.

“What we’re offering from Source Point Press isn’t going to be for everyone,” quips Manning on the future of Source Point Press, “and I mean that in terms of creators and readers alike. However, we’re firm believers that your vibe attracts your tribe, and for the creators who are willing to drive their own destiny and readers who are looking for fresh new offerings in the realm of horror, pulp, and speculative fiction… we welcome you to enjoy what we will be offering through Source Point Press!”