PETE FRIEDRICH
Co-Founder, Creative Director
Pete began as a publisher of comics featuring the first works of Daniel Clowes, Peter Kuper, and Bob Fingerman. He has worked as a graphic designer for Rolling Stone, Manhattan Inc., Fortune, and Sports Illustrated. He has designed and packaged print and web content for Chronicle Books, Rizzoli, Disney, Harper, Wired Books, and many more. He co-founded Charette Communication Design in 1993 and continues to direct its graphic design and marketing work in the fields of entertainment, publishing, law and high-tech. He draws for various anthologies and publishes his Lower East Side Story comics series in print and digital formats via Look Mom, Comics!
JOAN HILTY
Co-Founder, Consulting Editor in Chief
As a senior editor at DC Comics, Joan directed an all-ages imprint, edited bestselling superhero comics, and acquired award-winning literary graphic novels for the Vertigo imprint. As Comics Editor at Nickelodeon, she directs editorial content with multiple comics publishing partners. She is a former syndicated cartoonist, serves on programming committees for Miami Book Fair International and the Brooklyn Book Festival, and teaches at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. She received a BA in Visual Arts from Brown University in conjunction with the Rhode Island School of Design.
““The best comic book editor I’ve ever worked with. She knows how to finesse a collaboration while encouraging each person’s A-game.”
—Dean Haspiel, Harvey- and Emmy-Award-winning creator”
““The Zen of Steve Jobs was Forbes’ first graphic novel and we wanted an industry veteran to make sure we were on the right track. Joan gave us detailed notes with lots of great ideas about structure and flow.”
—Bruce Upbin, Managing Editor, Forbes Media”
““Fast, professional, great thinking and pinpoint execution!”
—Steve Rotterdam, Partner & Co-Founder, Bonfire Agency”
““I’ve worked with Pete on many projects both in comics and out and he’s always been a joy to work with. He brings a wide set of resources to the table, and then he has a diligent, patient and thorough approach to finishing a project.”
—Mark Badger, Noted DC, Marvel and Dark Horse Artist”