By Zack Quaintance — It’s a fast-changing and volatile time for comic book publishing, with the advent of the COVID-19 throwing 20-some years of distribution practices into question. With all the uncertainty, however, small publishers are doing what small publishers can do best — continuing to publish interesting and vital new comics.

One of these publishers is Florida-based Mad Cave Studios. We first spotlighted Mad Cave around this time last year, and they’re grown quite a bit since then. Today we spoke with Mad Cave CEO/CCO Mark London about the company’s growth, the crisis, the publisher’s newest titles, and more.

Check out our conversation below!

Mad Cave’s Mark London Interview

ZACK QUAINTANCE: I have to start by asking about the distribution stoppage and the COVID-19 crisis. First of all, how are you doing through this? And how has Mad Cave been affected by the industry's most tumultuous time in decades?

MARK LONDON: It hasn't been easy. It threw everything out of sync for the team. We are a very tight group, and the folks that control the 'business' side of things, share an office. So when COVID hit and everyone had to work from home, it created a new challenge that we had to quickly adapt to move the business forward even though it seemed we were headed towards uncharted waters. However, as uncertain as everything looked, I didn't want those working at Mad Cave to pile another problem on top of the current situation, and that's why we continued working (from home) throughout the pandemic like never before. And it paid off; we are in a perfect place, content-wise, that will ensure a whole lot of Mad Cave for the next few years.

QUAINTANCE: Yes, crisis aside, I think it's been a year of steady growth for Mad Cave since we last spoke with you in early 2019, and I saw a lot of positive buzz around the recent Mad Cave Studios Online Showcase. With con season basically canceled this year, how are you working to continue getting your news and your books in front of new readers?

LONDON: It has. Since we got accepted into Diamond almost two years ago, Mad Cave has been very ambitious with what it wants and where it needs to be. I'm pleased to report that the company has grown beyond my expectations. Even with COVID-19, this year looks to be even better than 2019 for us. As far as the Mad Cave Online Showcase goes, it was humbling to see so many Mad Cave fans that are passionate about what we are doing and are interested in the books that will be available at your local retailer coming in the next few months.

Con season is crucial for us, but it's only one part of the equation as far as marketing goes. We are committed to other strategies to fill that gap to get the word out, and so far, we've seen positive results.

QUAINTANCE: So tell me about the four new series you've recently announced. I've read the solicits, but if I'm remembering correctly, this is the single biggest wave of expansion Mad Cave has undertaken yet. How do these comics fit into your vision for the future of the publisher?

LONDON: At first, it was me writing all of the publisher's books, and although it might have been seen that it was a one-person show, that was never the vision for the company. Strategies take time to develop and mature, and part of Mad Cave's goal is to work with the best talent out there to collaborate with our stories. With these new four titles plus the return of Battlecats Vol. 3, Knights of the Golden Sun Vol. 2 and Honor and Curse Vol. 2, everyone will see a glimpse of what the future holds and what you can expect from Mad Cave: A whole lot of comics that will continue to raise the bar.

Info about these new titles can be found below:

Pantomime will release on (Nov. 4) and is written by Christopher Sebela (Crowded, Shanghai Red), with art by David Stoll (Metaphorical HER), Colors: Dearbhla Kelly (Red Sonja, Queen of Bad Dreams)
"Ocean's Eleven meets Oliver Twist."
Haley and her brother Max are all alone after their mother's death, and a fresh start at Wayfair Academy, a special needs boarding school, isn't what she expected. Normally, Haley would withdraw back into herself, but when she finds a family with other deaf kids, she embraces her new life and begins to come out of her shell. Until one night where the group dips their toes into crime, and the thrill is too much to leave behind. Though they soon find out by stealing from the wrong person, that this world isn't for kids. With no one to turn to but each other, they will have to make a choice, one where no one will come out the same on the other side.
Hollywood Trash will release on (Oct. 7) and is written by Stephen Sonneveld, with art by Pablo Verdugo (Mr. Beaver), Colors: Jose Expósito (Mr. Beaver), Letters: Justin Birch (Knights of the Golden Sun, RV9)
Ah, Hollywood! Famous for celebs, sun– and murder cults! The Privy Council is the most exclusive club in town, headed by the entertainment industry's top mogul, a ruthless exec who enlists his famous underlings to kill the people who stole from him, two local garbage men. James and Billy must survive one epic day of sword fights, forest fires, and giant mechs! At least there's hazard pay. Hollywood Trash is five-issues of all-out action and wacky satire!
Villainous will release on (Oct. 14) and is written by Stonie Williams, Artist with art by Jef Sadzinski (Show's End), Colors: Joana Lafuente, Letters: Justin Birch (Knights of the Golden Sun, RV9)
Tilly, one of the newest super-powered beings to join the Coalition of Heroes through their sidekick program, as she navigates the dizzying world of Super-Heroes. Working with her idols should be a dream come true, but when she learns too much too soon, Tilly's dream quickly turns into a nightmare. As she learns more about the sordid history of the CoH, Tilly has to make a choice - Get in line and stand with her heroes or take a stand and risk becoming something more... Villainous.
Terminal Punks will release on (Nov. 11 and is written by Matthew Erman (Long Lost, Power Rangers, Dark Crystal), with art by Artist: Shelby Criswell (The Nib), Letters: Micah Myers (Dead Beats)
Four lousy, grimy and greasy gutter punk teens are en route to their big show in the big apple but when things go monstrously wrong and mutant animals are unleashed in the airport, our four punk heroes must put on their combat boots, fly their Black Flag and try to survive a viral genetic mutant nightmare. A hilarious, wild, and fun thrill-ride! Terminal Punks is a blaring colorful love letter to the music and attitude of rebellion. It is also a tongue-in-cheek takedown of rich idiots doing stupid things for bad reasons.

QUAINTANCE: Speaking of the future, let's talk about the 2020 Talent Search. The Mad Cave Talent Search seems to be growing with notoriety each year, and I know a lot of the aspiring creators who read (and write for) this site pay attention to it. I mean, our friend Jarred was one of last year's winners! So, with all of that in mind, what are some tips you have for our readers who are planning to enter this year's contest?

LONDON: Going back to what I was saying about Mad Cave's vision moving forward, part of it is giving folks a shot at getting their work published. Let's face it, putting your work in the hands of thousands it's not easy. It's almost impossible if you don't have access to all the moving parts that you need for that to happen. This is the reason why the talent search was born: To allow writers and artists to make a name for themselves and hopefully open a few doors in the process that will lead to bigger and better things. And yes, Jarred is a very talented writer that flew past a lot of other entries in our 2019 talent search. Soon, his writing on Dry Foot will see the light of day with art from Orlando Caicedo, which is fantastic. Kudos to Chris Fernandez for being the editor on this book, which I'm sure is going to be a fan favorite when it releases this September.

QUAINTANCE: What can we expect from Mad Cave through the rest of the year? I've read Stargazer, and I really enjoyed that comic, but just in general, what's on the horizon for Mad Cave Studios?

LONDON: I'm glad that you enjoyed Stargazer, Zack. Not to keep on beating on the talent search proverbial drum, but that book was written by another Talent search winner from 2018: Anthony Cleveland. Stargazer is his second book with Mad Cave, with the first being Show's End, which also received much praise last year. As far as what to expect from Mad Cave soon: We are committed to proving ourselves in the market with fun, beautifully made comics across a variety of genres. This has become Mad Cave's obsession since we joined Diamond Distribution, and it will continue to be the case moving forward. Mad Cave has an aggressive strategy that we know will benefit fans of all genres, by assembling a new editorial team with seasoned professionals to maintain a stable production of 10-12 mini-series per year. With Chris Sanchez heading the editorial team consisting of Steenz (Rolled and Told), Michael Moccio (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Shattered Grid), and Erica Schultz (The Arcane Cocktail Enthusiast), they will shepherd the Mad Cave line into more ambitious heights.

Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.