Dark Horse chief explains staff layoffs

Dark Horse CEO Mike Richardson has explained the recent staff layoffs at the publisher.

Speaking to ICv2, the boss revealed that the redundancies were enforced to cut costs and reduce the amount of staff on the company's books.

"We have 150 employees. We let seven people go across three different divisions. What is that 4%, 5%? Our staff was just getting too large," he said. "The real reason for the layoffs is that we get worried about the cost of doing business.

"We're sitting there looking at the rising health insurance costs, the changes in the cost of doing business. We thought we were going to get some relief in the form of cover prices moving to $3.99, but I guess the market's made a really strong statement on that price."

He added: "We're getting squeezed on paper and printing costs at the same time - and creators certainly don't want to take any less."

Earlier this month, the firm laid off editors Shawna Gore, Dave Land and Tim Erwin, sales assistant Max Sato and three other staff members.

Dark Horse launches its digital service Dark Horse Digital on April 27.