Sebastian Girner

Sebastian Girner is one of those rare comics professionals who has genuinely done it all. Born in Germany and raised in the United States, he began his career at Marvel Entertainment, where he helped develop and creatively guide titles like Punisher MAX, Ghost Rider, and New Mutants. From there, he moved into the creator-owned space, editing critically acclaimed Image Comics series including Deadly Class, VS, and the Harvey and Eisner Award-winning Southern Bastards.

In 2018, Girner helped launch TKO Studios as Editor-in-Chief, developing and editing the publisher’s full slate of titles — including the critically acclaimed Sara, Eisner Award-nominated Sentient, the multi-award-winning Djeliya, and Feeding Dangerously, a graphic novel collaboration between TKO Studios, Chef José Andrés, and World Central Kitchen. He has since moved on to serve as Executive Editor at BOOM! Studios.

But editing was never enough. Girner made his writing debut at Image Comics in 2017 with two wildly different series: Scales & Scoundrels, an all-ages fantasy adventure created with artist Galaad about a treasure-hunter who stumbles into an epic quest to save a world encroached by ancient darkness; and Shirtless Bear-Fighter!, a tall-tale action/satire co-written with Jody LeHeup and illustrated by Nil Vendrell about a legendary bear-fighter betrayed by the bears that raised him. In 2020, he followed up with The Devil’s Red Bride, a samurai grindhouse epic published by Vault Comics and created with artist John Bivens — a project that drew on Girner’s degree in Japanese History, Language, and Culture to deliver a meticulously researched, blood-drenched tale set in 16th century Japan.

In 2023, Girner took his commitment to creator ownership to its logical conclusion by founding Goats Flying Press, an independent publisher based in Brooklyn built on crowdfunding and 100% creator-owned deals. Operating under the motto “Comics Against All Odds,” Goats Flying Press represents Girner’s vision of a publisher that offers editorial support, production quality, and creative freedom without claiming any rights to creators’ work — a model inspired by his years editing Image titles and his belief that creator-owned comics deserve better infrastructure.

Girner’s editorial resume also includes freelance work for VIZ Media, Heavy Metal, Kodansha, Penguin Random House, and Wizards of the Coast. He lives and works in Brooklyn.

Perfect for fans of Jason Aaron’s genre-bending action, Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo, and the creator-owned spirit of Image Comics. Find more at sebastiangirner.com and follow on Instagram.