This year Craig Yoe begins yet another chapter in “Making Comics History.” Yoe produced his first publication on comics 50 years ago - a fanzine printed by a hand-cranked mimeograph machine. 2017 will mark a year-long Golden Anniversary Celebration of Yoe, whom USA Today calls, “the comic book genre’s master archaeologist.”
On his illustrious career, Yoe says, “I never lost my passion for comics or publishing but, career-wise, I got distracted.” Those distractions included being a toy inventor, nightclub owner, creative director for Disney and Nickelodeon, and a long-haired minister. Yoe also served as creative director/vice president general manager for The Muppets. In addition, he drew sketches for the Dinosaurs TV show and created designs for The Muppet attraction at Disney World. “Craig brings with him his valuable creativity and enthusiasm. He has a nice mix of business and creative talent!” Jim Henson once said.
Following Henson's passing, Yoe opened Yoe Studio. Yoe found a full creative and business partner, as well as life partner in his wife - Clizia Gussoni. The pair met at the Lucca Comics convention in Italy, which features an exhibit from Yoe's book The Art of Mickey Mouse. The book included interpretations of Mickey by Peter Max, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and even Michael Jackson.
Yoe Studio supplied clients such as Microsoft, Mattel, Marvel, DC Comics, Pepsi, Toys R Us, and the United Nations. Yoe even created a rotated station ID for MTV which garnered a Mobius. Despite his various careers, Yoe always longed to return to pop culture and comics. He discovered fetish artwork and edited the book, Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman’s Co-Creator Joe Shuster. Secret Identity was introduced by Stan Lee, while other Yoe books featured introductions from John Updike, R. Crumb, Adam West, Bill Watterson, Jerry Only, and Muhammad Yunus.
Shortly after joining IDW Publishing, COO and President Greg Goldstein along with CEO and Publisher Ted Adams, made plans to start the imprint - Yoe Books. Over the course of six years, the imprint had published over 60 books of classic comics. Highlighting artists like Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Walt Kelly, Joe Kubert, Milt Gross, Carl Barks, Dick Briefer, Bud Sagendorf, Frank Frazetta, and many more. These collections ranged from horror and humor to kids comics, fantasy, and romance.
Yoe has won two Eisner Award's, a Gold Medal for, the Society of Illustrators, a Mobius, and the Jerry Bails Freedom Award. His proudest accomplishment however, are the awards for The School of 5 comic books. These superhero comics are published in 26 countries, in 23 languages in over 40 million copies. In conjunction with Unilever and social mission organizations, these books teach children the importance of washing their hands.
Craig Yoe is available for interviews and comic convention appearances to celebrate 50 Years of Making Comics History. IDW's Imprint, Yoe Books, can be found at http://YoeBooks.com.
