Stephen Wacker Takes Over as Marvel EIC as Comic Publisher Relocates to Burbank

In a sweeping change for the iconic comic book publisher, Marvel Comics has named Stephen Wacker as its new editor-in-chief while simultaneously announcing plans to relocate its publishing headquarters from New York City to Disney's Burbank campus, according to multiple reports. CBR first reported Wacker's appointment, while Polygon noted that the physical move is expected to take place in mid-2025.

3 sources

CBRMarvel Names Stephen Wacker as new EICDisneyMarvel Comics to Leave New York After Nearly 90 Years, Relocating Publishing Division to Disney's Burbank HeadquarterspolygonMarvel Comics to relocate headquarters from New York to Los Angeles in 2025

"For nearly nine decades, Marvel Comics has called New York City home, the birthplace of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and countless other iconic heroes."

The quote underscores the deep ties between the publisher and the city where its most famous characters were created, making the departure a historic shift.

IGN noted that Marvel's identity is "practically synonymous with New York City," a sentiment echoed by MickeyBlog, which wrote that the company "fundamentally does not exist sans New York." The move to California will align Marvel's comic operations more closely with its parent company's film and television divisions.

2 sources

IGNMarvel Comics to Leave New York City for Hollywood After 90 YearsMickeyBlogMarvel Comics to Relocate From New York to Disney’s Burbank Base

"Marvel Comics is practically synonymous with New York City."

The relocation represents not just a change of address but a strategic pivot toward a "studio model" of operations, according to Polygon, which reported that the transition includes new hires and a focus on digital publishing and original graphic novels.

ThatHollywoodShow reported that the move is part of a "HUGE change" in operations. The announcement was made during a town hall at Marvel's Midtown New York office, according to CBR. The restructuring places Stephen Wacker, a veteran Marvel editor with experience in animation and publishing, at the helm of the new direction.

With this dual announcement, Marvel Comics closes a chapter that lasted nearly a century and begins a new era based in Hollywood, where its characters already dominate the box office. The shift underscores the growing integration between comic publishing and Disney's broader entertainment strategy.