Moni Barrette Appointed as the New Executive Director of ComicsPRO in Landmark Industry Shift

In a notable departure from historical precedent, the comics retailer activist group ComicsPRO has officially announced the appointment of Moni Barrette as its new Executive Director. Barrette steps into the role to succeed Marco DaVanzo, who recently stepped down after a distinguished twelve-year tenure leading the organization. Unlike her predecessors, whose backgrounds have traditionally been rooted in direct-market comic book retail, Barrette enters the position with an extensive resume rooted in library science, comics advocacy, and institutional literacy. This appointment signals a potentially transformative bridge between the retail sector, educational institutions, and public libraries at a time when the broader comics industry navigates complex challenges involving distribution, censorship, and community engagement.

Main Facts of the Transition

The leadership transition at ComicsPRO marks a pivotal moment for the organization, which serves as the primary trade association for independent comic book specialty retailers in the United States. Founded to support, protect, and enhance the direct market of comic book shops, ComicsPRO has historically been guided by individuals whose day-to-day operations centered on brick-and-mortar storefronts.

By selecting Moni Barrette, the organization’s board has chosen an industry professional whose career has been defined by expanding access to graphic novels and sequential art outside of traditional retail environments. Holding a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from San José State University, Barrette brings roughly sixteen years of public library experience to her new post. Her recent professional portfolio includes serving as the Director of Collection Development and Publisher Relations for Comics Plus, a prominent digital platform operated by LibraryPass that provides unlimited access to graphic novels and comics for schools and libraries.

Background Context and Chronology

To understand the weight of Barrette’s appointment, one must examine her extensive chronology of advocacy within the literary and comics communities. Over nearly two decades, Barrette has built a reputation as a fierce defender of graphic novels in educational settings.

Chronologically, her leadership trajectory includes her tenure as the past president of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table. In this capacity, she was instrumental in combating book bans and institutional challenges facing graphic literature, actively working to destigmatize comics in academic curricula. Her efforts extended to organizing and hosting high-profile panels at major pop culture conventions, including San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic-Con, and various national ALA conferences.

In 2020, amidst the disruptions of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Barrette co-founded Creators Assemble!, an organization designed to connect educators, librarians, independent creators, and publishers. The initiative successfully integrated comics, tabletop role-playing games, and pop culture programming into remote and hybrid learning environments. Furthermore, her previous collaborations with ComicsPRO—facilitating dialogue between publishers, retailers, and librarians—laid the groundwork for her current executive appointment, proving her capability to navigate the multifaceted supply and demand chains of the comics ecosystem.

Supporting Data and Industry Qualifications

Barrette’s qualifications extend far beyond administrative library experience. Her deep integration into the creative and publishing sides of the comics industry provides her with a holistic view of the market. She has served as an official judge for the prestigious Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, an accolade that underscores her critical eye and respect within the professional creators’ community.

In addition to her institutional and evaluative roles, Barrette is a contributor to the comics medium itself, having written a short story for the Horror Not Hate anthology. Demonstrating her commitment to professional wellness and systemic improvement, she is also the author of an upcoming book published by Bloomsbury titled Enhance Your Library, Enhance Your Wellbeing: How to Fight Burnout and Reclaim Library Joy.

Official Responses and Stakeholder Reactions

While formal statements from the ComicsPRO board and the outgoing executive director continue to circulate throughout trade circles, industry analysts have been quick to weigh in on the strategic implications of Barrette’s hiring. Retailers and publishers alike have noted that the intersection between public libraries and comic book shops has historically been viewed with cautious separation. However, modern economic realities—such as shifting reading demographics, rising inventory costs, and digital integration—require a more collaborative ecosystem.

Publishers who supply both the direct market and the library market have expressed optimism regarding Barrette’s familiarity with both domains. Her background uniquely positions her to foster symbiotic relationships where local comic shops and public libraries can support one another in local communities rather than competing for readership.

Broader Impact and Implications

The selection of a librarian to lead a prominent retail trade organization carries significant broader implications for the comics industry. For decades, the direct market and the library/educational market have operated largely in parallel silos, occasionally intersecting through localized programming or publisher outreach.

By placing a seasoned library advocate at the helm of ComicsPRO, the organization may signal a strategic pivot toward broader literacy initiatives, increased institutional sales channels, and unified defenses against ongoing legislative challenges and book censorship. Libraries are frequently the primary point of discovery for new comic book readers, particularly younger demographics who may eventually transition into brick-and-mortar comic shop patrons.

As Barrette assumes her responsibilities as Executive Director, the comics community will be watching closely to see how her distinct institutional perspective shapes the future advocacy, retailer support programs, and cooperative industry partnerships of ComicsPRO. Her proven track record in community building, combined with her deep understanding of literacy infrastructure, positions her to lead the trade group into an innovative era of cross-market collaboration.