Marvel announced a major leadership shakeup this week, placing longtime Marvel Studios executive Brad Winderbaum in charge of its comics and franchise divisions. The move signals a deeper push to align Marvel’s publishing arm with its film and television strategy as the company faces shifting market pressures.
Winderbaum will serve as Head of Marvel Television, Animation, Comics and Franchise. He will oversee creative direction across Marvel’s comic book line while continuing his current role leading television and animation. The company also named Disney executive David Abdo as General Manager of Comics and Franchise. He will report directly to Winderbaum.
The changes come as longtime Marvel Comics leader Dan Buckley prepares to step down after nearly 30 years with the company. Buckley will remain in place through mid-2027 to help guide the transition. His departure follows the recent exit of Vice President of Sales and Marketing David Gabriel, leaving Marvel’s publishing side in a period of uncertainty.
Brad Winderbaum, David Abdo, and Dan BuckleyMarvel Studios President Kevin Feige praised the new leadership team and pointed to their combined strengths. “Brad’s exceptional creative leadership and David’s deep experience in operations and digital innovation will be a powerful pairing as we begin building out the next 90 years of Marvel’s comic book legacy,” Feige said. He added that Winderbaum has shown a strong ability to guide ongoing stories that connect with global audiences, while Abdo brings a record of growth and efficiency.
Winderbaum currently oversees Marvel’s Disney+ slate and has worked on series including Hawkeye, Loki season 2, Agatha: All Along, Daredevil: Born Again, X-Men ’97, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. He joined Marvel Studios during production of Iron Man and later served as an executive producer on Thor: Ragnarok and Black Widow. Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski will now report to him.
Abdo brings more than two decades of experience in media and digital operations. He most recently led Disney Music Group, where he oversaw daily operations and drove several years of record profits. His appointment suggests Marvel may focus more heavily on digital growth and tighter integration with Disney’s broader business.
Feige also highlighted Buckley’s impact on the company’s expansion beyond comics. He pointed to major storylines such as Civil War, Secret Wars, and X-Men: Age of Krakoa, along with new initiatives like the upcoming Marvel Midnight imprint. “Marvel’s influence on popular culture expanded under Dan’s leadership,” Feige said, noting growth into video games, television, and animation.
Buckley helped guide Marvel through both major success and disruption, including the rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the challenges of the pandemic era. He also played a role in the company’s move away from longtime distributor Diamond, a shift that reshaped how comics reach retailers.
With Feige now directly shaping leadership decisions on the publishing side, the changes raise questions about how closely Marvel Comics will align with its studio counterpart. The company has not announced further structural details, but the timing suggests a stronger push toward unified storytelling across film, streaming, and print.
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