After nearly 28 years, one of the most influential voices in comic book journalism has fallen silent. Newsarama, the pioneering site that shaped how fans, creators, and industry insiders consumed comics news for decades, is effectively no more.
In April 2026, long-time staff writer George Marston, who had dedicated 17 unbroken years to the outlet, announced his departure following a round of layoffs at parent company Future plc. “After 17 years, I am no longer writing for Newsarama or its associated sites,” Marston posted on Instagram. “I was let go in a round of layoffs earlier this week. I am devastated.”
With Marston’s exit, the last dedicated staffer working under the Newsarama banner is gone. The brand lives on as a section within GamesRadar+, but the independent, comics-focused operation that once thrived is now history.
Launched in 1998 by co-founders Matt Brady & Michael Doran, Newsarama quickly became a must-read destination during the early days of online comics coverage. It delivered breaking news, in-depth interviews, convention reports, and thoughtful analysis at a time when the internet was still finding its footing as a journalism platform.
Over the years, ownership changed hands, from Imaginova to TopTenREVIEWS, and eventually to Future plc in 2018. The site merged with GamesRadar+ in 2020, marking the gradual erosion of its standalone identity. Key departures followed: Doran left in early 2023, and earlier staff reductions had already thinned the team. By 2026, only Marston remained as the dedicated comics voice.
I had the privilege of contributing to Newsarama during its vibrant early online years. In 2004, I began producing interviews for the site. By 2005, I was regularly writing for both Newsarama and Comic Book Resources (CBR). Those were exciting times; the comics internet was exploding with new voices, and Newsarama sat at the center of it all.
Interviewing creators, covering trends, and helping to document the industry during a period of rapid change remain among my fondest memories in comics journalism. Newsarama wasn’t just a job; it was part of a community that connected fans directly with the people making the comics we loved. My time there bridged my earlier work at Silver Bullet Comic Books and led to my role as Public Relations Coordinator at Archie Comics starting in late 2005.
For close to three decades, Newsarama set the standard. It broke major stories, platformed emerging talent, and provided a professional home for writers who truly understood and cared about the medium. Many of us who built careers in this space, whether as journalists, publicists, or creators, passed through its virtual pages.
Its decline mirrors broader challenges in digital media: corporate consolidation, layoffs, and the shift away from specialized coverage toward general pop culture content. While GamesRadar+ will continue publishing comics-adjacent articles, the loss of a dedicated outlet like Newsarama leaves a void.
The comics community is resilient. New voices and platforms will rise to fill the gap, First Comics News among them, where I continue the work I started decades ago. But we should take a moment to honor what Newsarama accomplished and thank the journalists, editors, and contributors who made it special.
To George Marston, Mike Doran, Matt Brady, and everyone else who poured their passion into Newsarama: thank you. Your work mattered.
Rest in peace, Newsarama. You were one of the greats.
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