Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Awards
Generic
Lysa Hawkins

Lysa Hawkins

Editor
White Plains,NY

Summary

Award-winning senior comic book editor, writer, and educator with a proven track record of delivering compelling narratives and fostering creativity in diverse teams. Expertise in guiding projects from concept to publication, ensuring high-quality storytelling and visual artistry. Passionate about mentoring emerging talent and sharing knowledge within the comic book industry. Committed to pushing the boundaries of the medium while maintaining a strong focus on collaboration and innovation.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience

Work History

Editor-in-Chief

Alien Books
NYC
07.2023 - 01.2025
  • Led transition team for Alien Books when they acquired Valiant licensing rights to head publishing
  • Rebuilt the Valiant Universe for Alien Books
  • Fostered new concepts and storylines by hosting writers circles and acquiring new talent.
  • Created and reintroduced the Valiant characters into a cohesive universe
  • Guided publishing through a massive line building event
  • Hired and managed freelancers, bringing in new rising talent and fan favorites, including Dan Abnett, Dan Brereton, Fred Van Lente and Peter Milligan.
  • Managed projects from conception, outline, script, layouts, pencils/inks, lettering, colors, covers to final product approval, including covers

Senior Editor

Valiant Entertainment
NYC
07.2018 - 07.2023
  • Edited the majority of the line of books
  • Promoted from editor to Senior Editor
  • Brought in new talent
  • Trafficked books from inception to approval
  • Liaison to other departments; sales, marketing, production, manufacturing
  • Collaborated with publishing agents/houses on prose novelizations of Valiant characters
  • Represented the company at conventions both in the United States and in Europe
  • Mentored junior editorial staff

Teacher

Curious- On- Hudson
Westchester County
01.2018 - 06.2018
  • Created and taught a 10 week course in comics geared to school age children.

Community Relations Manager

Doctors United
Westchester County
01.2016 - 01.2017
  • Set up screenings and health fairs.
  • Provided customer service & was liaison between medical groups
  • Created and maintained customer database
  • Created flyers
  • Organized luncheons/conventions and other events

Customer Service Manager

TCW (The Crafter’s Workshop)
Westchester County
01.2013 - 01.2014
  • Picked, packaged, invoiced, shipped and billed all products globally
  • Provided customer service
  • Trained new employees
  • Maintained inventory

Copy Editor/Market Manager

Quicksilver
Westchester County
01.2007 - 01.2008
  • Wrote all copy for articles, press releases, catalogs.
  • Reconciled current online daily accounts
  • Created new advertising campaigns and marketing
  • Created and maintained catalogs
  • Liaison to sales
  • Managed conventions

Gym Manager

Curves for Women
Westchester County
01.2004 - 01.2007
  • Managed 2 gyms in Westchester
  • Hired and trained employees
  • Reconciled cash, maintained payroll and budget
  • Handled all production sheets and daily paperwork
  • Organized charity events and health seminars
  • Ordered supplies and maintained gym equipment

Associate Editor

DC Comics
NYC
09.2001 - 03.2004
  • Brought legendary Marvel artist John Romita over to DC to work on Supergirl.
  • Worked in the Superman & the Batman offices
  • Brought Gail Simone onto the acclaimed run of Bird of Prey
  • Created Fallen Angel with Peter David, David Lopez and Brian Stelfreeze
  • Created the title: Teen Titans Go!
  • Approved blues and proofs
  • Enlisted and developed excellent rapport with top freelancers
  • Mentored under famed Batman writer and editor, Denny O’Neill

Associate Editor

Marvel Entertainment
NYC
08.1995 - 09.2001
  • Edited springboards, plots, and scripts
  • Generated new concepts and storylines
  • Trafficked books from inception to finished product
  • Approved blues and proofs
  • Enlisted and developed an excellent rapport with top freelancers
  • Assistant to three editors
  • Liaised with production department regarding interior pages and covers
  • Managed all technical aspects of the office including the copying of artwork
  • Mastered color theory via in-house class; allowed to select colors for the logo/cover copy, interior captions, and sound effects
  • Networked with freelancers and handled their invoices and payments
  • [1995-1997] Production Assistant
  • Created new company position, Digital Image Controller
  • Hired and trained interns
  • Proofed artwork and art boards, created stats, set up interior pages
  • Worked in the famed MARVEL BULLPEN under John Romita and his wife Virginia Romita
  • Mentored under famed Captain America writer and senior editor Mark Gruenwald

Education

B.A. - History/Mythology

Binghamton University
NY

Skills

  • Photoshop, Microsoft, Quickbooks, Final Draft, Scrivener, and others
  • Creative vision
  • Innovative thinking
  • Collaborative mindset
  • Deadline management
  • Mentorship
  • Social media strategy
  • Content development

Timeline

Editor-in-Chief

Alien Books
07.2023 - 01.2025

Senior Editor

Valiant Entertainment
07.2018 - 07.2023

Teacher

Curious- On- Hudson
01.2018 - 06.2018

Community Relations Manager

Doctors United
01.2016 - 01.2017

Customer Service Manager

TCW (The Crafter’s Workshop)
01.2013 - 01.2014

Copy Editor/Market Manager

Quicksilver
01.2007 - 01.2008

Gym Manager

Curves for Women
01.2004 - 01.2007

Associate Editor

DC Comics
09.2001 - 03.2004

Associate Editor

Marvel Entertainment
08.1995 - 09.2001

B.A. - History/Mythology

Binghamton University

Awards

Tripwire 2022 Editor of the Year, Tripwire 2023 Person of the Year, Tripwire Power list 2020 & 2025
Lysa HawkinsEditor