Meet Our Team
Founders: Ryan & Kendra Liebowitz
Ryan Liebowitz
The youngest son of the late comic retail pioneer Bill Liebowitz, founder of Golden Apple Comics, the world-famous comic shop to the stars in Los Angeles, CA since 1979. He has worked in non-profit and private sectors in the areas of event coordination, catering and retail management with over 30 years of experience in multiple cities including Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York. Co-founder of Golden Apple Productions specializing in publishing and tv/film projects as well as Golden Apple Online, lnc., an expansion of his retail empire into worldwide sales though ecommerce. Currently running day-to day operations and forging the company into new technology with the formation of a virtual reality company.
Kendra Liebowitz
Wife of Golden Apple Comics co-owner Ryan Liebowitz, current CFO and has dedicated over 20 years working in the comic industry. Previously, a very successful career in long form programming working for major television stations and companies generating millions of advertising dollars. In addition, she worked in fundraising for two years on AIDS Walk Los Angeles and New York campaigns, coordinating volunteers and helping to raise money for research and medical support.
Kevin Smith - Advisory Board Member
Kevin Smith is an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, and director, as well as a popular comic book writer, store owner, author, comedian/raconteur, and internet radio podcast personality.
Currently, he opened Smodcastle Cinemas in Highlands, NJ, debuted Clerks 3 feature film and launched a new comic imprint, Secret Stash Press, with Dark Horse Comics.
Board Members
Michael Malve - Board Member
Founder of Atomic Comics, a legendary retail chain in Arizona for over 25 years that closed its doors in 2011. In 2012 he formed Captured Planet Studios, a video production company specializing in comic books, advertising, motion graphics and other visual media. In addition, he began a new career for the last seven years as the top outside sales manager for San Tan Brewing and Huss Brewery. Currently re-opening Atomic Comics with new partners in Gilbert, AZ.
Marc Andreyko - Board Member
An American comic creator as well as an Eisner and Harvey award-winning writer. He has written comics and created beloved characters for nearly every publisher including DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing and Todd McFarlane Productions/Image Comics. In 2017 Marc raised awareness and over $250,000 for the survivors and victims’ families of the 2016 Orlando mass shooting in Orlando, FL by creating an anthology graphic novel entitled Love Is Love, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, co-published by IDW and DC Comics.
Board Members
Heidi MacDonald - Board Member
An award-winning editor and journalist with over 30 years of experience in the comic book industry. She has worked at Disney and DC Comics as well as Publishers Weekly. In 2004 she created her long-running blog covering the world of comic books and pop-culture, The Beat, which is currently one of the top-rated sources for news, reviews, and geek culture.
Gary Prebula - Advisory Board Member
Gary J. Prebula attended the Wharton School of Finance, the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication and USC's School of Cinema before helping launch the HBO Network as the 27th employee. Since then, his career has included service as Special Editions Editor of The Hollywood Reporter and an executive at On TV, the Z Channel and Sony Pictures. Prebula also founded Panda Video where he directed over 300 hours of cable TV before helping to launch network reality television. Having worked for his doctorate at USC , Prebula also has taught Film Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, USC , the American Film Institute and Cal State Long Beach. Prebula is a proud member of the DGA and is currently developing film projects for former Counter Terrorism Czar Richard A. Clarke.