Mondo (American company)
| File:Mondo (American company) logo.png | |
| Founded | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Tim League Kier-La Janisse Lester Smolenski Rob Jones Mitch Putnam |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Parent | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (2004–2022) Funko (2022–2023) |
| Website | mondoshop.com |
_logo.png){kind=link}
Mondo is a U.S.-based enterprise focusing on limited edition screen-printed posters inspired by movies, television series, and comic books. Their offerings also include vinyl soundtracks, clothing, collectibles, and reissued VHS tapes. Established in 2004 originally as Mondo Tees, the company operated as a branch of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema located in Austin, Texas, where it continues to maintain a dedicated gallery space exhibiting original artwork and exclusive poster designs.
In June 2022, ownership transferred to Funko. Subsequently, on March 24, 2023, Funko announced workforce reductions that involved co-founders Rob Jones and Mitch Putnam, alongside the discontinuation of select Mondo product lines.
History
The concept for Mondo originated in 2001 when Alamo Drafthouse Cinema founder Tim League, inspired by a vintage iron-on T-shirt shop visit, suggested launching a T-shirt store to Kier-La Janisse and Lester Smolenski. Utilizing Smolenski’s skills in graphic design, Mondo Tees officially commenced operations in 2004.
During that spring, Mondo partnered with Austin’s Emo's venue to support the Cinemania festival. Due to underwhelming ticket sales, the event was relocated indoors and promoted with custom posters created by freelance artist Rob Jones. Jones subsequently introduced talents such as Jay Ryan and Tyler Stout to the company, steering Mondo’s focus away from apparel toward poster production. Rob Jones continues to serve as Mondo’s creative director.
Co-founder Mitch Putnam and creative director Justin Ishmael secured licensing agreements with major studios including Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company, enabling production of posters for franchises like Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ishmael joined the team in 2009 and departed in 2015.
In 2017, Mondo diversified into board game publishing through a collaboration with USAopoly’s Project Raygun division to release The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31.
Artists who have contributed to Mondo’s portfolio include Becky Cloonan, Laurent Durieux, Olly Moss, Gary Pullin, Matthew Woodson, Jay Shaw, Matt Taylor, Kevin Tong, Tom Whalen, Sam Wolfe Connelly, and Jock.
After Funko acquired Mondo in June 2022, layoffs announced in March 2023 affected key leadership figures including co-founders Putnam and Jones. This reorganization within Mondo’s poster division sparked criticism from both artists and fans alike. Funko CEO Brian Mariotti issued a public statement aimed at clarifying the company’s future direction; however, this was met with further disapproval from the community and notable personalities such as actor Elijah Wood.
Growth and reception
Mondo’s poster creations have been collected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and featured in auctions like those held by Heritage Auctions. In 2011, a collaboration with Paramount Pictures produced exclusive posters for films including Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Captain America: The First Avenger. Renowned director Guillermo del Toro commended Mondo’s bespoke poster for Pan's Labyrinth, emphasizing their collaborative approach to design.
In addition to posters, Mondo along with its affiliated label Death Waltz has received recognition for distinctive soundtrack releases characterized by innovative cover art and vinyl presentations.
In 2022, the National Film Archive of Japan together with the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto hosted an exhibition titled Mondo: The Front Runner of Film Poster, featuring 71 posters that span Mondo’s history up through 2021. This exhibit underscored the brand’s significant influence within the film art market.
MondoCon
Held annually in Austin, MondoCon is a festival dedicated to showcasing Mondo’s distinctive artwork through limited-edition collectibles, panel discussions, and exclusive film screenings featuring directors and artists. Lauded as "the world's coolest poster convention" and a pioneer in handcrafted movie posters, MondoCon plays a significant role in enhancing the company’s brand visibility and fostering deeper connections with its core audience.
External links
- Alamo Drafthouse collection of Mondo posters, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences