NoScans - DC Comics and DC Universe hit by large scale Warner Brothers layoffs

[icon_uk]

Deadline are one of the sources, reporting DC being hit by layoffs as part of a alrge scale program of layoffs by Warner Media

Though Jim Lee remains as Chief Creative Officer, those leaving include

• Bob Harras, DC Editor-In-Chief
• Hank Kanalz, SVP Publishing Strategy & Support Services
• Bobbie Chase, VP, Global Publishing Initiatives & Digital Strategy
• Brian Cunningham, senior story editor

Coming so soon after the departure of Dan Didio, it looks like big changes are underway.

Also impacted is Warner Bros.’ DC Universe. Once a high-flying unit that was designed to usher Warner Bros. into the streaming world, the digital platform’s original slate has been dwindling since WarnerMedia announced the launch of HBO Max following the acquisition by AT&T. As a result, DC Universe has been focusing on its core business of DC comic book and news content for fans. The DC Comics layoffs also impacted DC Universe in its evolved function as a fandom destination.

DC Universe has only one exclusive original series, Titans; Doom Patrol is now shared with HBO Max.

The cutbacks come days before the big DC FanDome online event on Aug. 22. They are part of about the overall layoffs of about 600 employees at WarnerMedia.

Comments

[silverhammerman]

This is huge. I don't think anyone is going to shed tears over them finally cutting Bob Harras loose (It sucks that this context means we can't even celebrate his departure), but they've apparently also released editors like Mark Doyle who was in charge of the Black Label line, Andy Khouri, and I think some of the people involved with DC Ink. I have to admit that I've long pined for the day when DC Comics would be run like an actual competent business, but this looks like more than that.

I don't like everything that DC's done in recent years, but Black Label and the various Ink/Zoom stuff ended up being great ideas, even if I'm not super invested in most of what they make, and I worry that this means those initiatives are going to die in favour of DC retracting yet again to an even more small-c conservative line. I hope this doesn't end up looking like DC You did; an all-too-brief period of bold ideas and no-brainer decisions that was swiftly dispatched in favour of more of the same. People end up speculating about the death of monthly comics at least every couple of years, but between this and the COVID-19 related difficulties the industry has seen, it doesn't seem that unrealistic to suggest that something big is going on behind the scenes.

Also, it deeply sucks that so many talented, hardworking people were unceremoniously screwed over like this. Comics need a union.

[superfangirl1]

I feel bad and give condolences to the poor people out of work by this.


The Comic Industry is rough, especially at a time like this with the COVID-19 situation going on.

[kurenai_tenka]

'DC Universe has only one exclusive original series, Titans; Doom Patrol is now shared with HBO Max.'

Not remotely worried about Titans since it's on Netflix; I'm more worried about Young Justice.

[filthysize]

Titans is not a Netflix show, it's only licensed to Netflix outside the US. If DCU is gone, so is the show.

[kurenai_tenka]

I know it's not a Netflix show; I guess I feel like if there are alternate distributors, it's less of a lost cause.

I should probably be more worried though, you're right.

[johnguilyard]

My roommate works for HBO Sports and they were devastated by the layoffs, I think while big, DC comics had a small percentage of layoffs compared to other areas of business. I work for NBC and we had a similar thing happen last week. I think right now everything is too soon to tell from the cuts, but there will most likely be a large restructuring by the end of the year.

Marvel is lucky that the Disney machine isn't the same kind of company as WarnerMedia or NBCUniversal. I'm interested in what happens, also would like to see a rise of more independent work, that being said i can see how page count prices will drop for artists and writers. Everything is kind of in a freefall right now as we continue to figure things out. I just keep seeing arguments online from like CG blaming this on liberal ideologies and less house art style, while it's honestly corporate restructuring. It's interesting, but comics will break your heart and so will all other media and creative work yanno.

[filthysize]

Some stuff about this that's not mentioned in that Deadline article:

- Something really interesting is happening related to Jim Lee that may hint at the future of DC. Lee had a dual role as CCO and Publisher, but he's been removed as Publisher and according to Variety, in staying as CCO apparently he's also going to help oversee the creative side of the DC heroes at all of Warners. Meanwhile, Editorial is now going to be run by Michelle Wells, who was the head of the kids/YA line. With these two moves and everyone at Black Label fired, my speculation is that the idea is to have TV and Movies absorb the mature audiences and have the actual DC Comics refocus to all-ages and YA stuff for digital and bookstores. It really doesn't bode well for direct market, imo.

- DC Direct/Collectibles is dead. So no more merch based on the comics. Anything based on DC characters will only be stuff being released by WB Consumer Products, which are typically movie/TV tie-ins. Again, this mostly sucks for the direct market, since it was only games and comics shops selling this stuff. Now they can only sell the same toys and collectibles you'd find at a Target or Walmart.