dan didio

Preview Monday: THE PHANTOM STRANGER #3 and FAIREST #10

Mon, 12/03/2012 - 9:00am | Alex Nagorski

Welcome back for another installment of Preview Monday! This week we’re giving you exclusive first looks at THE PHANTOM STRANGER #3 and FAIREST #10.

Following the exciting events of THE PHANTOM STRANGER #2, our hero hangs on the verge of death. This week in “Family Matters,” The Phantom Stranger battles The Haunted Highwayman for the life of Terrence Thirteen. But can he save him from The Highwayman’s vendetta against the Thirteen family? Or will his curse prevail and force him to betray all those he encounters? Find out in THE PHANTOM STRANGER #3, in stores this Wednesday, written by Dan DiDio and illustrated by Brent Anderson, Philip Tan and Rob Hunter. Click here for an exclusive preview of the issue.

The last issue of FAIREST left us with the Rapunzel and her hairdresser, Joel, narrowly escaping from the CEG building. This week, “The Hidden Kingdom” continues … and we finally discover how Rapunzel lost her children! Meanwhile, the couple encounters a mysterious cat who offers to take them to the kids. Is it a trick or will our heroine finally be reunited with her family? From writer Lauren Beukes and artist Inaki Miranda, FAIREST #10 hits stores this Wednesday. Click here for an exclusive preview of the issue.

Tags:

the phantom stranger, fairest, dan didio, brent anderson, philip tan, rob hunter, Lauren Beukes, inaki miranda

Neil Gaiman Announces His Return to One of the Most Celebrated Comic Books of All-Time -- THE SANDMAN

Thu, 07/12/2012 - 6:30pm | Official Press ...

Surprise Announcement at San Diego Comic-Con Pairs Legendary, Award Winning Author with Artist JH Williams III Under DC Entertainment’s Vertigo Imprint

Twenty-five years after one of the most celebrated graphic novels of all-time hit shelves, award winning and critically acclaimed author and screenwriter, Neil Gaiman, announces his return to THE SANDMAN. Gaiman made the surprise announcement, via video, at DC Entertainment’s Vertigo panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Karen Berger, Executive Editor of Vertigo, then revealed that Gaiman is paired with artist, JH Williams III (BATWOMAN) for the series, who appeared on stage to an already stunned and elated crowd. THE SANDMAN mini-series will be published by Vertigo in 2013.

One of the few graphic novels ever to be on the New York Times Best Seller list and lauded by critics the world over, THE SANDMAN is credited with changing the path of storytelling in the comic book industry. Gaiman will pick up his pen for the first time in more than 10 years since ending the series to continue a story that he feels still has yet to be told.

"When I finished writing THE SANDMAN, there was one tale still untold. The story of what had happened to Morpheus to allow him to be so easily captured in THE SANDMAN #1, and why he was returned from far away, exhausted beyond imagining, and dressed for war. It was a story that we discussed telling for Sandman's 20th anniversary... but the time got away from us. And now, with Sandman's 25th anniversary year coming up, I'm delighted, and nervous, that that story is finally going to be told,” said Gaiman.

"There's nothing like a Neil Gaiman story," said Berger, "and there's nothing like having Neil back home on THE SANDMAN, his dark, soulful, literary epic that transformed comics and continues to captivate countless new readers year after year. Working with him again, and with JH Williams, the extraordinary and groundbreaking artist, is truly the stuff dreams are made of."

DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio added, “As accomplished as Neil Gaiman is in other media—whether it be novels, film and even music—he still has an incredible passion and love for comics. It’s exciting to have him back. J.H. Williams will be the perfect complement to Neil’s writing. He has a history of creating art that pushes the boundaries of the medium.”

Each issue of THE SANDMAN mini-series will be published day-and-date digitally. The title will be announced at a later date.

(Promotional art by J.H. Williams III)

Tags:

sandman, neil gaiman, jh williams iii, vertigo, San Diego Comic-Con, karen berger, Jim Lee, dan didio

DC ENTERTAINMENT TO SHOWCASE “BEFORE WATCHMEN,” DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 AND VERTIGO AT KAPOW!

Wed, 04/04/2012 - 10:46am | Official Press ...

DC ENTERTAINMENT TO SHOWCASE “BEFORE WATCHMEN,” DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 AND VERTIGO AT KAPOW!

Leading Entertainment Company Will Bring Top Executives and Talent to UK Convention

DC Entertainment announced its plans today to bring some of the company’s top executives and creators to Kapow! to discuss the year’s highly anticipated BEFORE WATCHMEN comic book event, the record-breaking initiative that took the industry by storm this past September, DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, and the four new series from acclaimed adult imprint, Vertigo. On hand to discuss all things DC Entertainment will be Co-Publisher Dan DiDio, Vertigo Senior Editor and BEFORE WATCHMEN series editor, Will Dennis, Senior Vice President of Sales Bob Wayne, and a roster of major talent including Scott Snyder, Peter Milligan, Paul Cornell and Ian Churchill. This event, which takes place May 19-20, will be occurring only a small number of weeks before the release of the inaugural issues of BEFORE WATCHMEN on June 2nd.

DC ALL ACCESS - SPECIAL EDITION

Panelists: Dan DiDio, Bob Wayne, Will Dennis, Scott Snyder, Peter Milligan, Paul Cornell

Don’t miss this panel about the sure-to-be most talked about project of 2012, BEFORE WATCHMEN! Join DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio, Editor Will Dennis, and Senior Vice President of Sales Bob Wayne as they talk about this next game-changing event. They’ll also join writers Scott Snyder (AMERICAN VAMPIRE), Peter Milligan (HELLBLAZER) and Paul Cornell (SAUCER COUNTRY) to share the latest news on all your favorite Vertigo titles and discuss details about the new wave of Vertigo! No comics fan will want to miss this!

DC COMICS – THE NEW 52

Panelists: Dan DiDio, Bob Wayne, Scott Snyder, Peter Milligan, Paul Cornell, Ian Churchill

DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 is the industry’s most talked about industry-shattering event of the last year. Although the landscape has changed, we’re not done making news! Come by and be a part of history as DCE Co-Publisher Dan DiDio and Senior Vice President of Sales Bob Wayne discuss the books that are shaping the dawn of this new era along with some of the major talent writing and illustrating these titles, including Scott Snyder (BATMAN, SWAMP THING), Peter Milligan (RED LANTERNS), Paul Cornell (STORMWATCH) and Ian Churchill (THE RAVAGERS).

Tags:

Kapow, Before Watchmen, DC Comics-The New 52, vertigo, dan didio, bob wayne, will dennis, scott snyder, peter milligan, paul cornell, ian churchill

DIDIO AND LEE ON THE FUTURE

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 6:43pm | David Hyde

2010 was a huge year for DC. Just take a look at all of our titles on NPR’s Monkey See blog’s and Entertainment Weekly’s Shelf Life blog’s “Best of 2010” lists: DC’s BATWOMAN: ELEGY, ABSOLUTE ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, WEDNESDAY COMICS, ACTION COMICS, and Vertigo’s REVOLVER, STUCK RUBBER BABY, and HOW TO UNDERSTAND ISRAEL IN 60 DAYS OR LESS.

Well, we’re not going to slow down. 2011 is going to be even bigger.

Co-publishers Jim Lee and Dan Didio recently spoke with Newsarama and Comic Book Resources about the many highlights of the past year and what we all can look forward to in the next.

Tags:

action comics, all star superman, batwoman, dan didio, how to understand israel in 60 days or less, jim lee, revolver, stuck rubber baby, vertigo in 2011, wednesday comics

Bob Wayne Named SVP, Sales DC Comics

Tue, 10/12/2010 - 4:00pm | David Hyde

(October 18, 2010) Bob Wayne has been named Senior Vice President, Sales of DC Comics, it was announced at New York ComicCon by John Rood, EVP Sales, Marketing, and Business Development, DC Entertainment. Wayne will continue to oversee sales distribution for DC Comics in the direct market and bookstores, and in his new role will and will now oversee digital sales and all international distribution. He will be based in New York and report directly to John Rood.

“Bob Wayne's dedication to the direct market is boundless and he's been an instrumental, guiding force in DC Comics' growth in traditional bookstores,” said Rood. “Bob has a stellar reputation with our partners in the retail community and I look forward to watching his—and the company's-- expanded influence internationally on all platforms.”

Bob Wayne joined DC Comics as Retail Promotions Manager in 1987. He was promoted to Vice President, Direct Sales in 1998. He was honored with an Inkpot Award in 2009 at Comic-Con International: San Diego.

Prior to joining DC, Wayne operated a chain of comics and science fiction stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

He is the co-author of the DC comic book series Time Masters.

Tags:

bob wayne, dan didio, dc comics, dc entertainment, jim lee, john rood

Hank Kanalz Named SVP, Digital – DC Entertainment

Sun, 10/10/2010 - 4:16pm | David Hyde

(October 10, 2010) Hank Kanalz has been named Senior Vice President, Digital of DC Entertainment, it was announced today at New York ComicCon by Jim Lee, DC Comics Co-Publisher and John Rood, DC Entertainment EVP of Sales & Marketing. In this newly created position, Kanalz will develop and oversee the execution of the annual digital publishing schedule, coordinating all digital comic content across DC Universe, Vertigo, and MAD. He will also oversee digital special projects and business development such as custom publishing and e-commerce.” Kanalz will be based in Burbank and report to Lee and Rood, and will work closely with the Warner Bros. Digital Distribution group, which supports the Company’s digital initiatives.

“Hank has been integral to the launch of our digital comics initiative, and was an essential part of WildStorm for the past six years,” said Jim Lee, Co-Publisher, DC Comics. “I’m eager to have him working alongside me to blaze new trails in digital publishing and bring our comics to more readers beyond print.”

Previous to his new role, Hank Kanalz served as Vice President and General Manager of WildStorm, where he oversaw day-to-day operations including editorial, production, coloring and administration, as well as edited several comic titles, including World of Warcraft and Fringe. Kanalz was a key figure in building WildStorm’s strong crossmedia relationships, which led to adaptations of popular film, television and gaming properties to the comics medium.

Before coming to DC Comics in 2004, Kanalz was Director of Worldwide Theme Parks for Warner Bros. Consumer Products, where he oversaw the company's relationship with theme park licensees such as Six Flags and Universal Studios, as well as other destination entertainment businesses. He was a key liaison between DC Comics and Warner Bros. Consumer Products for several years.

Kanalz has also written comic books, including The Flash and Green Lantern for DC.

Tags:

dan didio, dc comics, dc entertainment, hank kanalz, jim lee, john rood

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DC COMICS DROPS prices on $3.99 titles; MOVES TO $2.99 price point for ongoing COMIC BOOK series

Thu, 10/07/2010 - 3:05pm | David Hyde

New York, October 7, 2010– Beginning January 2011, DC Comics will implement a line-wide pricing adjustment, lowering the prices of all standard length 32-page ongoing comic book titles currently priced at $3.99 to $2.99, it was announced today by DC Comics Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio.

“Today’s announcement re-affirms DC Comics’ commitment to both our core fans and to comic book store retailers,” said Jim Lee, DC Comics Co-Publisher. “For the long term health of the industry, we are willing to take a financial risk so that readers who love our medium do not abandon the art form.”

“As Co-Publishers, we listened to our fans and to our partners in the retail community who told us that a $3.99 price point for 32 pages was too expensive. Fans were becoming increasingly reluctant to sample new titles and long term fans were beginning to abandon titles and characters that they’d collected for years.” said Dan DiDio, DC Comics Co-Publisher. “We needed a progressive pricing strategy that supports our existing business model and, more importantly, allows this creative industry to thrive for years to come. With the exceptions of oversized comic books, like annuals and specials, we are committed to a $2.99 price point.”

When taking into account mini-series, annuals and specials, more than 80% of DC’s comic books will be priced at $2.99.

As of January, the following titles standard length ongoing titles, previously priced at $3.99 for 32 pages/22 story pages, will be priced at $2.99 with 32 pages/20 story pages:

American Vampire;
Batman: The Dark Knight;
Batman Incorporated;
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors;
JSA All-Stars.

As of January, the following licensed titles, previously priced at $3.99, will be priced at $2.99:

Gears of War;
God of War;
Kane & Lynch;
Ratchet & Clank.

As of January, the following ongoing titles previously priced at $3.99 for 40 pages/30 story pages including co-features, will no longer include co-features and will be priced at $2.99 for 32 pages/ 20 story pages:

Action Comics;
Adventure Comics;
Batman: Streets of Gotham;
Detective Comics;
Doc Savage;
Justice League of America;
Legion of Super-Heroes;
The Spirit.

In January, five books are $3.99 for 40 pages/30 story pages:

Batman: Europa # 1
First Wave # 6
DCU: Legacies # 9
Weird Worlds # 1
World of Warcraft: Curse of the Worgen

The following oversized anniversary issue will be $4.99 for 48 pages/38 story pages:

Hellblazer # 275

“Fans of our co-features should stay tuned. Some of these characters will find a new platform,” said Dan DiDio. “Going forward, mini-series and special events may feature a different price point and page count to best allow writers and artists the flexibility of format and story pages they need to tell their stories best.”

Tags:

dan didio, dc comics, dc universe, jim lee, vertigo

A message from Jim Lee and Dan DiDio, DC Comics Co-Publishers

Tue, 09/21/2010 - 1:14pm | David Hyde

The changes happening behind the scenes this week are part of a greater campaign to reshape DC Comics and build a company for the future. Our responsibility as Co-Publishers is to find a balance between short term opportunities and long term vision; between our strengths in traditional print formats and the infinite potential beyond print; between our characters’ rich legacies in the past and the bright promise for the future they hold.

As we’ve said before, there’s much to celebrate about DC. The foundation for long-term success is already here.

The DC Universe features the modern adventures of the World’s Greatest Superheroes, as envisioned by an exciting mix of new and fan favorite comic book creators. Vertigo is committed to publishing cutting edge, creator owned comic books and graphic novels by a wide array of creative voices.

One of our first decisions of the Co-Publishers was to up the publication of MAD Magazine from a quarterly periodical to a bimonthly one. In the wake of that decision, the magazine has seen increased sell-through growth. And we’re thrilled that MAD's brand of madcap humor now stretches across media, with a highly-rated television show on Cartoon Network. The Usual Gangs of Idiots are an important part of this company and pop culture.

As we move forward, we also have to acknowledge the need for change.

After taking the comics scene by storm nearly 20 years ago, the WildStorm Universe titles will end this December. In this soft marketplace, these characters need a break to regroup and redefine what made them once unique and cutting edge. While these will be the final issues published under the WildStorm imprint, it will not be the last we will see of many of these heroes. We, along with Geoff Johns, have a lot of exciting plans for these amazing characters, so stay tuned. Going forward, WildStorm's licensed titles and kids comics will now be published under the DC banner.

After this week, we will cease to publish new material under the ZUDA banner. The material that was to have been published as part of ZUDA this year will now be published under the DC banner. The official closing of ZUDA ends one chapter of DC’s digital history, but we will continue to find new ways to innovate with digital, incorporating much of the experience and knowledge that ZUDA brought into DC.

We’ll be further expanding our digital initiative and making a lot more news in this space. As part of that transformation, the WildStorm editorial team will undergo a restructuring and be folded into the overall DC Comics Digital team, based in Burbank, which will be led by Jim Lee and John Rood. With nearly two million free downloads and hundreds of thousands of paid downloads, our digital foray is already reaching a new audience worldwide. We could not be more excited by the successful launch of our Digital Publishing products in June, which exceeded all sales forecasts and will be building on our early success with new applications for DC material on all major formats and hardware, partnering with Warner Bros Digital Distribution. It has extremely been rewarding to hear anecdotal stories of lapsed readers returning to the art form and of brick and mortar stores gaining new customers who sampled digital comics.

We remain, as ever, dedicated to working with the greatest creators this industry has to offer, while inspiring generations of creators and readers to embrace this medium that we all love.

Jim Lee and Dan DiDio
DC Comics Co-Publishers

Tags:

dan didio, dc comics, dc entertainment, jim lee