This Sunday's New York Times Arts & Leisure Section includes FABLES: Covers by James Jean and BATMAN: Hush Unwrapped Deluxe Edition by Jeph Loeb and with art by DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, in an article about collections of comic book art. The online edition of the paper includes a gallery of covers by James Jean.
New York Times bestselling novelist Neil Gaiman and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee’s illustrated poem “100 Words” is available today for the first time digitally. This seven page poem can be purchased for .99 cents through the DC app and DCcomics.com storefront. All of DC Comics’ proceeds benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
“From The Sandman and Black Orchid to Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?, Neil Gaiman has provided some of the most memorable stories of the comic book industry,” said Jim Lee. “This was a unique opportunity for the two of us to collaborate together and I’m thrilled that the story is now available for even more fans in this format.”
This project was originally published as part of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund 2010 annual comic book and was, until now, only available as a limited edition print on neverwear.net.
“The project began when I was asked to write a hundred word poem about death. And I did. I tried to make it honest and, given the word limit, simple and true,” said Neil Gaiman.
“Jim Lee took my poem and illustrated it, in a beautiful pencil style, turned it into a comic, as a limited edition print that was published by Neverwear for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and it made people happy. It made me especially happy, as I've been a fan of Jim's since Chris Claremont showed me some advanced pages by a talented newcomer, somewhere back in the dawn of time, and we've been trying (and failing) to work together ever since.
Most people haven't seen “100 Words.” I love that there's now an opportunity for everybody to see what Jim and I did, all up close and digital. And I'm thrilled that DC Comics is publishing it for such a good cause.”
Written by BRIAN WOOD with cover by JP Leon DMZ Volume 9: M.I.A. takes Matty to a remote and desolate section of the city. Self-exile forces him to take a good, hard look at himself and his conduct since he entered the DMZ, and he doesn't like what he's seeing. His discovery presents him with an opportunity that he's tempted to take, but is the price too high?
This volume collects the awesome issue #50 with short stories with art by Rebekah Isaacs, Jim Lee, Fabio Moon, Ryan Kelly, Lee Bermejo, Riccardo Burchielli, Philip Bond, John Paul Leon, Eduardo Risso and Dave Gibbons as well as issues 51-54 with art by Riccardo Burchielli.
Graphic Content posted some pages from issue 50 here and here; take a look inside.
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.
The first Vertigo Resurrected is a 100 page book that features "Shoot," Warren Ellis's much-talked about, but never published story, involving schoolyard killings and John Constantine.
[Page 2 from “Shoot”]
Also included are rarely seen tales exploring the disturbing depths of horror, war, romance and science fiction by Brian Azzarello, Brian Bolland, Garth Ennis, Jim Lee, Bernie Wrighston and more!
Grant Morrison explores war and its toll on the human psyche in “New Toys.”
[pages 1&2]
Peter Milligan takes on a broken heart in “The Death of a Romantic.”
[pages 1&2]
Bill Willingham before FABLES? Yep. “It Takes A Village” is short story that involves monsters of all kinds.
[pages 1&2]
(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.
(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.
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.”
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
That’s right, you read the headline correctly. Today’s your chance to talk comics with Jim Lee and some of the biggest names in the industry: Where? Twitter. When? Tonight at 9pm EST/6pm PST.
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So, pick up a copy of AMERICAN VAMPIRE #1 and devour it, if you haven’t already, so you can join in on the discussion. Then start following Jim (@jimlee00), and Vertigo_Comics. If you don’t have a Twitter account, signing up is easy. The rest is even easier: have fun, talk comics, vampires, the wild West, the roaring 20s, Skinner, Pearl, Jim’s variant cover to issue #1, and most of all enjoy!
Be there: Tonight at 9pm EST/6pm PST.
And if you can’t make it right on time, click on the hashtag “#DCreader” to catch up on the discussion!
