News: DC Comics now DC Entertainment

[stinglikeabee]

Read the official press release over at The Source.

In short: WB created a new company called DC Entertainment to consolidate its comics and their various alternate media projects within one place. Paul Levitz will step down from his post as President of DC Comics and remain with DC Entertainment as a writer, contributing editor, and something called an 'overall consultant'. Deadline Hollywood's Nikki Finke states this is a deal that's been simmering for 2 years and is not a reaction to the Disney-Marvel acquisition. Rather, the move was probably best realised during the whole Watchmen rights debacle.

By the way, Finke has a great column on how deep the connections was for said Disney-Marvel acquisition and it's a must read. Who knew Disney CEO Bob Iger's great-grand uncle was Jerry Iger, who created Eisner & Iger studios with Will Eisner?

ETA: Paul Levitz's letter here. It sounds like he might leave, doesn't it?

ETA2: Or not. Levitz is writing Adventure Comics with the Legion of Superheroes backup.

ETA3: Diane Nelson will be in charge of DC Entertainment. The Beat speculated on 29 Aug on her appointment, noting that Nelson had run Warner Premiere which makes the straight-to-video DCU animated films. Additionally, it seems she handled negotiations during the Harry Potter movie production process.

Comments

[pervyficgirl.livejournal.com]

Wow.

Unlike the Disney-Marvel thing that didn't interest me at all because it didn't seem to have a noticeable affect at ALL, this is already shaping up to shake things up at DC.

I remain intrigued.

*waits for the flist to explode in a haze of LET'S GET RID OF DIDIO NOW!!" posts, because sometimes Comics Fandom is predictable.

[stinglikeabee.livejournal.com]

To me the Disney-Marvel thing was a shocker, but was really overplayed by people complaining about possible interference. Finke says the agreement was nearly a decade in the making, and Disney's paying a premium for the shares, so it's a case of business making sense than any sudden interest in art or comics. The Iger connection is cool, though.

It's a really interesting turn of events. Maybe poor Levitz just got shafted because his boss mishandled potential movie franchises like Wonder Woman and the Superman movie. And who is the lady replacing him at the top? Someone knowledgeable in the movie industry rather than someone from comics? I can definitely see WB angling towards movies as the end result, rather than something parallel to the comics.

[pervyficgirl.livejournal.com]

To me the Disney-Marvel thing was a shocker, but was really overplayed by people complaining about possible interference.

Yeah, that's pretty much how I felt about it, too.

Someone knowledgeable in the movie industry rather than someone from comics?

*nods* This could be worrisome and it does have me a bit concerned.

On the other hand? If you look at some of the more questionable decisions made by DiDio and Quesada, they've come out of a love for comics. I mean, Brand New Day wouldn't have happened at Spidey if Quesada hadn't had such an obsession with his view of the character. So maybe good things will result from a lady who has had success in another field.

Of course, she might bomb.

But mostly, I am pleased that she is a she. That is terrible of me, I suppose, but ....

I do feel sorry for Levitz, though.

[stinglikeabee.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're right about the love for comics driving those editorial decisions. And for all Quesada and DiDio's proclamations that they're listening to fans, they really aren't. It's not just butthurt comic fans complaining online, it's parents who want Batman comics for their kids. And young women who get upset at the sexual gratification of the female heroes. And people who are sick of bad writing, bad art, and price increases. Instead, we get more of the same.

But mostly, I am pleased that she is a she.

Yeah! DC's had a female editor-in-chief from the 80s to early 2000s, so they've always been cool like that. And this newcomer, especially if she's from the entertainment industry, it's a big freakin' deal.

I do feel bad for Levitz, too. It's totally a demotion.