WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
WARNER BROS. CREATES DC ENTERTAINMENT
For an open letter from Diane Nelson, CLICK HERE.
For an open letter from Paul Levitz, CLICK HERE.
Warner Bros. Entertainment has created DC Entertainment, a new company founded to fully realize the power and value of the DC Comics brand and characters across all media and platforms, to be run by Diane Nelson, it was announced on Wednesday by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, and Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.
DC Entertainment, a separate division of WBEI, will be charged with strategically integrating the DC Comics business, brand and characters deeply into Warner Bros. Entertainment and all its content and distribution businesses. DC Entertainment, which will work with each of the Warner Bros. divisions, will also tap into the expertise the studio has in building and sustaining franchises and prioritize DC properties as key titles and growth drivers across all of the Studio, including feature films, television, interactive entertainment, direct-to-consumer platforms and consumer products.
The DC Comics publishing business will remain the cornerstone of DC Entertainment, releasing approximately 90 comic books through its various imprints and 30 graphic novels a month and continuing to build on its creative leadership in the comic book industry.
In her new role, Nelson will report to Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.
Nelson will bring more than 20 years of experience in creative brand management, strategic marketing and content development and production to ensuring DC Entertainment's dual mission of marshalling Warner Bros.' resources to maximize the potential of the DC brand while remaining respectful of and collaborative with creators, talent, fans and source material. Additionally, Nelson will continue to oversee the franchise management of the Harry Potter property, which she has done since 2000, and also continue to represent the Studio's interests with the author of the Harry Potter books, J.K. Rowling. Nelson will segue from her post as President, Warner Premiere but maintain oversight responsibilities of that division.
Paul Levitz, who has served as president and publisher of DC Comics since 2002, will become a contributing editor and overall consultant to DCE. This transition will take place as expeditiously as possible without disrupting DC's business operations.
Besides serving as a writer on a number of DC Comics titles -- including return to the Legion of Super-Heroes in Adventure Comics -- Levitz will be a contributing editor and consultant to DC Entertainment on projects in various media. Additionally, he will consult as needed on the transition and integration of the DC Comics organization into DC Entertainment and will utilize his unique experience, knowledge and relationships with the comics industry's creative community to help achieve DC Entertainment's goal of maximizing the value of DC properties. Levitz will advise DC Entertainment on creative and rights-holder relationships, in particular regarding the legacy relationships that have been a part of DC Comics for decades.
"DC Comics and its super hero characters are truly touchstones of popular culture, and the formation of DC Entertainment is a major step in our company's efforts to realize the full potential of this incredible wellspring of creative properties," said Meyer. "Diane knows our studio as a creative executive, a marketer and a senior manager, and this varied background will help her effectively and creatively integrate the DC brand and properties across all our businesses. We're also thrilled that Paul will remain involved with DC and we'll be able to tap his expertise to help us reach our goals for this new business."
"It's no secret that DC has myriad rich and untapped possibilities from its deep library of iconic and lesser-known characters," said Horn. "While we've had great success in films and television, the formation of DC Entertainment will help us to bring more DC properties across additional platforms to fans around the world, while maintaining brand integrity and authenticity. Diane is a terrific choice to lead DC Entertainment, and with Paul in his new role as a valued consultant and contributing editor, both our company and comic fans win."
"Based on the great success we've had working with DC Comics to create some of the most popular and successful super hero films of all time, I've long believed that there was much more we could do across all of Warner Bros.' businesses with this great body of characters and stories," said Robinov. "The prioritization of DC and the creation of DC Entertainment is a great opportunity that reaches far beyond the film group. There are endless creative possibilities to build upon the many significant successes already achieved by my colleagues Kevin Tsujihara and the Home Entertainment Group in the videogame, home video and direct-to-platform arenas and Bruce Rosenblum and the Television Group in live-action, animated and digital series. Collectively, we have the ability to grow a body of properties highlighting the iconic characters and the diversity of the creative output of DC Comics."
"The founding of DC Entertainment fully recognizes our desire to provide both the DC properties and fans the type of content that is only possible through a concerted cross-company, multi-platform effort," said Nelson. "DC Entertainment will help us to formally take the great working relationships between DC Comics and various Warner Bros. businesses to the next level in order to maximize every opportunity to bring DC's unrivalled collection of titles and characters to life."
"After so many roles at DC, it's exciting to look forward to focusing on my writing and being able to remain a part of the company I love as it grows into its next stage," said Levitz. "It's a new golden age for comics and DC's great characters, and I hope my new position will allow me to contribute to that magic time."
DARK HORSE COMICS FOR DECEMBER
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Dark Horse Comics has released its solicitations for December.
For a rundown, with images, CLICK HERE.
DC COMICS FIRST LOOKS
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For covers and five- to 10-page previews of DC Comics titles arriving in stores on Sept. 10, CLICK HERE.
Titles include Blackest Night: Batman #2, Booster Gold #24, Adventure Comics #2, Doom Patrol #2, Red Robin #4, Secret Six #13, Titans #17 and The Shield #1.
For previews of IDW Publishing titles arriving in stores on Sept. 10, CLICK HERE.
For previews of Harris Comics titles arriving in stores on Sept. 10, CLICK HERE.
For previews of Image Comics titles arriving in stores on Sept. 10, CLICK HERE.
For previews of BOOM! Studios titles arriving in stores on Sept. 10, CLICK HERE.
For previews of Dark Horse Comics titles arriving in stores on Sept. 10, CLICK HERE.
For previews of Top Cow Productions titles arriving in stores on Sept. 10, CLICK HERE.
For previews of Archie Comics titles arriving in stores on Sept. 10, CLICK HERE.
DARK HORSE COMICS FIRST LOOKS
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For covers and three-page previews of Dark Horse Comics titles arriving in stores on Sept. 16, CLICK HERE.
Titles include Beasts of Burden #1, Citizen Rex #3, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #45 and Star Wars: The Clone Wars #9.
MARVEL COMICS FIRST LOOKS
For covers and 10-page preview of Captain America: Reborn #3 from Marvel Comics CLICK HERE.
Look for more Marvel First Looks soon here in The Continuum.
MARVEL COMICS ROUNDUP
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Marvel Comics has released a first look at Joe Kubert's variant cover to Captain America: Reborn #4.
In other Marvel news:
* The publisher has announced an Oct. 7 release for the second printing of Strange Tales #1. The new printing features a black-and-white version of Paul Pope's cover.
* The publisher has announced an Oct. 7 release for the second printing of Hulk #14. The new printing features a wraparound cover of Ian Churchill's interior art.
Click on the thumbnails above for larger images.
NOVEMBER SOLICITATIONS ROUNDUP
For previously posted November solicitations, click on the publishers' names below:
* Antarctic Press.
* Arcana Studio.
* Archaia Comics.
* Archie Comics.
* Aspen Comics.
* Avatar Press.
* Bongo Comics.
* Bluewater Productions.
* BOOM! Studios.
* Dark Horse Comics.
* DC Comics.
* Devil's Due Publishing.
* Dynamite Entertainment.
* IDW Publishing.
* Image Comics.
* Moonstone Books.
* Marvel Comics.
* Oni Press.
BRIEFLY
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* DC Comics has unveiled cover art for Superman titles in December, including Action Comics #884, Supergirl #48, Superman #695 and Superman: World of New Krypton #10.
Click on the thumbnails for larger images.
* Kate Beckinsale, star of the Friday-opening Whiteout, was a guest on NBC's The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on Tuesday night.
Beckinsale talked briefly about the film, revealing how her unusually large hands help her in working with weapons. A clip from the film was also shown.
Click on the thumbnail for a larger image from her appearance.
* According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nicolas Cage won't be playing the villain in The Green Hornet movie. Cage -- who starred in Ghost Rider and the upcoming Kick-Ass -- had been in negotiations to play the film's villain.
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* DC Comics has announced second printings for three of its recent sell-out issues.
The second printing of Blackest Night #2 will be in stores on Sept. 30 and will feature a recolored version of the original cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert.
The second printing of Green Lantern #43 will be in stores on Sept. 30 and will feature a recolored version of the original cover by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy.
The second printing of The Flash: Rebirth #2 will be in stores on Sept. 30 and will feature a recolored version of the original cover by Ethan Van Sciver.
COMICS CONTINUUM BACK ISSUES
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If you missed The Continuum's coverage over the past month, following are links. Click on the date to get the day's full report.
* Friday, September 4: Marvel Comics First Looks, Harris Comics First Looks, Image Comics First Looks, DC Comics First Looks, Smallville, Iron Man: Armored Adventures and Wolverine and the X-Men.
* Thursday, September 3: Top Cow Productions First Looks, DC Comics First Looks, The Super Hero Squad Show, Whiteout and The Green Hornet.
* Wednesday, September 2: Whiteout's Greg Rucka, Guy Ritchie to direct Lobo movie, Kick-Ass movie, DC Comics' Aion, DC Comics First Looks, Dark Horse Comics First Looks, Archie Comics First Looks and DC Comics roundup.
* Tuesday, September 1: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Astro Boy, IDW Publishing First Looks, Radical Publishing First Looks, DC Comics First Looks, Heroes and Fantastic Four.
* Monday, August 31: Disney to acquire Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics First Looks, Dynamite Entertainment First Looks and Marvel Comics at Toronto Fan Expo.
* Sunday, August 30: Antarctic Press for November and Whiteout's Tom Skerritt.
* Saturday, August 29: Dark Horse Comics First Looks and Whiteout.
* Friday, August 28: Whiteout, Marvel Comics First Looks, BOOM! Studios First Looks, Iron Man: Armored Adventures and Wolverine and the X-Men.
* Thursday, August 27: Bluewater Productions First Looks, Veronica writer/artist Dan Parent, Oni Press for November, Image Comics First Looks and Superman/Batman: Public Enemies.
* Wednesday, August 26: Dollhouse, Archie Comics First Looks, Bluewater Productions' Ted Kennedy comic, BOOM! Studios for November, Devil's Due Publishing for November, Arcana Studio for November, Archaia Comics for November and Deadpool.
* Tuesday, August 25: Whiteout movie gallery, Bongo Comics for November, Avatar Press for November, Zenescope Entertainment for November, Red 5 Comics for November, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Deadpool #900 and BOOM! Studios First Looks.
* Monday, August 24: Family Guy, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Marvel's The Super Hero Squad Show, Archie Comics for November, Dark Horse Comics First Looks, DC Comics First Looks, Dynamite Entertainment First Looks and Archaia Comics First Looks.
* Sunday, August 23: Family Guy and The Simpsons season premieres, BOOM! Studios First Looks and Radical Publishing First Looks.
* Saturday, August 22: Dynamite Entertainment for November, Top Cow Productions for November and Dollhouse.
* Friday, August 21: IDW Publishing for November, Marvel Comics First Looks, BOOM! Studios First Looks, Wolverine and the X-Men and Iron Man: Armored Adventures.
* Thursday, August 20: Aspen Comics for November, Moonstone Books First Looks, Top Cow Productions First Looks and Superman/Batman: Public Enemies.
* Wednesday, August 19: Image Comics for November, Hero Intiative's Wolverine Project, James Marsters' Caprica, Bluewater Productions First Looks and Archie Comics First Looks.
* Tuesday, August 18: Marvel Comics for November, Marvel's The Super Hero Squad Show, Image Comics First Looks, DC Comics First Looks and Superman/Batman: Public Enemies' John C. McGinley.
* Monday, August 17: DC Comics for November, Kick-Ass movie at Lionsgate, Spider-Man, Marvel Comics First Looks, DC Comics First Looks, Archaia Comics First Looks and UDON Entertainment First Looks.
* Sunday, August 16: Radical Publishing for November and The Surrogates.
* Saturday, August 15: IDW Publishing First Looks and BOOM! Studios First Looks.
* Friday, August 14: Marvel Comics First Looks, DC Comics First Looks, Iron Man: Armored Adventures and Wolverine and the X-Men.
* Thursday, August 13: Marvel's The Super Hero Squad Show, Moonstone Books for December, Archie writer Michael Uslan, Red 5 Comics First Looks and Top Cow Productions First Looks.
* Wednesday, August 12: Heroes, The Darkness, Marvel Comics First Looks, Archie Comics First Looks, Bluewater Productions First Looks and Dark Horse Comics First Looks.
* Tuesday, August 11: Dark Horse Comics for November, Heroes, The Simpsons, Marvel Comics First Looks, Archaia Comics First Looks and DC Comics First Looks.
* Monday, August 10: IDW Publishing First Looks, Marvel Comics First Looks, DC Comics First Looks, Teen Choice winners and X-Men panel at Chicaco Comic-Con.
Copyright © 2009, The Comics Continuum