So, in the wake of Marvel's Disney buyout, it turns out that both of the big two comics companies were secretly working on game-changing restructurings: WB has announced the creation of the new sub-company DC Entertainment, of which DC Comics will be a part.
It sounds unlikely to affect the comics directly too much. The new President makes it clear that her main responsibilities are to better exploit the DC properties across the Warner family of companies. In other words, jumpstart the stalled DC movie slate, get video games and cartoons and whatnot rolling again. As with Marvel, the comics are probably safe simply by virtue that they aren't important enough to spend the corporate masters' time on.
The truly transformative news is that Paul Levitz is stepping down as President and Publisher of DC. Assumably the president spot is being merged with the new position, and Paul is going to be recruiting and grooming his own replacement. Paul will be staying on as a consultant, especially with talent relations.
Paul has been 100% supportive of talent in his more than 30 years as a comic exec. He came on when creators didn't even HAVE contracts. There would be a disclaimer on the back of your check, and by cashing it, you accepted the terms. If you didn't like them, don't cash your check. He was one of the key figures in creative contracts, royalties, and other creative perks. He's been key in massaging any number of creative deals. he's friends with the Siegels, and is key in making sure that both sides of the current legal mess understand and recognize that it's just business for both sides, not a personal insult.
Despite his tendency to occasionally pulp books almost capriciously, he's done almost nothing but good for the industry, and many insiders are saying his resignation will have more impact than either DC Entertainment OR the Disney buyout. Let's hope for the best.
Also, he will be taking over Adventure Comics, current home of Paul's signature characters, the Legion of Super-Heroes. I loved his run, but frankly I think this is going to turn the LSH into even more of a nostalgiac, navel-gazing 80s fan service than it has already been for the last 2-3 years.
