At a public forum this weekend for the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, DC Comics publisher Jim Lee spoke publicly for the first time since his fellow broadcaster, Dan DiDio, excitedly for DC Comics on February 21.
"DC has been here for 85 years, and we will be here for another 85 years," said Lee, apparently responding to rumors about his future, according to liveblog published by Newsarama. Lee is also DC's chief creative officer.
He continued: “The key strategy for DC is to include advertising at the center of what we do. & # 39; It's the engine of all movies, TV, cartoons, what we do. And so my goal is to move forward as a publisher to rely on the combined [information] years of my team. … Rest assured, the company is in great hands. ”
Officially, DC Comics has declined to give any statement on DiDio's departure since last Friday. He joined DC Comics in January 200 as Opposition Leader and editor Superboy, and was promoted along with Lee to co-publisher in 2010.
In one more year, under the leadership of the couple, DC Comics launched The New 52, the first company to be fully operational since 1986. The New 52 had a lively debate, but its effects – in story and market – far outweighed the test of time. DiDio and Lee also developed the 2016 regeneration program, which has served as a major component of many of the New 52 continuity changes.
And during the tenure of DiDio and Lee together, DC began publishing digital versions of all the comics on the same day they were physically released; put a solid foot down in the progressive world of YA graphic novels; and DC's popular Vertigo comic series that has included the Black Label label, with unpublished stories for student designers ages 17 and older.
DiDio regularly appeared at conventions, often hosting DC panels where fans, supporters and otherwise, bombarded him with questions. He was expected to appear this weekend at C2E2, but the panel was canceled following his release.
In addition to obvious questions about DC's upcoming editorial structure, DiDio's departure raises questions about the future of his 12-issue magazine. Metal men The series, produced by Shane Davis, released its fifth issue this month.