A massive round of layoffs at parent company WarnerMedia has hit DC Comics hard, affecting both the publishing business and their streaming service, DC Universe.
DC Comics editor-in-chief Bob Harras has been laid off, as has senior VP of publishing strategy and support services Hank Kanalz, VP of marketing and creative services Jonah Weiland, VP global publishing initiatives and digital strategy Bobbie Chase, senior story editor Brian Cunningham, and executive editor Mark Doyle, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Senior editor of DC’s Black Label Chris Conroy said on Twitter that he did not lose his job, however, “I am ‘okay’ in the sense that I have a job but I am deeply, thoroughly not okay.”
I am “okay” in the sense that I have a job but I am deeply, thoroughly not okay.
— Chris Conroy (@ConroyForReal) August 11, 2020
DC writer Tom Taylor commented on the news, saying he was “sending love to all at DC Comics today.”
Sending love to all at DC Comics today. Too many good people having a hard day in a year of hard days.
— Tom Taylor (@TomTaylorMade) August 11, 2020
In addition to the publishing business, “the majority of the staff” of DC Universe, DC’s online streaming platform, has been laid off as well. DC Universe’s fate has been speculated on ever since the launch of HBO Max, another WarnerMedia property, that seemed to overlap with the DC Universe a bit.
Also a casualty of these layoffs is DC Direct, DC’s collectibles manufacturer.
This is really rough news for anybody in the comic book world, as DC is one of the biggest publishers in the industry. Our thoughts go out to anybody involved in the layoffs today.
More on this story as it develops.
