DC Entertainment announces elevation of key executives

From DC Entertainment

Dec. 26, 2012

DC Entertainment announces elevation of key executives

DC Entertainment announced today the promotion and expansion of duties for two of its key executives and a new reporting structure created to enhance and strengthen the company’s three imprints: DC Comics, Vertigo and Mad Magazine.

Bob Harras has been promoted to Senior Vice President – Editor-in-Chief, DC Comics, and will continue to oversee editorial for DC Comics. In over two years at the helm, Harras has helped guide DC Comics to unprecedented heights with the launch of DC’s The New 52 initiative and September’s ZERO MONTH event. The string of successes rolls on, as the Batman books continue to surprise and enthrall readers with the BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY crossover, Superman and his family of books encounter H’EL ON EARTH and the entire New 52 line heads toward the top-secret TRINITY WAR.

“Bob is a respected and talented editor, manager and leader with a keen eye for talent,” said DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “He’s been integral to making DC – The New 52 the amazing success it is today. 2013 is going to build upon 2012’s huge successes and we continue to be committed to providing fans with the best comics on the stands. Bob and his team have set the bar high for themselves, and we are all excited about what’s next for DC Comics.”

DC Entertainment veteran Hank Kanalz has been named Senior Vice President of Vertigo and Integrated Publishing. In his new role, Kanalz will oversee Vertigo’s publishing efforts. In addition, Kanalz will continue to manage the company’s growing digital business seeking innovative and integrated publishing opportunities. Under Kanalz’s leadership DC Entertainment became the first comic publisher to offer its entire line on the same day in digital and print formats. Kanalz has also forged innovative industry partnerships including the recently announced deals to offer DCE graphic novels and monthly comic books Amazon’s Kindle Store, Apple’s iBookstore and Barnes & Noble’s Nook Store.

Kanalz’s oversight of Vertigo will further support newly promoted Vertigo Executive Editor Shelly Bond’s vision for the imprint and bring increased awareness to Vertigo’s ever-growing library of characters and properties cross-divisionally.

“Hank’s strong leadership has resulted in triple digit growth among our digital comics business,” stated DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “In this new role he is poised to continue DC Entertainment’s digital momentum, while working even more closely with the print publishing teams, specifically Vertigo.”

Harras, Kanalz and MAD Magazine Vice President and Executive Editor John Ficarra will report to DC Comics Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio, representing DC Entertainment’s three imprints.

From DC Entertainment

Dec. 18, 2012

Shelly Bond has been promoted to Executive Editor of the Vertigo imprint for DC Entertainment. Joining Bond in her new leadership role are Will Dennis, who has been promoted to Group Editor, Vertigo and Mark Doyle who has been promoted to Editor, Vertigo. All three staffers have spent years under the guidance of outgoing SVP & Executive Editor Karen Berger, creating a continuity in editorial experience.

“I've been incredibly lucky to have worked for many years with these three smart and talented editors. Shelly has been by my side since the beginning of Vertigo, so I couldn't be happier about passing the baton to her,” Berger said. “She brings so much creativity, passion and professionalism to everything she edits with special note to the wildly successful FABLES, which she launched and has overseen for over 10 years. Will is a highly regarded story editor of many critically acclaimed series including 100 BULLETS, DMZ and SCALPED and has procured many European and South American artists for our titles. Mark has a great eye for new writing talent, and his avid interest in up-to-the-minute fiction has been a real asset to the line. I look forward to reading many great comics and graphic novels from these three for many years to come. Vertigo is in the best of hands.”

Bond began her career at Vertigo in 1993 as Assistant Editor. Her unique pop culture sensibility and love of all things British – plus a knack for discovering new, uncompromising and inspired talent – helped launch some of the most beloved Vertigo series and OGNs, including FABLES, FAIREST, THE INVISIBLES, LUCIFER, HEAVY LIQUID, SLOTH, iZOMBIE, AMERICAN VIRGIN, DEADENDERS, HOUSE OF SECRETS, YOUNG LIARS, THE SANDMAN: ENDLESS NIGHTS and DEATH: AT DEATH'S DOOR. The list of talented creators Bond has worked with over the years is equally long and impressive, including Michael Allred, Mark Buckingham, Mike Carey, Howard Chaykin, Becky Cloonan, Neil Gaiman, Peter Gross, Gilbert Hernandez, James Jean, Phil Jimenez, Peter Milligan, Grant Morrison, Paul Pope, Steven T. Seagle, Jill Thompson, Bill Willingham and many more.

Before DC, Bond was a video/film editor and talent agent. She also served as the editor for THE ELEMENTALS – a comic book by Willingham. The friendship and working relationship continues to this day, as FABLES celebrates 10 years of publication.

"It’s been a great privilege, both personally and professionally, to work with Karen Berger since Vertigo’s inception,” says Bond. I look forward to honoring her legacy by continuing to push the imprint to arresting new heights ably abetted by a fiercely talented editorial team. Expect nothing but the deft storytelling, incomparable artistry and the bravado that has made Vertigo an industry leader."

Dennis has had a long and critically-acclaimed editorial career at Vertigo and DC Comics, which saw him form long-lasting relationships with some of the most renowned creators in comics, including Jason Aaron, Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo, R.M. Guera, Jim Lee, Denise Mina, Eduardo Risso, Brian K. Vaughan, Brian Wood and the legendary Joe Kubert. Dennis has edited a number of award-winning ongoing series and special projects for the imprint, such as 100 BULLETS, SPACEMAN, SCALPED, THE LOSERS, PRIDE OF BAGHDAD, DONG XOAI: VIETNAM 1965, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, NORTHLANDERS and DMZ to name a few. Additionally, Dennis has edited many best-selling projects outside of Vertigo, including the JOKER graphic novel, Azzarello and Lee's SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW and the current BEFORE WATCHMEN mini-series.

A lifelong fan of crime fiction and music, Dennis began his career at Vertigo as Assistant Editor. Prior to Vertigo, Dennis worked at a boutique music and film publicity agency. One of his first jobs was at his local comic shop after college. Dennis points to his current gig as "the best job I've ever had." While he's worked with some of the best and brightest talent the comic book industry has to offer, Dennis says few come close to the experience of working with one of comics all-time greats, writer/artist Joe Kubert, describing it as "a dream come true."

Doyle began his career at Vertigo as Assistant Editor in 2006. Always on the lookout for new talent, he launched Scott Snyder’s first ongoing comic book series AMERICAN VAMPIRE with Stephen King and award winning artist Rafael Albuquerque in 2010. He has worked on such titles as SWEET TOOTH, THE NEW DEADWARDIANS, NORTHLANDERS, THE EXTERMINATORS and AMERICAN SPLENDOR by Harvey Pekar and currently assists on the current BEFORE WATCHMEN mini-series.

Replies

Captain Comics December 27, 2012 at 1:20pm

From DC Entertainment

Dec. 18, 2012

Shelly Bond has been promoted to Executive Editor of the Vertigo imprint for DC Entertainment. Joining Bond in her new leadership role are Will Dennis, who has been promoted to Group Editor, Vertigo and Mark Doyle who has been promoted to Editor, Vertigo. All three staffers have spent years under the guidance of outgoing SVP & Executive Editor Karen Berger, creating a continuity in editorial experience.

“I've been incredibly lucky to have worked for many years with these three smart and talented editors. Shelly has been by my side since the beginning of Vertigo, so I couldn't be happier about passing the baton to her,” Berger said. “She brings so much creativity, passion and professionalism to everything she edits with special note to the wildly successful FABLES, which she launched and has overseen for over 10 years. Will is a highly regarded story editor of many critically acclaimed series including 100 BULLETS, DMZ and SCALPED and has procured many European and South American artists for our titles. Mark has a great eye for new writing talent, and his avid interest in up-to-the-minute fiction has been a real asset to the line. I look forward to reading many great comics and graphic novels from these three for many years to come. Vertigo is in the best of hands.”

Bond began her career at Vertigo in 1993 as Assistant Editor. Her unique pop culture sensibility and love of all things British – plus a knack for discovering new, uncompromising and inspired talent – helped launch some of the most beloved Vertigo series and OGNs, including FABLES, FAIREST, THE INVISIBLES, LUCIFER, HEAVY LIQUID, SLOTH, iZOMBIE, AMERICAN VIRGIN, DEADENDERS, HOUSE OF SECRETS, YOUNG LIARS, THE SANDMAN: ENDLESS NIGHTS and DEATH: AT DEATH'S DOOR. The list of talented creators Bond has worked with over the years is equally long and impressive, including Michael Allred, Mark Buckingham, Mike Carey, Howard Chaykin, Becky Cloonan, Neil Gaiman, Peter Gross, Gilbert Hernandez, James Jean, Phil Jimenez, Peter Milligan, Grant Morrison, Paul Pope, Steven T. Seagle, Jill Thompson, Bill Willingham and many more.

Before DC, Bond was a video/film editor and talent agent. She also served as the editor for THE ELEMENTALS – a comic book by Willingham. The friendship and working relationship continues to this day, as FABLES celebrates 10 years of publication.

"It’s been a great privilege, both personally and professionally, to work with Karen Berger since Vertigo’s inception,” says Bond. I look forward to honoring her legacy by continuing to push the imprint to arresting new heights ably abetted by a fiercely talented editorial team. Expect nothing but the deft storytelling, incomparable artistry and the bravado that has made Vertigo an industry leader."

Dennis has had a long and critically-acclaimed editorial career at Vertigo and DC Comics, which saw him form long-lasting relationships with some of the most renowned creators in comics, including Jason Aaron, Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo, R.M. Guera, Jim Lee, Denise Mina, Eduardo Risso, Brian K. Vaughan, Brian Wood and the legendary Joe Kubert. Dennis has edited a number of award-winning ongoing series and special projects for the imprint, such as 100 BULLETS, SPACEMAN, SCALPED, THE LOSERS, PRIDE OF BAGHDAD, DONG XOAI: VIETNAM 1965, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, NORTHLANDERS and DMZ to name a few. Additionally, Dennis has edited many best-selling projects outside of Vertigo, including the JOKER graphic novel, Azzarello and Lee's SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW and the current BEFORE WATCHMEN mini-series.

A lifelong fan of crime fiction and music, Dennis began his career at Vertigo as Assistant Editor. Prior to Vertigo, Dennis worked at a boutique music and film publicity agency. One of his first jobs was at his local comic shop after college. Dennis points to his current gig as "the best job I've ever had." While he's worked with some of the best and brightest talent the comic book industry has to offer, Dennis says few come close to the experience of working with one of comics all-time greats, writer/artist Joe Kubert, describing it as "a dream come true."

Doyle began his career at Vertigo as Assistant Editor in 2006. Always on the lookout for new talent, he launched Scott Snyder’s first ongoing comic book series AMERICAN VAMPIRE with Stephen King and award winning artist Rafael Albuquerque in 2010. He has worked on such titles as SWEET TOOTH, THE NEW DEADWARDIANS, NORTHLANDERS, THE EXTERMINATORS and AMERICAN SPLENDOR by Harvey Pekar and currently assists on the current BEFORE WATCHMEN mini-series.
Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod) December 27, 2012 at 2:31pm

I'm glad to see Shelly Bond get the top spot. As worthy as Dennis is, and as promising as Doyle is, I think Bond is the most likely to carry on the Vertigo sensibility most faithfully. I've loved projects from all three of them, though.
Travis Herrick (Modular Mod) December 28, 2012 at 9:34am

I was rooting for her to get this position. Great news.
Mark Sullivan (Vertiginous Mod) December 28, 2012 at 9:52am

I'm happy about this, too. Makes me more optimistic about the long-term survival of Vertigo.

This reply was deleted.