According to The Hollywood Reporter, DC Entertainment has been affected by the wider reorganization of its parent company WarnerMedia. Among the reported layoffs are DC Comics editor-in-chief Bob Harras; the majority of the staff of the streaming service DC Universe; and the entire DC Direct division, which oversaw the company’s merchandise and collectibles.
Other staff members reportedly losing their jobs include a third of DC’s editors, such as executive editor Mark Doyle, who oversaw the adult-aimed Black Label, and senior story editor Brian Cunningham. Others mentioned in the report are senior VP of publishing strategy and support services Hank Kanalz; VP of marketing and creative services Jonah Weiland; and VP global publishing initiatives and digital strategy Bobbie Chase. Jim Lee remains chief creative officer of the company.
C21 Media reports that, overall, as many as 800 WarnerMedia staff could be let go, including 650 staff at Warner Bros., and around 175 people at HBO. The layoffs were directed by WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar with an aim to prioritize the new streaming service HBO Max; THR stated the downsizing of DC Universe had been widely expected as a result, quoting a source that “DC Universe was DOA as soon as the AT&T merger happened,” and that DC Direct’s shutdown had been rumored when Warner Bros. Consumer Products began to take a more active role in DC merchandising.
A DC spokesperson declined to comment on the layoffs, which come less than two weeks before the online event DC Fandome, which will feature panels with comic book creators and film/TV stars alike on August 22.
