DC'S EDITORIAL CHANGE-UP: DIDIO EXPLAINS

**MattBrady** · 06-10-2005, 04:48 PM

The changes coming to the DC Universe following Infinite Crisis won’t be limited just to the characters. DC Executive Editor Dan DiDio has confirmed for Newsarama that, following the seven-issue Infinite Crisis miniseries, DC editorial will see a significant change as well.

In a brief chat with Newsarama Friday morning, DiDio initially explained some of the rationale behind the upcoming “One Year Later…” jump all the DCU titles will experience coming out of Infinite Crisis between February and March of 2006.

“We had an editorial meeting to talk through Crisis - how we’re going to handle it, how we’re going to coordinate it, and how we’re going to follow it,” DiDio said. “When the suggestion was made by editorial of maybe doing a leap ahead in storylines, it gave us an interesting hook that would really play nicely, because it would allow you to get back into your characters in their own individual stories again, without being made to feel that they’re all coming from the same place and the same time. With everything running as tightly as it will be in Crisis, the last thing we wanted to do was follow it by having all the series coming from the same exact place, and the same exact time, because that can get a little redundant. This allows for every series to have its own individual identity again, and allows us to get the balls back up in the air as quickly as possible and get right back into the heart of what makes each character special.”

This relatively abrupt change in all the DCU ongoing series will also allow for editorial swaps for the series as well, DiDio explained.

“One of the things I really like to do, whether it’s within the DC Universe and its stories, or behind the scenes somewhat, is to shake things up and keep it fresh. One of the best things I have here is an incredibly talented editorial staff. They’ve been here for a while, and bring a lot of consistency in work and continuity in characters. When you’ve got good people working for you, the last thing you want to do is loose them. So what I decided to do is to find a way to keep everybody excited about what we’re doing is to take all the books, opt them into a big blender, and hitting spin. As a result, we’re going to be trying out different people with different series.

“As a result, we’ve got every editor giving up some books that they’ve nurtured for years as well as developing some new projects. In doing that, they’ll hopefully bring their own level of energy and excitement to the new material. The idea was extremely well-received by all the editors here, and it’s an exciting time for everybody. It’s got everybody thinking about something new, and getting a chance to work on characters that they haven’t had a chance to do before.”

While not able to run down a title-by-title list of who will work on what post Crisis, DiDio did reveal a few of the changes that will be coming. For example:

Current Batman Group Editor Bob Schreck will move from the Bat-office to overseeing the All-Star line. “Bob will be there to help solidify that line, and build those projects, as well as take on some new, high-end special projects,” DiDio said.

Following from that change, Peter Tomasi will become the editor on Batman and Detective Comics, while the Superman titles will move from Eddie Berganza to current Bat-editor, Matt Idleson. Berganza will receive the JLA in addition to his other titles.

“With every editor, from Mike Carlin and Joey Cavalieri to Steve Wacker and Joan Hilty, we’ve spun out and separated bits and pieces of the DC Universe, so that everyone gets to try something new, while at the same time, while every single editor is involved in the creation of new series and new directions for characters across the board as we see them coming out of Crisis.

“The best part about it, as I said before, is that I have a great staff, and every single one of them is essential to what’s going on at DC, and I hope they all stay here for a long time to come. This is what it’s all about – to keep everybody excited, fresh, and hungry to be doing more great comics here.”

DiDio acknowledged that some titles will reflect the editorial change more so than others. “You could look at the changes say, from Denny [O’Neil] to Bob [Schreck] on Batman, or how the Superman books have and will change from Mike [Carlin] to Eddie, and now to Matt,” DiDio said. “Some of the changes as a result of the moves might be incremental, but what it does do is that it allows every editor to look at the characters and find their own approach for the stories. It could be that Pete’s ideas about telling a Joker story in Batman aren’t quit the same as what Bob’s were. That will give things a level or freshness and newness, and allows the entire DCU to be seen through fresh sets of eyes.

“Likewise, every editor has certain creators they are comfortable with, and every editor is always looking to bring new talent on board. All in all, the changes in editors allow us to walk in fresh again, with open eyes, and get the best out of our talent, and our characters, which, in the end, is something that benefits the readers.”

Mr Wesley · 06-10-2005, 05:09 PM

EDDIE BERGANZA IS OFF THE 'SUPERMAN' TITLES!!

WOOT!

Let the flying monkeys sing!

I hope he does well on his new titles, but I for one felt that everything he did with his tenure on the titles was to either undo everything Carlin had done since 'Man of Steel,' or re-do the things that had been eliminated with the reboot: Specifically, reintroducing the silver-age Krypton, Krypto, Zod, TWO Supergirls, bringing a young Lex to Smallville, and destroying Luthor's standing as a well-respected businessman.

What has Matt Idelson been doing most recently, Senior Editor? I would assume that means he had a strong hand in Countdown/Infinite Crisis. So, let's hope that means good news for Clark Kent and Company.

And I think moving Schreck to the All-Star line is BRILLIANT! From what I've heard, creators love working with him, and he's able to get some high profile creators for the new All-Star comics.

HartyPotter · 06-10-2005, 05:13 PM

So does OYL mean that the Azzarello Superman run reflects the direction SUperman is going to be taken? I guess that was DC's first OYL story.

motteditor · 06-10-2005, 05:16 PM

Well, this could be good or bad. First of all, if the editors are all happy about it, great. I'd imagine something like this would cause a lot of angst in my office, but as long as they're all happy.

I'm a bit concerned about what some of the editorial changes (not to mention the one-year gap) might mean for the DC books I collect, but I'll wait and see and hope for the best.

**MattBrady** · 06-10-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HartyPotter
So does OYL mean that the Azzarello Superman run reflects the direction SUperman is going to be taken? I guess that was DC's first OYL story.

Nope - check the article that is linked above.

MattB

Johnny Triangles · 06-10-2005, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Wesley
EDDIE BERGANZA IS OFF THE 'SUPERMAN' TITLES!!

WOOT!

Let the flying monkeys sing!

I hope he does well on his new titles, but I for one felt that everything he did with his tenure on the titles was to either undo everything Carlin had done since 'Man of Steel,' or re-do the things that had been eliminated with the reboot: Specifically, reintroducing the silver-age Krypton, Krypto, Zod, TWO Supergirls, bringing a young Lex to Smallville, and destroying Luthor's standing as a well-respected businessman.

What has Matt Idelson been doing most recently, Senior Editor? I would assume that means he had a strong hand in Countdown/Infinite Crisis. So, let's hope that means good news for Clark Kent and Company.

And I think moving Schreck to the All-Star line is BRILLIANT! From what I've heard, creators love working with him, and he's able to get some high profile creators for the new All-Star comics.

Does anyone actually keep swiping the invisotext? After the first few times I just got annoyed and started ignoring them! lol

Johnny Triangles · 06-10-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HartyPotter
So does OYL mean that the Azzarello Superman run reflects the direction SUperman is going to be taken? I guess that was DC's first OYL story.

Based on Bergenza's lame explanations of the timeline of the story, I'd say you're giving them too much credit. Or maybe not...

jmarshall · 06-10-2005, 05:38 PM

Just out of curiosity, how do your pronounce this guy's name? "Diddio" or "Di-DEE-oh"? Or some other way?

Aaron · 06-10-2005, 05:39 PM

Well, I'll just say it. They should just go ahead and fire Berganza. The man's a complete and utter waste of editorial space. Thank GOD the Superman books are shifting. A few years too late, but better late than never.

Aaron

Johnny Triangles · 06-10-2005, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aaron
Well, I'll just say it. They should just go ahead and fire Berganza. The man's a complete and utter waste of editorial space. Thank GOD the Superman books are shifting. A few years too late, but better late than never.

Aaron

Quality has definitely suffered under Bergenza, but what about sales? Has the Superman group's sales risen or dropped under his reign?

SpyGuy · 06-10-2005, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
Current Batman Group Editor Bob Schreck will move from the Bat-office to overseeing the All-Star line. “Bob will be there to help solidify that line, and build those projects, as well as take on some new, high-end special projects,” DiDio said.

Following from that change, Peter Tomasi will become the editor on Batman and Detective Comics, while the Superman titles will move from Eddie Berganza to current Bat-editor, Matt Idleson. Berganza will receive the JLA in addition to his other titles.

Bob Schreck and Eddie Berganza leaving Batman and Superman titles = Good news for Batman and Superman readers

Bob Schreck and Eddie Berganza joining All-Star and JLA titles = Bad news for All-Star and JLA readers

clemsonfn · 06-10-2005, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Triangles
Quality has definitely suffered under Bergenza, but what about sales? Has the Superman group's sales risen or dropped under his reign?

I think they were at their lowest points ever before Austin, Azz, Rucka, and S/B.

So glad to see Eddie gone......The 3 core titles have the best writers in years on them, and the artists aren't too shabby either. This is a good chance for the Man of Steel to shine.

grantg · 06-10-2005, 06:50 PM

Odd that Carlin gets a mention since...

Mike Carlin has been told his contract will not be renewd.

christian · 06-10-2005, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grantg
Odd that Carlin gets a mention since...

Mike Carlin has been told his contract will not be renewd.

Unless it's not true, then not so much...

Christian

johnlayman · 06-10-2005, 07:20 PM

I don't get it. How does DC expect to compete with Marvel if they don't put out DC books for an entire year?!??

grantg · 06-10-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnlayman
I don't get it. How does DC expect to compete with Marvel if they don't put out DC books for an entire year?!??

I hope you're kidding.

grantg · 06-10-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by christian
Unless it's not true, then not so much...

Christian

True - then again, if it wasn't true I imagine Carlin would be throwing a shit-fit.

SuperginraiX · 06-10-2005, 07:33 PM

As a mostly Marvel reader, I've gotta say I'm excited about this whole One Year Later approach and the editorial swap up. While I wasn't a fan of the Superman run by Azzarello and Lee, the concept is still pretty solid and doing it across the line creates infinite jumping on points for guys like me who maybe WANT to check out some more DC books but have felt a bit intimidated. Plus, the books I read (Teen Titans, Nightwing, JSA, Outsiders) will have cool twists added, hopefully. To me, it just sounds cool.

The editorial swap up? Brilliant. In my job (retail) we learn that team leads work better if you switch their areas up every year or so. It gives them something new and hopefully exciting to work with instead of the same old, same old. I'm hoping it'll work the same for comics because it'll make the post Crisis period as cool as the pre Crisis period is shaping out to be. Makes me wish Marvel would adopt something of the same program, but I really don't want Axel Alonso working on New Thunderbolts.

Cool news from DC.

ManofTheAtom · 06-10-2005, 07:35 PM

Just realized something.

After Infinite Crisis, Pre Crisis is going to refer to comics published from 86 to 05, while Post Crisis will refer to comics published after that.

Saying that "Pre Crisis comics suck" will no longer apply to comics from before 86...

PDStorrie · 06-10-2005, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnlayman
I don't get it. How does DC expect to compete with Marvel if they don't put out DC books for an entire year?!??

I heard that since they don't want to be left behind, they're planning a year-long "Best of John Layman" retrospective. To keep the shelves full, they're going to reissue EVERYTHING you had a hand in while at Wildstorm after it hooked up with DC.

Also, they're doing other merchandise, like the official "John Layman drank outta a coffee cup like this ... we think" coffee cup, official "John Layman used toliet paper a lot like this" toilet paper.

Plus there's the 12-issue maxi series featuring stuff they dug out of your trash cans without your knowledge! Phone bills, cable bills, all the pictures of your cats that didn't come out *just* right. Y'know, that sort of thing.

PDS

BriGuy · 06-10-2005, 08:06 PM

"For Tomorrow" is not a "One Year Later..." story. Didio said so in the initial announcement. It was just ahead of the other Superman titles which have since caught up.

New Alfonso · 06-10-2005, 08:06 PM

Nice. I look forward to seeing what falls into the lap of Joey Cavalieri. He made me care about Flash and got me to pick up both collections of Bizarro stories.

Honestly, the thing that really has me hooked on DC lately is that you can tell the editors are there and they care. Aside from War Games (which I skipped), I've greatly enjoyed all Bat crossover stories, the most recent of which have been edited by Shreck. And with all the Crisis stuff coming up, it really feels like each title bounces off each other without fault (well, aside from Wonder Woman sometimes being blind and sometimes not, but that's the only example that came to mind).

It just makes the DCU really feel like a working, breathing entity.

Jeffreak · 06-10-2005, 08:13 PM

When I saw that Eddie Berganza was leaving the Superman books, I KNEW I'd expect this sort of reaction.

I've always thought that Eddie Berganza's an unfairly maligned editor. Keep in mind that everyone was expecting the superteam of Mark Waid, Mark Millar, Tom Peyer and Grant Morrison back in the day. When that didn't pan out, Berganza had to scramble for new people, and ended up with Jeph Loeb, Joe Kelly, Joe Casey and Mark Schultz.

And also keep in mind that Superman is arguably DC's most important franchise - thus the most inflexible to work with. There are really only so many things you can do with him before the execs pooh-pooh your ideas. As far as I know, everyone who's had dealings with Berganza has nothing but praise for the man.

So, yeah, I'm a bit bummed that Berganza had to leave now of all times. All three Superman books are actually pretty good now, but you're not going to see Berganza take the credit he deserves for that. Ignorant fanboys in the future are going to say that oh, it's because they changed editors that Superman doesn't suck anymore. Ah well.

ManofTheAtom · 06-10-2005, 08:17 PM

Eddie Berganza got away with a lot of things during his tenure, ideas that contradicted DC's stance on Superman before he took over.

During his time as editor we got the return of the Silver Age Krypton, the return of Krypto and Bizarro #1, four different versions of Zod, two different Supergirls, and a new (and unnecessary) origin for Superman.

If these are the kind of things DC editorial allowed him to get away with, what do you think he really wanted to do that they wouldn't let him?

As for the Waid/Peyer/Morrison/Millar teams, except for Peyer they all got their chance to tell their version of a Superman story.

Waid had his chance with BR, Millar with Red Son, and Morrison's getting his with All-Star Superman, which uses his ideas for the 99 relaunch as its basis (i.e. Superman sitting on a cloud).

Oh, and Mark Shultz ruled on S: MoS.

Before Rucka came along Shultz was the last writer who got the modern age Superman, heh.

johnlayman · 06-10-2005, 08:24 PM

Has DC announced whether the "One Year Later" storyline will take place one calendar year after Infinite Crisis, or one fiscal year?

'Cause if Lex Luthor didn't pay taxes that year, or file for an extension, Superman could nail him for tax evation.

That's how they got Al Capone, y'know!