STEPHEN WACKER LEAVES DC FOR MARVEL

[MattBrady]

In a completely unexpected move, Newsarama has learned that Editor Stephen Wacker has left DC Comics, with today reportedly being his last day. Sources speaking to DC on the condition of anonymity say that Wacker was not fired.

At DC, Wacker edited several titles, including the weekly 52, Jonah Hex, JSA and Legion of Super-Heroes. Wacker joined DC in 2000, coming from the Associate Press Sports Department, as an assistant editor. He was promoted to associate Editor in 2002, and again to full Editor in 2004. All indications are that Wacker’s departure was somewhat sudden, given that in this week’s “DC Nation” column in the back of DC’s comics, Executive Editor Dan Didio said that he’d be talking about Wacker in more detail next week.

According to various sources, Wacker is moving to Marvel.

His departure raises many questions about the future of 52, given that he was, on many occasions, given much of the credit for keeping the weekly book both on the rails and on schedule. DC declined to comment about Wacker’s departure or who will be taking over 52. Of course, Wacker was best known to Newsarama readers for his weekly Q&A about each weekly issue of 52.

Wacker’s departure is the latest in a handful of editorial changes over the past few months between Marvel and DC, with Marvel editor Mike Marts moving to DC, and Bill Rosemann moving from DC to Marvel. In regards to Wacker’s ultimate destination in light of his departure from DC, Marvel could not be immediately contacted for confirmation or denial that Wacker will be taking an editorial position at the rival publisher.

UPDATE 4:58pm: Newsarama sent a handful of questions to Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada about the move.

Newsarama: Joe, first off - can you confirm that Steve Wacker is coming to Marvel?

Joe Quesada: Yes, I can now officially confirm that this is the case.

NRAMA: What does he bring to the table, editorially?

JQ: We have the finest editors in comics and Steve just makes us that much stronger as a team. Steve is one of the brightest young editors in the biz and we felt that he would fit right at home here at Marvel.

NRAMA: Who sought him out?

JQ: We've actually been dancing this dance mutually with Steve for several years, this time the timing seemed right and mutually beneficial for both parties.

NRAMA: We've seen a handful of editorial swaps lately - this looking to be the last one?

JQ: Actually no, I’m thinking about trading Ralph Macchio for a draft pick to be named later and a solid plowing horse [laughs].

NRAMA: Right, right - so seriously, are you bringing Steve over so you can do a weekly comic?

JQ: Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag, we’re doing a new book called 365, it will be the world’s first daily comic. It will also be one page in length.

NRAMA: Any word on where he'll be landing when he comes over?

JQ: That’s a conversation for a later date.

[SaturnKnight]

To which I say...

WTF?!!

Wacker has left 52?! Damn! That's messed up.

Dying to know who will take over for him! Good luck, DC. I love 52!

[TS24]

Man that sucks I wish he'd stay at DC long enough to ensure that 52 is on time and in high gear.

[DAV!S]

Damn, that's totally unexpected. Wonder how far along he was with 52.

[poisn*iv]

Originally Posted by SaturnKnight

To which I say...

WTF?!!

Wacker has left 52?! Damn! That's messed up.

Dying to know who will take over for him! Good luck, DC. I love 52!

Dude; you totally missed the point; he hasn't left 52, he's left the company.
Holy $%!#

[R A Renteria]

Originally Posted by SaturnKnight

To which I say...

WTF?!!

Wacker has left 52?! Damn! That's messed up.

Dying to know who will take over for him! Good luck, DC. I love 52!

What about good luck Mr. Wacker. I'm sure DC will be just fine.

R-

[sol]

Yeah....plus he definitely led me to believe he'd be there for the column next week. Something is afoot here. I hope he's not sick or anything like that. Oh well, shake-ups seem to be the norm around the industry right now.

[xdemon]

All the Rage had a rumor about Marvel trying to get an editor. I wonder if it is SW?

[Ace]

Maybe it was because I was reading today how 52 sold something like 500,000 copies in October, or maybe it's because Newsarama as a community interacts with him so often, but this seems like really huge news to me, and like a huge coup for Marvel.

Obviously, Marts was a much more senior editor, but Steve's shown himself to be respectful to the fans, knowledgable about the product, willing to go to great lengths for his job and..

c'mon, this is the guy who's been getting 52 out on time.

I'm really looking forward to what he comes up with at Marvel.

Hey, if it's half as good as what Andy (Annihilation, Ms. Marvel, Omega Flight, Union Jack) Schmidt seems to be coming up with (and I bet it will be), then I've got some good feelings about Marvel.

Now hopefully we don't see a drop in quality in 52. He said last friday that they were scripting issue 35 this week, so we'll see.

[kingofcities]

Wonder who'll be doing the 5.2 column now?

[Gamma Duck]

Wait--was Wacker in the Giffen JLI?

[sol]

Originally Posted by sol

Yeah....plus he definitely led me to believe he'd be there for the column next week. Something is afoot here. I hope he's not sick or anything like that. Oh well, shake-ups seem to be the norm around the industry right now.

Then again...he didn't say anything like 'see ya next week' in the column. Maybe he knew what the score was.

[DonalB]

news for Marvel! This man knows how to up hold a schedule and is sorely need at the house of ideas ! First Editorial Director then after a marginal tenure, EIC all the way baby!!!!!! Say good bye to all those cheap excuses lazy creators, things they- are- a -changin!!!!!!!

[worldsfinest]

If I were working for Dan Didio, I would walk out to.

[Mercury]

ugh. good luck to mr. wacker, honestly, but what a disturbing trend thats growing. it developed into the somewhat understandable following a creator over a character, and now it's become, caring about what editors are doing. remember when comics were fun... i dont want to undermine the very important work editors do.. well, tom brevorrt aside.. but really, editors leaving, exclusive contracts, and contract wars between marvel and dc are not things to care about.

[VinnyPic]

Wow. It's odd to leave something so momentous half finished though, no?

[nietoperz]

That's a damn shame. Still, I have faith in DC's ability to keep this project grounded...

[Spaz_Monkey]

Damn. This is huge.

I wish him the best, tho.

Just kinda wondering what his commitment to DC & 52 was, and if his leaving will cause any major problems.

[DBHughes]

Originally Posted by Gamma Duck

Wait--was Wacker in the Giffen JLI?

BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

(the only appropriate response)

[quixotic]

SW is one of truly cool and funny guys in comics. I hate the idea of him leaving DC in the middle of the 52 run, because on some level it undermines the cool factor, but then I'm a (mostly) DC guy.

Good luck to SW, and congratulations to Marvel for getting a hell of a guy.

[Mike Cruz]

That's a shame; I liked Stephen Wacker on 52. I think the fact that he left so suddenly, so unexpectedly speaks volumes about his relationship with DC.

Frankly, I hope Eddie Berganza is selected to replace Wacker. That'd be an interesting ride.

[Rob S.]

Good luck to him.

But man, I hope they can fill his shoes, 52-wise.

[Simon DelMonte]

There is no truth to the rumor that Marvel has signed to spearhead its new daily comic, 365.

I wish him the best of luck, and wish whoever gets the 52 job the same.

[Nathan Jewell]

Originally Posted by Gamma Duck

Wait--was Wacker in the Giffen JLI?

Now that is funny.

[Nukeboy]

Its all part of Quesada's evil plot to derail 52.