As if 2020 wasn’t bad enough, the year just got worse for many of the executives and senior editors at DC Comics. Many of them were let go in a round of layoffs Monday. Those who were shown the door include:
- Bob Harras, Editor-in-Chief
- Mark Doyle, Executive Editor DC Black Label
- Brian Cunningham, Senior Story Editor & Producer
- Andy Khouri, Editor
- Jonah Weiland, Vice President of Marketing
- Hank Kanalz, Senior Vice President Publishing Strategy & Support Services
- Bobbie Chase, Vice President of Global Publishing Initiatives and Digital Strategy
I’m not sure this can be considered a pure layoff. To be laid off means your position was eliminated with the company. If Bob Harras was “laid off,” it would mean DC Comics will no longer have an editor-in-chief. I doubt that’s the case. I have to imagine someone else will be hired or promoted for his former position.
Jim Lee is still with DC, but he’s no longer the Publisher. He’s now DC’s Chief Creative Officer. That seems like it might be a promotion. I don’t think Jim Lee will ever get laid off. He’s a survivor.
Layoffs are terrible
I’ve been laid off before and it’s not a lot of fun. In my case, I felt it was coming and it still hit me like a sock full of nickles when it did. And I hated that job. I can only imagine how bad it would have felt if it was my dream job. For example, when former Marvel associate-editor Heather Antos lost her job with that esports betting website. That must have been terrible for her.
I’ve also experienced a round of layoffs were I survived and it too was pretty awful. I had to watch people I worked with get escorted out of the building clutching a box containing their meager personal possessions. I remember feeling embarrassed because I got to keep my job while they didn’t. I have weapons-grade self-esteem issues.
Thoughts and prayers
I wish everyone who was laid off all the luck in the world finding new employment. Unfortunately for them, I think they will need it. It’s not a good time to be looking for a job. Not only are we in a pandemic that shows no signs of letting up, but we also have record unemployment. It’s also not a good time to find employment in the field of comic books. I think the medium is dying. Then again, I’ve been saying that for a while now. Maybe that’s just my crippling pessimism talking.