Change is in the air! After having served for years on the frontline, DC Comics publisher Dan Didio is now the former publisher of one of the biggest brands in comics books effective immediately. According to Comic Book, Didio’s departure came without warning and brought to a close an 18 year relationship with DC Comics, one that saw him spearhead numerous big events during his tenure at the company such as The New 52 in the early 2010s.
As for the why? Your guess is as good as mine as the comic book industry has been throwing up all manner of theories for Didio’s removal from DC. It’s a shock announcement of note, one that also brings the rumoured Generation Five project that Didio had been working on into question. A big effort to shake up the DC Comics status quo, Generation Five would see the continuity of that comic book universe sped up as a brand new roster of heroes stepped into the shoes of icons: Luke Fox suiting up to become Batman, Jonathan Kent operating as Superman, Captain Boomerang Jr. as the Flash and Jo Mullein as Green Lantern according to Bleeding Cool.
End of an era, and hopefully one that will remember Didio for all of his positive contributions to the comic book industry over a career that lasted almost two decades. Now, onto the best comic book covers of the week!
Comic book covers of the week by:
- Detective Comics #1020 by Brad Walker and Andrew Hennessy
- Wonder Woman #752 by Jenny Frison
- X-Men #7 by Jay Anacleto
- New Mutants #8 by Rod Reis
- Justice League Dark #20 by Clayton Crain
- Batgirl #44 by Terry and Rachel Dodson
- Monstress #26 by Sana Takeda
- Batman / Superman #7 by Andy Kubert
- X-Men / Fantastic Four #2 by Meghan Hetrick
- Batman Beyond #41 by Francis Manapul
- Red Hood: Outlaw #43 by Phillip Tan
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #48 by Kris Anka
- Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 by Steve Epting
- Redneck #26 by Lisandro Estherren
- Punisher Soviet #4 by Paulo Rivera
- Far Sector #4 by Jamal Campbell
- Death Or Glory #9 by Sean Gordon Murphy
- Scream: Curse of Carnage #4 by Kyle Hotz
- Dial H for Hero #12 by Joe Quinones
- Star #2 by Carmen Carnero
- Folklords #4 by Matt SMith
- Jessica Jones: Blind Spot #4 by Valerio Giangiordano
- Avengers of the Wastelands #2 by Juan Jose Ryp
- Killadelphia #4 by Eric Canete
- Red Sonja & Vampirella Meet Betty & Veronica #9 by Fay Dalton
- Protector #2 by James Harren
- Quantum & Woody #2 by David Nakayama
- Miss Fury #2 by Billy Tucci
- Finger Guns #1 by Tim Daniel
- Black Terror #5 by Rahzzah
- Misplaced #4 by Chris Callahan
- Kiss/Zombies #4 by Stuart Sayger
Last Updated: February 24, 2020
BradeLunner
February 24, 2020 at 17:13
I don’t get it, why would DC work so hard on Doomsday clock to bring things back to old school with the heroes, then plan to supercharge to Gen 5, honest question, I don’t read all that regularly but enjoyed Dark Knights Metal, Rebirth and Doomsday clock
Son of Banana Jim
February 24, 2020 at 17:54
With Didio presumably fired, it might mean 5G won’t be happening or at least not to the extent that Didio was originally planning. AT&T probably doesn’t want to see such huge and drastic changes to their characters. They probably want the properties to remain consistent between the comics and the movies. AND, let’s not forget DC isn’t doing so well in any case. Comic sales have been in the toilet for years now, and there’s no guarantee that what they had planned for 5G will resonate with fans. Most likely it’ll spark the same negative reaction as when Marvel tried to diversify their books. Book sales fell 60% to 70% in some cases, and virtually overnight.
Son of Banana Jim
February 24, 2020 at 18:11
As I always understood it, the big events were originally intended as a way to streamline their lineup, with books that are selling poorly going on the chopping block and cancelled (instead of being a way to just artificially spark interest in poorly selling books – which hasn’t worked for both Marvel and DC).
Of course now, they’re doing an event almost twice a year, and it barely sparks interest any more. Back when I was collecting, I remember getting excited for the one big event (every 5 years). With these things happening almost every year, who cares any more? And who has the money to buy multiple books with poor stories and poor characterisation. I’d rather just stick to collecting books from the mid 80s and late 90s. Those guys knew how to condense a story in under 30 pages – a skill seemingly lost in current year DC and Marvel.
And then you had the annuals. I really miss the annuals.
BradeLunner
February 24, 2020 at 18:27
I hear you, it does seem bloated and there´s some big event happening every so often it makes it hard for a casual reader like me to track, and then also waters down the impact of those events anyway.