Changes Coming to DC Comic Line

Just got the following email from DC regarding what happens after Convergence:

C ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES NEW BOOKS, NEW CREATORS, BROADER FOCUS FOR THE DC 
UNIVERSE

Iconic Super Heroes & Super-Villains Universe is Diversifying To Make Room for 
More Types of Storytelling, More Fans.

June Slate of Titles Includes Long-Awaited Return to DCU of Bryan Hitch, Garth 
Ennis; Gene Luen Yang & Ming Doyle Join Team of Top Talent.

BURBANK, Calif. (February 6, 2015) – This summer, DC Entertainment launches a 
bold new direction for the DC Universe (DCU) that is even more inclusive and 
accessible to a wider group of readers as the publisher continues to evolve 
comic storytelling for its next generation of fans.  Award-winning, critically 
acclaimed writers are headlining the June 2015 slate of DC Comics’ new 
periodicals and graphic novels, including Gene Luen Yang, Bryan Hitch, Garth 
Ennis and Ming Doyle.

Beginning June 3rd, the DC Comics line of comic books will consist of 24 
brand-new series that will begin at issue number one, as well as 25 on-going, 
bestselling fan favorite series that will continue without a break in the issue 
numbering.  The total number of periodicals in the DCU will be 49, with 
additional new titles debuting throughout the year.

“This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish 
something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell 
stories that better reflect the society around us,” said DC Entertainment 
Co-Publisher Dan DiDio.  “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or 
whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

DC Comics will be keenly focused on going back-to-basics with its legendary 
characters, like BATMAN, SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN, while also reinventing key 
characters, such as BLACK CANARY, BIZARRO, CYBORG and STARFIRE, with a new 
contemporary tonality to ensure a diverse offering of titles.  Top writers and 
artists, as well as emerging fresh voices, are on board to help create an 
expansive lineup of comics that appeals to a broad audience of fans.

Depicting some of these iconic characters in a more contemporary light include 
National Book Award finalist Gene Luen Yang who will join artist John Romita Jr. 
in the ongoing adventures of SUPERMAN.  Comic superstar artist Bryan Hitch will 
write and draw new tales of the world’s greatest heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF 
AMERICA. The pitch perfect team of Garth Ennis and John McCrea returns to DC 
Comics for a limited series called SECTION EIGHT featuring characters from their 
popular Hitman comic.  VERTIGO creator Ming Doyle will be lending her talents to 
DC Comics, penning CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER along with newcomer artist Riley 
Rossmo.

“More than ever before, DC Comics fans are being exposed to our rich portfolio 
of characters through multiple sources, including an unprecedented number of 
highly successful TV shows, video games and upcoming major motion pictures,” 
said Co-Publisher Jim Lee.  “We are looking to extend that experience within 
publishing to ensure there is a comic book for everyone.  For example, fans of 
the ARROW television show may want more stories about BLACK CANARY. Now they can 
find modern, fresh takes on the character in the pages of her standalone series 
both in stores and digitally.”

Breakout star, Brenden Fletcher, co-writer behind the all new, highly successful 
BATGIRL book will also be  writing the new BLACK CANARY series launching in 
June.  Fan favorites Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be the creative team 
on new titles STARFIRE and HARLEY QUINN/POWER GIRL and will continue to  helm 
the perennially bestselling HARLEY QUINN.

“Beyond character and creators, the June slate will showcase different styles 
and approaches to storytelling as we add offbeat, irreverently funny titles such 
as BIZARRO, BAT-MITE and PREZ,” said Lee.  “Truly there will be something for 
everybody as we simultaneously celebrate our rich legacy while embracing new 
voices and concepts.”

A first look at upcoming storylines will be the focus of DC Entertainment’s Free 
Comic Book Day issue – DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE – available Saturday, May 2, 
featuring three 8-page previews for the June releases of Scott Snyder and Greg 
Capullo’s BATMAN, as well as Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s launch of the 
Darkseid War within JUSTICE LEAGUE featuring the biggest villains in the DCU – 
Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, and Gene Luen Yang's DC Comics debut with 
celebrated artist John Romita, Jr on SUPERMAN.  More than half-a million free 
issues of the DC Entertainment sampler will be given away at comic book 
retailers globally.

“In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to 
empower creators to tell the best stories in the industry,” said DiDio.