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In something of a surprise, DC Entertainment, the newly named parent unit of DC Comics, has named acclaimed comics artist Jim Lee and DC Universe senior v-p and executive editor Dan DiDio--two of the best-known figures in their respective roles in comics publishing--as copublishers of DC Comics, the comics division and publisher of Superman, Batman, and other classic comics characters. The announcement was made by DC Entertainment president Diane Nelson and also includes the appointment of Geoff Johns, a critically acclaimed and bestselling comics writer, as chief creative officer. In addition, John Rood was named executive v-p, sales, marketing and business development, and Patrick Caldon was named executive v-p, finance and administration.

The appointment puts two well-known comics figures in charge of one of the biggest and best-known comics publishers in the world. Since Nelson, a former executive at DC's parent company, Warner Bros., was named president of DC Entertainment in late 2009, succeeding longtime DC president Paul Levitz, there has been intense speculation over who would take over as publisher. Nelson's expertise is in the movie business, and she has acknowledged her limited experience in the sometimes arcane world of comics publishing. Indeed, there has been speculation that a traditional book publishing figure would be named.

Nelson called the new co-publishers "a creative 'dream team,' with accomplishments and talent unrivaled in the business. This announcement continues and underscores DC's legacy as the ultimate destination for creators. "

The home of Superman and Batman will now be guided by two very experienced comics professionals, although Lee and DiDio represent a contrast. Lee is an acclaimed artist and fan favorite who has drawn bestselling comics for both DC and Marvel. But he is both a creator and a publishing entrepreneur and is also a cofounder of Image Comics, a pioneering comics publishing house launched in the late 1990s by a group of superstar artists, that has grown into a major publisher of independent comics. Lee also launched another comics house, Wildstorm Productions, and he left Image and sold Wildstorm to DC Comics in 1998.

In his role as executive editor of the DC Universe, DiDio oversees the editorial production of all the DC superhero characters from Superman and Batman to Green Lantern, the Flash, and Wonder Woman--a demanding position in a world where fans respond vehemently when they don't like how their favorite characters are portrayed. While DiDio has sometimes received harsh words from some corners of the DC readership, he has nevertheless presided over some of the most popular story lines and bestselling crossover series in recent years.

Now the speculation will turn to, among other things, whether DC Comics will remain in New York City--there's thought that the house could move to California--as well as the direction that Nelson and her management team will take the company as DC Comics faces a transformed comics market. Thanks to the impact of Hollywood and hit films based on superhero comics, the house's historic competitive rivalry with Marvel--now owned by Disney--has been ratcheted to new levels. In addition, over the past 15 years, the traditional book market has grown in importance for comics periodical publishers like DC as revenues from book-format graphic novels have begun to equal sales from traditional comics periodicals sold through the comics shop market. It's a new day at DC Comics.

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