Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities Major DC News: Massive Firings

This was first being reported over Twitter, but it seems someone went on a firing spree in DC's offices and a lot of people have been fired, including Bob Harras

https://www.cbr.com/dc-entertainment-warnermedia-layoffs/

At first I was pleased to know Harras was finally gone but firings on this scale have me worried. They've also reportedly axed DC Collectibles.

So what does this mean for DC as a whole?

This news made it hard for me to sleep last night. I hate when corporations do this.

In a normal time, I would say they would outsource some things to third parties and maybe sell some under-performing IPs. However, this is not a normal time and most entertainment companies are running out of cash.

No DCC means more toy money for Marvel Legends, I guess. I'll miss their statues. Action figure-wise, Mattel has really dropped the ball with their DC license. Hasbro just keeps pumping out line after line of Marvel goodness.

As far as the actual comics end, I'll have to wait and see the fallout and how this all plays out.

Despite Jim Lee's reassurances (which was essentially keeping comics around to feed other media), this sounds like a comics bloodbath. Have to say I'm not buying much from DC anyways, Legion, the occasional Batman and some of the Young Animal/Black Label stuff, which appears to have been put on the chopping block.

For me, it's Legion & Young Justice, both of whom I'm getting out of a nostalgic love for the original characters, not the current books, and Far Sector, the only DC book I'm actually getting because I like the current book.

I'd love there to be more. Some JSA, All-Star Squadron or Infinity, Inc. Some decent Teen Titans. Something decent with Vixen or Dr. Fate or Booster Gold or the Global Guardians (ha! that'll never happen!).

I did enjoy the recent run on Wonder Twins. It was fun. I'm pretty far from the target audience, these days, it seems.

Sucks for the creatives who have been let go. I know some companies have arranged for insurance coverage to continue for some time post-layoff, hopefully that's the case here, as it's not a good time to be without health insurance...

The cuts are sad. The cost to people is just devastating in this economy.

I'm not sure what this means. In previous economic crises, the comics companies made drastic cuts until there was room in the market. I think a major difference is that the primary economic engines for these companies (or their parent companies anyway) are not print comics anymore - so the direct market does not have the same pull as it once did. If you only need these properties to exist and grow to develop stories and protect IP rights, then print may seem overly expensive without a lot of payoff. I can see where an expanded digital line makes sense.
It's definitely a different way to do comics.

The direct market is probably in WAY more trouble than originally thought with the pandemic. That's sad for me because of the great memories of comic book shops in my life for sanctuary and excitement. But I have switched to digital a long time ago, so I am also guilty of not having a regular comics shop to support weekly.

I have been focused on DC for awhile (having given up Marvel around the first Civil War), but have gradually pruned many of their books from my buy lists.

I can't follow large company crossovers so that has minimized some titles from necessity. 20 years ago, I had time and interest to follow large crossovers, no matter how bad or poorly fit the issue. Today? I barely have time to read the stuff I want.

Nowadays, I also feel like I'm not the target demographic. I faithfully follow Legion and Nightwing. I have recently started Wonder Woman again (but this is an on-again/off-again thing depending on creator and storyline). Far Sector and Amethyst shine for me as new series. I also enjoyed Wonder Twins and Aquaman.

I have followed Green Lantern for Morrison but could easily let it go. Similarly, I have picked up Suicide Squad, Justice League Odyssey and Justice League Dark, but I won't cry for their cuts when it comes.