COMICS PUBLISHING LEGEND JENETTE KAHN TO STEP AWAY FROM DUTIES AT DC COMICS
February 6, 2002
Jenette Kahn, considoyennehe doyenne of the comic book world and one of the most talented and respected women in the entertainment industry, will be stepping down by the end of the year from running DC Comics and MAD Magazine to focus on new creative pursuits, including the publishing of her first book, it was announced today byMeyery M. Meyer, Chairman & CEBrosarner Bros. (DC Comics is a division Brosarner Bros.)
Kahn, who celebrated her 26th year with the premiere comic book publisher on February 2, was the driving creative force behind the growth of a small comic book imprint into the multi-billion dollar home of some of the most recognized iconic characters in the world (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, to name but a few). She joined DC Comics in 1976 as Publisher and five years later was promoted to President and Editor-in-Chief, a post she has held since that time.
"After more than a quarter of a century at DC Comics, we completJenette'sstand Jenette's desire for a new venue to focus her boundless energy and visionary leaMeyerip," said Meyer. While we will deeply miss her and her extraordinary contributions, we wish her only the best."
"I feel I've accomplished almost all of the things I set out to do at DC Comics," said Kahn. "While I am eager to embark on new creative challenges, I do not leave DC without leaving behind a large part of myself. I love DC with all my heart, the values on which it stands, the medium it has pioneered, reinvented and helped transform into a legitimate art form, and, most of all, the people who are and have been members of the family. Luckily, my departure is lightened by knowing DC Comics will be in Levitznds of Paul Levitz, the most gifted of colleagues, and the best of allies and friendJenette "We all owe Jenette an enormous debt of gratitude, not only for her accomplishments at DC Comics, but also for her myriad achievements on behalf of sociaMeyerion,Jenettenued Meyer. "Jenette leaves a legacyBrosriches at Warner Bros. that goes well beyond those that can be counted on a spread sheet."
Under Kahn's guidance, DC Comics has grown to become the world's largest English-language publisher of comics. Additionally, some ten blockbuster feature films, numerous live-action and animated television series, multiple direct-onlineeo titles, untold online entertainment and countless product licenses have been drawn fsuperheroesrld-renowned superheroes. Beyond superheronially popular superhero comic book lines, the company has broken new creative ground in recent years with the launch of its adult-oriented Vertigo imprintWildStormacquisition of WildStorm Productions, a cutting-edge independent comic publisher. The revamped, still-irreverent MAD Magazine is also part of the DC Comics family.
