DC Comics Names Marie Javins Their New Editor-in-Chief

It’s been a turbulent year for DC Comics. First, they fired Co-Publisher Dan Didio. Then, after AT&T bought out Warner Bros, there were massive layoffs. One of those layoffs? Bob Harras, the previous editor-in-chief. For a few months, DC named two interim editors-in-chief, Michele R. Wells and Marie Javins. But as of yesterday, Marie Javins in the new editor-in-chief of DC Comics.

Who is Marie Javins, the New Editor-in-Chief of DC Comics?

And editor Marie Javins. They should really put the main editor on the covers (Image: Dark Nights: Metal: DC Comics)

Compared to pretty much every editor-in-chief of the past, Marie Javins is relatively new to DC Comics. She started with them as a temporary editor in 2014 when the publisher moved from New York to Burbank. Then she started cranking out hits. She edited Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass, Superman Smashes the Klan, and, biggest of all, Dark Nights: Metal. As Daniel Cherry III, senior vice president and general manager of DC Comics, states:

“Marie intrinsically understands the power of comics and their unique ability to entertain and empower, which makes her a perfect choice to be DC’s next editor-in-chief. In addition to her many creative talents, she’s also incredibly committed to increasing access to this amazing industry by mentoring the next generation of comic book creators and helping them find their voices. I look forward to working with her in her new role.”

Javins Isn’t the First Female EiC—But She Can Do the Most for Diversity Now

Hey Marie, we need more “Superman punching Nazis” in our lives! (Image: Superman Smashes the Klan, DC Comics)

At Marvel Comics, the editor-in-chief role is a much bigger deal, but DC Comics tends to downplay their significance. In fact, from 2002 to 2010, they didn’t even have one! Before Bob Harras, Jeanette Khan, held the office from 1988 to 2002. But though DC Comics had a woman as EiC, the industry was still a man’s world, so to speak. But where the industry is now is a much different environment than it was in the 1990s. Even more, the new DC Comics editor-in-chief, Marie Javins, is excited about the possibilities instead of just doing the job. Harras wasn’t exactly vocal in the past 10 years, and they might be one reason he was ousted. EiCs are also the faces of the company. Marvel’s history of EiCs representing the company to the fans is engrained in their style.

Javins will likely be more like that. As she said:

“As a young girl devouring comics of Wonder Woman, Nubia and Supergirl, I never dreamed that decades later, I’d be at the helm of the mighty DC Comics. I’m incredibly honored by this responsibility, and will dedicate myself to supporting and challenging DC’s extended family of staff, talent, retailers, and partners around the world in our quest to tell innovative visual stories that both reflect and expand our world—and in some cases, our galaxy and multiverse.”

And here at Comic Years, we’re excited to see what new initiatives Marie Javins brings to DC Comics as the editor-in-chief. So, congrats, Marie! We look forward to hearing more from you.

(Featured Image: DC Comics)

Roman Colombo finished his MFA in 2010 and now teaches writing and graphic novel literature at various Philadelphia colleges. His first novel, Trading Saints for Sinners, was published in 2014. He's currently working on his next novel and hoping to find an agent soon.