Industry and retailer website, ICv2 interviews former President and Publisher of DC Comics, Paul Levitz, and new President of DC Entertainment, Diane Nelson. I found this part of the conversation interesting:
ICv2: Part of our audience is the comic store proprietors. Diane, could you tell us your impressions of the comic store channel, and what you think about its role for DC Comics and in the larger picture of DC Entertainment?
Diane Nelson: This is an area that first of all, admittedly, I have a lot more to learn about. I also am very aware that in my colleague Paul I have someone who understands that channel better than almost anyone. My focus is going to necessarily need to be how do we protect the core business and by extension the retailers who are the foundation of that, while also looking to build and grow the business for the future. I certainly appreciate the cultural and business value that those stores, their owners, and their customers provide for this whole business. And what that looks like for the future is going to take a whole lot of conversation with lots of people, not the least of whom is Paul.
Paul also answered that question, but my interest is in Nelson's response. Basically, her semi-answer was just a repeat of what industry people usually say. If Nelson wants to "build and grow the business for the future," she needs to address issues of diversification - both in what DC publishes and who produces it - and also how DC deals with creators, especially regarding copyright ownership and intellectual property rights matters.
For whatever new ideas Levitz may have introduced to the Direct Market, he ran DC Comics as if the company were still publishing comic books that appealed to guys who belonged mostly to whatever demographic groups he belongs.
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