Dan DiDio
{{Short description|American comic book editor}}
{{Infobox comics creator
| image = 10.14.12DanDiDioByLuigiNovi.jpg
| caption = DiDio at the 2012 New York Comic Con
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|10|13}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| area = Writer, editor, publisher
| alias =
| notable works = ReBoot, DC Comics
| awards =
}}
Dan DiDio ({{IPAc-en|d|ɪ|ˈ|d|iː|oʊ}}; born October 13, 1959) is an American writer, editor, and publisher who has worked in the television and comic book industries. From February 2010 until February 2020, he was the co-publisher of DC Comics, along with Jim Lee. Wizard magazine recognized him as its first ever "Man of the Year" in 2003 for his work in the DC Universe line of comics.
Career
=TV work=
Prior to joining DC Comics, DiDio worked in television, beginning in 1981. DiDio was a freelance writer and story editor for Mainframe Entertainment, specifically working on ReBoot and War Planets.{{cite news |last= Cramer|first= Karl|url= http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/04/24/nycc-rebooting-reboot-with-gavin-blair-and-dan-didio/ |title=NYCC: Rebooting ReBoot with Gavin Blair and Dan DiDio|publisher= ComicMix|date= April 24, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130815011538/http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/04/24/nycc-rebooting-reboot-with-gavin-blair-and-dan-didio/|archive-date= August 15, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|access-date= May 17, 2012}}{{cite web |url= http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/109751230073481.htm|title= Dan Didio Named Vice President – Executive Editor, DC Universe|first= Jason|last= Brice|date= October 11, 2004|publisher= Silver Bulletins|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061021035028/http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/109751230073481.htm|archive-date= October 21, 2006|url-status= dead|df=mdy-all}}
=DC Comics=
DiDio joined DC Comics in January 2002, as vice president–editorial, as well as writer for Superboy (issues #94 to 100). He was promoted to vice president–executive editor, DC Universe in October 2004.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=4287|title= DiDio named Vice President – Executive Editor, DC Universe|first= Jonah|last= Weiland|date= October 11, 2004|publisher= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121026022529/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=4287|archive-date= October 26, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} In 2006, DiDio began writing a weekly column called "DC Nation" which appeared on the end page of most of DC Comics' main superhero titles. Originally, the column was tied to 52, a project he was overseeing. On February 18, 2010, DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson named DiDio as co-publisher of DC Comics, along with Jim Lee.{{cite web |url= http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/100217-dc-entertainment-names-executive-management-team|title= DC Entertainment Names Executive Management Team|date= February 18, 2010|publisher= SuperHeroHype|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100808001033/http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/100217-dc-entertainment-names-executive-management-team|archive-date= August 8, 2010|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite book|last=Cowsill|first= Alan|chapter= 2000s|title = DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9|page= 340|quote = Publisher Paul Levitz stepped down, and co-publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee, along with DC Entertainment chief creative officer Geoff Johns, teamed up to helm DC Comics.}}
Dan DiDio returned to writing comics with short stories for the 2008 and 2009 DC Halloween specials and the 2009 Holiday special. In 2009, he returned to regular writing duties with the weekly Metal Men feature in Wednesday Comics.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21656|title= Dan DiDio Talks Wednesday Comics!|first= Jeffrey|last= Renaud|date= June 18, 2009|publisher= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130817025929/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21656|archive-date= August 17, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} In January 2010, DiDio wrote the Weird Western Tales tie-in issue of the Blackest Night crossover and took over regular monthly scripting of The Outsiders. As Co-Publisher, he oversaw the reboot of all current DC titles and was the co-writer of the OMAC series with artist Keith Giffen.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32935|title= DiDio & Giffen Transform OMAC|first= Josie|last= Campbell|date= June 23, 2011|publisher= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121110201245/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32935|archive-date= November 10, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} DiDio wrote a Challengers of the Unknown storyline for DC Universe Presents which was drawn by Jerry Ordway.{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=35378|title= DiDio Takes 'Challengers of the Unknown' Into DCU Presents|first= Kiel|last= Phegley|date= November 10, 2011|publisher= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120111035438/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=35378|archive-date= January 11, 2012|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|access-date= February 29, 2012}}
In July 2012, as part of San Diego Comic-Con, DiDio and DC co-publisher Jim Lee participated in the production of "Heroic Proportions", an episode of the Syfy reality television competition series Face Off, in which special effects makeup artists compete to create the best makeup according to each episode's theme. Lee and DiDio presented the contestants with that episode's challenge, to create a new superhero, with six DC Comics artists on hand to help them develop their ideas. The winning entry's character, Infernal Core by Anthony Kosar, was featured in Justice League Dark #16 (March 2013),{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/dan-didio-jim-lee-and-dc-artists-to-appear-on-syfys-face-off/|title= Dan DiDio, Jim Lee and DC artists to appear on Syfy's Face Off|first= Kevin|last= Melrose|date= January 16, 2013|publisher= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180618152226/https://www.cbr.com/dan-didio-jim-lee-and-dc-artists-to-appear-on-syfys-face-off/|archive-date= June 18, 2018|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}{{cite web|url= https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/01/16/dan-didio-jim-lee-and-dc-entertainments-stellar-talent-to-guest-star-on-syfys-hit|title= Dan DiDio, Jim Lee and DC Entertainment's Stellar Talent to Guest Star on SYFY's Hit Competition Series Face Off|date= January 16, 2013|publisher= DC Comics|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180618175408/https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/01/16/dan-didio-jim-lee-and-dc-entertainments-stellar-talent-to-guest-star-on-syfys-hit|archive-date= June 18, 2018|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} which was published January 30, 2013.{{cite web|url= http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2013/02/01/justice-league-dark-16-review/|title= Justice League Dark #16 – Review|first= Minhquan|last= Nguyen|date= February 1, 2013|publisher= Weekly Comic Book Review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130208011338/http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2013/02/01/justice-league-dark-16-review/|archive-date= February 8, 2013|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all}} The episode premiered on January 22, 2013, as the second episode of the fourth season."Heroic Proportions", Face Off, Season 4, Episode 2. Syfy, January 22, 2013.
A Phantom Stranger ongoing series written by DiDio and drawn by Brent Anderson began in September 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-new-52-four-series-didio-phantom-stranger.html |title=DC Adds Four to New 52, Including DiDio's Phantom Stranger |first=Vaneta |last=Rogers |date=June 8, 2012 |publisher=Newsarama |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611151650/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-new-52-four-series-didio-phantom-stranger.html |archive-date=June 11, 2012 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all|access-date=June 10, 2012 |quote=Written by [Dan] DiDio with art by Brent Anderson, The Phantom Stranger will spin out of the character's recent appearances in Justice League and DC's Free Comic Book Day story.}} DiDio and Keith Giffen reunited on Infinity Man and the Forever People in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/infinity-man-forever-people-giffen-didio-new-gods-fourth-world-video-jack-kirby/ |title=O.M.A.C. Team Of Keith Giffen & Dan DiDio Reunite For Infinity Man And The Forever People |first=Andy |last=Khouri |date=March 11, 2014 |publisher=ComicsAlliance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312043258/http://comicsalliance.com/infinity-man-forever-people-giffen-didio-new-gods-fourth-world-video-jack-kirby/|archive-date=March 12, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url= http://www.newsarama.com/20745-keith-giffen-talks-forever-people-didio-reunion-tries-to-break-the-internet.html|title= Keith Giffen Talks Forever People, DiDio Reunion, Tries to Break the Internet|date= April 2, 2014|publisher= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140629033934/http://www.newsarama.com/20745-keith-giffen-talks-forever-people-didio-reunion-tries-to-break-the-internet.html|archive-date=June 29, 2014 |url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} DiDio, Justin Jordan, and Kenneth Rocafort created the Sideways series as part of DC's "Dark Matter" line.{{cite web|url= http://www.cbr.com/dc-comics-dark-matter-line-details/|title= Full Details of DC's New Dark Matter Line|first= Albert|last= Ching|date= April 20, 2017|publisher= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170614152919/http://www.cbr.com/dc-comics-dark-matter-line-details/|archive-date= June 14, 2017|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}{{cite magazine|url= http://ew.com/books/2017/04/20/dc-comics-superstars-unite-for-new-dark-matter-line/|title= DC Comics superstars unite for new Dark Matter line|first= Christian|last= Holub|date= April 20, 2017|magazine= Entertainment Weekly|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170701190953/http://ew.com/books/2017/04/20/dc-comics-superstars-unite-for-new-dark-matter-line/|archive-date= July 1, 2017|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|quote= A teleporting teenager changed by the events of that book [Dark Nights: Metal] will go on to star in Sideways, which debuts in September. That book will be co-written by DC Publisher Dan DiDio and Justin Jordan and illustrated by Kenneth Rocafort.}}
On February 21, 2020, DiDio stepped down as Co-Publisher of DC Comics after ten years at that position. The company did not give a reason for the move, nor did it indicate whether it was his decision or the company's, though it was the latest event in a restructuring that began the previous month, as several top executives were laid off from the company.{{cite web|author=Ryan Faughnder|title=DC Entertainment shakeup continues with the exit of co-publisher Dan DiDio|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-02-21/dc-comics-co-publisher-dan-didio-exits|date=February 21, 2020|access-date=February 21, 2020|archive-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222044740/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-02-21/dc-comics-co-publisher-dan-didio-exits}}{{cite web|author=Rich Johnston|author-link=Rich Johnston|title=Dan DiDio No Longer Publisher of DC Comics, As Of Today|website=Bleeding Cool|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/02/21/scoop-dan-didio-no-longer-publisher-of-dc-comics/|date=February 21, 2020|access-date=February 21, 2020|archive-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222044653/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/02/21/scoop-dan-didio-no-longer-publisher-of-dc-comics/}} However, Bleeding Cool reported that he was fired.{{cite web|author=Rich Johnston|title=So Why Did Dan DiDio Leave DC Comics Anyway?|website=Bleeding Cool|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/02/21/why-dan-didio-leave-dc-comics/|date=February 21, 2020|access-date=February 21, 2020|archive-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200222050548/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/02/21/why-dan-didio-leave-dc-comics/| url-status=live}}
=Frank Miller Presents=
On April 28, 2022, it was officially announced that Dan DiDio would serve as publisher for Frank Miller's newly-announced comic book company Frank Miller Presents (FMP).{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=April 28, 2022 |title=Frank Miller Launches Independent Publishing Company, New 'Sin City,' 'Ronin' Comics in the Works (Exclusive) |website=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=MRC Media & Info & Penske Media Corporation |location=Los Angeles, CA |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/frank-miller-independent-publishing-company-new-sin-city-ronin-comics-1235136741/ |access-date=April 29, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429144703/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/frank-miller-independent-publishing-company-new-sin-city-ronin-comics-1235136741/ |archive-date=April 29, 2022 }}
=Inkwell Awards Special Ambassador=
On August 23, 2022, Dan DiDio was officially announced as new Special Ambassador to the Inkwell Awards advocacy group.{{Cite web |last=Almond |first=Bob |date=2022-08-23 |title=Inkwell Awards Adds Dan DiDio as Special Ambassador |url=https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/inkwell-awards-adds-dan-didio-as-special-ambassador/ |access-date=2023-09-03 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2022-08-24 |title=Inkwell Awards Adds Dan DiDio as Special Ambassador |url=https://inkwellawards.com/inkwell-awards-adds-dan-didio-as-special-ambassador/ |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=Inkwell Awards Official Site |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Former DC Publisher Dan DiDio Named Inkwell Awards Special Ambassador |url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/dc-comics-dan-didio-named-inkwell-awards-special-ambassador-2022/ |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=Comics |date=30 August 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Dan DiDio Added as Inkwell Awards Special Ambassador - Comics for Sinners |url=https://www.comicsforsinners.com/dan-didio-added-as-inkwell-awards-special-ambassador/ |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=www.comicsforsinners.com |date=30 August 2022 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |url=https://journafeed.com/2022/08/30/former-dc-publisher-dan-didio-named-inkwell-awards-special-ambassador/ |title=JournaFeed - Former DC Publisher Dan DiDio Named Inkwell Awards Special Ambassador |access-date=2022-08-31 |archive-date=2022-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831203448/https://journafeed.com/2022/08/30/former-dc-publisher-dan-didio-named-inkwell-awards-special-ambassador/ |url-status=dead }}[https://www.comiccrusaders.com/dan-didio-added-as-inkwell-awards-special-ambassador/ Comic Crusaders - Dan DiDio Added as Inkwell Awards Special Ambassador][https://erudit.media/former-dc-editor-dan-didio-named-special-inkwell-awards-ambassador/ Erudit - Former DC Editor Dan DiDio Named Special Inkwell Awards Ambassador]
Bibliography
=Comics=
- Adam Strange/Future Quest Special #1 (2017)
- Batman and the Outsiders vol. 2 #40 (2011)
- Batman Black and White vol. 2 #2 (2013)
- Batman Incorporated Special #1 (2013)
- DC Infinite Halloween Special #1 (2007)
- DC Universe Presents #6–8 (Challengers of the Unknown); #0 (OMAC) (2012)
- DCU Halloween Special #1 (2008)
- DCU Holiday Special #1 (2009)
- Infinity-Man and the Forever People #1–9 (2014–2015)
- Infinity-Man and the Forever People: Futures End #1 (2014)
- Justice League Dark # 23.1– 23.2 (2013)
- Justice League International Annual vol. 2 #1 (2012)
- Metal Men #1-12 (2019–2020)
- O.M.A.C. vol. 3 #1–8 (2011–2012)
- Outsiders vol. 4 #26–39 (2010–2011)
- Phantom Stranger vol. 4 #0, #1–8 (2012–2013)
- Sideways #1–13 (2018–2019)
- Superboy vol. 3 #94–100 (2002)
- Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger: Futures End #1 (2014)
- Wednesday Comics #1–12 (Metal Men) (2009)
- Weird Western Tales #71 (2010)
Television
• series head writer denoted in bold
- ReBoot (1997–1999): season 3
- Shadow Raiders (1998–1999)
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=1001|title= Dan DiDio}}
- {{IMDb name|0225814}}
- [http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/creator.php?creatorid=3348 Dan DiDio] at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
{{S-start}}
{{Succession box| title=Publisher of DC Comics |with = Jim Lee|before=Paul Levitz|after=Jim Lee|years=2010–2020}}
{{Succession box|title=DC Universe Executive Editor|before= Mike Carlin|after= Eddie Berganza|years=2002–2010}}
{{Succession box|title=Superboy vol. 3 writer| before=Karl Kesel|after= n/a|years=2002–2003}}
{{Succession box|title=The Outsiders vol. 4 writer|before= Peter Tomasi|after= n/a|years=2010–2011}}
{{S-end}}
{{The New 52}}
{{DC Rebirth}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Didio, Dan}}
Category:21st-century American publishers (people)
Category:American business executives
Category:American comics writers
Category:American comic book editors