DC logoDC Comics Editor-in-chief Bob Harras has announced the new structure of the DCU, with long-time editor Eddie Berganza getting promoted from group editor to Executive Editor. Group Editors Matt Idelson and Mike Marts will oversee the Superman and Batman groups, respectively, while Ian Sattler has been promoted to Director–Editorial, Special Projects & Archival Editions. The post doesn’t go into details of what that will cover, but since Harras left running the recently downsized reprint department, it sounds like Sattler will be taking that over. The editorial team is rounded out by Vertigo’s Karen Berger and MAD’s John Ficarra— it isn’t clear if they are reporting to Harras or not, but in any event, they will be working closely.

The moves cap the process over the last few months following DC Entertainments realignment to a bi-coastal company. It’s our understanding that many shifts and exits will be made as various job functions redistribute on the two coasts.

Bob Harras, Editor-in-Chief here. I’m happy to introduce the team that will be working closely with me across our DC Universe, Vertigo and MAD imprints, as we continue to make DC Comics the destination for exciting, thought-provoking and ground-breaking comic entertainment 

First up, I’m pleased to announce that Eddie Berganza has been named Executive Editor of our DC Universe line.


A 19-year veteran of DC COMICS, Eddie began his career trafficking the art and scripts going out of DC and worked his way up to Assistant Editor on such titles as GREEN LANTERN, AQUAMAN, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES before moving on to being an Associate Editor dealing with GUY GARDNER: WARRIOR and creating an alternate universe line of books. This led to him becoming the SUPERMAN editor for seven years that included the OUR WORLDS AT WAR crossover and the acclaimed ACTION #775 “What’s so funny about truth, justice, and the American way?” But it was as Senior Editor and then Group Editor, that Eddie found his niche as the “Event Editor.” Stewarding one crossover after another from INFINITE CRISIS to FINAL CRISIS and the recent BLACKEST NIGHT to now preparing for FLASHPOINT, he has been at ground zero for all DCU’s major storylines!

But his true love is still GREEN LANTERN–which he edits today along with the JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA—and cannot wait to see the Emerald Warrior’s movie next year!

Before coming to DC, Eddie worked at the science fiction movie magazine Starlog, where he got to learn way too much about Star Trek. 

Working alongside Eddie, will be Matt Idelson, Group Editor of the Superman titles and Mike Marts, Batman Group Editor.


Matt Idelson spent the first of his 17 years in the business at Marvel Comics, first as an assistant on Avengers, the Waid/Garney Captain America run, Warren Ellis’ Thor and other assorted titles before working his way up to full editor, launching such varied titles as Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness’ Deadpool and Waid and Andy Kubert’s Ka-Zar. In 1999, he moved uptown to DC, working on the Batman line with first Denny O’Neill and then Bob Schreck, launching the Greg Rucka/Ed Brubaker/Michael Lark GOTHAM CENTRAL, Brubaker, Darwyn Cooke and Cameron Stewart’s CATWOMAN revamp. Along the way from then to now, Dan DiDio promoted Matt, assigning him the SUPERMAN titles, beginning with the Geoff Johns/Kurt Busiek collaboration, “Up, Up and Away!” Presently, Matt still oversees the Superman group of titles and resides about three minutes south of Canada with his wife and a couple of cats.


Mike Marts got his start in the comic industry as an assistant editor for Marvel Comics in 1993. After working on such titles as Iron Man and Fantastic Four, Mike went on to a brief stint in Wizard Magazine’s promotions department and eventually became an editor for Acclaim Comics in 1997. In 1999, Mike received the call from me in my prior existence as editor in chief of Marvel Comics to return to Marvel Comics, where he spent seven years working on the X-Men family of comics, including Uncanny X-Men, Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men, Grant Morrison’s New X-Men, Wolverine and Origin. Then in September of 2006, Mike “switched sides” and went to work for DC Comics as a senior editor. Two years later, he was promoted Group Editor and was charged with helming the Batman group of titles. Mike lives in New Jersey with his wife, daughter and dog.

I’m also pleased to announce the promotion of Ian Sattler, Director–Editorial, Special Projects & Archival Editions. Born and raised in Washington, DC Ian has been the Senior Story Editor for the DCU for the last three years.  Prior to that he acquired over a decade of experience in the comics industry in areas as diverse as editing, marketing and retail.  His background also includes forays into other areas of publishing including authoring several non-fiction books and serving as a founding member of influential pop culture magazines SWINDLE and LEMON.  
 
Ian is familiar to many comics fans from his work hosting DC panels at numerous conventions and his fine collection of footwear.  
 
I’m also very happy to say that I will be working closely with Karen Berger, Senior Vice President, Executive Editor of the Vertigo line.

Vertigo has always been known for publishing edgy, innovative stories that push the boundaries of comics storytelling. There’s always something disturbing or psychologically intense about a Vertigo book, and a refreshing sense of reading something new and different and somewhat dangerous.


Karen joined the DC editorial staff in 1979 and, within a few years, became known as an editor who sought to push mainstream comics into new territories.  Her early series of note includes AMETHYST, PRINCESS OF GEMWORLD, WONDER WOMAN and the now legendary SWAMP THING.  Wishing to push comics further, she created the acclaimed and award winning Vertigo imprint in 1993, publishing groundbreaking series such as SANDMAN, PREACHER, THE INVISIBLES, TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FABLES, Y THE LAST MAN and 100 BULLETS. Additionally, she moved Vertigo into further recognition, with a strong line of original graphic novels and best-selling collected editions.

 
The line honors its roots of horror and the supernatural by publishing such best-selling series as AMERICAN VAMPIRE and FABLES even as it explores other genres as it expands the concept of what a comic book can be.


And last—but by no means least—comes John Ficarra, Vice President, Executive Editor of MAD Magazine.

John started his career as a freelance comedy writer for radio and for such standup comedians as Rodney Dangerfield, Soupy Sales, and Joan Rivers among others. He began his association with MAD as a freelance writer and was hired as Associate Editor in 1980, becoming the first person hired by MAD in 24 years.
 
In 1985, John became co-editor with Nick Meglin when long-time MAD Editor Al Feldstein retired and became the magazine’s sole editor in 2005.  
 
John has written humor pieces for many publications including the New York Times Op-Ed, New York Daily News, TV Guide and more. He is also the author of the MAD Book of Fears & Phobias. 
 
And he wants us all to know he owns a car.

1 COMMENT

  1. Eddie was my editor for many years on such books as Batman/Wildcat, Catwoman/Wildcat and my two year run on Guy Gardner Warrior. We had a blast and I hope he enjoys his new duties. Eddie and I first met over 20 years ago when he was an editor at Starlog magazine. All the best, Eddie, all the best!

    Beau Smith
    The Flying Fist Ranch

  2. “…but since Harras left running the recently downsized reprint department…”

    Sounds like I missed some news somewhere. I know Harras had run DC’s reprint/collected editions/whatever they call it division before he was tapped for the Editor-In-Chief job, but what other layoffs/downsizing have there been to that group?

    (I confess to be morbidly curious/concerned, since I recognize that many if not most of the DC projects that interest me tend to be their various reprints…)

  3. Eddie Berganza was my first assistant editor, and we’re still good friends and work together. Good for DC!

    I’ll note that Bob Harras was my first Marvel editor. I’m pleased he’s working stories again too. Still a little freaked out that my first DC asst editor and first Marvel editor are working shoulder to shoulder now.

  4. @Tommy–There was across-the-board downsizing at DC a few weeks ago. I suspect that’s the reference.

  5. Couldn’a happened to a nicer guy. Good luck Eddie, been on the outside looking in all these years and the books I generally have read have and Eddie Berganza by-line somewhere. Also to the rest of the group that have been doing stirling work up til now, esp. Mike Marts who stepped into big shoes and proved he was worthy. DC looks to be in good hands.