The Beat reports what we’ve been hearing this afternoon: DC Comics editor Bob Schreck was laid off on Thursday. Subcriptions Manager Christine Sawicki was also let go, as were Mad Magazine staffers. That last dovetails with this story on the mothership detailing Mad’s shift to quarterly status.
Schreck has an enormous body of work in comics proper; apart from working on thing like DC’s current All-Star line, in his time at Dark Horse, he was editor on Sin City and Madman, and was a co-founder of Oni Press. Schreck originally came to DC from Oni, and served as the Group Editor in the Bat-office, overseeing projects by Kevin Smith, Matt Wagner and others, as well as the regular line. Schreck moved to the Vertigo line in 2006.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
boooo. i’ve met shreck. he’s a good guy. hope he lands somewhere soon.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Oh man. Many will hate me saying this, but if money troubles are a coming, DC should talk to Marvel because even Marvel’s movies got them out of bankruptcy, and maybe DC’s movies, that need help getting off the ground, could help them with money troubles.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:51 pm
My best to Bob, Christine and everybody else affected by this. I hope everyone lands on their feet quickly.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I’ve known Bob since he was a gofer for Gary and Adam of Creation Conventions. I fully expect he’ll land on his feet, and not that he’s got new hips, he’ll be able to survive the landing.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:01 pm
no news about Didio? pity to see Bob go, hopefully he will have a position elsewhere in comics
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Nate, you clearly have no idea what you’re talking about, so I wouldn’t worry about anyone hating you for making statements that make absolutely no sense at all.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
They should boot Mike Carlin instead. He is a tired old man who is dragging DC down.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Bummed for Bob, but absolutely confident he’ll land somewhere soon doing what he does best. Bob’s a rock in this business. He’s been through worse and come out the other side stronger. He’ll do it again.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I’m very sorry to hear about this bad news for Mr. Shreck. My best to him and his family.
I thought it was interesting that the article talks about Bob working on DC’s “current All Star line” though. That’s a “current line” that consists of all of one title, which comes out maybe 3-4 times a year tops. I’m not saying that Bob’s somehow to blame for any of that, but I wonder if the lack of much of anything “All Star” is part of what caused his layoff.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Oh, and while I don’t normally wish for people to lose their jobs, I wouldn’t mind hearing that Didio’s been laid off too. He should really go back to television or something.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Bob is a terrific editor and a hell of a guy. Sad to see him gone from DC, they could use all the help they can get these days. I wish him the best.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Bob Schreck is one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. I love to listen to his stories while at cons. I hate this happened. I pray he finds a better home soon.
Egg Embry
http://www.ComicsByEgg.com
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I wish all the staffers luck in the future. We may not all love the directions of the companies but I wouldn’t wish ill on any of the working stiffs..especially in this job climate.
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
I met Bob once at a convention here in Atlanta. He was very cool, and spoke with me for about 20 minutes about my portfolio. It was great to listen to someone who has been in the industry as long as him. I am sure he will find something soon to be a part of. I hope it outsells the Batman All Star Line.
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
holy crud, Bob is one of the most respected editors at DC - Paul Pope loves him, so many other mainstream and non-mainstream creators like him and I too met him at a convention; he was one of the most congenial guys out there. What the heck happened here. Poor decision by Levitz or whomever made the decision!
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
One of the best editors I’ve ever worked with, one of the best people I know. I’ll miss you at DC, Schreckles, but I’m sure it’s not the last stop on this ride. You know where to find me if you need anything.
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:12 pm
>Nate Says: but if money troubles are a coming, DC should talk to Marvel because even Marvel’s movies got them out of bankruptcy, and maybe DC’s movies, that need help getting off the ground, could help them with money troubles.<
Its a good idea, but its not worth it when the American public has no money to go to the movies. I have been wanting to see “Gran Torino” for weeks, but have not been able to afford it. That may sound silly, but not when your own a fixed income. I’m saving my money for Watchmen…that is if the US dollar
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Boo hiss at DC. He was an editor’s editor and from what I’ve read and heard about him, a wonderful guy and a wonderful person to work with.
I don’t know why DC did this, but it’s lousy of them. BOO DC.
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I’m sorry to hear of this news. You got talents Bob…is DC’s lost not yours. Wish luck…
btw- will he still attend events or cons this year?
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Schreck was one of the good ones - a genuinely nice guy who always had a keen eye open for new talent and a good yarn. There’s no doubt that he’ll end up somewhere better than DC, that’s for sure. It’s seriously their loss.
My heart goes out to Christine Sawicki and the unnamed MAD staffers as well.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I have always associated Shreck’s name with quality. If All-Star was his idea, then he deserves a promotion, not a lay off.
And I wasn’t going to say anything, but I agree that there are many, many other DC editors that deserve the shaft before Shreck does,and Mike Carlin is at the top of that list. Anyone responsible for ‘The Death of Superman’ story, and the incalculable damage it did the comics industry has been employed at DC 15 years too many.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:29 pm
is dc firing the wrong people ?????????? hmmmmm maybe ?
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I’m not surprised by this decision. Yes, Bob is a very nice person. I’ve met him a couple of times and think he’s made more good decisions than bad over his career.
However, I can understand why he was picked for the layoff if only due to his current project slate. With his experience he will have a better chance of finding a new position than most.
The subscription manager is more disturbing as far as a layoff goes. Right now DC needs to be expanding in as many ways as possible in getting their material out there. Hopefully this is a step in a new plan to not only expand their subscription services but also to break into different markets as well. It would be a very good idea to begin bringing comics back to more than comic book stores and the odd book store.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I think Bob received Dan Didio’s letter to be laid off by mistake..
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
If I was Joe Quesada, I’d be giving Bob a call right now…
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Given his experience, I’m sure he has a heftier paycheck than other editors so… I can see why they did this.
I LOOVVVE the man. So my outlook is: This just frees him up. I think everyone will win in the end.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
You guys do know DC had no choice I mean do you want them to end up like Marvel were they had file for chapter 11 and ask congress for money
January 24th, 2009 at 12:13 am
This is really sad news. I’ve gotten to know Bob through the years and always looked forward to seeing him in San Diego and here in Seattle. They even pushed the fact that after a two year absence he would be returning to ECCC this year.
Comics like all Entertainment industries are suffering. I think this move has more to do with salaries than anything. Senior editors are certainly paid more than junior editors.
January 24th, 2009 at 2:16 am
Too bad for all the other staff, but thank God that DC has managed to get rid of Shreck. Now if only Didio was to follow.
January 24th, 2009 at 3:11 am
My favorite comicon experience is watching Bob’s face as some techno presentation was blasting in his ear next door. The desperate look for mercy cracked me up. I’ll never forget his down-to-earth personality and his clear wealth of knowledge. Best of luck, Bob. It can only be the beginning of something better.
January 24th, 2009 at 8:33 am
And yet the Didiot is still employed?
Maybe they let Shreck go because he’s responsible for Frank Miller’s crimes against humanity for the last seven years.
January 24th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Bob has consistently been a champion of quality from Comico to Dark Horse to Oni to DC. He is one of the friendlier faces in comics for professionals and beginners alike. Laying off anyone, especially in this climate, is very hard to do and I am sure, for DC, this was not an easy decision to make. Good luck, Bob.
January 24th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Nate,
DC is owned by Time-Warner and is not an independent company, able to merge with Marvel.
January 24th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I wonder if Miller will follow him out the door. From what I’ve read, it sounds like Schreck was the only reason Miller was willing to return to DC.
And Pznic, writing a comic you didn’t like is not a crime against humanity.
January 24th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
they let him go because dan didio has never been a fan. hence why he got moved off batman and sent to vertigo. dad didio likes his cronies more than actual talent and has proved that time and time again.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Bob’s the man. His track record speaks for itself. He’s good at doing what an editor is supposed to do, which is put the right creators together, and watch them make good comics. The All-Star line, maligned though it was, produced the most memorable Batman and Superman stories of recent DC history, which, if I recall, was its entire purpose. I will be eager to see what he will be able to do moving forward in comics free of DC’s corporate structure.
January 24th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
That sucks about Bob & Ms. Sawicki. Mr. Schreck is a A-1 class act.
I am not surprised the belt is being tightened; I’m sure other layoffs will make the news soon.
My sympathies - may you all hit the ground running. I’m not worried about Bob though. That guy is bright as hell.
January 24th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
is it at all possible to send condolences to someone losing a job while not wishing ill will to another?
Sad fans indeed.
You well-wishes ring hollow when you follow it with ill wishes toward others
January 25th, 2009 at 12:38 am
He was a very humorous and patient person to talk to at conventions.
Detective and BATMAN, when Rucka and Brubaker were writing them and Schreck was group editor, were consistently wonderful. Of course he was also there for HUSH and, one of my favorite Bat stories, “Broken City” by Azzarello.
And yes, I was totally enjoying those rare issues of All-Star Batman and Robin.
January 25th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Bob’s one of the true good-guys of the biz. He’s put up with me and been full of helpful advice and a kind word since I was a pesky kid. That meant as lot to me when I was 14 and still does 25 years later. Hope to hear of what will undoubtably be his great future plans soon.
January 25th, 2009 at 2:47 am
They hired Bob because they wanted to get Miller. Once they realised Miller had become da suck and was more interested in movies anyway they gave Bob the boot.
January 25th, 2009 at 3:28 am
This is a huge mistake on DC’s part. Bob is a tremendous editor and someone I hope to work with wherever he ends up.
January 25th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
DC’s problems come from way higher up than DiDio. Ask Warner what’s going on.
January 25th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
this was a reply over at the CBR forums
does a better job of explaining this
then i could
take it awy Kurt:
“Kurt Busiek
Knife to The Eye!
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,739
——————————————————————————–
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Marz
Except that Bob is a nice guy AND quite good at his job.
Exactly.
The reason people are losing their jobs here has nothing to do with their performance — DC Comics is doing very well, financially. But Time Warner is undergoing a general belt-tightening because some of its other companies are doing badly.
The same thing’s happening all over. Sony Pictures is making good money, but they’re still downsizing, because Sony International has to cover debts from other Sony businesses being in the crapper.
Bob Schreck’s an excellent editor and a great guy, and like the other people who were let go from DC, he’s losing his job because people he never met, in a business he’s not part of, are losing money for the parent company.
Making up phony reasons for it doesn’t do anything but insult good people.
kdb”
January 25th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
But Kurt making up phony reasons to insult people is what internet posters do best…
they insult professionals in the guise that they are beyond reproach for doing such things — actions that they would find distasteful coming from the people they in turn insult.
irony
January 26th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Bar none, one of the best editors, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and a vast resource of wisdom above and beyond that of us mere mortals. Damn, Bob, if you can get laid off none of us are safe. Be well and take care and know that we all will miss you over at DC….ahem…..but Marvel has been looking pretty good lately…wink, wink, wink:)
January 26th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Kurt’s likely right on this one. Bob Schreck’s taking a hit for stuff he had nothing to do with, and the people letting him go have had their hands tied for them by people higher up the ladder. Whether they like the idea of losing Schreck or not.
And I will be very surprised if, within three months, someone else hasn’t seen the opportunity inherent in this news and picked him up.
January 26th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Well as they say business has neither heart nor sentimentality. Here’s your proof. But that does not mean the end for one of this great literati. Mr. Scherck may or may not come back to comics. But I’ll bet that you’ll soon see his name up on the ultimate visual medium of all…Bob, See ya at the movies!