DC Comics Publishing Future at WarnerMedia in Doubt?

Comics by Perch DC WarnerMedia Video - https://youtu.be/CzfPqZSKA-U

There’s a recent article titled “Where Does DC Comics Fit in AT&T’s Vision for WarnerMedia?” from Forbes Hollywood and entertainment writer Rob Salkowitz making the rounds on social media. I saw a ton of wild speculation foretelling doom and gloom for DC Comics based on the report. I wanted to put out my thoughts after reviewing the article and a doing bit of general research. For those unaware ATT&T acquired DC Comics parent company Time Warner in June 2018 for a hefty $85B price tag. And just like that Distribution giant ATT&T was flush with heavyweight content and creative entities like Warner Bros, HBO and Turner. This has left some, like Rob Salkowitz, speculating what place, if any, DC Comics has within ATT&T and WarnerMedia.

Rob Salkowitz, a recognized expert in digital media and the global digital generation, regularly writes about comic books and comic related movies for Forbes. So he certainly has credibility in the industry. His bio describes him as “a business analyst and futurist specializing in the disruptive effects of digital technology and the digital generation on work, business and culture.” He’s best known in comic circles for writing “Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture: What the World's Wildest Trade Show Can Tell Us About the Future of Entertainment”. The late Stan Lee is quoted saying “Even I learned new stuff. If you're a comic book nut like me, miss it at your own risk” about the book. So the contents clearly have merit.

But it’s not 100% faultless. One of the big conclusions the book discussed back in 2012 was “the rise of digital comics distribution as a significant market force.” Currently digital comics aren’t nearly the comic book market game many forecasted. Digital comic sales boomed from 2012 until 2014 when they flat lined and have maintained steady between $90 and $100 million annually. All the while comic industry sales have grown $300 million total..