Jim Lee Has Been Promoted To President Of DC Comics

The longtime artist adds the title to other executive duties he has attained

Warner Bros Discovery announced on Wednesday that comics industry veteran Jim Lee re-upped his deal at DC Comics and has been promoted to President of the latter company. This is in addition to retaining the positions he already holds, as Chief Creative Officer and Publisher.

According to WBD, his role as DC publisher is primary. It is there where he leads the creative teams and will continue to. He will also continue to lead the efforts to integrate DC’s publishing character roster and stories across all media, supporting the brands and studios of the megacorp. As Publisher, he’s been the sole person with the title since Dan DiDio left in February 2020, after about a decade since Lee succeeded Paul Levitz. He succeeded Geoff Johns as Chief Creative Officer in 2018. After Johns left the company at the time, the Presidency was left vacant until now. Pam Lifford, Warner Bros Discovery’s president of global brands, franchises and experiences, is still his boss.

Lee joined DC in 1998, after they acquired his Image Comics imprint, Wildstorm. It was a move that triggered his ascension through the executive ranks, where his tenure has included both the "New 52" and "Rebirth" reboot eras of the comics, as well as the launch of the company’s digital subscription service DC Universe Infinite, which allowed for same-day digital comics. It is this lengthy tenure that means he’s been with the company as Warner Bros. has gone through the AOL Time Warner, Time Warner, WarnerMedia eras, and now Warner Bros. Discovery ownership of DC.

His professional career began at Marvel Comics, where his work on the X-Men continues to hold the all-time sales record for single-issue sales. The debut issue of his run, X-Men #1, which Lee penciled and co-wrote with Claremont, remains the best-selling comic book of all time. Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea before he and his family moved to St. Louis, ultimately growing up there. 

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap