Citing the need for a change in the "direction and focus of the Vertigo imprint,” DC Entertainment has eliminated the position of Shelly Bond, v-p and executive editor of its Vertigo line of graphic novels and comic books. Bond, who started at Vertigo when the imprint was launched in 1993, will be leaving the company.
The changes were first reported by CBR, a comics news website. According to a statement released by DC, Vertigo is being restructured in an effort to “keep competitive and stay relevant" in a changing marketplace. DC also said the changes are intended to set the imprint up "for future success.”
A DC spokesperson said that Jamie Rich, Ellie Pyle and Molly Mahan, the Vertigo editorial team that worked under Bond, will manage the Vertigo list during the restructuring and will report to DC co-publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio.
Vertigo has been a pioneering graphic novel and comics imprint at DC, noted for having published such acclaimed creators as Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison. Under its celebrated first editor Karen Berger, who stepped down from the imprint in 2012, Vertigo was best known for publishing critically acclaimed non-superhero comics in a variety of genres, and is credited with pioneering a new era of graphic novel publishing.
Berger was succeeded by Bond, who joined Vertigo as an assistant editor.
The DC statement noted that the restructuring will result in a “change of reporting relationship, new job descriptions and expanded roles and responsibilities," including the elimination of Bond’s position.
“This was a very challenging process, and we made every effort to ensure all decisions were made with great care and consideration," the statement continued. "We are extremely grateful for Shelly Bond’s commitment and dedication to Vertigo, its books and its incredibly talented team of staff and creators.”
Update: An earlier version of this story did not mention the Vertigo editorial staff that remains in place.
