DC Lets Go Of Vertigo Executive Editor Shelly Bond

DC’s mature readers imprint Vertigo has had a rough few years; where once it was the benchmark of challenging and thought-provoking creator-owned comics, many of its classic titles have wrapped up their runs, and Vertigo has struggled to find new epics to replace them.

In what DC describes as an effort to "set the business up for future success," the publisher has announced a restructuring of the imprint that includes the elimination of its executive editor role. Unfortunately that means letting go of veteran editor Shelly Bond, who has been with Vertigo since almost the very beginning.

Bond first joined Vertigo in 1993, one month into the imprint's existence, and has been an integral part of some of its most popular series, including Fables, Hellblazer, and iZombie.

Following the departure of Karen Berger in 2012, Bond was named executive editor. and oversaw Vertigo’s efforts to take back ground from the likes of Image Comics, which has become the new place to be for creator-owned comics. Last year, when DC made the move from Manhattan to Burbank, Bond opted to make the cross-country trip and remain in her role in executive editor.

Earlier this month, DC announced Gerard Way’s new Young Animal imprint, which many saw as a throwback to the Vertigo of old, telling stories with DC Comics characters in a more mature setting. Way himself has spoken at length about how instrumental Shelly Bond was in creating the imprint, and has even been speaking in the present tense about working alongside her in the development of the line.

In the aftermath of Bond’s departure, it is said that all of Vertigo’s editorial staff with report directly to Dan DiDio and Jim Lee, DC’s co-publishers. The future of Vertigo is still in question, but the effort to restructure the line shows some level of commitment to the imprint, if not its veteran employees.

DC Entertainment released a full statement to ComicBookResources, which you can read in full below:

STATEMENT RE VERTIGO RESTRUCTURING - April 2016
· DC Entertainment is reexamining the direction and focus of the Vertigo imprint of comic books and graphic novels. The goal is to keep competitive and stay relevant in the changing marketplace, and to set the business up for future success.
The updated business structure will result for some employees in a change of reporting relationship, new job descriptions, and expanded roles and responsibilities.
Unfortunately, as part of the restructuring, the position of Vice President & Executive Editor has been eliminated. This was a very challenging process, and we made every effort to ensure all decisions were made with great care and consideration.
· We are extremely grateful for Shelly Bond’s commitment and dedication to Vertigo, its books and its incredibly talented team of staff and creators.
· In Vertigo she leaves a legacy to which we remain committed and on which we intend to build for the future. She will always be a deeply valued and respected member of the DC family.
· We have the utmost confidence in the current editorial staff and look forward to the team leaving their mark on the Vertigo line knowing this new alignment creates a stronger organization that is well positioned for maximum potential.