Via Bleeding Cool and even the New York Times, Marvel Editor-in-Chief is out at Marvel and C.B. Cebulski has taken over the post.
From the NYT:
Marvel Entertainment, the home of Captain America, Spider-Man and the X-Men, among other colorful heroes, is undergoing a change in leadership. The company released a statement Friday announcing the appointment of C. B. Cebulski as editor in chief. Mr. Cebulski is replacing Axel Alonso, who served in that role since 2011 and is leaving Marvel.
“It’s crazy. It’s an honor. I’m blown away by the opportunity,” Mr. Cebulski said in a telephone interview from his home in Shanghai. He said he wants to foster talent at each step of creating a comic. “We always hear about the writers and artists, but people forget the inkers and the colorists and the letters,” he said. “Each of them is an artist in their own right.”
What were the reasons for Alonso’s exit? No details yet but the last few years have seen a reversal of fortune in both storytelling and marketplace success for Marvel. Whereas DC turned itself around after Nu52 with Rebirth, along with a heavy dose of mea culpa, Marvel seemed incapable of going the same route, choosing instead to double-down on social politics and event driven stories. With Legacy drawing a collective sigh from fandom, it may have been the last gasp for Alonso. From Newsarama:
No reason for Alonso’s departure or his destination were given. In a statement on Twitter, Marvel said “Axel Alonso leaves an incredible mark at Marvel. His vision shaped some of our most iconic Super Heroes and stories. We wish him the best.”
Alonso’s exit marks the second major departure from Marvel in as many weeks, with prominent writer Brian Michael Bendis departing for an exclusive with DC Comics.
Does this mean Marvel is about to start changing its tune? Stay tuned! At least at the onset this is a positive sign.
–George Berryman!
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People like David Gabriel and Tom Brevoort have always seemed to have more influence over at Marvel than Alonso. While I don’t believe he was necessarily powerless, I do think that he had less control than his position would suggest. However, the annual relaunches certainly seemed like they had Alonso’s handiwork on them the most, and I imagine that Legacy was the last straw.
While I always appreciate the comparisons to Rebirth, Legacy has seemed much more like DC YOU and the rest of the aftermath of Convergence. Marvel will be better with Alonso gone, but there are still other people who need to be shuffled out, otherwise the “old guard” still seems very much in charge.
I congratulate Cebulski on the promotion. As far as I can tell, he’s a genuinely nice guy who honestly wants what’s best for Marvel, and he’s happy when fans are happy. That’s a far cry from Brevoort and Alonso’s mentality that curtailing controversy is somehow good for business.
“Quick… somebody give some background on this guy. How effed are we?”
This is potentially a positive sign that Marvel is starting to realize they need to right the ship. Retailers and fans both like the new guy.
Quick… somebody give some background on this guy. How effed are we?
This definitely wasn’t voluntary for Alonso. The language clearly indicates he was let go with a severance package, which would allow them to say it was “mutual”. The effective immediately language is also indicates no transition, which means he didn’t give notice.
Quesada et al are still there. Perhaps someone can clarify further, but my understanding is that they still had significant influence in the direction the comics were going and Alonso definitely seemed to just implementing their vision. If so, Alonso took the fall, even if he made his own mistakes. Business rarely has accountability at the top – there is a column of managers to go first to protect them, and I’ve seen this happen first hand.
Yeah I don’t get the “voluntary” vibe from this either, Jack. Otherwise he’d have been “promoted” to another position or something.
Thank gods.
Can Brevoort and Quesada go next?
I don’t think this was voluntary on Alonso’s part.
Next, Joe Quesada, please?
Hopefully this is the first step in Marvel turning itself around.