Despite the 24-hour event DC FanDome happening next Saturday (August 22nd, with the full schedule here), WarnerMedia and its DC Comics division are seeing massive layoffs, especially with the ever increasing emphasis on the importance of HBO Max since the launch of the streaming service. And Warner Bros. is so determined to make the service a competitor that a potential end or major overhaul of the DC Universe service appears to be looming.
For those unfamiliar, DC Universe was the streaming service before HBO Max that was built on both a vast digital comics library, a fan community, and a number of original series. This includes Titans, Doom Patrol, and the now defunct Swamp Thing. Many of those series have now made partial migrations to either HBO Max or The CW and all new DC shows in development like Superman & Lois and Green Lantern seem to be headed to those outlets as well. Now, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, DC’s Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee has confirmed all original scripted series content from the DC Universe will move to HBO Max soon. In addition, the comics library and fan community from DC Universe will be "transformed" although those plans haven't been announced yet:
“The original content that is on DCU is migrating to HBO Max. Truthfully, that’s the best platform for that content. The amount of content you get, not just DC , but generally from WarnerMedia, is huge and it’s the best value proposition, if I’m allowed to use that marketing term. We feel that is the place for that.
In regards to the community and experience that DCU created, and all the backlist content, something like 20,000 to 25,000 different titles, and the way it connected with fans 24-7, there is always going to be a need for that. So we’re excited to transform it and we’ll have more news on what that will look like. It’s definitely not going away.”
For the most part, the DC Universe shows have been critically acclaimed so, for the sake of fans of the show, it will be a hope that the move of those shows will still allow their respective stories to continue. Stay tuned!
Comments