Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: dc comics, neal adams

What Would Josh Do by Josh Adams #10 – Cutting Off The Infected Limb

Josh Adams writes for Bleeding Cool. Follow him on Twitter.

The title of this piece is admittedly a bit harsh considering the content and  you shouldn't take it to heart. Some years ago I received an email from a then newly 'exed-girlfriend' that she had to 'cut off the infected limb,' among the mutual friends she socialized with. I can't say that this venom has much to do with what I mean to talk to you about, but strangely it came to mind when I poured through the comic book news of the last couple weeks.

One article stated something around the lines of 20% of the DC Comics staff will be losing their jobs, but that was then flat out denied. At that point I had already thought that suspicious as when the news first broke at the beginning of the week I got this twisting wrenching feeling in my stomach as I wonder how many would be losing their jobs for this. Convincing myself that this is more paranoia than anything I tried to assuage my concerns and let myself remain quiet, after all, this is DC Comics, a group that is practically family to me.

Not long after that, I hear about Zuda, and then Wildstorm. Credit to Rich Johnston for writing that I consider truly excellent on the matters of Wildstorm's farewell. That aside, I feel a sinking in my stomach. The voice in the back of my head says, "I told you so." Nevertheless, I try to rest easy with the knowledge that the employees of the La Jolla office have opportunities in Burbank. I ignore the distance factor, that likely these people will still have to move or face some much longer commutes. I ignore the fact that these people will be offered jobs that will have little to do with what they have done before. I ignore the fact that regardless of anything, people will be let go. I spoke with a few people about my concerns but for the most part remained silent.

Not long after that I see a piece stating that somewhere around eighty staff members will either have to relocate or lose their jobs. I hear that of around two-hundred and fifty staff members, eighty will have their lives flipped on them.

I am a young artist, my pull in this industry is almost non-existent, but that is no excuse for my past silence. I apologize for not speaking my mind, stating my concern over what is going to take place over the next year. In fact, I apologize for not having stated my concern at any point within this past year. A person needs to stand for something, even if they know they aren't voice enough, strength enough to make a difference or else why would we expect others to do so in our stead? I shudder at the knowledge that people I know will be forced to make a serious decision as to the future of their life. What will they sacrifice to keep their job? This is a broken economy and while the world has so many issues to struggle with, is this really another necessary issue to push upon nearly a third of one's staff?

There was a year for the heads of DC to figure out what to do. A year was taken to consider what should be done and they narrowed it down to jeopardizing the jobs and livelihoods of a third of their staff? Go back even farther, when deciding how to restructure the management at DC, Warner's chose to look to west-coast based people who inevitably cause the need for a third of the staff to choose between major relocation or loss of jobs? It is not an easy thing to be asked to relocate to the other side of the country. I know it would be a major deal with me. Breaking close ties with family and friends, support systems. Relocating children of employee's who are forming early bonds with people at a crucial age? When faced with moving a handful of management or a boat full of staff the obvious choice is the staff? At what cost is it to these people? What about their long term plans? What did they sacrifice just to be a part of this God-damned company anyway?

I have seen this type of practice happen in other companies, to other people I know. It is not how business should be done. I know people within DC who left bigger better jobs to pursue their dream of working for DC only to find out that they might have to move themselves and their family across the country or face having to step back into the job market later in their career in a tougher economy.

I am lucky, artists and writers are lucky. At the end of the day they have the celebrity roles in this industry and if working at DC no longer becomes an option for them it is very easy to find work elsewhere, even they can go to conventions and make money doing commissions or selling original art in between. On a business level, DC's move to the West coast didn't really give me any reason to sweat, but on a personal level, as the boy who was raised on the books put out by DC Comics, it outrages me, it saddens me and it sickens me. To those who like me who sat quietly hoping their friends, family, or even people they appreciate the work of wouldn't lose their job…the writing is on the wall and a third of the staff of Don't Care Comics is being asked to sign their names in blood.

I know "Josh, you sound pretty angry." I am angry. I am angry at myself, I am angry at most everyone. The past four decades of comics history has been marked by improving treatment for creators and efforts to make it an overall better industry. Now comics have grown even more, Marvel and DC are owned by major companies and editorial and even the executives are small fish compared to people within their parent companies. Have we overlooked the well-being of these people? Why aren't there more and more people talking about the potential job loss? This is a big deal because regardless of whatever 'choice' they've been given, it is hardly a choice at all and potentially create serious implications for the future of the comic industry.

I hope that DC does their best to make sure that jobs aren't lost; that lives aren't turned upside down. I hope that people who appreciate the lives they have, the jobs they value and the job security of those around them make their voices heard that they will not tolerate the needless loss of jobs at DC. The shame is that it has already begun, and in a little more than a week's time more names will be on list of those departing from DC Comics.

To those friends of mine at DC who I have not had the chance to talk with. I hope you are all okay. I've already heard rumors of good friends who have already lost their jobs. It upsets me to see this happen. It frustrates me that a company I has so much looked up to is going through this process that is so cold.

I will be at the NYCC as a guest. Come look for me. I'll be selling a new limited edition painted poster at the show.

Josh Adams
www.whatwouldjoshdo.com

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