Die von DC Comics vorgenommenen Entlassungen im Zuge ihrer „Umstrukturierungsmaßnahmen“ schlägt aktuell höhere Wellen, als dem Verlag vielleicht lieb ist. Unter den gefeuerten Mitarbeitern war neben Senior Vice President of Sales Trade Marketing John Cunningham und Vice President of Consumer Marketing Eddie Scannell nämlich auch der bisherige Senior Vice President of Art Direction Mark Chiarello, welcher eine nicht unerhebliche und vor allem langjährige Karriere beim Verlag aus Burbank, USA hinlegte.
Chiarello arbeitete seit 1993 für den US-Verlag und arbeitete sich vom ersten Color Editor der Comicindustrie schnell hoch zum Editorial Art Director, wo er u.a. redaktionelle Verantwortlichkeit für Titel wie „DC: New Frontier“, „Batman: Hush“, „Batman: Black & White“ oder auch „Wednesday Comics“ hatte.
Nachdem sich die Meldung über die Entlassung Chiarellos verbeitete, reagierten vor allem Künstler und Interne der Comicindustrie regelrecht bestürzt über den Umstand und äußerten ihr Bedauern auf unterschiedlichsten Kanälen.
Hier einige Beispiele:
Disappointed to see Mark Chiarello and John Cunningham being laid off from DC Comics.
— Ryan Kelly (@funrama) 24. Januar 2019
Raising a glass to artist/art director Mark Chiarello, who was let go from his longtime post at DC Comics. Mark’s brainchild, Wednesday Comics, deserves some kind of special award on its own but Mark has produced amazing covers and illustrations throughout his career. pic.twitter.com/cPEzxC8yeU
— Chris Ryall (@chris_ryall) 24. Januar 2019
Mark Chiarello was also my editor in my whole Detective Comics variant run being one of the coolest people I’ve already worked with.
— Rafael Albuquerque (@rafaalbuquerque) 24. Januar 2019
If there is any sanity left out there, Mark Chiarello should be without a gig for, like, five minutes.
— Brian Cronin (@Brian_Cronin) 24. Januar 2019
Doing a project with the kind and talented Mark Chiarello was always a fun, positive experience. Folks with his demeanor, skill set, eye for quality and judgment are what the biz needs more of.
— Dan Jurgens (@thedanjurgens) 24. Januar 2019
Sorry to hear about the layoffs at DC. Best wishes to Mark Chiarello and John Cunningham.
— Stuart Moore (@stuartmoore1) 24. Januar 2019
For #ColoristAppreciationDay I’m sending a shout out to Mark Chiarello, who just got the boot from DC yesterday. Mark’s had the controls on many DC covers, as well as being a fantastic artist/painter/colorist in his own right. Congrats on many years of keeping covers great!
— Jerry Ordway (@JerryOrdway) 24. Januar 2019
I’m sure there is some logical rationale for laying off Mark Chiarello, but I’ll be damned if I can think of one. The guy is an A-lister.
— Tony Bedard (@TonyBedard) 24. Januar 2019
mark chiarello’s name was and will continue to be a stamp of quality on anything he touches. not just the number and variety or projects, but the number and variety of creators he has practically willed into existence. thank you for always making me better mark!
— ben caldwell NYCC (@bencaldwellart) 24. Januar 2019
Mark Chiarello is one of the great art curators in the history of the comics medium. And also a kind, cool dude.
This is a big loss for DC but a brilliant pick up for whomever he decides to work with next. pic.twitter.com/PaFG0sQ0Vo
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) 24. Januar 2019
Having Mark Chiarello say “good job” when submitting a DC cover was my drug.
— Mitch Gerads (@MitchGerads) 24. Januar 2019
I’ve been lucky to receive lots of support from friends at DC over the years, especially from John Cunningham and Mark Chiarello. John’s early championing of Doctor13 meant a great deal to me and some lucky publisher is sure to snap him up. And Mark? I don’t know where I’d be
— Cliff Chiang (@cliffchiang) 24. Januar 2019
Mark Chiarello has been my brother-in-arms, father figure, and constant champion. A living legend who will continue to thrive, amaze, and delight. #markchiarello
— Adam Hughes (@AH_AdamHughes) 24. Januar 2019
I didn’t know Mark Chiarello that well, but whenever we saw each other we talked about painting and he always showed me his latest portrait. Incredible talent and eye for talent. Had a hand in some of my favorite DC projects ever.
— Kyle Higgins (@KyleDHiggins) 24. Januar 2019
I’m saddened to hear Mark Chiarello will no longer be at DC Comics. He played a large roll in helping me improve my cover work, especially earlier on in my DC career. He’s so talented, and smart, I think he’ll land on his feet sooner than later.
— Tony S Daniel (@TonyDanielx2) 24. Januar 2019
(Picture Copyright: DC Comics / Mark Chiarello)
Passionierter Fanboy & Comic-Nerd. Ist seit vielen Jahren im Netz als Blogger unterwegs und fungiert als Betreiber und Autor von bizzaroworldcomics.de.
Zudem wirkt er als Autor für Fachmagazine wie Comic.de und stellt 1/3 Sprechblase bei POW! - Ein ComicPodcast. Er lebt mit seiner Frau und seinen Kindern im Harz.