Reporting on the Planet Daily FREE Volume 7 | Issue 2 dailyplanetdc.com August 14, 2020 DCPUBLISHER HIT WITH COMICS MAJOR LAYOFFS, LOSES 1/3 OF ITS WORKFORCE By Zack Benz Daily Planet Monday’s WarnerMedia layoffs have affected a signif- icant number of high-level figures at DC Comics, ac- cording to The Hollywood Reporter. Among those losing their jobs are editor-in-chief Bob Harris, senior VP of publish- ing strategy and support services Hank Kanalz, VP of marketing and creative ser- vices Jonah Weiland, VP global publishing initiatives and digital strategy Bobbie Chase, senior story editor Brian Cunningham, and ex- ecutive editor Mark Doyle, who oversaw the rollout of the Black Label graphic novels. Jim Lee remains the CCO. About one third of DC’s editorial staff members will be laid off. DC Direct, DC Comics’ merchandising and collectables manufacturer of 22 years, was also stricken by layoffs and will be closed for DC Comics is one of the world’s leading comic book publishers. The company is home to numerous iconic characters including Batman, Superman and Wonder the time being. Woman. The DC Logo is a trademark of DC Comics “DC Universe was DOA as soon as the AT&T merger happened,” said one source to The Hollywood Reporter. Massive showcase set for DC FanDome on August 22 The streaming service, DC The ultimate 24-hour Imagine all the Super He- woman, Black Adam, Black exclusive footage, and ven- your level of fandom, there Universe, has seen a large experience for the world’s roes and Super-Villains Lightning, DC Super Hero ture into themed worlds is something for you. portion of their staff mem- greatest fans is almost you’ve ever loved finally Girls, DC’s Legends of To- designed to entertain Ann Sarnoff, Chair and bers laid off as well. Not sur- here. coming together in one morrow, DC’s Stargirl, everyone from movie and Chief Executive Officer, prising as WarnerMedia has Mark your calendars for place to celebrate DC’s Doom Patrol, The Flash, TV superfans to gamers Warner Bros., said, “There is been shifting its focus to A u g u s t 2 2 a t D C Fa n- past, present and future. Harley Quinn, the Snyder- and readers, to families no fan like a DC fan. For HBO Max in recent weeks. Dome.com Accessible for 24 hours at Cut of Justice League, Lu- and kids. With special pre- more than 85 years, the DC Universe is home to Join fans from all 7 D C Fa n D o m e .co m , t h e c i f e r , P e n n y w o r t h , sentations to engage fans world has turned to DC’s live -a c tion series such continents for the largest global event will immerse SHAZAM!, The Suicide in every time zone across inspiring heroes and sto- a s D o o m gathering of talent, fans into the DC Multi- Squad, Supergirl, Super- the globe, you’ll have the ries to lift us up and enter- Patrol, Titans and Stargirl announcements and con- v e r s e , w i t h n e w a n- man & Lois, Teen Titans opportunity to have an ex- tain us, and this massive, (which is moving to The tent reveals in the history nouncements f rom WB GO!, Titans, Watchmen, perience that’s all your immersive digital event CW), as well as the popular of DC. Games, Film and TV, and Young Justice: Outsiders own. Inside this virtual will give everyone new animated series, Young Jus- On Saturday, August 22, comics, as well as an un- and, coming this fall to world, fans will also get ac- ways to personalize their tice and Harley Quinn. Many starting at 10 a.m. PDT, precedented opportunity theaters worldwide, Won- cess to localized events, journey through the DC said shows are now available Warner Bros. will welcome to hear from the casts and der Woman 1984. featuring the faces and Universe without lines, on HBO Max. DC Universe fans everywhere into the creators behind your fa- The DC FanDome is the voices f rom countries without tickets and with- launched in May 2018. DC FanDome—a free vir- vorite feature films and TV place to hear highly antici- around the world in their out boundaries. The layoffs came as DC tual fan experience where series, including: Aqua- pated announcements local language. No matter Comics was on the precipice no badge is required. man, The Batman, Bat- and the latest news, see where you live, your age or Continued on Page 4 of their major online event, DC Fandome. The 24 hour event is set for Aug. 22 and consists of a massive star studded line up from across the multiverse. An official DC Comics statement has not yet been made. Want your byline on this page? Contact us at our contribution page online! dailyplanetdc.com @DailyPlanetDC | 1 Funnies August 14, 2020 Continued in next weeks online edition. Uncovering the truth in Minnesota By Sarah Knieff & Izabel John- Sarah is currently a senior son at the University of Min- nesota Duluth and will The Daily Planet is excited graduate in December 2020 to announce our new col- with a bachelor’s in journal- laboration with investiga- ism and a minor in profes- tive podcast, “Uncovering sional writing. the Truth in Minnesota” The inspiration for the “Uncovering the Truth in podcast comes from Sarah Minnesota” is an investiga- and Izabel’s love for writing. tive podcast based out of They wanted to be able to the state of Minnesota. Un- use journalism on their own constrained, unbiased, and terms in order to bring is- driven for the truth, follow sues to light that they be- Sarah Knieff and Izabel l i eve h ave n’ t re ce i ve d Johnson as they use jour- enough public attention. nalism to tell the untold sto- The podcast will feature ries of Minnesota. episodes on current news, Izabel is a senior at the cold cases, political issues, University of Minnesota Du- unsolved mysteries, sex traf- luth and will graduate in ficking, the dark history of The Daily Planet is where heroes are born and the story continues. We are proud to report on the planet, daily. The Planet is a nonprofit news organization inspired by DC Comics. Our organization prides itself on journalistic integrity. We hope to help inform the world in order to make it a better place. All of our December 2020 with a Minnesota, and much more. writers and content contributors are volunteers from across the globe with a passion for comics, writing, news and entertainment. The Daily Planet has always been a beacon of hope for our publisher, Zack Benz. It is his life’s mission to make it shine in a similar light to so many around the world. We’re a voice for the people by Bachelor’s degree in jour- Follow Sarah and Izabel the people. Except as noted, all books, titles, characters, character names, slogans, logos, and related indicia are trademarks and copyright of DC Comics and/or WildStorm Productions, an imprint of DC Comics. nalism and a minor in as they uncover the hidden We are not paid for, sponsored by, or affiliated with DC Comics or Warner Brothers. side of Minnesota. The Daily Planet logo was originally designed by Jason Sweers. communication. The DC logo is a trademark of DC Comics. dailyplanetdc.com @DailyPlanetDC | 2 News August 14, 2020 The Bark and its bite The battle to save a news organization By Zack Benz Statesman made its re- Daily Planet branding transition into The Bark. A more suitable The University of Min- name for a news organiza- nesota Duluth’s (UMD) tion at a university with a student news organization, bulldog mascot in the The Bark, allowed me the middle of a nature centric chance to accept myself city. wholeheartedly. That’s why It was modern, colorful Kirby’s decision to evict the and multimedia focused. student news organization Their main goal was to from their office broke my catch up with today’s era heart. I was angry. I still am. bringing the news that The Bark serves as the matters to each student official news organization and faculty member at for UMD and not only in- UMD. I was honored to be a forms over 10,000 students part of such an organiza- and faculty, but the Twin tion. Ports regional community I flourished there. I broke as well. out of my shell and found “You were timid but ea- my community. As I previ- ger,” 2018 Editor-in-Chief ously stated during an in- Natalie Grant said. “You terview in a Duluth News 'The Bark' team from the 2019 Fall Semester. Photo courtesy UMD's Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) were very introverted and I Tribune article, I wouldn’t could tell you wanted to have stayed at the school if belong somewhere. And I not for The Bark. program is expanding to to hear of the eviction with The Bark has meant a lot media responsibility, with could tell you were super I felt more and more become a full-year first no prior communication. to Stang. It’s where she priority assigned to certain eager to learn and help. It comfortable in my own year experience. Because “It was a shock to hear a cemented some of her standards of fairness and was ref reshing to see skin as time went on.