The Wonder Woman of DC Comics - Witness History podcast, BBC World Service

Key Concepts:

• DC Comics: A major comic book publisher, home to iconic superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
• National Periodical Publications: The original name of DC Comics, reflecting the perception of comics as disposable media.
• Superhero Genre: A genre of fiction centered around characters with extraordinary abilities, often fighting for justice.
• Comic Book Industry: The business of creating, publishing, and distributing comic books.
• Feminism: A range of social theories, political movements, and moral philosophies motivated by or concerning the social, political, and economic rights of women.
• Character Rights: Legal ownership of characters created by artists and writers.

Jenette Kahn's Rise at DC Comics

• Appointment as Publisher: In 1976, at the age of 28, Jenette Kahn was appointed publisher of DC Comics.
• Initial Concerns: There were concerns about her age and gender in a male-dominated industry.
• Kahn's Perspective: She viewed the opportunity as "wonderful" and embraced the challenge with optimism and creativity.

Early Love for Comics

• Childhood Experience: Kahn's passion for comics began in childhood, reading them at the "Five and Dime" store with her brother.
• Inspiration: She was fascinated by the world of comics, unaware of the artists, writers, and publishers behind them.

Path to DC Comics

• Children's Magazines: Kahn launched a series of successful children's magazines after college.
• Unexpected Call: Bill Sarnoff, chairman of publishing at DC, contacted her after firing their publisher.
• Initial Hesitation: Kahn initially hesitated due to the scale of the job (80 comics a month, merchandise, television, movies).

Overcoming Gender Bias

• 1970s Context: The 1970s presented challenges for women in leadership roles.
• Gloria Steinem's Influence: Bill Sarnoff's investment in Ms. Magazine and exposure to Gloria Steinem's feminist ideas changed his perspective on women in leadership.
• Kahn's Debt to Feminism: Kahn acknowledged her debt to Gloria Steinem and the Women's Movement for opening doors for women in business.

Assessment of DC Comics

• Initial Impression: After reading a box of DC Comics sent by Bill Sarnoff, Kahn found them to be "not as good as I hoped," with some exceptions like Green Lantern and Green Arrow.
• Competition: DC Comics faced competition from Marvel and needed to boost sales.

First Day and Initial Changes

• Male-Dominated Environment: The DC Comics office was predominantly male (95-98%).
• Focus on the Medium: Kahn focused on her love for comics rather than her gender or age.
• Name Change: She changed the company name from National Periodical Publications to DC Comics to reflect pride in the art form.
• New Logo: Milton Glaser created a new logo for DC Comics.
• Artist Rights: Kahn implemented rules to ensure artists retained rights to their characters and ideas.

Expanding the Scope of Comics

• Beyond Children: Kahn believed comics could tell sophisticated stories for adults, addressing topics like domestic abuse, sexual identity, and gun control.
• Social Issues: DC Comics tackled social issues and featured diverse characters, including early black characters.
• First Gay Character: Introduction of Maggie Sawyer, a gay police lieutenant, and her acceptance by her colleagues.

Success and Evolution

• Increased Titles and Readership: Kahn's changes led to more comic titles, new characters, and a wider readership.
• Movies: The company started developing movies based on its characters.
• Groundbreaking Comics: The 1980s saw the publication of groundbreaking comics like Dark Knight, Watchmen, and V for Vendetta.

Personal Favorites

• Batman: Kahn's favorite character due to his self-made nature, will, and determination.
• Wonder Woman: In a fight, Kahn would choose Wonder Woman for her generosity, humanitarian worldview, and ability to embrace enemies.

Later Career

• President and Editor-in-Chief: Kahn became president and later editor-in-chief of DC Comics.
• Departure: She left DC Comics in 2002 after 27 years.
• Increased Female Representation: By the time she left, half of the company's 250 employees were women.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenette Kahn: "What a wonderful opportunity." (Upon being appointed publisher of DC Comics)
• Jenette Kahn: "They are not as I remember. They're not as good as I hoped." (About the DC Comics she read before taking the job)
• Jenette Kahn: "We are an art form. We are proud. And we're calling ourselves what we used to be called way back in the day: DC Comics."
• Jenette Kahn: "Batman made himself the person that he was... It was all will and determination - and that truly appealed to me: the idea that you could be an ordinary mortal and make yourself not so ordinary."
• Jenette Kahn: "I would take Wonder Woman in a fight. Because she has a generosity of spirit and a tremendously humanitarian worldview - that would rather find a way to embrace an enemy rather than simply throttle him."

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Publisher: The person responsible for the overall management and operation of a publishing company.
• Editor-in-Chief: The person responsible for the editorial content and direction of a publication.
• Merchandise: Goods produced and sold to promote a brand or product.
• Storylines: The plot or narrative of a comic book or series.
• Contracts: Legal agreements between parties, such as publishers and artists.
• Talent: Artists, writers, and other creative individuals involved in comic book production.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

Jenette Kahn's tenure at DC Comics marked a significant turning point for the company and the comic book industry. Her vision, determination, and commitment to expanding the scope of comics led to increased readership, groundbreaking stories, and greater representation of women and diverse characters. She transformed DC Comics from a company embarrassed by its product to one proud of its art form, leaving a lasting legacy on the industry.