Marvel Comics is practically synonymous with New York City. Many of its most iconic characters are based there, and Marvel itself has operated out of NYC for the entirety of its nearly 90-year history. But that's finally set to change, with The Hollywood Reporter writing that Marvel Comics is packing up and moving to Hollywood.
This change is part of a broader effort to restructure Marvel's publishing division and consolidate the entire company in one location. This relocation was announced today at a company town hall presided over by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, Marvel’s head of television, animation, comics and franchise Brad Winderbaum and Marvel's general manager, comics and franchise David Abdo.
As part of this restructuring, Marvel Comics will also have a new editor-in-chief going forward. Current EiC C.B. Cebulski is being replaced by Steve Wacker, an editor notable for critically acclaimed series like The Superior Spider-Man, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, and Daredevil. Wacker also has multimedia experience, having helped spearhead the Marvel's Wastelanders podcast series and previously winning an Emmy for his work on Marvel's 2017 animated series Rocket & Groot. Wacker had previously left Marvel in 2022 to focus on independent projects, but now he's back in the Marvel fold.
Meanwhile, Cebulski isn't leaving Marvel, but will instead take on a new position in Japan as editor, Asia originals, part of Marvel's new push into the manga market. Under this new corporate structure, Wacker will report directly to Winderbaum, while Cebulski will be part of Wacker's team.
"New York has played a huge part in who Marvel is as a company, and in the pages of our comics," reads a staff memo obtained by THR. "While our network of writers and artists is now an international operation, New York is still woven into our DNA and that will never change. Our colleagues in New York have helped shape generations of stories and characters, and their contributions to Marvel’s legacy cannot be overstated. We sincerely hope they choose to continue that journey with us in California. We are committed to supporting every affected employee throughout this transition, which will take place over the next 12 months."
This development comes 13 years after DC made a similarly surprising move to relocate to California. Both companies were formerly New York City fixtures, but nothing lasts forever.
In other Marvel news, check out our exclusive interview with Miles Morales: Spider-Man writer Bryan Edward Hill and see our hands-on impressions of the Magic: The Gathering - marvel Super Heroes expansion.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.
