Jenette Kahn

Jenette_Kahn

Jenette Kahn is an American comic book editor and executive. She is best known for her work at DC Comics, where she served as President and Editor-in-Chief from 1976 to 2002. Kahn played a significant role in revitalizing the company and expanding its creative horizons.

Early Life and Education

Jenette Kahn was born on May 16, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She attended Radcliffe College, where she graduated with a degree in Art History.

Career

Early Career

Before joining DC Comics, Kahn co-founded the magazine Kids in 1971, which was aimed at children and young adults. She also worked on Dynamite, a magazine for children published by Scholastic.

DC Comics

Kahn joined DC Comics in 1976 as Publisher, becoming the youngest person to hold such a position at a major publishing company. In 1981, she was promoted to President and Editor-in-Chief. During her tenure, Kahn was instrumental in launching the DC Universe imprint, which included titles such as Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns. She also oversaw the creation of the Vertigo imprint, which focused on more mature and experimental content.

Kahn was a strong advocate for creator rights and was responsible for implementing the first royalty system for comic book creators at DC Comics. This move helped attract top talent to the company and fostered a more creative and innovative environment.

Later Career

After leaving DC Comics in 2002, Kahn co-founded Double Nickel Entertainment, a film and television production company. She has continued to work in the entertainment industry, producing various projects.

Legacy

Jenette Kahn is widely regarded as a pioneering figure in the comic book industry. Her efforts to modernize DC Comics and champion creator rights have left a lasting impact on the industry.

Related Pages

• DC Comics
• Vertigo (DC Comics)
• Watchmen
• The Dark Knight Returns
• Scholastic Corporation
• Double Nickel Entertainment