This will be my last day as Publicity Manager at DC Comics.

Apologies for the overly dramatic intro sentence, but I figured I’d get the newsy aspect of this blog post out of the way sooner rather than later.

Fear not, though. I’m not leaving the comic book industry. Still, leaving DC was far from easy. As a lifelong Batman fan and DCU reader, I’ve been bowled over by the exciting stuff coming out and in the works for these books. Trust me when I say you’re all in for a treat. As for where I’m going – that’s stuff to discuss at another time. Like, say, Monday morning.

I promised myself I wouldn’t get too sappy and emotional with this, my goodbye post, but as I type this, I find that might be hard to accomplish.

This job, and THE SOURCE in particular, have meant a lot to me over the last few years. It’s impossible to explain how exactly, so I’m not going to try. Suffice to say, the opportunity to be the conduit for so much news, information and excitement to the fans is an opportunity and experience I’m always going to cherish. It’s really been an honor to connect with so many people – in and out of the company and industry – on a regular basis. The chance to say, with little to no irony, that I had a hand in spreading the word about Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and DC’s endless array of wonderful characters is amazing. And I’m certain 12-year-old Alex would be pretty stoked if I could get my DeLorean running long enough to tell him. So, yeah. Thank you for reading. I’m not deluded enough to think anyone came to this piece of Internet real estate because of my ability to turn a phrase, but it was an honor to be a messenger of such great and exciting news each day.

Now, if you haven’t dozed off yet, I’d like to take a quick moment to offer up some thanks. I’ll try to keep it short, but how often does one get to write these kind of things?

First off, I’d like to thank my dad for not hesitating to drop some cash down when his son started begging for a copy of The Greatest Flash Stories Ever Told.

None of this would be possible without my colleagues in DC Publicity. My boss, David Hyde, and fellow Publicity Managers, Pamela Mullin and Austin Trunick, are three of the classiest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. Some of you may have seen Austin’s name popping up here on The Source recently, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he and David will be taking the reins starting Monday. You’re in good hands, folks. Special thanks to David for taking a chance on a relatively green comics journalist who thought he could handle publicizing some of the most iconic characters in comics. I think it worked out OK.

I’d like to tip my hat to the top-flight exec team of DC Entertainment – Diane Nelson, John Rood, Dan DiDio, Jim Lee and Geoff Johns. I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for a company that will continue to mean a lot to me. Exciting times!

Dan – a special thanks for immortalizing me in the pages of OUTSIDERS and for your guidance and positive energy. And, making room for one inside joke: Dan, any creative changes?

Jim – if I ever figure out the time travel thing, I promise Alex-from-the-past will be very much in awe of the fact that he’ll eventually get to work for one of his favorite comic book creators. Thanks.

Geoff – You made a lifelong Batman fan care about a test pilot named Hal Jordan. Your stuff will continue to be at the top of my to-read pile. All will be well.

A big thanks to my colleagues in sales and marketing, including Steve Rotterdam, John Cunningham, Bob Wayne, Sue Pohja, Gayley Avery, Vince Letterio, Fletcher Chu-Fong, Matt Keller, Adam Philips, Rickey Purdin, Erika Russo, Anjalie Rambharose, Pat O’ Connell, Joe Hughes, Stuart Schreck, Ken Miller, Brett Shanahan, Heather Einhorn, Carmela Romano, Jen Redding and Janexy Ortiz. Wednesday mornings at 11 will never be the same.

Nothing on this blog would exist without the timely, thoughtful and consistent contributions from DCU Editorial: Special thanks and a high five should go out to Ian Sattler for playing the role of blog gatekeeper for editorial – your help was invaluable and your notes on point. Additional thanks must go to Eddie Berganza, Mike Marts, Matt Idelson, Mike Carlin, Mark Chiarello, Liz Gehrlein, Joey Cavalieri, Brian Cunningham, Adam Schlagman, Rachel Gluckstern, Sean Ryan, Rex Ogle, Wil Moss, Chris Conroy, Janelle Siegel, Harvey Richards and Simona Martore. Responsive, proactive and creative are just a few of the words that instantly come to mind when it comes to this group. Whether it was a guest post or a sneak peek at an upcoming project, my email was stuffed with possibilities for content, and a visit to the 6th floor was one of the most fun parts of the job, and probably one I’ll miss dearly. I apologize to the entire group for the mass demotion from professional colleagues to personal friends of an ex-Source blogger.

I also wouldn’t dare put together a list of creators to thank, for fear of forgetting any of the amazing writers, artists, colorists, letterers and more who helped make this blog an interesting read. It’s your work – whether it’s an essay on the craft or sketches from an unseen project – that kept fans coming back, and it was my great pleasure to help people get the chance to experience it. Working with such a talented bunch of creative people is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’m really humbled by it.

Lest we forget, The Source is just part of my regular duties. When not blogging here, I spent a good portion of my time doing outreach to the mainstream and comic trade press in tandem with David, Pamela and Austin in an effort to generate more buzz for the many exciting projects coming out of the DC Universe. Our colleagues in the press have always been professional, flexible and reliable, and for that I’m really appreciative.

And, as I begin to hear the music playing, reminding me that it’s time to step back from the podium, I’d like to also thank Cheryl Rubin, Georg Brewer, Jim Fletcher, Jeff Trojan, Syndee Barwick and the DC Direct team, Paul Levitz, Will Dennis, Bob Harras, Jeremy Haiting, Ron Perazza, Dave McCullough, Jesus Reyes and the entire Creative Services crew, Karen Berger and Vertigo, Hank Kanalz and everyone at WildStorm, and anyone I may have missed as I step out the door. Thanks.

Before I go, I’d like to share one tidbit of advice that you’re welcome to take or leave. Ever since THE SOURCE came into being, I’d often get emails, tweets or Facebook messages from fans looking for that one perfect bit of advice: How do I break into comics? I don’t have that answer. But I do know that if you work hard, respect the people around you and keep at it, you can do whatever you set your mind to.

Best,

Alex