Moments ago, DC Comics announced via their The Source blog that former Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras has been hired on as DC's new E-i-C. A longtime industry veteran, Harras has headed up DC's own collected editions department for the past several years. He served as Marvel E-i-C from 1995 to 2000 (the last person to hold that post before current E-i-C Joe Quesada stepped in) after a number of years heading up the popular "X-Men" franchise.

The announcement notes that Harras will be directly in charge of DC Comics, MAD Magazine, Vertigo and DC Universe -a name that colloquially has referred to the core superhero line within DC Comics for years but in this context could mean a new imprint or division. In fact, the announcement in general breaks new ground for DC as the company has not had an Editor-in-Chief in name for many years. For the past eight years, the person heading up the editors of DC was referred to as the Executive Editor while the last E-i-C was former publisher Jenette Kahn who held the title from 1981 to 2002.

Harras will report to Co-Publishers Dan Didio and Jim Lee and work out of DC's New York office at 1700 Broadway.

"Bob Harras' personal and creative integrity is respected and renowned throughout the comic book industry," Lee said in a statement on The Source. "As an editor, he provides invaluable insight into storytelling and character."

"We could not be more excited to make this announcement," DiDio added. "Bob is a tremendous evaluator of talent, character and story. He is a proven leader who brings a keen understanding of the marketplace to the position."

For more on this story, see the original post on The Source, and keep it locked to CBR for more with DC and Harras as it becomes available.