Why the Challenging DC Comics Has Set Its Sights on Naver Webtoon Again

Success of Previous Work and Global Platform Influence
New Series 'Jatana & The Reaper' Unveiled

Original webtoon series ‘Jatana & The Reaper’

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Naver Webtoon and DC Comics are strengthening their collaboration by unveiling new works.

Naver Webtoon announced on the 29th that it will release new original webtoon series based on DC's intellectual property (IP), titled ‘Zatanna & The Reaper’ and ‘Red Hood: Outlaws,’ in English and Spanish services in July and on the 8th, respectively. This follows their ongoing collaborations such as ‘Batman: Wayne Family Adventure’ and ‘Vixen: New York’.

The reason DC Comics, which is known to be selective about IP collaborations with other companies, is deepening its partnership with Naver Webtoon is due to the success of previous works and Naver Webtoon’s global platform influence. The webtoon ‘Batman: Wayne Family Adventure,’ which DC Comics first introduced through Naver Webtoon, was released in English and Spanish last September and has since been serviced in eight languages, surpassing 50 million cumulative views. The release of this new webtoon series is exceptional in that it not only digitizes existing DC series but also serializes new ones.

At the North American tech conference ‘Collision Conference’ held on the 23rd, Marie Javins, editor-in-chief of DC Comics, stated, "Naver Webtoon is one of the platforms that can quickly reach Generation Z readers," and added, "It is very exciting to witness the rebirth of classic DC characters through our collaboration with Naver Webtoon," acknowledging the platform power of Naver Webtoon.

The collaboration between the two companies has also contributed to expanding the influx of new MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z) readers to DC Comics’ traditionally classic image comics. In fact, 75% of Naver Webtoon’s global users belong to the MZ generation. Among 15 million users in the United States, 70% are Generation Z under the age of 25, highlighting the platform’s appeal to younger audiences.

Shinok Lee, head of content for Naver Webtoon’s U.S. business, said, "Since Generation Z, who are the most active content consumers in the U.S., make up a large portion, the interest from top-tier entertainment industries in the U.S. towards Naver Webtoon is continuously increasing."