Jim Lee is one of the most influential figures in the American comic book industry. Over the years, he has illustrated almost every major character from DC Comics, Image Comics, and Marvel Comics - from the Punisher and the X-Men to Batman. Today, he serves as the President and Chief Creative Officer of DC, tasked with finding new ways to bring fresh audiences to comics. Interestingly, Lee says that much of his inspiration now comes from Japan - a country where the incredible variety of manga and anime provides a unique creative blueprint.
In an interview with Japanese publication Nikkei, Lee shared his thoughts on why manga has become such a cultural powerhouse around the world.
According to Lee, the key to manga’s global success lies in its diversity of genres and subject matter. Unlike many Western comics, which often focus on superheroes, manga offers stories for every reader - from heartfelt romances and high school dramas to sports epics, horror tales, and science fiction adventures. That variety, he believes, makes manga accessible to people who might never pick up a traditional comic book.
Lee played a crucial role in establishing a long-term partnership between DC and Kodansha, one of the largest manga publishers in the world. Under this agreement, DC licenses its iconic characters to Kodansha for authentic manga adaptations in Japan, which DC later publishes in English. The goal is to merge the strengths of both industries and create stories that can appeal to fans from both cultures.
This isn’t DC’s first attempt to engage with the manga market. Years ago, the company launched the CMX imprint, inspired by the rise of Tokyopop. While Lee wasn’t directly involved at the time, he was co-publisher when DC decided to close the imprint. The primary challenge, he later explained, was gaining access to the right titles. Japanese publishers typically want to see long-term reliability before granting licenses to popular series. After several years, DC decided to redirect its focus toward its core superhero line, which eventually led to the launch of projects like the New 52 reboot.
Today, Lee sees the difference between manga and Western comics as more than just visual style. He points to a distinct emotional sensitivity and storytelling rhythm in Japanese manga - one that allows readers to deeply connect with characters and their journeys. For Lee, embracing that emotional depth could be key to creating the next generation of meaningful, globally resonant comics.
