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Jim Lee explains how regular walks with his wife help him manage family and DC Comics
DC’s COO Jim Lee is one of the most iconic Bat-family and X-Men artists in comics – maybe it’s because he’s such a family man himself
NewsbyGrant DeArmitt, Staff Writer
Published on Mon Sep 14 2026
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Jim Lee is successful in just about every facet of the comic book industry. He’s an accomplished artist on titles like Batman: Hush; he’s an Image Comics cofounder; and for the past few years, he’s overseen a wildly successful era of DC Comics as president and COO. His resume is so impressive that you might be forgiven for forgetting a different role over his decades in the industry – that is, family man. If you did forget, though, Lee recently shared his advice on balancing work and family to help you remember.
Specifically, Lee was dishing out counsel during his spotlight panel at San Diego Comic-Con. During the Q&A portion of the event, one fan wanted to know how about having kids and a comic career at the same time, and as a father of 9/grandfather or 2 (with #3 on the way!), Lee had plenty of guidance to share.
“Being a parent is hard,” said the X-Men legend.
“In that, whatever strategies or approach you have, it, it’s not a one size, one strategy fits all. We have 9 children; they’re all really different, and you have to be sensitive to how they look at the world, the generation they’re in, how they want you to be. My general approach at the start was: you guys do whatever you wanna do. Because when I was little, my <a href="https://comicvibe.com/in-gaming-where-are-the-parents/” title=”In Gaming, Where Are the Parents?”>parents had my whole timeline written out at every age – whatever you’re doing is ultimately becoming a doctor – and I didn’t wanna subject them to that.”
However, as Lee’s family grew, so too did his methods on raising one.
“But then I’m thinking, well, maybe there’s some truth to that,” he continued, “Because everyone reacts differently. I think really it’s being flexible and listening. And recognizing that you’re not always listening because, especially when my wife is telling me a lot of things, I immediately ask her a question and she goes, ‘I just told you that!’ and I go, ‘I guess I was not listening very well.’ But if you can listen and find the time to like give people 100% of your time – I think that’s critical.”
These days, Lee finds time to keep to an important routine with his life partner.
“My wife and I go on walks for health reasons,” he concluded, “For an hour or 15 minutes, any a period of time, because that’s where we catch up. We talk about life and kids and what we want and what we don’t want and freedom and work demands. It’s just a great way of resetting kind of what our relationship is.”
Interested? Here’s where to find your closest local comic store, courtesy of Sweet, and here’s a guide to how (and where) to read comics online. If you’re looking for the best comics in recent memory, check out the Eisner Awards winners and the Harvey Awards nominees. And if you like free comics, here’s everything we know about Free Comic Book Day 2027.
About Comic-Con International: San Diego
Comic-Con is the premier event for all things comics and related popular art, including movies, television, gaming, interactive multimedia, and so much more! Enjoy cosplay galore and take part in unique programming, exclusive previews, and presentations, not to mention the expansive and diverse Exhibit Hall featuring merchandise and displays representing all fandoms.
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Grant DeArmitt: Grant DeArmitt (he/him) likes horror, comics, and the unholy union of the two. In the past, and despite their better judgment, he has written for Nightmare on Film Street and Newsarama. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Kingsley, and corgi, Legs.
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