DC Comics is one of the largest American comic book publishing houses. DC Comics is part of the WarnerMedia conglomerate. The initials "DC" are an abbreviation of "Detective Comics", but have also been "diverted" from their original meaning, by Marvel Comics, to refer to DC as the "Distinguished Competition". DC has several subsidiaries, notably Vertigo, more dedicated to fantasy, and Wildstorm, more dedicated to science fiction and more modern superhero adventures.