Javins attended Antioch College and interned at Marvel Comics and Epic Comics. After graduation, she was hired as an editorial assistant and secretary for Mark Gruenwald. Javins became a full editor at Marvel and Epic Comics in the early nineties,[2] editing projects such as Akira, Groo, and Alex Ross's Earth X. She also colored more than 2,000 pages.
In 2001 Javins left Marvel to launch an around-the-world online project called MariesWorldTour.com.[3] She circumnavigated the globe twice, documenting her journeys extensively.
She subsequently worked with the Teshkeel Media Group as the series editor of The 99.[4]
After a shakeup at Warner Media in August 2020, she became the co-editor-in-chief, with Michele R. Wells, for DC Comics.[5]
In November 2020, Javins was named sole editor-in-chief of DC Comics.[6]