DC Comics Becomes DC Entertainment; Paul Levitz Steps Down

Above, the gathering for "Superman Week" on July 10, 2001. Paul Levitz is on the far right. Photo courtesy of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

DC Comics Becomes DC Entertainment; Paul Levitz Steps Down

by Armand Vaquer

In a press release, it was announced that DC Comics President Paul Levitz is stepping down and DC Comics will become DC Entertainment to be run by Diane Nelson, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, and Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.

Publishers Weekly.com posted in part:

Paul Levitz, who has served as President & Publisher of DC Comics since 2002, will segue from that role to return to his roots as a writer for DC and become a contributing editor and overall consultant to DCE. This transition will take place as expeditiously as possible without disrupting DC’s business operations.

In his new role, Levitz will be called upon for his deep knowledge and more than three-decade history with DC Comics, both as a comic creator and an executive. Besides serving as a writer on a number of DC Comics titles, he will be a contributing editor and consultant to DC Entertainment on projects in various media. Additionally, he will consult as needed on the transition and integration of the DC Comics organization into DC Entertainment and will utilize his unique experience, knowledge and relationships with the comics industry’s creative community to help achieve DC Entertainment’s goal of maximizing the value of DC properties. Further, Levitz will advise DC Entertainment on creative and rights-holder relationships, in particular regarding the legacy relationships that have been a part of DC Comics for decades.

On a more personal note, I met Paul Levitz on July 10, 2001 at the Los Angeles County Hall of Administration when we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Adventures of Superman television show starring George Reeves. Along with Levitz, we had actors Jack Larson, Noel Neill, Robert Rockwell and Jeff Corey participate in the celebration. Mrs. Joanne Siegel, the widow of Superman creator Jerry Siegel and their daughter Laura and Mrs. Betty Shayne, widow of Bob Shayne, and their daughter Stephanie, also participated.

Following the L.A. County ceremony, led by Supervisor Mike Antonovich, we headed to Cafe Pinot for a luncheon. I was the organizer of the event and luncheon, with a big assist by Jim Nolt, who secured the V.I.P.s.

I was dreading having to collect the luncheon tab from those who attended (plus some extra for the V.I.P.'s lunches), but Paul Levitz, unwittingly and unexpectedly, came to my rescue by picking up the entire tab for the luncheon. He mentioned to Lou Koza that he was grateful that we got Superman on the front page of the Los Angeles Times the day before (actually, it was the Daily News).

This event still is fondly remembered by those who attended. I would like to extend my best wishes to Paul Levitz for further success in his future endeavors and, also, another thank-you for picking up the tab at the luncheon.