View source for Paul Levitz

{{Short description|American comic book editor (born 1956)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox comics creator
| image         = File:5.22.10PaulLevitzByLuigiNovi1.jpg
| caption       = Levitz at [[Midtown Comics]] in Manhattan
| birth_name    = 
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1956|10|21}}
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| nationality   = American
| area          = 
| cartoonist    = 
| write         = y
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| edit          = y
| publish       = y
| notable works = ''[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]'',<br />''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]''
| awards        = [[Inkpot Award]] (2002)
| website       = 
}}
'''Paul Levitz''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɛ|v|ɪ|t|s}}; born October 21, 1956<ref name="CBG">{{cite web|last=Miller |first=John Jackson|author-link= John Jackson Miller|url=http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays |title=Comics Industry Birthdays |work=[[Comics Buyer's Guide]] |date=June 10, 2005 |location=Iola, Wisconsin |access-date=December 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031356/http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays |archive-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>) is an American comic book writer, [[editor in chief|editor]] and [[Senior management|executive]].  The president of [[DC Comics]] from 2002 to 2009, he worked for the company for over 35 years in a wide variety of roles. Along with publisher [[Jenette Kahn]] and managing editor [[Dick Giordano]], Levitz was responsible for hiring such writers as [[Marv Wolfman]] and [[Alan Moore]], artists such as [[George Pérez]], [[Keith Giffen]], and [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]], and editor [[Karen Berger]], who contributed to the 1980s revitalization of the company's line of comic book heroes.

==Early life==
Levitz was born and raised in [[East Flatbush, Brooklyn|East Flatbush]], [[Brooklyn, New York|Brooklyn]], New York.<ref name=GrandThompson>{{Citation|title=Paul Levitz Biographical Video Interview by 2019 Alex Grand & Jim Thompson| date=August 14, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD9Mt-FUDcY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/MD9Mt-FUDcY |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-03-26}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ackerman|first=Spencer|title=Legendary Comic Book Writer Paul Levitz Unmasks the Horror Lurking in Brooklyn|date=2018-07-17|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/legendary-comic-book-writer-paul-levitz-unmasks-the-horror-lurking-in-brooklyn|accessdate=2024-08-07}}</ref> His father was a clerk for an industrial hardware store, and his mother was a bookkeeper. He was an avid reader as a child,<ref name=GrandThompson/> and read the works of writers including [[Agatha Christie]], [[Dorothy L. Sayers]], and [[Evan Hunter|Ed McBain]].<ref name=NYP>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Ruth|title=Ex-head of DC Comics now tackling the real, bloody history of Brooklyn|date=2018-07-19|newspaper=[[New York Post]]|url=https://nypost.com/2018/07/19/ex-head-of-dc-comics-now-tackling-the-real-bloody-history-of-brooklyn/|accessdate=2024-08-07}}</ref> He also read comics, citing the first he could remember buying off of a newsstand being the first team-up between the [[Justice League]] and the [[Justice Society of America|Justice Society]]. He was notably a fan of [[Superman]] and the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]]. Most of what he read was from [[DC Comics]],<ref name=GrandThompson/> but cited [[Marvel Comics]]' [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] as a strong influence on his writing.<ref name=MarvDeb>{{cite web|last=Dur|first=Taimur|title=Paul Levitz makes his Marvel comics writing debut with AVENGERS: WAR ACROSS TIME miniseries this January|date=2022-06-16|website=The Comics Beat|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/avengers-war-across-time-limited-series-announced/|accessdate=2024-08-06}}</ref>

He attended [[Stuyvesant High School]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/07/books/07levi.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss |title=DC Comics' Man Upstairs Readjusts His Writer's Cap |first=George Gene |last=Gustines |author-link=George Gustines |date=February 7, 2006 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525170536/https://www.webcitation.org/653rFdprJ?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/07/books/07levi.html%3Fpartner=rssnyt&emc=rss |archive-date=May 25, 2024 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all |access-date=January 29, 2012 }}</ref><ref name=CBRTim>{{cite web|url=http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/09/talking-comics-with-tim-paul-levitz/ |title=Talking Comics With Tim |first=Tim |last=O'Shea |date=September 20, 2010 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030093202/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/09/talking-comics-with-tim-paul-levitz/ |archive-date=October 30, 2013 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> during which time he revived the defunct comic news [[fanzine]], ''[[The Comic Reader]]'', which according to Levitz, was the first regularly published comics industry news fanzine. Under Levitz's editorship ''The Comic Reader'' won two Best Fanzine Comic Art Fan Awards.<ref>"Comic-Con International Special Guests," ''Comic-Con Magazine'' (Winter 2010), p. 42.</ref> One of Levitz's teachers, [[Frank McCourt]],<ref name=CBRTim/> was impressed enough with Levitz's work that he arranged for Levitz to appear on McCourt's brother [[Malachy McCourt|Malachy]]'s radio show.{{fact|date=September 2023}}

==Career==
During the course of his research for ''[[The Comic Reader]]'', Levitz became well known at the offices of [[DC Comics]], where in December 1972, editor [[Joe Orlando]] gave him his first freelance work, initially writing text pages and [[Comic book letter column|letter pages]], and later working as a [[per diem]] assistant editor before writing stories. Levitz later studied business at [[New York University]] but had taken no formal education in writing, other than a journalism course. He dropped out after three years in order to concentrate on his writing career.<ref name="MidtownInterview">{{Citation |title=5.22.10PaulLevitzAtMidtownComics | date=November 15, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2kzfof6ovo |access-date=2023-09-03 |language=en}}</ref>

After serving as Joe Orlando's assistant editor, in 1976 Levitz "fulfilled a lifelong dream" by becoming the editor of ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' on the eve of his 20th birthday.<ref>"Dateline: Adventure," ''Adventure Comics'' #449 (Jan./Feb. 1977).</ref> In 1978, he succeeded [[Julius Schwartz]] as the editor of the [[Batman]] line of comics.<ref>{{cite book |last1= Manning |first1= Matthew K. |last2=Dougall |first2=Alastair, ed. |chapter= 1970s |title= Batman: A Visual History |publisher= [[Dorling Kindersley]] |year= 2014 |location= London |page= 130 |isbn= 978-1465424563 |quote= As the decade drew to a close, longtime Batman editor Julius Schwartz finally passed the torch on to Paul Levitz, marking the end of an era.}}</ref>

As a writer, Levitz is best known for his work on the title ''[[The Legion of Super-Heroes]]'', which he wrote from 1977–1979 and 1981–1989. Levitz wrote ''[[Limited Collectors' Edition|All-New Collectors' Edition]]'' #C-55 (1978), a treasury-sized special drawn by [[Mike Grell]], in which longtime Legion members [[Saturn Girl]] and [[Garth Ranzz|Lightning Lad]] were married.<ref>{{cite journal|last = Ford|first = Jim|title = Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes|journal = [[Back Issue!]]|issue = 61|pages = 55–58|publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|date = December 2012|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=McAvennie|first1= Michael|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah, ed.|chapter= 1970s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9|page= 177|quote = Only an oversized treasury edition could have contained Superboy and the entire Legion of Super-Heroes' battle with the Time Trapper...and the long-awaited wedding of Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl...Legion favorites Paul Levitz and Mike Grell were up to the enormous challenge with the popular tale 'The Millennium Massacre'.}}</ref> Levitz and artists [[James Sherman (comics)|James Sherman]] and [[Joe Staton]] crafted "[[Earthwar]]" a five-issue storyline in ''Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes'' #241–245 (July–Nov. 1978).<ref>McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 178: "[Paul Levitz] demonstrated his great affinity for the Legion...when he and artist James Sherman waged "Earthwar".</ref> He and [[Keith Giffen]] produced "[[The Great Darkness Saga]]", one of the best known Legion stories, in ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' vol. 2, #290–294.<ref>Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 198 "When [Levitz] wrote "The Great Darkness Saga", a five-issue epic that pitted the Legion against one of the most notorious villains of DC's long history, he and artist Keith Giffen crafted the most famous Legion story of all time and became fast fan favorites."</ref> Comics historian [[Les Daniels]] observed that "Working with artist Keith Giffen, Levitz completed the transformation of ''Legion'' into a science-fiction saga of considerable scope and depth."<ref>{{cite book|last = Daniels|first = Les|author-link = Les Daniels|title = DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes|chapter= The Legion of Super-Heroes Teenagers from Outer Space|publisher = [[Little, Brown and Company|Bulfinch Press]]|year = 1995|location= New York, New York|page = 123|isbn = 0821220764}}</ref> In August 1984, a new ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' series was launched by Levitz and Giffen.<ref>Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 208: "As DC began to toy with the idea of relaunching some of their more popular titles using high-quality Baxter paper, the ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' was an obvious chioice. Utilizing the talents of writer Paul Levitz and artist Keith Giffen...the Legion was off and running in their own new title with a major new storyline...the Legion's other monthly comic changed its moniker to ''Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes'' with issue #314."</ref>

With artist [[Steve Ditko]], Levitz co-created the characters [[Stalker (comics)|Stalker]]<ref>McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 164: "This sword and sorcery title by scripter Paul Levitz and artist Steve Ditko epitomized the credo 'Be careful what you wish for.' The series' anti-hero was a nameless wanderer whose dreams of becoming a warrior brought him first slavery, then worse."</ref> and the Prince Gavyn version of [[Starman (comics)|Starman]].<ref>Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 186: "The second [feature in ''Adventure Comics'' #467] debuted a new version of Starman by writer Paul Levitz and illustrator Steve Ditko."</ref> He wrote the [[Justice Society]] series in ''[[All Star Comics]]'' during the late 1970s and co-created the Earth-2 [[Huntress (Helena Wayne)|Huntress]] with artist Joe Staton.<ref>McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 175: "''DC Super-Stars'' #17 (December 1977) While writer Paul Levitz and artist Joe Staton introduced the Huntress to the JSA in this month's ''All Star Comics'' #69, they concurrently shaped her origin in ''DC Super-Stars''."</ref> He and Staton provided the JSA with an origin story in ''[[DC Special]]'' #29.<ref>McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 175: "The genesis of comics' first superhero team...had been a mystery since the JSA's debut...Writer Paul Levitz and artist Joe Staton decided to present the definitive origin story."</ref> [[Characters of The Sandman#Lucien|Lucien the Librarian]], a character later used in [[Neil Gaiman]]'s ''[[The Sandman (Vertigo)|The Sandman]]'' series, was created by Levitz and artist [[Nestor Redondo]]. Levitz was one of the contributors to the ''[[DC Challenge]]'' limited series in 1986.<ref>{{cite journal|last= Greenberger|first= Robert|author-link= Robert Greenberger|title= It Sounded Like a Good Idea at the Time: A Look at the ''DC Challenge!''|journal= Back Issue!|issue= 98|pages= 37–38|publisher= TwoMorrows Publishing|date= August 2017|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref>

Levitz eventually became an editor, and served as vice president and executive vice president, before assuming the role of president and publisher in 2002. Levitz consciously chose the combined title instead of "editor-in-chief", citing the negative results of the title he'd seen during [[Jim Shooter]]'s tenure at [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and his desire to stay connected to the publishing arm of DC which he had help create.<ref name=GrandThompson/> In 2006, Levitz returned to writing the Justice Society with issue #82 of ''JSA'', completing that volume before writer [[Geoff Johns]]' relaunch.

On September 9, 2009, it was announced that Levitz would step down as president and publisher of DC Comics to serve as the Contributing Editor and Overall Consultant for the newly formed DC Entertainment,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsarama.com/3804-warner-bros-creates-dc-entertainment-to-maximize-dc-brands.html |title=Warner Bros. Creates DC Entertainment To Maximize DC Brands |first=Vaneta |last=Rogers |date=September 9, 2009 |work=[[Newsarama]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626155002/http://www.newsarama.com/3804-warner-bros-creates-dc-entertainment-to-maximize-dc-brands.html |archive-date=June 26, 2013 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and become the writer of both ''Adventure Comics'' vol. 2<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22871|title= Levitz Releases Letter of Resignation, Announced As ''Adventure'' Writer|date= September 9, 2009|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130420012019/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22871|archive-date= April 20, 2013|url-status=live|df= mdy-all}}</ref> and ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' vol. 6.<ref>{{cite web |first=Graeme |last=McMillan |url=http://io9.com/5447430/ |title=Paul Levitz Returns to the Future With Legion of Super-Heroes |publisher=[[io9]] |date=January 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512050602/http://io9.com/5447430/paul-levitz-returns-to-the-future-with-legion-of-super+heroes |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all |access-date=January 14, 2010 }}</ref>

Levitz mentioned in an August 2010 interview that he was working on "my first genuine book."<ref name=CBG1668>''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]'' #1668, August 2010, page 80</ref> His ''75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking'' ({{ISBN|9783836519816}}) was published by [[Taschen|Taschen America, LLC]], in November 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/book-shelf-75-years-of-dc-comics/?scp=1&sq=75%20Years%20of%20DC%20Comics:%20The%20Art%20of%20Modern%20Mythmaking&st=cse|title= Book Shelf ''75 Years of DC Comics''|first= George Gene|last= Gustines|date= November 18, 2010|newspaper= The New York Times|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120404182525/http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/book-shelf-75-years-of-dc-comics/?scp=1&sq=75%20Years%20of%20DC%20Comics:%20The%20Art%20of%20Modern%20Mythmaking&st=cse|archive-date= April 4, 2012|url-status=live|df= mdy-all|access-date= August 20, 2011}}</ref>

In addition to ''Legion of Super-Heroes'', Levitz wrote the ''[[Worlds' Finest]]'' series, which was initially drawn by [[George Pérez]] and [[Kevin Maguire (artist)|Kevin Maguire]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/paul-levitz-worlds-finest-earth-2-120113.html |title=Paul Levitz Explains More About ''Worlds' Finest'', ''Earth 2'' |first=Vaneta |last=Rogers |date=January 13, 2012 |work=Newsarama |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116093825/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/paul-levitz-worlds-finest-earth-2-120113.html |archive-date=January 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 29, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Levitz and Keith Giffen collaborated on the ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' issues #17 and 18 in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42113|title= Exclusive: Levitz, Giffen Reunite on ''Legion of Super-Heroes''|first= Stephen|last= Gerding|date= November 9, 2012|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121112030002/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42113|archive-date=November 12, 2012 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all|access-date= January 30, 2013|quote= Arguably the most popular creative team the 31st century has ever seen, Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen are reuniting once again to tell the tales of DC Comics' teenage heroes from the future.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/01/25/keith-giffen-leaves-legion-of-superheroes-after-two-issues/ |title=Keith Giffen Leaves Legion of Superheroes After Two Issues? |first=Rich |last=Johnston |author-link=Rich Johnston |date=January 25, 2013 |publisher=BleedingCool.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407140855/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/01/25/keith-giffen-leaves-legion-of-superheroes-after-two-issues |archive-date=April 7, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=January 30, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2015, Levitz wrote ''Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel'', an oversized, illustrated biography/art book on Eisner’s work for [[Abrams ComicArts]]. The book would garner Levitz a nomination in the 2016 Eisner Awards for “Best Comics-Related Book.” <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/2016-eisner-award-nominees-showcase-years-best-comic-books|title=2016 Eisner Award nominees showcase the year's best comic books|last=Funk|first=Matthew|date=2016-04-21|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comicmix.com/2016/01/22/review-will-eisner-champion-of-the-graphic-novel/|title=REVIEW: Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel|date=2016-01-22|website=ComicMix|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref> He joined the board of directors of [[Boom! Studios]] in February 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/boom-studios-paul-levitz-board-directors-dc-comics-president/ |title=BOOM! Studios Brings Former DC Comics President Paul Levitz Onto Board Of Directors |first=Matt D. |last=Wilson |date=February 28, 2014 |publisher=[[Townsquare Media|ComicsAlliance]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730203637/http://comicsalliance.com/boom-studios-paul-levitz-board-directors-dc-comics-president/ |archive-date=July 30, 2016 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all|quote=Boom! Studios announced...that the former DC Publisher and President would be joining its board of directors, where he'll serve as a consultant and adviser for the nine-year-old publisher.}}</ref> He wrote a new five-page story titled "The Game", which was drawn by [[Neal Adams]], for the ''Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman'' hardcover collection.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newsarama.com/38292-what-s-inside-action-comics-1000-hardcover-companion.html|title= What's Inside ''Action Comics'' #1000 Hardcover Companion|first= Chris|last= Arrant|date= January 23, 2018|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180123202914/https://www.newsarama.com/38292-what-s-inside-action-comics-1000-hardcover-companion.html|archive-date= January 23, 2018|url-status=live|df= mdy-all}}</ref>

In 2004, Levitz joined the board of the [[Comic Book Legal Defense Fund]], a non-profit organization founded in 1986 chartered to protect the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] rights of the comics community.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/5686/levitz-named-cbldf-board|title=Levitz Named to CBLDF Board|date=September 13, 2004|website=ICv2.com|access-date=June 30, 2020}}</ref> He retired from the board in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/3-directors-exit-comic-book-legal-defense-fund-industry-pressure-1301038|title=3 Directors Exit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Amid Industry Pressure|date=June 29, 2020|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=June 30, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Library of Congress celebration of Action Comics and Superman.jpg|alt=Three men seated onstage, flanked by Superman material|thumb|The [[Library of Congress]] hosting a discussion with [[Dan Jurgens]] and Levitz for Superman's 80th anniversary and the [[Action Comics 1000|1,000th issue]] of ''[[Action Comics]]''.]]

On December 31, 2020, Levitz announced his retirement from DC via a posting on [[Facebook]], saying it's “the end of an era for me personally, as I go off the payroll of Warner/DC after so many decades: over 47 years on 'staff', 36 of them on employment contracts.”<ref>{{cite web |last1=Levitz |first1=Paul |title=Today's the end of a year we're all happy to see vanish into infamy |url=https://www.facebook.com/paul.levitz/posts/4131116916916533  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/100000547972338/4131116916916533 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|website=Facebook |access-date=2 January 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

From January<ref name=MarvDeb/><ref name=Across1>{{cite web|last=Batts|first=Alan|title=REVIEW: Marvel's Avengers: War Across Time #1|date=2023-01-11|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-avengers-war-across-time-1-review/|accessdate=2024-08-06}}</ref> to May 2023, the 5-issue miniseries ''[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]: War Across Time'', which Levitz wrote, was published.<ref>{{cite web|last=Terror|first=Jude|title=Avengers: War Across Time #5 Preview: Avengers Assemble|date=2023-05-02|website=[[Bleeding Cool]]|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/avengers-war-across-time-5-preview-avengers-assemble/|accessdate=2024-08-06}}</ref> It his first work for Marvel Comics,<ref name=MarvDeb/> and received positive reviews.<ref name=Across1/><ref>{{cite web|last=Brooke|first=David|title='The Avengers: War Across Time' #1 is a great start to a 60th anniversary celebration|date=2023-01-11|website=AIPT Comics|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2023/01/11/the-avengers-war-across-time-1-review/|accessdate=2024-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=O'Brien|first=Megan|title='The Avengers: War Across Time' #2 continues a stellar Avengers story|date=2023-02-13|website=AIPT Comics|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2023/02/13/the-avengers-war-across-time-2-review/|accessdate=2024-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Raguparan|first=RaguVarman|title=9 Biggest Reveals From Avengers: War Across Time (So Far)|date=2023-03-25|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|url=https://www.cbr.com/avengers-war-across-time-comic-best-reveals/|accessdate=2024-08-06}}</ref>

==Awards==
Levitz received an [[Inkpot Award]] at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comic-con.org/toucan/comic-con-internationals-newest-inkpot-award-winners |title=Comic-Con International's Newest Inkpot Award Winners! |year=2013 |publisher=[[San Diego Comic-Con International]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508040502/http://comic-con.org/toucan/comic-con-internationals-newest-inkpot-award-winners |archive-date=May 8, 2015 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> the [[Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award]] at San Diego Comic-Con in 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comiclist.com/index.php/news/dc-comics-creators-and-projects-honored-by-2008-eisner-awards |title=DC COMICS Creators and Projects Honored by 2008 Eisner Awards |date=July 30, 2008|publisher=Comic List}}</ref> and the "Dick Giordano Hero Initiative Humanitarian of the Year Award" in September 2013 at the [[Baltimore Comic-Con]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/your_2013_harvey_awards_winners/|title= Your 2013 Harvey Awards Winners|first= Tom|last= Spurgeon|author-link= Tom Spurgeon|date= September 8, 2013|publisher= The Comics Reporter|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140220054704/http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/your_2013_harvey_awards_winners/|archive-date=February 20, 2014 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> He was inducted into [[The Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame]] in 2019 at San Diego Comic-Con.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/80737-ed-brubaker-tom-king-shine-at-2019-eisner-awards.html |title=Ed Brubaker, Tom King Shine at 2019 Eisner Awards |year=2019 |publisher=Publishers Weekly}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Levitz is [[Jewish]].<ref name=NYP/><ref>{{cite news|title=Cool characters entice kids: Jewish superheroes work wonders in American comics|date=1997-01-07|newspaper=[[J. The Jewish News of Northern California]]|url=https://jweekly.com/1997/01/07/cool-characters-entice-kids-jewish-superheroes-work-wonders-in-american-com/|accessdate=2024-08-07}}</ref> Levitz has three children: Nicole, a public health executive;  Philip, a lawyer; and Garret, who works in the entertainment industry.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://paullevitz.com/backstory/|title= Backstory: Paul Levitz|date= n.d.|publisher= PaulLevitz.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141223161327/http://paullevitz.com/backstory/|archive-date=December 23, 2014 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all|access-date= October 5, 2015}}</ref>

Levitz has named the run of ''[[All-Star Comics]]'' featuring the [[Justice Society of America]] as his favorite. He names [[Roger Zelazny]] as his favorite science fiction writer, [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] as his favorite fantasy writer, [[David McCullough]] as his favorite history writer and [[Agatha Christie]] as his favorite mystery writer.<ref name=CBG1668/>

==Bibliography==

=== Dark Horse ===
* ''Unfinished Business'' OGN (2021)

===DC Comics===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

*''Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman'' (2018)
*''[[Adventure Comics]]'' ([[Aquaman]]) #437, 441–448, ([[Elongated Man]]) #459, ([[Justice Society of America]]) #461–466 ([[Starman (comics)|Starman]]) #467–478 (1975–1980)
*''Adventure Comics'' vol. 2 #515–529 (2010–2011)
*''[[Atom (Ryan Choi)|All New Atom]]'' #23 (2008)
*''[[Limited Collectors' Edition#All-New Collectors' Edition|All-New Collectors' Edition]]'' (Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes) #C-55 (1978)
*''[[All Star Comics]]'' #59, 62–74 (1976–1978)
*''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #350 (1982)
*''[[Batman Black and White]]'' #2 (1996)
*''[[Batman Family]]'' ([[Huntress (Helena Wayne)|Huntress]]) #18–20 (1978)
*''[[Batman: Gotham Knights]]'' ([[Batman Black and White]]) #5 (2000)
*''[[Convergence (comics)|Convergence: Aquaman]]'' #2 (Doctor Fate) (2015)
*''Convergence: Worlds' Finest'' #1–2 (2015)
*''[[Cosmic Boy]]'' #1–4 (1986–1987)
*''[[Darkseid]] Special'' #1 (OMAC) (2017)
*''[[DC Challenge]]'' #4 (1986)
*''[[DC Comics Presents]]'' #5–7, 13–14, 25, 36, 42–43, 59 (1979–1983)
*''DC Comics Presents: Superman'' #1 (2004)
*''[[DC Special]]'' #28–29 (1977)
*''[[DC Special Series]]'' #1, 8, 10, 12, 21 (1977–1980)
*''[[DC Super Stars]]'' #17
*''[[Detective Comics]]'' #517–518 (1982)
*''[[Doctor Fate]]'' #1–18 (2015–2016)
*''[[Earth-Two|Earth 2]]'' #15.1 (2013)
*''[[Ghosts (comics)|Ghosts]]'' #103, 110 (1981–1982)
*''[[Heroes Against Hunger]]'' #1 (two pages) (1986)
*''[[House of Mystery]]'' #251 (1977)
*''[[Huntress (Helena Wayne)|Huntress]]'' vol. 3 #1–6 (2011–2012)
*''Joe Kubert Presents'' #5 (2013)
*''[[Justice Society of America|JSA]]'' #82–87 (2006)
*''[[Justice League|Justice League of America]]'' #147–148 (1977)
*''[[Kamandi|Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth]]'' #40, 44 (1976)
*''Kamandi Challenge'' #12 (2018)
*''[[Karate Kid (comics)|Karate Kid]]'' #1 (1976)
*''Legends of the DC Universe 80-Page Giant'' #2 (2000)
*''[[Legion of Substitute Heroes]] Special'' #1 (1985)
*''[[Legion of Super-Heroes (1958 team)|Legion of Super-Heroes]]'' vol. 2 #281–282, 284–313, ''Annual'' #1–3 (1981–1984)
*''Legion of Super-Heroes'' vol. 3 #1–63, ''Annual'' #1–4 (1984–1989)
*''Legion of Super-Heroes'' vol. 4 #100 (back-up story) (1998)
*''Legion of Super-Heroes'' vol. 6 #1–16 (2010–2011)
*''Legion of Super-Heroes'' vol. 7 #1–23, #0 (2011–2013)
*''Legion: Secret Origin'' #1–6 (2011–2012)
*''[[Mystery in Space]]'' #114 (1980)
*''The [[Teen Titans|New Teen Titans]]'' #28–33 (1987)
*''[[Phantom Stranger]]'' #37–41 (1975–1976)
*''[[Swamp Thing (comic book)|The Saga of the Swamp Thing]]'' (Phantom Stranger) #11 (1983)
*''[[Secret Origins]]'' vol. 2 ([[Shadow Lass]]) #8, (Phantom Stranger) #10, (Legion of Super-Heroes) #25 (1986–1988)
*''Secret Origins'' vol. 3 #7 (Huntress), #9 (Supergirl) (2015)
*''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' ([[Power Girl]]) #97–99, (anniversary "jam" issue) #100 (1977–1978)
*''[[Stalker (comics)|Stalker]]'' #1–4 (1975–1976)
*''[[Superboy (comic book)|Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes]]'' #225–226, 228–231, 233–237, 239–247, 250–251 (1977–1979)
*''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' #344 (1980)
*''[[Superman/Batman]]'' #26, 72–75, ''Annual'' #4 (2006, 2010)
*''[[The Superman Family]]'' ([[Lois Lane]]) #212–214 (1981–1982)
*''[[Tales of Ghost Castle]]'' #1 (1975)
*''Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes'' #314–325 (1984–1985, 1987)
*''[[Teen Titans]]'' #44 (1976)
*''[[Time Warp (comics)|Time Warp]]'' #1–2 (1979–1980)
*''[[Weird Mystery Tales]]'' #15–18 (1974–1975)
*''Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes'' #1–7 (1988)
*''[[Who's Who in the DC Universe|Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe]]'' #3, 14–26 (1985–1987)
*''Who's Who: Update '87'' #1–5 (1987)
*''[[Wonder Woman]]'' #255–258, 291–293, (Huntress) #271–287, 289–290, 294–296 (1979–1982)
*''[[Worlds' Finest]]'' #1–31, #0, ''Annual'' #1 (2012–2015)
*''Worlds' Finest: [[The New 52: Futures End|Futures End]]'' #1 (2014)
{{div col end}}

===Marvel Comics===

*''[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]: War Across Time'' #1–5 (2023)

=== Titan Books ===

* ''Icons: The DC Comics and WildStorm Art of Jim Lee'' (exclusive Legion of Superheroes story) (2010)

=== Valiant ===

* ''Visitor'' #1–6 (2019–2021)

==See also==
* "[[Shoot (Hellblazer)|Shoot]]" – a ''Hellblazer'' story cancelled by Levitz

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://docs.comics.org/images/b/b6/DC_Profiles_13.jpg "DC Profiles #13: Paul Levitz"] at the Grand Comics Database
* {{cite web |author=Rik Offenberger |author-link=Rik Offenberger |url=http://www.firstcomicsnews.com/paul-levitz-living-in-an-amazing-world/ |title=Paul Levitz: Living In An Amazing World |publisher=[[First Comics News]] |date=August 20, 2003 }}
* {{gcdb|type=credit|search= Paul+Levitz|title= Paul Levitz}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=554}}
*[http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/creator.php?creatorid=91 Paul Levitz] at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
*{{Isfdb name|id=163733}}

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box|title=Publisher of DC Comics| before=[[Jenette Kahn]]|after=[[Dan DiDio]] and [[Jim Lee]]| years=1989–2009}}
{{Succession box|title=President of DC Comics| before=Jenette Kahn|after=[[Diane Nelson (comics)|Diane Nelson]]| years=2002–2009}}
{{Succession box|title=''[[Adventure Comics]]'' editor|before=[[Joe Orlando]]|after=[[Ross Andru]]| years=1977–1979}}
{{Succession box|title=''[[Legion of Super-Heroes (1958 team)|Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes]]'' writer|before=[[Jim Shooter]]|after=[[Gerry Conway]]| years=1977–1979}}
{{Succession box|title=''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' editor|before=[[Dennis O'Neil]]|after=[[Dick Giordano]]|years=1978–1981}}
{{Succession box|title=''[[Detective Comics]]'' editor|before=[[Julius Schwartz]]|after=Dick Giordano|years=1979–1981}}
{{Succession box|title=''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' editor|before=Julius Schwartz|after=Dick Giordano|years=1979–1981}}
{{Succession box|title=''Legion of Super-Heroes'' writer|before=[[Roy Thomas]]|after=[[Keith Giffen]] and [[Tom and Mary Bierbaum]]| years=1981–1989}}
{{Succession box|title=''The [[Teen Titans|New Teen Titans]]'' writer|before=[[Marv Wolfman]]|after= Marv Wolfman|years=1987}}
{{end}}

{{DC Comics}}
{{Inkpot Award 2000s}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Levitz, Paul}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:20th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:American comics creators]]
[[Category:American comics writers]]
[[Category:American publishers (people)]]
[[Category:Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award winners]]
[[Category:American comic book editors]]
[[Category:Comic book publishers (people)]]
[[Category:Comics scholars]]
[[Category:DC Comics people]]
[[Category:Inkpot Award winners]]
[[Category:Jewish American comics creators]]
[[Category:Jewish American comics writers]]
[[Category:Stuyvesant High School alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Brooklyn]]