CBR: Paul Levitz No Longer Publisher & President of DC Comics [Archive]

rick

09-09-2009, 11:37 AM

Here is hoping that Paul got a decent "Golden Parachute" out of this, everything I have ever heard about him makes it sound like he's a pretty decent guy.

I have to say though, that I figured it was just a matter of time before Levitz was eased out the door. After Jeanette Khan left the picture DC really hasn't had an experienced Hollywood hand at the helm, which just doesn't work when movies, tv, toys and other marketing are responsible for by far the majority of the income being generated.

And I have to say that while I do not know much about Diane Nelson, the DC animated direct to DVD line which she headed up, has been responsible for some excellent material, so it does seem likely that she does have a pretty good idea of how to use the characters.

The Chief5425

09-09-2009, 11:53 AM

Boo, if he's being pushed out unwillingly, but YAY if it means he has time to start writing again.

THIS.

Legion of Super Heroes. Please, PLEASE, Legion of Super Heroes!!

froinlaven

09-09-2009, 11:58 AM

Should have made sense the first time then.:biggrin:

Regardless, if Harry Potter lady is gonna save DC comics and get these movies produced quickly and effectively, she's got a lot of work to do.

Maybe Dan Didio is next on the chopping black.

rick

09-09-2009, 12:00 PM

Maybe Dan Didio is next on the chopping black.

You mad dreamer, you.

Mike Klander

09-09-2009, 12:06 PM

Wow! 2009 is going to go down as THE year the comic book industry changed. This is the beginning of something different. Special. Whether good or bad is undetermined.

olympichero62

09-09-2009, 12:07 PM

Wow! 2009 is going to go down as THE year the comic book industry changed. This is the beginning of something different. Special. Whether good or bad is undetermined.

Maybe this is the start of a NEW age of comics! The _______ Age of comics!

superchick

09-09-2009, 12:32 PM

Of course he's being pushes out unwillingly, DC has been in 2nd place for years. Now, it's time to get someone who can come up with a better strategy.

Warner don't care about that, its miniscule. they want movies and tv projects

Jolly Mon

09-09-2009, 12:39 PM

Maybe this is the start of a NEW age of comics! The _______ Age of comics!

What you're looking for to fill in the blanks is "Multi-National Conglomorate".

olympichero62

09-09-2009, 12:39 PM

Warner don't care about that, its miniscule. they want movies and tv projects

I've never worked at a company that didn't care that they were #1 in every possible category. I'm sure they aren't ok with the fact that they are #2 when they could be #1. It's a very big deal to them.

froinlaven

09-09-2009, 12:40 PM

What you're looking for to fill in the blanks is "Multi-National Conglomorate".

Just rolls off the toungue:biggrin:

joao_miranda

09-09-2009, 12:44 PM

Withouth Levitz, probably Didio will get more control over DC and, most likely, the DC/Vertigo separation will be over.

olympichero62

09-09-2009, 12:48 PM

Are we still assuming Didio's job is safe. I figured he'd be the first to get axed.

KET

09-09-2009, 12:52 PM

Regardless, if Harry Potter lady is gonna save DC comics and get these movies produced quickly and effectively, she's got a lot of work to do.

Maybe Dan Didio is next on the chopping black.

Don't think so; this move probably means that Dan may be all that's left between DC actually producing comics, or WB just auctioning off comics properties randomly to various movie production companies.

Rebranding the corporate name to "DC Entertainment" is already leaving comics out of the direct picture.

Lorendiac

09-09-2009, 12:53 PM

Warner don't care about that, its miniscule. they want movies and tv projects

I am inclined to agree. Recently, when the news broke about Disney and Marvel, someone on another forum seemed to be in a panic as he asked how drastically would this change the monthly titles set in the Marvel Universe. Before I ever came along, someone else had tried to reassure the first guy by saying (paraphrased in my own words): "I bet Disney hardly even knows that Marvel still publishes comic books! What they were really buying was the chance to keep cranking out new movies and TV shows connected to the X-Men franchise, the Spider-Man franchise, the Fantastic Four franchise . . . the sort of thing that attracts millions of viewers, instead of just pandering to a relative handful of diehard comic book collectors!"

olympichero62

09-09-2009, 12:57 PM

WB just auctioning off comics properties randomly to various movie production companies.

Maybe this is the best way to go for DC. It could be an effective way to finally get these movies out.

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 12:59 PM

Don't think so; this move probably means that Dan may be all that's left between DC actually producing comics, or WB just auctioning off comics properties randomly to various movie production companies.

Rebranding the corporate name to "DC Entertainment" is already leaving comics out of the direct picture.

That just mean the comics will be a division of a bigger company.It does not mean comic are going to left out of the picture.

You are just like marvel fans are making a big deal out of nothing.

joao_miranda

09-09-2009, 01:08 PM

That just mean the comics will be a division of a bigger company.It does not mean comic are going to left out of the picture.

You are just like marvel fans are making a big deal out of nothing.

Yeah, Marvel has been Marvel Entertainment for years.

This just means that DC will have a word in movies, TV series, games and etc, instead of just giving the characters to Warner and letting them do whatever they want.

As in Marvel, the main bussiness of the company will still be comics. They will just start to get money out of other things. They will still use Warner studios, but will have control over the product. It seems great to me and I think this was obvious since The Dark Knight had all that sucess and instead of other DC characters using that good moment, we see Marvel's Iron Man and Hulk do so. This didn't happened because of Disney. This kind of stuff isn't made in a week. I would even say that the relaunch of Adventure Comics was made because of Levitz and Johns was just warming up the book.

superchick

09-09-2009, 01:12 PM

That just mean the comics will be a division of a bigger company.It does not mean comic are going to left out of the picture.

You are just like marvel fans are making a big deal out of nothing.

As far as I recall DC Comics will still exist as part of DC Entertainment but DCE will add movie and tv branches that the term DC Comics wouldn't cover.

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 01:14 PM

As far as I recall DC Comics will still exist as part of DC Entertainment but DCE will add movie and tv branches that the term DC Comics wouldn't cover.

Yes I know but he sounded like comic were not part of it anymore.

Maybe I read wrong.

Sean Walsh

09-09-2009, 01:45 PM

So I take it this means Didio's role will be enhanced (like Quesada's did, as he has a hand in and knowledge of non-comic projects) or it will be diminished (he's just the head of the comic editors)....

True Herald

09-09-2009, 01:57 PM

Maybe Dan Didio is next on the chopping block.

He spoke, froinlaven!
Listen to him, we must! :biggrin:

froinlaven

09-09-2009, 01:59 PM

He spoke, froinlaven!
Listen to him, we must! :biggrin:

Wishful thinking, it is, for you to see.:wink:

joao_miranda

09-09-2009, 02:11 PM

Yes I know but he sounded like comic were not part of it anymore.

Maybe I read wrong.

Well, tecnically, it will be Detective Comics Entertainment.

So there will still be Comics in the name.

Lorendiac

09-09-2009, 02:17 PM

Well, tecnically, it will be Detective Comics Entertainment.

So there will still be Comics in the name.

I disagree. Technically, it will be whatever name is on the legal paperwork. If that's "DC Entertainment," then the name will only have the letter C in it, but not the word "comics."

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 02:56 PM

I disagree. Technically, it will be whatever name is on the legal paperwork. If that's "DC Entertainment," then the name will only have the letter C in it, but not the word "comics."

It still about comics.DC comics will be a still be DC comics but it will be in a bigger company called DC entertainment.

rawhidekid

09-09-2009, 03:38 PM

DC reeked of fear ever since it was announced the Disney will buy Marvel. I think this is a knee jerk reaction that will bite them in the butt.

joao_miranda

09-09-2009, 03:42 PM

DC reeked of fear ever since it was announced the Disney will buy Marvel. I think this is a knee jerk reaction that will bite them in the butt.

So, they formed a new company in one week? That must be a record.

rawhidekid

09-09-2009, 03:45 PM

So, they formed a new company in one week? That must be a record.

Like I said knee jerk reaction. The company is not done forming anyways. There is still some desks to be moved around.

mofo

09-09-2009, 03:58 PM

Ummm.... someone tell me.... does this mean more interference* from WB on things on stories and whatnot?

* = interference is a poor choice of words seeing as how this could go both ways but....i think you guys get the gist

edIt: to put it more clearly, would we be seeing something like the comics following or tie-ing in to the movies? Ie: batman is outed as bruce wayne in the movies and comics at the same time

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 04:01 PM

DC reeked of fear ever since it was announced the Disney will buy Marvel. I think this is a knee jerk reaction that will bite them in the butt.

As the article states this idea was floating around for a while.

Agin another negative post.

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 04:03 PM

Ummm.... someone tell me.... does this mean more interference* from WB on things on stories and whatnot?

* = interference is a poor choice of words seeing as how this could go both ways but....i think you guys get the gist

No it does nothing to do with comics DC comics will still run at is but the movie and tv properties will be under control in one giant company.

DC comics is a divsion of this entertainment company.

Mat001

09-09-2009, 04:11 PM

Like I said knee jerk reaction. The company is not done forming anyways. There is still some desks to be moved around.

You must've missed the part where this has been in the works for two years.

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 04:15 PM

You must've missed the part where this has been in the works for two years.

That what I was saying.

Scott Taylor

09-09-2009, 04:32 PM

Seems a better role for Levitz. I really loved his work on Legion over the years and other stuff he did as a writer. Just hopefully it wasn't hostile in any way.

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 04:35 PM

Seems a better role for Levitz. I really loved his work on Legion over the years and other stuff he did as a writer. Just hopefully it wasn't hostile in any way.

It does not seam that way remember the article did state it was plan for about two years so paul might know it was over for him.

Hey he had a good run,I think he wants to get back to his first love writing.

Village Idiot

09-09-2009, 04:44 PM

Maybe this is the start of a NEW age of comics! The _______ Age of comics!

Corporate?

Fumigated?

Fire Trucked?

Village Idiot

09-09-2009, 04:48 PM

DC reeked of fear ever since it was announced the Disney will buy Marvel. I think this is a knee jerk reaction that will bite them in the butt.

NO.

This has been planned for quite some time. It has been rumored on the internet for weeks. It all started before the Disney takeover of Marvel.

olympichero62

09-09-2009, 04:49 PM

NO.

This has been planned for quite some time. It has been rumored on the internet for weeks. It all started before the Disney takeover of Marvel.

I wouldn't go that far. Disney buying Marvel has been in the works for a while now. It's just now becoming official.

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 04:54 PM

I wouldn't go that far. Disney buying Marvel has been in the works for a while now. It's just now becoming official.

Good point.It take time for these type of deals to go through.

froinlaven

09-09-2009, 04:58 PM

I wouldn't go that far. Disney buying Marvel has been in the works for a while now. It's just now becoming official.

Yeah, things like that don't happen over night. It takes months and months.

joao_miranda

09-09-2009, 05:21 PM

Yeah, things like that don't happen over night. It takes months and months.

According to Joe Quesada, it tooked one month (probably more, but not that more, if he only find out about it last month).

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22872

And I think this is being planned since The Dark Knight.

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 05:27 PM

According to Joe Quesada, it tooked one month (probably more, but not that more, if he only find out about it last month).

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22872

And I think this is being planned since The Dark Knight.

It could take ever more mouth until the deal is actually finalize the shareholders have to agree to the deal between marvel and Disney.I know because it took a couple of months for the oilers to be bought by Daryl Katz.

carabas

09-09-2009, 06:10 PM

DC reeked of fear ever since it was announced the Disney will buy Marvel. I think this is a knee jerk reaction that will bite them in the butt.How has DC been noticeably more fearful in aroma in the las tweek or so?

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 06:12 PM

How has DC been noticeably more fearful in aroma in the las tweek or so?

I bet you DC did not even care about what is going on at marvel.

another_version

09-09-2009, 06:18 PM

THIS.

Legion of Super Heroes. Please, PLEASE, Legion of Super Heroes!!

I second this! Get them out of a backup and give them their own title. And then we are going to see Zatanna fighting along side Harry Potter, with a team-up by the Phantom Stranger and Dumbledore! Haha!

froinlaven

09-09-2009, 07:46 PM

I bet you DC did not even care about what is going on at marvel.

Highly doubt that they don't care what is going on at their biggest competitor.

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 08:00 PM

Highly doubt that they don't care what is going on at their biggest competitor.

Yeah your right but this was not going to do anything with sales of comics , it is just about their entertainment properties.

DeTroyes

09-09-2009, 09:13 PM

You know what this means, don't you?

We're now going to be one step closer to Grand Unification, after the Disney and Time-Warner merger in 2025... :biggrin:

comicsmetal

09-09-2009, 09:26 PM

You know what this means, don't you?

We're now going to be one step closer to Grand Unification, after the Disney and Time-Warner merger in 2025... :biggrin:

Not going to happen ,I bet you by 2025 their will be a law about mergers like those.

Bored at 3:00AM

09-09-2009, 09:29 PM

Paul Levitz & Kieth Giffen on Legion of Super-Heroes. I want to see that.

Gothos

09-15-2009, 02:14 PM

After I read the following JOURNALISTA estimation of Levitz's career as DC publisher, I thought author Dirk Deppey was probably being overly hard on Levitz:

http://tcj.com/journalista/?p=933

A salient quote:

"In more recent years, Levitz’ principal failings as a publisher could usually be attributed to a management philosophy best described as “Hey, Time Warner! Look over there, fa-a-a-ar away from me.” I’ve spoken with numerous DC employees over the years who’ve been frustrated with the company’s cover-your-ass culture, an atmosphere that in all fairness predates Levitz but was nonetheless nurtured and encouraged by his inability to see projects through and utter failure to understand what a long-term publishing strategy looks like. Consequently one well-meaning initiative after another fell apart in his hands, and employees found themselves trying to dodge institutionally mandated failure rather than building careers based around their successes. Make no mistake: Under Paul Levitz, DC’s second-banana status was essentially set in cement."

However, I can't precisely refute it, since I haven't been a close watcher of DC's progress in the last ten years. I will say that a lot of publishers in the book world-- a more prestigious form of publishing, even now that "comic books are cool"-- have had their own applecarts upset by sheer bad luck, no matter what kind of "long-term publishing strategy" they might design.

It might be relevant that Fantagraphics has had the odd mismanagement crisis as well, though naturally you wouldn't read about those crises in detail back when the JOURNAL had a news-section, because, well, Macy's still doesn't tell Gimbel's even though both of the stores are outta business.

So. Fair to Levitz, or not, DC-watchers?