Paul Levitz

In 1935, DC Comics founder Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson published New Fun No. 1, the first comic book with all-new, original material—at a time when comic books were mere repositories for the castoffs of the newspaper strips. What was initially considered to be disposable media for children was well on its way to becoming the mythology of our time—the 20th century’s answer to Atlas or Zorro. More than 40,000 comic books later, in honor of the publisher’s 75th anniversary, TASCHEN has produced the single most comprehensive book on DC Comics, in an XL edition even Superman might have trouble lifting. More than 2,000 images—covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills, and collectibles—are reproduced using the latest technology to bring the story lines, the characters, and their creators to vibrant life as they’ve never been seen before. Telling the tales behind the tomes is 38-year DC veteran Paul Levitz, whose in-depth essays trace the company’s history, from its pulp origins through to the future of digital publishing.

In June of 1938, Action Comics debuted with a new kind of comic book character on its cover: A costumed man with two identities, who possessed extraordinary strength and powers, a man able to protect the public when ordinary measures would not do. He was not the first super hero, but the Man of Steel would become the prototype for all super heroes thereafter. Superman's story, and those of Batman, Wonder Woman, and hundreds of other DC Comics characters are all told in "The Golden Age of DC Comics". The single most comprehensive book on the subject, this volume traces the company's first decades, from its pulp origins up to the comic book burnings of the McCarthy '50s in over 400 pages bursting with comics, art, comics, photographs, and more comics. Plus an exclusive interview with legendary Sgt. Rock/Hawkman artist Joe Kubert! TASCHEN's series on "DC Comics" explores the origins of comics' most enduring legends and the behind-the-scenes stories of the men who created them, era by era. Expanded from the Eisner Award - winning XL book, "75 Years of DC Comics", this new series hits the shelf at a reader friendly size with essays updated by author Paul Levitz and over 500 new images across five volumes. Thousands of covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills, and collectibles have been reproduced using the latest technology to bring the story lines, the characters, and their creators to vibrant life, making this an invaluable reference for comics fans.

With super heroes nearly extinct at the start of the 1950s, DC Comics reignited the fire that would make them central to modern popular culture by infusing them with science fiction elements. To circumvent the limitations of the self-censoring Comics Code Authority, DC's writers and editors spun ever-more fantastic tales, bringing super heroes and Bob Hope alike into the realm of sci-fi. "DC Comics: The Silver Age" chronicles the transformation, with comics' first-ever "reboot" of Golden Age greats the Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman; as well as the increasingly wacky shenanigans of Batman, who was transformed into the reluctant spokesman for the camp sensibility of the '60s with a hit TV series that immortalized the "Dark Knight" as a pop culture icon for generations to come. Plus a new exclusive interview with Deadman/Green Lantern/Batman artist Neal Adams! TASCHEN's series on "DC Comics" explores the origins of comics' most enduring legends and the behind-the-scenes stories of the men who created them, era by era. Expanded from the Eisner Award-winning XL book, "75 Years of DC Comics", this new series hits the shelf at a reader friendly size with essays updated by author Paul Levitz and over 500 new images across five volumes. Thousands of covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills, and collectibles have been reproduced using the latest technology to bring the story lines, the characters, and their creators to vibrant life, making this an invaluable reference for comics fans.

The godlike Darkseid emerges in the 30th century with an ingenious plot to finally conquer the universe in Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen's timeless Legion of Super-Heroes epic! Using his faithful minions to acquire all of the mystic artifacts of the time, Darkseid gains mental control over a race of three billion, all-powerful beings. Now, as their universe teeters on the edge of Armageddon, the Legion of Super-Heroes amass their own army of every champion who ever held the status of Legionnaire to stand against the Dark Lord and his invincible soldiers. But as the Legion suffers defeat after defeat, they realize that salvation and victory rest in the hands of a mysterious baby that has aged into adulthood before their very eyes! This is the perfect edition of the classic Levitz storyline that was decades ahead of its time and still stands as one of DC's most enthralling superhero tales! It collects Legion of Super-Heroes numbered 284-296 and Annual number 1.

Comics grow up The humanized super hero. On December 15, 1978, the dreams of generations of American children finally came true. "You'll believe a man can fly," read the posters and billboards for the blockbuster film Superman. With an undeniable mass appeal, it cemented the role of the super hero as America's most enduring archetype, and the comic book as one of the country's most significant native art forms. That art form, however, was already moving in a new direction. Influenced by the emergence of underground comics and shifting political tides, DC's line of comics was increasingly aimed at adults, and sold in comic book shops, rather than on newsstands. Socially relevant subjects such as drug addiction, racism, and women's rights had entered the mainstream, and comics weren't just for kids anymore. The Bronze Age of DC Comics includes an original interview with Green Lantern/Green Arrow writer Denny O'Neil. About the series: Taschen's series on DC Comics explores the origins of comics' most enduring legends and the behind-the-scenes stories of the men and women who created them, era by era. Expanded from the Eisner Award-winning XL book, 75 Years of DC Comics, this new series hits the shelf at a reader-friendly size with essays updated by author Paul Levitz and more than 1,000 new images across five volumes. Thousands of covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills, and collectibles have been reproduced to bring the story lines, the characters, and their creators to vibrant life, making this an invaluable reference for comics fans.

Caped Crusader: The dark icon of the DC Universe From his first appearance inDetective ComicsNo. 27 in May 1939, Batman has thrilled imaginations across the globe. This character portrait pays tribute to the World s Greatest Detective, from his early days as a pulp-inflected comics hero to his current stature as a global icon, one of the greatest cultural artifacts of modern times. Through Robin, Catwoman, the Joker, and beyond, this volume looks at thecomplicated personality and the dynamic relationshipsthat defined Batman. With 192 pages of the greatest Batman images and text by Paul Levitz, author of the Eisner Award winning75 Years of DC Comics, The Little Book of Batmanis your definitive guide to the tragedy and triumph of the Dark Knight. DC Comics characters and all elements are trademarks of and (c) DC Comics. (s15) "

The Man of Tomorrow: The shining hope of the DC Universe Since first appearing inAction ComicsNo. 1 in April 1938, Superman has stood as thepre-eminent symbol of truth and justice. Captivating minds for over 75 years, the Last Son of Krypton has appeared in thousands of comic books, cartoons, TV shows, and movies. His tragic beginning led to a life as an outsider, fighting for his adopted home while securing his standing ashumanity s iconic protector and champion. With 192 pages of the best images of the Man of Steel and text by Paul Levitz, author of the Eisner Award winning75 Years of DC Comics, The Little Book of Supermanis yourdefinitive guide to the biggest Super Hero of them all. DC Comics characters and all elements are trademarks of and (c) DC Comics. (s15) "

The Amazing Amazon: The spirit of truth in the DC Universe Debuting inAll Star ComicsNo. 8 in December 1941, the warrior Amazon Princess is a feminist icon whose strength is equaled by her empathy and compassion. Appearing in comic books, newspaper strips, and TV shows for almost 75 years, Wonder Woman stands as a towering figure in pop culture, and arole model in her fight for justice, love, peace, and gender equality. Her creator, William Moulton Marston, said she was as beautiful as Aphrodite, as wise as Athena, as fast as Mercury, and as strong as Hercules but she s all that and more! With 192 pages of the greatest Wonder Woman images and text by Paul Levitz, author of the Eisner Award winning75 Years of DC Comics, The Little Book of Wonder Womanis your definitive guide to themost popular female comic-book Super Hero of all time. DC Comics characters and all elements are trademarks of and (c) DC Comics. (s15) "

Being a twenty-something medical student has its own share of problems, but throw a new, unexpected identity as a superhero powered by an ancient mystic force on top of it? Things get pretty hairy quickly. Egyptian-American Brooklynite Khalid "Kent" Nassor stumbles upon the helmet of Fate, which transforms him into the all-new Doctor Fate! An overwhelmed Kent finds himself tackling a strange set of magical powers, all without an instruction manual. But he'll need to master his new tricks fast, as Anubis, the Egyptian Lord of the Dead, is preparing the flood to wash the world away. Legendary writer Paul Levitz and sensational newcomer Sonny Liew deliver a hero for the next generation in Doctor Fate Vol. 1! It collects issues numbered 1-6.

The Crown Jewel of Comics The DC universe as never seen before In 1935, DC Comics founder Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson published New Fun No. 1-the first comic book with all-new, original material-at a time when comic books were mere repositories for the castoffs of the newspaper strips. What was initially considered to be disposable media for children was well on its way to becoming the mythology of our time-the 20th century's answer to Atlas or Zorro. More than 40,000 comic books later, TASCHEN has produced the single most comprehensive book on DC Comics. More than 2,000 images-covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills, and collectibles-are reproduced using the latest technology to bring the story lines, the characters, and their creators to vibrant life as they've never been seen before. Telling the tales behind the tomes is 38-year DC veteran Paul Levitz, whose in-depth essays trace the company's history, from its pulp origins through to the future of digital publishing, alongside year-by-year timelines and biographies of DC legends. The original XL edition of 75 Years of DC Comics was winner of the 2011 Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Comics-Related Book of the Year. This new edition brings you all the same DC glory in a more compact format.

In June of 1938, Action Comics debuted with a new kind of comic-book character on its cover: a costumed man with two identities, who possessed extraordinary strength and powers-a man able to protect the public when ordinary measures would not do. He was not the first super hero, but the Man of Steel would become the prototype for all super heroes thereafter. Superman's story, and those of Batman, Wonder Woman, and hundreds of other DC Comics characters, are all told in The Golden Age of DC Comics. Expanded from the Eisner Award-winning XL book, 75 Years of DC Comics, this edition offers readers the ultimate insight on DC's first decades, from its pulp origins up to the comic-book burnings of the McCarthy '50s. More than 600 pages of covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills, and ephemera bring the story lines, the characters, and their creators to vibrant life. Also included is an exclusive interview with legendary artist Joe Kubert. Copyright (c) 2019 DC Comics. All related characters and elements (c) & TM DC Comics. (s19)