Taschen launches “Bronze Age of DC Comics” book by Paul Levitz

By John Freeman on October 5, 2015

Specialist publisher has just launched its sumptuous-looking title The Bronze Age of DC Comics, dedicated to some of the best-loved comics in US publisher DC Comics history, penned by the company’s former Publisher and President Paul Levitz.

On 15th December 1978, the dreams of generations of children finally came true. “You’ll believe a man can fly” read the posters and billboards for the blockbuster film Superman. The hugely popular movie 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 Comics’ line of comics was increasingly aimed at adults, and sold in comic book shops, rather than on newsstands. Socially relevant subjects such as racism and women’s rights had entered the mainstream, and comics weren’t just for kids anymore.

This reader-friendly sized edition explores the evolution into the Bronze Age of DC with a careful curation and expansion of material from Taschen’s XL book, 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking, winner of the Eisner Awards, the Oscars of the comic world. Bountiful images bring the story lines, characters and creators to life, alongside an original interview with Green Lantern/Green Arrow writer Denny O’Neil.

Paul Levitz should need no introduction to most downthetubes readers, best known as editor/publisher of The Comic Reader, editor of the Batman titles and others and as the writer of more than 300 stories — including an acclaimed run on Legion of Super-Heroes — and as a DC Comics executive, finishing his 38-year stint with the company as President and Publisher. He returned to writing in 2010 with a new series of Legion stories and other projects.

<br /> • The Bronze Age of DC Comics is available now from all good bookshops physical and digital

DC Comics characters and all elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. (s15)

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.