Soon after completing my publishing program at Pace University in 2016, I had the privilege of interviewing Paul Levitz, a luminary in American comics. Levitz, who transitioned from his role as President of DC Comics to an educator and writer, shared his insights on the rising significance of visual media, particularly graphic novels, in the digital age. With the publishing and media industries rapidly evolving, this interview is more relevant than ever. I’ve included minor updates to reflect current trends.
Hello Professor Levitz, thank you for accepting this interview! After your thrilling roles as the Editor, Executive Vice President & Publisher, and the President & Publisher at DC Comics, you are now more focused on writing and educating. Could you please elaborate on your current activities?
Prof. Levitz: About half my time goes to teaching, which is something I always wanted to do. The other half is a mixture of writing comics, books and short pieces, and consulting or board work. I serve on the boards of Boom!, a mid-size comics publisher, and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
Given the significant transformation in the publishing industry with the digital revolution, where do you envision the future of traditional and print publishing?
Prof. Levitz: I think books will long outlive me, but we’re in an increasingly visual world (📺📺). That bodes well for websites, graphic novels, and other visually rich forms.
You’ve taught insightful courses on Transmedia and the Future of Publishing. Could you elaborate on the importance of transmedia and graphic novels in publishing? Also, which genres do you foresee thriving in the future?
Prof. Levitz: Transmedia is important for publishing students and aspirants because at the pace the world is changing, they need to be ready to work in diverse media firms. I’m no more prescient about the future than anyone, but I’m delighted to see how many graphic novels are being adapted in such different forms. FUN HOME as a Broadway musical–who’d a thunk it!
In one of the prior interviews, you highlighted the need for publishing to shift from a “banking” model to a more “venture capital approach.” Could you elaborate on this perspective?
Prof. Levitz: I think publishers need to invest in creators early in their careers, trying to establish long relationships.
With records indicating approximately 1,000,000 books published annually in the US, of which over 99 percent go unnoticed, what potential lies ahead for diverse and translated stories in mainstream publishing?
Prof. Levitz: The good news is the marketplace is more open than ever before; the bad news is the flood gates are open to many things few want to read. Hopefully we’ll find easier paths through the crowded ‘shelves.
Lastly, who do you predict will dominate the publishing industry in the future: innovative publishing startups, traditional publishers, or content-focused companies?
Prof. Levitz: If I knew, I’d invest wisely. But only time will tell.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE INTERVIEW WITH PAUL LEVITZ
Current Focus: Former president and publisher of DC Comics, Paul Levitz splits his time between teaching courses on Comics, Graphic Novels, Transmedia, and the Future of Publishing, and engaging in writing and publishing.
Visual Trends in Publishing: Mr. Levitz sees a shift towards a more visually-oriented world, favoring formats like graphic novels and visually rich media, even though traditional books will continue to exist.
Importance of Transmedia: Transmedia, inlcuding the translated literature, prepares students for diverse media careers, with the adaptability of graphic novels being a prime example, as seen in their transformation into formats like Broadway musicals.
Investment in Creators: Levitz advocates for a “venture capital approach” in publishing, suggesting that publishers should invest early in creators to build long-term relationships.
Navigating the Publishing Flood: While the marketplace is more open than ever, it is also flooded with content, making it challenging to find quality material. The future dominance in the publishing industry—whether by startups, traditional publishers, or content-focused companies—remains uncertain.
Paul Levitz is a renowned figure in American comics and graphic novels. He authored Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel and has written around 400 stories featuring DC characters like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. With over 25 million copies sold in the US and translations in more than 20 languages, Levitz served as DC Comics’ President & Publisher from 2002 to 2009. Now, he focuses on writing and teaching courses on Comics, Graphic Novels, Transmedia, and The Future of Publishing.