Newsletter

New York (Wednesday February 5, 2002) - Longtime DC Comics Publisher Jenette Kahn will step down by year end, Warner Brothers Chairman & CEO Barry M. Meyer, announced today.

Kahn, who replaced Carmine Infantino 1976 as Publisher, and five years later was promoted to President and Editor-in-Chief, plans to write a book, Meyer said.

"After more than a quarter of a century at DC Comics, we completely understand Jenette's desire for a new venue to focus her boundless energy and visionary leadership," Meyer said. While we will deeply miss her and her extraordinary contributions, we wish her only the best."

Under Kahn's guidance, DC Comics has become the world's largest English-language publisher of comics. Additionally, 10 feature films, numerous live-action and animated television series, multiple direct-to-video titles, online entertainment and product licenses have been drawn from DC's world-renowned superheroes.

Beyond its popular superhero comic book lines, the company has broken new creative ground in recent years with the launch of its adult-oriented Vertigo imprint and the acquisition of WildStorm Productions, an independent comic publisher. The revamped, still-irreverent MAD Magazine is also part of the DC Comics family.

Jenette Kahn, in 1976

Kahn is a noted leader on issues facing women and minorities, and a respected supporter of the arts. Some of her altruistic endeavors include having used DC Comics superheroes to help kids in third world countries learn how to deal with deadly landmines, (for which she received recognition from the Clinton White House, then-Secretary of State Madeline Albright, the United Nations and the Department of Defense) and the creation of a foundation honoring Wonder Woman's 40th anniversary, which during its existence gave grants to more than 50 women who exemplified the inspirational characteristics of Wonder Woman by taking risks, pursuing equality and truth, striving for peace and helping other women.

Further, the Reagan White House honored her for her work on drug awareness and the FBI for her contributions in the area of gun control. In 1997, in an effort to widen the accessibility and visibility of African American art, Kahn initiated and found funding for an exhibition of black film posters at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Prior to joining DC, Kahn founded three magazines for young people. Her first was Kids, written and illustrated entirely by and for children. Published in the early '70s, Kids was considered a pioneer in the field of children's publishing, covering topics from drug abuse to animal protection to the environment.

Her next publication was Dynamite, the best-selling children's magazine in history. Following on the success of Dynamite was Smash, which, while still aimed at the young audience, tackled more serious themes through probing articles. At 25 years of age, Kahn was able to convince design legend Milton Glaser to art direct Smash, which she considers one of the best creative collaborations of her life.

Kahn graduated from Harvard University with honors in art history, specializing in 20th century art, and later held a fellowship at the Museum of Modern Art in New York before entering publishing.

In the wake of Jenette Kahn's departure from DC Comics, Paul Levitz will assume her position as publisher and president, Warner Brothers Chairman & CEO Barry M. Meyer, announced today..

Levitz, who for the past 12 years has been executive vice president & publisher, will add Kahn's responsibilities to his current duties following a transition period. In addition to overseeing all the business and editorial operations of DC Comics and MAD Magazine, Levitz will also serve as a liaison across all Warner Brothers divisions and outside third-parties to promote DC Comics' characters and brands in feature films, television, home video, consumer products, online and specialty publishing.

In his nearly three decades with the company, Levitz has written comic book stories featuring the majority of the classic DC characters, including Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Superman newspaper strip. His most popular titles were scripted during his 13 years of writing the Legion of Super-Heroes, including a story entitled "The Great Darkness Saga" selected by the readers of Comic Buyers' Guide as one of The Top 12 Comic Book Stories of the 20th Century. He also supervised the brand management of Batman licensing during a record-breaking decade for DC Comics and was key in the company's acquisition of WildStorm Productions.

Levitz rose through the ranks. Prior to being Executive Vice President & Publisher, Levitz served as Executive Vice President, DC Comics from 1984-89. This post was preceded by a two-year stint as Vice President, Operations; two years as Manager, Business Affairs, and four years as Editor and Editorial Coordinator. Levitz joined DC Comics in 1973 as an assistant editor, after spending a year as a freelance writer of text features for the company.

Levitz entered the comics industry in 1971 as the editor/publisher of The Comic Reader, the first mass-circulation fanzine devoted to comics news. He published TCR for three years, winning two consecutive annual Comic Art Fan Awards for Best Fanzine. His other fan activities include editing the program books for several of Phil Seuling's legendary New York Comic Art Conventions, and he worked briefly at Sea Gate Distributors (the original distribution company created to serve the early comic shops) during its first year of existence.