Julius Schwartz was born in New York's Bronx on June 19, 1915. He was the son of Joseph and Bertha Schwartz, who were Jewish emigrants from Romania. At about age 17, Schwartz co-published The Time Traveler with Mort Weisinger and Forrest J. Ackerman, one of the first science fiction fan magazines. It would be rebranded as Science Fiction Digest and Fantasy Magazine before ceasing in 1937.
Schwartz and Weisinger would go on to found the Solar Sales Service literary agency, which would represent writers such as H.P. Lovecraft and Ray Bradbury during 1934 to 1944. He also helped organize the first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939.
He became an editor at All-American Publications, which would eventually be folded into National Publications, now known as DC Comics. Among his writing recruits were John Broome and science fiction writer Alfred Bester.
Beginning in 1956, Schwartz was the driving force behind reintroducing superheroes to the market, creating new versions of characters such as the Flash, the Atom and Green Lantern, now with a more science fiction orientation. Schwartz himself created the non-superpowered hero Adam Strange and conceptualized the Justice League of America. Relevant to this blog is his directive to create other superheroes to serve as supporting characters for The Flash, which brought us Kid Flash and Elongated Man.
Schwartz worked extensively at DC until his retirement in 1986, the same year his wife Jean of 34 years died. He returned to edit some graphic novels for the company. Under his supervision, Batman and Superman were made more grounded and serious, with an attempt to eliminate Kryptonite from the latter's weaknesses.
Until his death from pneumonia in 2004, Schwartz was a "Goodwill Ambassador" for DC and considered an "Editor Emeritus." However, after his death, a number of women came forward with reports that he had sexually harassed them.
Schwartz's contribution to DC Comics is undeniably significant, basically shepherding the company from the 50s through the 70s. However, that last moment lets us remember that few people are without flaw, and sometimes you must separate your love of the work from the artist.
Schwartz and Weisinger would go on to found the Solar Sales Service literary agency, which would represent writers such as H.P. Lovecraft and Ray Bradbury during 1934 to 1944. He also helped organize the first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939.
He became an editor at All-American Publications, which would eventually be folded into National Publications, now known as DC Comics. Among his writing recruits were John Broome and science fiction writer Alfred Bester.
Beginning in 1956, Schwartz was the driving force behind reintroducing superheroes to the market, creating new versions of characters such as the Flash, the Atom and Green Lantern, now with a more science fiction orientation. Schwartz himself created the non-superpowered hero Adam Strange and conceptualized the Justice League of America. Relevant to this blog is his directive to create other superheroes to serve as supporting characters for The Flash, which brought us Kid Flash and Elongated Man.
Schwartz worked extensively at DC until his retirement in 1986, the same year his wife Jean of 34 years died. He returned to edit some graphic novels for the company. Under his supervision, Batman and Superman were made more grounded and serious, with an attempt to eliminate Kryptonite from the latter's weaknesses.
Until his death from pneumonia in 2004, Schwartz was a "Goodwill Ambassador" for DC and considered an "Editor Emeritus." However, after his death, a number of women came forward with reports that he had sexually harassed them.
Schwartz's contribution to DC Comics is undeniably significant, basically shepherding the company from the 50s through the 70s. However, that last moment lets us remember that few people are without flaw, and sometimes you must separate your love of the work from the artist.
No comments:
Post a Comment