Paul Levitz had a long career at DC Comics, starting out as a freelancer when he was still in high school, rising through the ranks to President from 2002 to 2009, and retiring in 2010. During that time he had an active hand in shaping the Direct Market as well as the comics sold there. In Part 2, he talks about the rise of the Direct Market in the 1980s and how DC tailored its content for this new audience, leading to the creation of the Vertigo imprint. Part 1 focuses on Levitz’s early years, starting when he launched a fanzine at the age of 14 that brought him into contact with creators, retailers, and Direct Market pioneer Phil Seuling. In Part 3, he discusses how Image changed contracts with creators, how Marvel’s purchase of Heroes World changed distribution for DC, and how he thinks comic shops will evolve in the future.
We are also making available lightly edited transcripts of the interview, in three parts:
ICv2 Interview Transcript: Paul Levitz, Part 1
ICv2 Interview Transcript: Paul Levitz, Part 2
ICv2 Interview Transcript: Paul Levitz, Part 3
This interview and article are part of ICv2's Comics Direct Market 50th Anniversary celebration; for more, see "Comics Direct Market 50th Anniversary."

The 1980s: Shifting Toward the Direct Market and the Rise of Vertigo
Posted by Milton Griepp on October 6, 2023 @ 3:11 pm CT

MORE COMICS
'Venom' #252 to Feature Backup Story with New Suit, Plus New Story by DeFalco and Frenz
August 4, 2025
Venom #252 will feature a backup story about Venom’s new suit as well as a backup story by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz, the creators of the symbiote suit.
Showbiz Round-Up
August 4, 2025
The post-SDCC showbiz news is still spicy a week after the show's conclusion. It's time for another round-up!
MORE NEWS
New Anime-Style RPG by Two Little Mice
August 4, 2025
Free League Publishing announced Twilight Sword RPG , a new RPG by Two Little Mice.
'Tessen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo'
August 4, 2025
Office Dog previewed Tessen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo, an Legend of the Five Rings board game.