Fifty Who Made DC Great is a one-shot published by DC Comics to commemorate the company's 50th anniversary in 1985. It was published in comic book format but contained text articles with photographs and background caricatures.
Publication history As explained by DC's then-President and Publisher Jenette Kahn, the profiles were of "fifty people and companies who have helped make DC Comics great. [W]e have chosen representatives from those who have pioneered new territory and who, by doing so, have shaped our past or our future". The articles were written by Barry Marx, Thomas Hill, and Joey Cavalieri and caricatures were provided by Steven Petruccio. Barry Marx was also the book's editor. Neal Pozner was the design director. The cover art, featuring Clark Kent holding the "DC Bullet", was drawn by Curt Swan, Murphy Anderson, and Arne Starr.
The Fifty
Name Field Notes publisher Co-owner of National Allied Publications. writer, entrepreneur Founder of National Allied Publications, the precursor company to DC Comics. publisher Co-owner of National Allied Publications. publisher Co-owner of National Allied Publications. writer Co-creator of Superman. artist Co-creator of Superman. writer, artist Co-creator of Batman. writer Co-creator of Batman. Warner Publishing Services distribution company DC sister company responsible for newsstand distribution, formerly known as Independent News Company, Inc. writer, artist, editor Creator of Sugar and Spike. executive DC's president 1976-1980. distribution agent Founder of Delmar News Agency. writer Co-creator of the Justice Society of America and the Justice League of America. writer Co-creator of Wonder Woman with his wife Elizabeth Holloway Marston. publisher Publisher of DC Comics in France. publishing agent Responsible for licensing DC's international publishing rights. Fleischer Studios animation studio Produced the 1940s Superman cartoons. actor Portrayed Superman in the Adventures of Superman radio program, the Fleischer Studios 1940s cartoons and in the Filmation The New Adventures of Superman television series. actor Portrayed Superman in the 1948 film serial Superman, and its 1950 sequel Atom Man Vs. Superman. editor Editor of Superman during the mid-1950s to 1970; co-creator of Aquaman, Green Arrow, and Johnny Quick. writer, editor Producer and story editor on the Adventures of Superman television series. actor Portrayed Superman in the Adventures of Superman television series. artist Artist on Superman from the late 1940s through the 1950s. artist Artist most associated with Superman during the Silver and Bronze Ages of comic books. editor Editor of DC Comics in France. World Color Press printing company In 1985, the largest player in the comic and newsstand special-interest publication market.Rozanski, Chuck. "Tales From the Database: Evolution of the Direct Market Part II", Mile High Comics (2003). writer, editor Co-creator of Sgt. Rock. editor Oversaw the revival of characters such as the Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, and the Atom; longtime editor of the Batman and Superman comic book lines. popular culturist A primary force in establishing 1960s comics fandom. writer, editor Co-creator of All-Star Squadron and Infinity, Inc. actor Portrayed Batman in the 1960s television series. actor Portrayed Robin in the Batman television series. Licensing Company of America licensing company Merchandising rights for DC's characters. artist, executive Co-creator of the Silver Age Flash; editorial director and publisher. artist Artist of Batman and Green Lantern/Green Arrow features of the 1970s. writer, editor Writer of Batman and Green Lantern/Green Arrow features of the 1970s.Adolf Kabatek publisher Publisher of DC Comics in Germany. Hanna-Barbera Productions animation studio Producer of the Super Friends television series. film producer Co-producer of the Superman film series. film producer Co-producer of the Superman film series. actor Portrayed Superman in the film series. actress Portrayed Wonder Woman in the 1970s television series. distributor, fan convention organizer Developed the concept of the direct market distribution system for getting comics directly into comic book specialty shops. distributor Early direct market distributor. writer, editor Co-creator of the New Teen Titans, writer of Crisis on Infinite Earths. artist Co-creator of the New Teen Titans, artist of Crisis on Infinite Earths. writer, artist Creator of Ronin. actress Portrayed Supergirl in the 1984 film. Superman Peanut Butter product DC's first food related licence. Kenner Productstoy manufacturer Manufacturer of the Super Powers Collection toyline.
Celebrity reminiscences Brief statements made by several prominent individuals were included as "Celebrity Reminiscences". These included comments by Daniel P. Moynihan, Richard Corben, Ray Bradbury, Gloria Steinem, Mort Walker, Milton Glaser, Walter Koenig, Gene Siskel, Stephen King, Gene Simmons, Jim Henson, David L. Wolper, Stan Lee, Susan Stamberg, Roger Ebert, Brooke Shields, Carol Bellamy, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Legacy Fifty Who Made DC Great has been used as a cited reference source for several books. Among these are the following: The All-Star Companion Volume 1 by Roy Thomas. Comic Book Nation: The Transformation of Youth Culture in America by Bradford W. Wright. American National Biography: Supplement by Paul R. Betz and Mark Christopher Carnes. Of Comics and Men: A Cultural History of American Comic Books by Jean-Paul Gabilliet, Bart Beaty, and Nick Nguyen. 75 Years of DC Comics The Art of Modern Mythmaking by Paul Levitz.
References
External links
Fifty Who Made DC Great at Mike's Amazing World of DC Comics Fifty Who Made DC Great at Flickr