Julie Schwartz, Man of Two Worlds, Dies (Updated)

Posted: Sunday, February 8, 2004
Posted By: Jason Brice

Julius (Julie) Schwartz, one of the founding fathers of science fiction fandom and hugely influential editor for DC Comics, passed away this morning from complications arising from pneumonia in hospital.

In his later years Schwartz suffered from failing health and had been hospitalized several times, but according to Mark Evanier's News From Me site, he was the fan's fan, enjoying conventioneering with gusto.

As an editor, he was responsible for the virtual creation of DC's Silver Age, having hatched a plan to bring back super heroes in the 1950s after nearly ten years of decline for the genre. In Showcase #4 we met Barry Allen as the Flash, perhaps the epitome of Schwartz's science fiction oriented hero. With the sucessful return of the Flash, the return of other DC stalwarts was guaranteed, and the Hal Jordan Green Lantern, the Ray Palmer Atom, and a multitude of other reinvented heroes followed.

Schwartz's career carried over many decades, and he was a well-loved and deeply respected member of the comic book community. Bob Rozakis, a colleague and fellow fan, had this to say, "Julie inspired me first as a comics fan, then as a comics writer, and always as a comics professional. One of the things I missed most in the five years since I left DC was the opportunity to interact with him on a regular basis. I'm grateful for the years I was able to spend working with him and will miss him."

Silver Bullet Comics expresses condolences to his family and friends. He will be remembered at a funeral service planned for Monday on Long Island. More details to follow, as they come to hand.

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