Mort Weisinger papers, 1928-1979

Mortimer “Mort” Weisinger (1915-1985) was an American magazine and comic book editor. He was born in April 1915 in New York and raised in the Bronx by Austrian Jewish parents. Mort was best known for his work as the editor of DC Comics’ Superman in the mid-1950’s- 1960s, also known as the Silver Age of comic books. He also compiled the 1001 Valuable Things You Can Get for Free.

Mort first discovered science fiction at age 13 by way of an August 1928 issue of Amazing Stories and by 1930 he was active in some of the earliest science fiction fan clubs and fanzines. In 1932, Weisinger joined Forrest J. Ackerman in founding The Time Traveller, a science fiction fanzine. Mort attended New York University after high school and worked as editor of the college’s newspaper and magazine.

In 1934, Weisinger and Julius Scwartz started the literary agency Solar Sales Service, the first to specialize in science fiction, horror, and fantasy. Weisinger left the agency in the late 1930s, taking a job with the Standard Magazine chain, but Schwartz continued the agency. At Standard Magazine, Mort was the editor of Thrilling Wonder Stories, Startling Stories, and Captain Future.

In 1941, Weisinger moved on from Standard and joined National Periodicals (later DC Comics) primarily as the editor of both Superman and Batman. That year he also began creating some of his notable characters, but his career was interrupted in 1942, when he was conscripted into service for the U.S. Army where he wrote scripts for the Army Radio Show called “I Sustain the Wings.” But after his discharge in 1946, Weisinger returned to DC Comics and resumed editing Superman and Batman. He also created features such as Aquaman, Green Arrow, and Johnny Quick. In the early 1950s he served as the story editor for the Adventures of Superman television series after giving up the position of editor for Batman to focus on the #1 Superhero- Superman. He remained the sole editor for Superman from 1950 until he retired from comics in 1970.

Weisinger also found the time to write for several magazines, especially after he retired from comics. His articles ranged from comic code to beauty contests. Mort wrote for several publications, including Reader’s Digest, Better Homes and Gardens, and Parade. He also authored a few books, including The Contest based on beauty pageants.