Weisinger, Mort, 1915-

Mort Weisinger (1915-1978) was the editor of Superman comic books from 1945-1970 and the story editor of "The Aventures of Superman" television show which ran from 1952-1957. Weisinger began writing for pulp magazines while in college and became a contributing editor to "This Week" magazine. He was also the author of "The Contest," a novel about beauty pageants, "The Complete Alibi Handbook" and "1001 Valuable Things That You Can Get Free," which was first printed in 1955.

From the description of Papers, 1928-1978. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 30802336

Mort Weisinger (1915-1978) was an American Jewish author, editor of DC Comics' Superman and contributing editor for This Week Magazine .

Born in New York and raised in the Bronx, Weisinger was active in early science fiction fan clubs and fanzines; while still in high school he and several friends, including science fiction guru Forrest Ackerman, co-founded The Time Traveler, the first 'zine to focus entirely on science fiction. Weisinger attended, but did not graduate from, New York University, leaving in 1934 to start Solar Sales Service, an agency for science fiction writers and artists.

In March 1941 Weisinger took a job with National Periodicals which later became DC Comics. Apart from a brief absence to serve in the Special Services during World War II, Weisinger remained at DC for more than thirty years. Among his achievements with DC were the creation of Aquaman, Green Arrow and Johnny Quick, and of the Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen spin-off series. He served as editor for Superman (creating such key elements as the effect of the yellow sun on Kryptonians and the Phantom Zone), Batman, and other important comics, and as editor for the Superman television series starring George Reeves. Near the end of his tenure he was named vice president of public relations for the company.

Weisinger also wrote on a wide range of topics, from beauty pageants to the Comics Code to a best-selling novel entitled The Contest (1970) and a book on Atomic Survival (1951). His articles appeared in The Saturday Evening Post, Reader's Digest and other national publications.

"It may seem corny to you, but one of the ways I was able to plot Superman was to pretend that I was Superman. What would my problems be, and how would I react if I were this magnificent character? It was like a schizoid personality. Instead of counting sheep when I had insomnia, I often fantasized what I would do as the Man of Steel." [interview with Weisinger by Guy Lillian, July 1975]

From the guide to the Mort Weisinger Papers, 1932-1965, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)