Home > Len Wein

In 1972 Wein and artist Berni Wrightson created the horror comic Swamp Thing for DC. The story of Alec Holland, a scientist who is turned into a shambling plant-like monster, the series would garner several awards. Both left the title relatively early on, though, and the character went into limbo before an early 1980s revival that would eventually launch the career of Alan Moore.

In the early 1970s he and Wolfman moved to Marvel Comics under editor Roy Thomas. In 1974 Wein became the editor of the colour range of comics (Wolfman taking over the B&W range), although he stayed for little over a year before handing the reins over to Wolfman (who also left after little more than a year).

Wein stayed on Marvel as a writer/editor. He had lengthy and memorable runs on Amazing Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Mighty Thor and Fantastic Four. But he is probably best-known for co-creating in 1975 the New X-MenThe X-Men are a group of comic book superheroes featured in Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, they first appeared in X-Men #1 ( September 1963). The teams original incarnation failed to find a large audience. However, after a 1975 reforma, the revival of the Stan LeeStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1922) is an American writer and editor, who with several artists/co-creators, especially Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko introduced complex characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic bo/ Jack KirbyJack "King" Kirby ( August 28, 1917 February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable and prolific artists in United States comic books. Born Jacob Kurtzburg in New York City, he was also a comic book writer and artist. Early Career He worke team that would eventually become the biggest-selling comic title.

That Wein had a strong hand—with artist Dave CockrumDave Cockrum is an American comic book artist. He is best known for his work on DC Comics' title Legion of Super-Heroes and for his role in co-creating, designing and pencilling Marvel Comics' new X-Men (with writer Len Wein). Cockrum's work on the Legion and Thomas—in creating such characters as NightcrawlerThis article is about Nightcrawler, the comic book superhero. For the animal nightcrawler, see Lumbricus terrestris. Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner) is a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, and a member of the X-Men. He first appeared in Giant-, StormStorm (Ororo Munroe) is a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, and a member of the X-Men. She first appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May 1975). She has the mutant power to control the weather, including striking objects with lightning, summ, ColossusColossus (Piotr "Peter" Nikolievitch Rasputin) is a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, and a member of the X-Men. Created by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum, he first appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May 1975). Fictional biography Raised in the and WolverineWolverine (a. Logan; birth name James Howlett) is a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, and a member of the X-Men. He first appeared in the final panel of The Incredible Hulk #180 ( October 1974). Len Wein is the writer credited with creat (who had made his debut in Wein's run on Hulk) has never been in doubt. However, due to pressure of work he handed the scripting reins over to Chris Claremont after an issue and a half.

In the late 1970s Wein moved back to DC, principally as an editor, although he also scripted some excellent Batman stories and collaborated on a fine Green Lantern run (with artists Dave Gibbons and Mark Farmer). As editor he had a strong hand in successes like The New Teen Titans, Crisis on Infinite Earths, All-Star Squadron and others.

During the 1980s, Wein commisssioned an update of the Charlton Comics library of characters from writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons. This eventually developed into the acclaimed Watchmen series, which Wein edited.

After Crisis, Wein wrote a short-lived title devoted to Blue Beetle, and spent time scripting Wonder Woman over George Perez's plots. Like many comics writers of the 1970s and 1980s his work for Marvel and DC has dwindled, although he still does occasional pieces for several companies.

In recent years, Wein has devoted more of his time writing or story editing for animation and TV, including work on many properties he first wrote for comic books such as X-men, Batman, and Spider-Man. In 2001 he and Wolfman wrote a screenplay called Gene Pool for Helkon, which they later adapted for a one-shot comic book, and which they are now adapting for television. In September, 2004, Wein turned in a feature script of Swamp Thing to Joel Silver Pictures at Warner Bros.

His first wife was Glynis Oliver , a long-time comics colorist who spent years on the X-Men titles. His second wife is M.C. Valada, an internationally published professional photographer and entertainment attorney who represents writers and visual artists.

Len Wein's best work has come with characters that are more "street", down-to-earth than cosmic. In particular, he is an under-rated Batman and Spider-Man writer, and his influence on superhero comics can be seen in writers as diverse as Ed Brubaker and Grant Morrison.