There's no doubt that the landscape of modern-day comics (and, by extension, comic book film adaptations) would not be quite what it is today without Len Wein, who co-created two of the most intriguing characters in comic book history. It is with heavy hearts, then, that we share the news of the innovative writer and editor's passing at the age of 69.
The news of Wein's passing comes from multiple sources, including DC Comics and Variety. The cause of death has not been announced, but fans of Wein who keep up on his Twitter account know that he has been undergoing surgeries in recent years, including getting a new heart valve in 2016.
After Wein began writing for DC Comics in the late 1960s, there was no looking back, as he went on to make his mark on comic book history by co-creating Swamp Thing with Bernie Wrightson (who also passed away earlier this year), and he also co-created (along with John Romita, Sr. and Herb Trimpe) the iconic Marvel Comics character with adamantium claws, Wolverine.
In addition to his contributions to the gruff antihero with amazing healing abilities, Wein also helped reboot one of the most influential super-powered groups in Giant-Size X-Men #1, which featured a classic team made up of Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Storm, Colossus, and Thunderbird. The world of Professor X's mutants and the comic book community as a whole would never be the same. A member of the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame, Wein was the editor for one of the most groundbreaking comic book stories of all time, Alan Moore's Watchmen (illustrated by Dave Gibbons).
Our thoughts are with Wein's family and friends during this difficult time. Many people influenced by Wein and his work paid tribute to him on social media, and you can read some of their heartfelt comments below (via Variety).
Photo Credit: Above photo from DC Comics.
RIP the great #LenWein. He co-created Wolverine & Swamp Thing, both of which gave me a living as a writer & endless pleasure as a reader.
— Mark Millar (@mrmarkmillar) September 10, 2017
I just learned that my friend and writing inspiration @LenWein passed away this morning. My love and condolences to his wife, @mcvalada.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) September 10, 2017
DC mourns the passing of @LenWein, dear friend & longtime contributor. Our condolences to his family & friends. https://t.co/hUZeRuK1AJ pic.twitter.com/tbXr7YYKhQ
— DC (@DCComics) September 10, 2017
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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