Robert Kanigher
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| Robert Kanigher | |
| Born | June 18, 1915 |
| Died | May 6, 2002 (aged 86) |
| Nationality |
 |
| Area(s) | Writer |
Robert Kanigher (June 18, 1915 - May 6, 2002) was a prolific comic book writer whose career spanned five decades.
Kanigher's career as a writer started early, with his short stories and poetry being published in magazines. He won The New York Times Collegiate Short Story Contest in 1932. Kanigher also wrote for radio and authored several plays.
Kanigher's earliest comics work was in such titles as Fox Feature Syndicate's Blue Beetle, MLJ/Archie Comics's Steel Sterling and The Web, and Fawcett Comics Captain Marvel Adventures.
In 1943 Kanigher wrote How to Make Money Writing for Comics, one of the earliest works on the subject. That same year he also wrote How to Make Money Writing for Radio.
Kanigher joined All-American Comics, a precursor of the future DC Comics, as a scripter in 1945, and was quickly promoted to editor. He wrote for The Justice Society of America, Hawkman, Green Lantern, and edited Wonder Woman in addition to scripting the title. He created a number of new characters at this time, including Black Canary, Rose and The Thorn and The Harlequin.
Starting in 1952, Kanigher began editing and writing the "big 5" DC Comics' war titles: G.I. Combat, Our Army at War, Our Fighting Forces, All-American Men of War, and Star-Spangled War Stories. His creation of Sgt. Rock with Joe Kubert is considered one of his most memorable contributions to the medium. Later in his career he also created other popular action series features, such as Enemy Ace, The Unknown Soldier, and, with Russ Heath, The Haunted Tank and Sea Devils.
In the late 1950s and 1960s, Kanigher had a hand in creating many other characters, including Viking Prince, Balloon Buster, the Metal Men and the Batman villain Poison Ivy. Kanigher also scripted the first appearance of the Barry Allen Flash in Showcase #4, the comic generally credited with reviving superheroes and launching the Silver Age of Comics. In 1974, drawing on a classic novel, he introduced Rima the Jungle Girl to the DC Universe in her own title.
[edit] References
- Comicartville Library Tribute to Robert Kanigher
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer's of America Obituary for Robert Kanigher
- Don Markstein's Toonopedia:The Haunted Tank
- Don Markstein's Toonopedia:Sgt. Rock
- Bob Kanigher's Gallery of War
| Preceded by William Moulton Marston |
Wonder Woman writer 1947–1968 |
Succeeded by Dennis O'Neil |
| Preceded by Dennis O'Neil |
Justice League writer 1970 |
Succeeded by Mike Friedrich |
| Preceded by Bob Haney |
Teen Titans writer 1970 |
Succeeded by Steve Skeates |
