Doug Moench

Doug Moench
BornDouglas Moench
(1948-02-23) February 23, 1948 (age 76)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Area(s)Writer
Notable works
Batman
Coldblood
Deathlok
Detective Comics
Electric Warrior
Lords of the Ultra-Realm
Master of Kung Fu
Moon Knight
AwardsEagle Award, 1977
Inkpot Award, 1981

Douglas Moench (/mʌntʃ/;[1] born February 23, 1948)[2] is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Moon Knight, Deathlok, Black Mask, Harvey Bullock, Electric Warrior, and Six from Sirius. He is also known for his critically acclaimed eight-year run on Master of Kung Fu.

Early life

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Born in Chicago, Illinois,[3] Moench has written novels, short stories, newspaper feature articles, weekly newspaper comic strips, film screenplays and teleplays. His first published work was My Dog Sandy, a comic strip printed in his elementary school newspaper.[4] Moench had a fan letter printed in The Amazing Spider-Man issue #17 (Oct. 1964) in which he praised the art of Steve Ditko[5] and others printed in Avengers #51 (April 1968), Captain America #102 (June 1968), and Silver Surfer #14 (March 1970). He began his professional writing career with scripts for Eerie #29 and Vampirella #7 (both cover dated September 1970)[6] and articles for the Chicago Sun-Times. In 1973, he moved to New York City.

Career

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Moench began working for Marvel Comics in 1973, with his first story for the company appearing in Chamber of Chills #7 (November 1973).[6] The following year, Moench became the de facto lead writer for the Marvel black-and-white magazine imprint Curtis Magazines. He contributed to the entire runs of Planet of the Apes and Doc Savage, while serving as a regular scribe for virtually every other Curtis title during the course of the imprint's existence. For Marvel's color comic line, Moench wrote the Werewolf by Night title[7] and followed Steve Englehart as writer of Master of Kung Fu.[8] Moench scripted the "Deathlok" feature in Astonishing Tales featuring the character co-created by Rich Buckler.[9] Moench and artist Don Perlin introduced Moon Knight in Werewolf by Night #32 (August 1975). The character of Moon Knight would then go on to be featured in other Marvel titles eventually getting his own solo series in 1980.[10] Moench and George Pérez launched The Inhumans series in October 1975[11] while "Weirdworld" was created by Moench and Mike Ploog in Marvel Super Action #1 (January 1976).[12]

Continuing his work for the black-and white magazine line, Moench and Walt Simonson debuted The Rampaging Hulk in January 1977.[13] The series was retitled The Hulk! with issue #10 and switched to a full-color format.[14] Two licensed properties which Moench worked on with Herb Trimpe were Godzilla[15] and Shogun Warriors.[16]

Moench is a frequent and longtime collaborator with comics artist Paul Gulacy.[17] The pair are probably best known for their work on Master of Kung Fu,[8] which they worked on together from 1974 to 1977. Comics historian Les Daniels observed that "Ingenious writing by Doug Moench and energetic art by Paul Gulacy brought Master of Kung Fu new life."[18] In 2010, Comics Bulletin ranked Moench and Gulacy's work on Master of Kung-Fu sixth on its list of the "Top 10 1970s Marvels".[19] Moench and Gulacy later co-created Six from Sirius, Slash Maraud, and S.C.I. Spy,[20] and have worked together on comics projects featuring Batman, Conan the Barbarian and James Bond.

In late August 1982, Moench left Marvel due to disagreements with then editor-in-chief Jim Shooter.[21] He was hired by DC, and from 1983 to 1986 he wrote Batman and Detective Comics.[22] He co-created new villains including Nightslayer in Detective Comics #529 (Aug. 1983)[23] Black Mask in Batman #386 (Aug. 1985),[24] and the Film Freak in Batman #395 (May 1986).[25] He and artist Don Newton produced the story in which Jason Todd replaces Dick Grayson as Robin in Batman #368 (February 1984).[26] His first run on the title ended with issue #400 which featured work by several popular comics artists and included an introduction by novelist Stephen King.[27][28] In his second run on the title from 1992 to 1998, Moench was one of the writers of the "Knightfall" storyline[29] and wrote Batman #500 in which the character Azrael replaced Bruce Wayne as Batman.[30] The "KnightsEnd" arc which saw the return of Bruce Wayne to the role of Batman was co-written by Moench as well.[31] Other Batman storylines which Moench contributed to include "Contagion",[32] "Legacy",[33] and "Cataclysm".[34]

Working at DC Comics in the 1980s, Moench wrote Omega Men and The Spectre.[35] He was one of the contributors to the DC Challenge limited series in 1986[36] and co-created Electric Warrior with artist Jim Baikie;[37] Lords of the Ultra-Realm with Pat Broderick; and Slash Maraud with Gulacy.[6]

Moench has frequently been paired with the artist and inker team of Kelley Jones and John Beatty on several Elseworlds graphic novels, including Batman & Dracula: Red Rain[38] and a long run of the monthly Batman comic. In 1994, Moench co-wrote the Batman-Spawn: War Devil intercompany crossover with Chuck Dixon and Alan Grant.[39]

Personal life

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Moench and his wife, Debra, have a son, Derek.[4] As of 2018, Moench lives in Pennsylvania.[40]

Awards and nominations

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Comics bibliography (selected)

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Dark Horse Comics

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DC Comics

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Paradox Press

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Eclipse Comics

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Last Gasp

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Marvel Comics

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Curtis Magazines

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Marvel's black-and-white magazine imprint

Epic Comics

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Malibu Comics

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Skywald Publications

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  • Nightmare #9–12, 14, Annual #1, Yearbook 1974
  • Psycho #5–6, 9, 11, 13, 16

TSR, Inc.

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  • R.I.P. Brasher: Avenger of the Dead #1–4

Warren Publishing

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  • Eerie #29–30, 35–45, 47, 50, 53–55, 57–58, 72, 78, 109–112
  • Creepy #37, 46–47, 49–54, 56–59, 64–66, 68, 71–72, 76, 80, 82, 88
  • Vampirella #7, 9, 14–15, 17–20, 24–29, 31, 34, 39

Non-comics bibliography (selected)

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Moench wrote book, movie, and music reviews for Fling, and he wrote for several other men's magazines, including Adam, Cavalier, Knight, Man to Man and Swingle. He wrote several articles for Midwest, the Sunday magazine of the Chicago Sun-Times. For the never-published WLS Generation, he interviewed The Who, The Monkees, and The Seeds. Moench wrote an article called "23 on the 23rd" a true story about his own 23rd birthday.

  • Batman Masters Collection – Set of 120 trading cards, with front art by artists Scott Hampton, Carl Critchlow, Duncan Fegredo, and Dermot Power. The flip sides of the first 90 cards, when read in order, form a storyline in which Batman fakes his own death. The set provides a look at the posthumous feelings of the residents of Gotham City and Arkham Asylum towards the Dark Knight. A special collector's binder was released for the card set. This card set was reprinted as a 208-page coffeetable book entitled Batman Masterpieces. It contains full-page reproductions of the card art opposite the card's text (so one can still follow the story), art concepts (instructions to the artists) and comments by the artist. Additionally, early sketches have been printed for most of the cards.
  • Batgirl: To Dare the Darkness – A young-reader novel that was released with the marketing blitz for the Batman & Robin movie, set immediately after the events of the film.
  • Bucky O'Hare – Teleplay for one episode.
  • Double Dragon – Series bible for the cartoon released by DiC Entertainment.
  • The Forensic Files of Batman – A short story collection about how Batman uses clues found at crime scenes to foil the plans of his most famous villains. Each chapter is a different case presented from the notes, journals, and case files of the Batman, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, and Jim Gordon.
  • Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures – Story editor and head writer for the 1980s animated series.
  • Red Sonja – Original screenplay for the Red Sonja movie. The movie was later rewritten and changed quite a bit from Moench's version.

References

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  1. ^ Conversation with Doug Moench - Comic Geek Speak - Episode 57
  2. ^ Miller, John Jackson (June 10, 2005). "Comics Industry Birthdays". Comics Buyer's Guide. Iola, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011.
  3. ^ Arndt, Richard J. (May 2017). "The Rising & Advancing Of A Spirit". Alter Ego (146). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 3–4.
  4. ^ a b Parrish, Kathleen (May 18, 1999). "GUARDIAN OF GOTHAM CITY ALIGHTS ON SOUTH SIDE * ALTER EGO OF BRUCE WAYNE, A.K.A. BATMAN, VISITS BETHLEHEM BATFANS". The Morning Call. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  5. ^ Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (p), Ditko, Steve (i). "The Return of the Green Goblin!" The Amazing Spider-Man, no. 17 (October 1964).
  6. ^ a b c Doug Moench at the Grand Comics Database
  7. ^ Sanderson, Peter; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2008). "1970s". Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 154. ISBN 978-0756641238. The initial creative team on the series was scripter Gerry Conway and artist Mike Ploog, though they would eventually be succeeded by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ a b Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 161: "Master of Kung-Fu would later reach its creative peak under the team of writer Doug Moench and artist Paul Gulacy."
  9. ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 166: "Created by artist Rich Buckler and writer Doug Moench, the original Deathlok was Colonel Luther Manning, a soldier in an alternate, post-apocalyptic future."
  10. ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 170: "In August [1975], Jack Russell, the Werewolf by Night, encountered a new mysterious enemy called Moon Knight, created by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin."
  11. ^ Boney, Alex (July 2013). "Inhuman Nature: Genetics, Social Science, and Superhero Evolution". Back Issue! (65). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 61–64.
  12. ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 174: "In the tradition of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, the prolific writer Doug Moench and artist Mike Ploog created 'Weirdworld'."
  13. ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 178: "In these stories, written by Doug Moench and drawn by Walter Simonson, the Hulk contended against an invading race of aliens called the Krylorians."
  14. ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 186: "To appeal to the audience of the popular new Incredible Hulk TV series, Marvel revamped The Rampaging Hulk magazine, calling it The Hulk!"
  15. ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 180: "In August 1977, Marvel produced comics featuring the most famous monster in Japanese cinema, Godzilla, in a series by writer Doug Moench and penciller Herb Trimpe."
  16. ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 188: "Writer Doug Moench and artist Herb Trimpe created Shogun Warriors, a Marvel comics series based on a line of Japanese toys imported by Mattel."
  17. ^ Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy collaborations at the Grand Comics Database
  18. ^ Daniels, Les (1991). Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics. New York, New York: Harry N. Abrams. p. 159. ISBN 9780810938212.
  19. ^ Sacks, Jason (September 6, 2010). "Top 10 1970s Marvels". Comics Bulletin. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  20. ^ "Dynamic Forces Brings "Six From Sirius" Back To Print". Comic Book Resources. May 25, 2004. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  21. ^ American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1980s
  22. ^ Manning, Matthew K.; Dougall, Alastair, ed. (2014). "1980s". Batman: A Visual History. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 145. ISBN 978-1465424563. When Gerry Conway parted ways with the Caped Crusader, a new regular writer was needed for both titles. That honor fell to Doug Moench. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Manning "1980s" in Dougall, p. 146: "Doug Moench and artist Gene Colan introduced readers to the Thief of the Night (later called Nightslayer), a shadowy burglar."
  24. ^ Manning "1980s" in Dougall, p. 153: "Writer Doug Moench and artist Tom Mandrake would make an important contribution to the Batman mythos with the villain Black Mask."
  25. ^ Manning "1980s" in Dougall, p. 161: "In this start of a three-part story, writer Doug Moench and artist Tom Mandrake introduced the villain Film Freak."
  26. ^ Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1980s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 207. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 221: "Batman celebrated the 400th issue of his self-titled comic with a blockbuster featuring dozens of famous comic book creators and nearly as many infamous villains. Written by Doug Moench, with an introduction by novelist Stephen King...[it was] drawn by George Pérez, Bill Sienkiewicz, Arthur Adams, Joe Kubert, Brian Bolland, and others."
  28. ^ Trumbull, John (December 2013). "A New Beginning...And a Probable End Batman #300 and #400". Back Issue! (69). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 49–53.
  29. ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 259: "'Knightfall' was a nineteen-part crossover event that passed through the pages of Batman by writer Doug Moench and artists Norm Breyfogle, Jim Aparo, and Mike Manley."
  30. ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 260: "By Batman #500, the last chapter of the 'Knightfall' saga by writer Doug Moench and artist Jim Aparo and Mike Manley, Azrael was truly his own [version of] Batman."
  31. ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 265
  32. ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 272: "In the latest crossover to shake up Batman's universe, a manufactured virus nicknamed 'the Clench' was unleashed on the public of Gotham City...by writers Alan Grant, Chuck Dixon, Denny O'Neil, and Doug Moench."
  33. ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 274
  34. ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 283: "The seventeen-part 'Cataclysm' storyline showed a Gotham City devastated by an earthquake. It was written by Alan Grant, Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, Dennis O'Neil, [and others]."
  35. ^ Derman, Matt (August 6, 2015). "1987 And All That: The Spectre #1-9". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  36. ^ Greenberger, Robert (August 2017). "It Sounded Like a Good Idea at the Time: A Look at the DC Challenge!". Back Issue! (98). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 37.
  37. ^ Powers, Tom (August 2017). "Does Doug Moench Still Dream of Electric Warrior?". Back Issue! (98). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 50–59.
  38. ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 251: "Written by Batman alumnus Doug Moench, and illustrated with the shadowy pencils of Kelley Jones, Red Rain chronicled the clash between Batman and the legendary Dracula."
  39. ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 267: "Fans were also treated to a companion special entitled Batman-Spawn...by writers Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, and Alan Grant, and artist Klaus Janson."
  40. ^ Powers, Thomas (August 2018). "INTERVIEW: Doug Moench and the Spectre". Back Issue! (106). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 60.
  41. ^ "Eagle Awards 1977". Eagle Awards. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012.
  42. ^ "Inkpot Award Winners". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.
  43. ^ "1997 Haxtur Awards". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012.
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Preceded by Werewolf by Night writer
1974–1977 		Succeeded by
n/a
Preceded by Master of Kung Fu writer
1974–1983 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Fantastic Four writer
1980–1981 		Succeeded by
John Byrne
Preceded by Thor writer
1981–1983 		Succeeded by
Alan Zelenetz
Preceded by Detective Comics writer
1983–1986 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Gerry Conway
 Batman writer
1983–1986 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Mister Miracle vol. 2 writer
1990–1991 		Succeeded by
n/a
Preceded by Batman writer
1992–1998 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Chuck Dixon
 Catwoman vol. 2 writer
1997–1998 		Succeeded by
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