Douglas Moench ([1] born February 23, 1948,[2] in Chicago, Illinois)[3] is an American writer of comics, novels, short stories, newspaper feature articles, weekly newspaper comic strips, film screenplays and teleplays.He is 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
Moench's 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
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
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]
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 Elseworldsgraphic 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
Moench and his wife, Debra, have a son, Derek.[4] As of 2018, Moench lives in Pennsylvania.[40]
More Than Human, in Heavy Metal magazine vol. 2, issues #2 (June 1978), #3 (July 1978), and #4 (August 1978). Adaptation of the Theodore Sturgeon novel of the same name, illustrated by Alex Niño. Trade paperback collection co-published in 1979 by HM Communications and Simon & Schuster as Heavy Metal Presents Theodore Sturgeon's More Than Human
Marvel Preview #1, #5–6 (adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes story The Hound of the Baskervilles), #8 (Legion of Monsters), #12–13, 18, 21–22, 26, 28, 33 (1976–1980)
Marvel Super Action #1 (first Weirdworld story) (1976)
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.
Marvel Preview #1, #5–6 (adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes story The Hound of the Baskervilles), #8 (Legion of Monsters), #12–13, 18, 21–22, 26, 28, 33 (1976–1980)
Marvel Super Action #1 (first Weirdworld story) (1976)
