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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, Electric Warrior and Six From Sirius. He's also known for his critically acclaimed eight year run on Master of Kung Fu.

Early life

Born in Chicago, Illinois, 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. He began his professional writing career with scripts for Eerie #29 and Vampirella #7 (both cover dated September 1970)^[3] 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).^[3] 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^[4] and followed Steve Englehart as writer of Master of Kung Fu.^[5] Moench scripted the "Deathlok" feature in Astonishing Tales featuring the character co-created by Rich Buckler.^[6] 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.^[7] Moench and George Pérez launched The Inhumans series in October 1975^[8] while "Weirdworld" was created by Moench and Mike Ploog in Marvel Super Action #1 (January 1976).^[9]

Continuing his work for the black-and white magazine line, Moench and Walt Simonson debuted The Rampaging Hulk in January 1977.^[10] The series was retitled The Hulk! with issue #10 and switched to a full-color format.^[11] Two licensed properties which Moench worked on with Herb Trimpe were Godzilla^[12] and Shogun Warriors.^[13]

Moench is a frequent and longtime collaborator with comics artist Paul Gulacy.^[14] The pair are probably best known for their work on Master of Kung Fu,^[5] which they worked on together from 1974–1977. Comics historian Les Daniels observed that "Ingenious writing by Doug Moench and energetic art by Paul Gulacy brought Master of Kung Fu new life."^[15] 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".^[16] Moench and Gulacy later co-created Six from Sirius, Slash Maraud, and S.C.I. Spy, and have worked together on comics projects featuring Batman, Conan the Barbarian and James Bond.

Moench wrote Batman and Detective Comics from 1983–1986.^[17] He co-created new villains including Nightslayer in Detective Comics #529 (Aug. 1983)^[18]Black Mask in Batman #386 (Aug. 1985),^[19] and the Film Freak in Batman #395 (May 1986).^[20] He and artist Don Newton produced the story in which Jason Todd replaces Dick Grayson as Robin in Batman #368 (February 1984).^[21] 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.^[22][23] In his second run on the title from 1992–1998, Moench was one of the writers of the "Knightfall" storyline^[24] and wrote Batman #500 in which the character Azrael replaced Bruce Wayne as Batman.^[25] The "KnightsEnd" arc which saw the return of Bruce Wayne to the role of Batman was co-written by Moench as well.^[26] Other Batman storylines which Moench contributed to include "Contagion",^[27] "Legacy",^[28] and "Cataclysm".^[29]

Working at DC Comics in the 1980s, Moench wrote Omega Men and The Spectre. He was one of the contributors to the DC Challenge limited series in 1986^[30] and co-created Electric Warrior with artist Jim Baikie;^[31]Lords of the Ultra-Realm with Pat Broderick; and Slash Maraud with Gulacy.^[3]

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^[32] 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.^[33]

Personal life

Moench and his wife, Debra, have a son, Derek. Moench currently lives in Pennsylvania.

Awards and nominations

• 1972: Nominated for Chicago Newspaper Guild Award


• 1977: Eagle Award for Favorite Continued Comic Story for Master of Kung Fu #48–51 with Paul Gulacy^[34]
  


• 1978: Nominated at the Eagle Awards for Favourite Single Story for Marvel Premiere #38: The Lord of Tyndall's Quest with Mike Ploog
  


• 1979: Nominated at the Eagle Awards for Best Comic Book Writer (US), and for Best Continued Story for Captain Marvel #58–62 with Pat Broderick
  


• 1980: Nominated at the Eagle Awards for Favourite Comicbook Writer


• 1981: Inkpot Award^[35]
  


• 1990: Nominated at the Haxtur Awards for Best Long Comic Strip for Slash Maraud with Paul Gulacy


• 1997: Nominated at the Haxtur Awards for Best Long Comic Strip for Batman versus Predator II^[36]
  

Comics bibliography (selected)

Dark Horse Comics

• 
  Dark Horse Comics #25 ("James Bond 007: Minute of Midnight")


• 
  Ghost and The Shadow #1


• 
  James Bond 007: Serpent's Tooth #1–3 (1992)

DC Comics

Eclipse Comics

• 
  Aztec Ace #1–15


• 
  Nightmares 1-2


• 
  Miracleman #14 (backup story: "Nuclear Spring")


• 
  Total Eclipse #2 (Aztec Ace backup story)

Last Gasp

• 
  Grim Wit #2

Marvel Comics

Skywald Publications

• 
  Nightmare #9–12, 14, Annual #1, Yearbook 1974


• 
  Psycho #5–6, 9, 11, 13, 16

TSR, Inc.

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

Warren Publishing

• 
  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)

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.


• 
  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

External links

• Official website


• 
  Doug Moench at the Comic Book DB


• 
  Doug Moench at Mike's Amazing World of Comics


• 
  Moench at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators


• Comic Geek Speak Podcast Interview (September 2005)