The comics writer and editor who co-created DC Comics’ Swamp Thing, Len Wein, has died, according to multiple reports.
In an interview with the Comics Bulletin in 2003, Wein recalled that he started reading comics during a hospital stay when he was 7 years old. As a teenager, he and pal Marv Wolfman would take weekly tours of the DC Comics offices. Both Wein and Wolfman were hired as freelance writers in the 1960s, kicking off a prolific career as both a writer and an editor.
Len Wein. The fanboy made good, made legend. Co-creator of Swamp Thing, Wolverine, editor of Watchmen, writer of, well, everything. RIP. pic.twitter.com/ZYhDK7uOuH
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) September 10, 2017
Wein is credited as the creator or co-creator of a number of fan favorite characters, including Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Swamp Thing, Lucius Fox and Human Target. In 1974, he was named editor-in-chief at Marvel Comics. His run lasted a year before he was succeeded by Wolfman. He stayed on as a writer, with heralded runs on comics including Thor, The Incredible Hulk and Fantastic Four, among others.
Len Wein was the editor who brought the British creators to DC. He was one of the nicest people I've met, in 30 years in comics.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) September 10, 2017
As a writer for DC Comics, he had runs on Batman and Green Lantern. As an editor, Wein worked on Watchmen with Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, as well as Batman and the Outsiders and the New Teen Titans.
Extremely saddened to hear of Len Wein's passing. Incredible writer, incredible person. Thank you Len for all you gave to us. RIP
— Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) September 10, 2017
Len Wein, co-creator of WOLVERINE and SWAMP THING & more responsible for the x-men you love than he gets credit for. Thank you. #RIP
— BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (@BRIANMBENDIS) September 10, 2017
Wein, who underwent quintuple bypass heart surgery in February 2015, had recently expressed on Twitter that he was dealing with some health issues. Comics professionals who worked with him and who were inspired by him have eulogized their friend and colleague on Twitter (some selected tweets have been posted here).