As if dealing with the passing of comics art legend Bernie Wrightson in March of this year wasn’t hard enough, Popdose has learned that his writing partner on the book Swamp Thing, Len Wein, has passed away. He was 69. The cause of death has not been announced. Wein had been dealing with medical issues both last year and this year, but was nonetheless able to seen a triumphant return of Swamp Thing to comic stores, a partnership with artist Kelley Jones.

Wein and Wrightson’s work on Swamp Thing alone would put the writer in the Hall of Fame. But Wein had much more than that to back his bona fides. Wein gave the comics world one Logan, aka Wolverine, debuting in Incredible Hulk #181 in 1974.

Wolverine would join Storm and Colossus, along with a refurbished Cyclops and Jean “Phoenix” Grey, in the New X-Men. With these characters in play, Marvel’s second golden age got underway, and not long after, Chris Claremont and John Byrne took over The Uncanny X-Men, the comics landscape would never be the same. 

Wein also was editor on DC’s groundbreaking Watchmen mini-series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

Popdose will have a look back on the career of Len Wein later this week. We offer our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and his many fans.

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