William Messner-Loebs

William Messner-Loebs (2007)

William Francis Messner-Loebs Jr. (born February 19, 1949 in Michigan ; pseudonyms: Bill Loebs, Bill Messner-Loebs) is an American comic book author and illustrator. He was best known for his work on the comic series Wonder Woman , Flash and Thor .

Life and work

William Messner-Loebs was born William Loebs in Michigan in 1949. Loebs took on his second surname, Messner, after his marriage to Nadine Messner, when both spouses agreed to add each other's surname to their own surname and thus "create" a new double name as a common new surname.

Loebs, who lost his right arm - which had to be amputated - in infancy due to cancerous tumor disease , began his career in the comic industry in 1983 with the publication of the underground comics Journey and Bliss Alley, which he himself had created . While Journey is about the life of American pioneers in the early 19th century on the fringes of civilization, which was constantly moving westward, Bliss Alley describes the feminist- influenced adventures of a modern woman in the 80s. As a so-called creator-owned series, Messner-Loebs was able to reserve ownership of both titles, which he both wrote and drew.

This was followed by a short story for the Bizzarre Sex Comics series published by Kitchen Sink , as well as some backup stories for the Cerebus series published by Aardvark . Other series he worked for in the 1980s were: Nightwitch , which he washed, Grimjack (appeared on First Comics), Wastelands and Silverback , which he drew, as well as Nucleus , Grendel Saga , War Drums , Dr Fate and Mr. Monster (published by Eclipse Comics).

In 1989 Messner-Loebs began working on the series Epicurus The Sage , another creator-owned title that was published by DC-Imprint Piranha Press from 1989 onwards. This was followed by a run as the author of the popular adventure classic Johnny Quest .

In the 1990s, Messner-Loebs began writing for leading American publishers DC Comics and Marvel Comics . At that time he wrote stories for the traditional DC series Wonder Woman (1992-1995) and The Flash , as well as for the humorous superhero comic Impulse , while he worked for Marvel on the series Thor , which is about the modern incarnation of the Nordic god of thunder acts, took action. In addition, there was again work on independent projects such as The Maxx with illustrator Sam Keith . Other artists with whom Messner-Loebs worked more frequently in the 1990s included the cartoonists Mike Deodato Jr. and Greg Larocque .

Aside from his work as a comic author, Messner-Loebs has recently also received greater attention from the non-specialist public - for example in the issue of the Detroit News from January 20, 2005 - after several sensational personal blows overtook him: He suffered a serious blow Car accident and as a result ran into chronic financial difficulties in 2000 that culminated in the loss of his home in 2005. This was soon followed by the theft of the mobile house into which he had moved instead.

In 2006, Messner-Loeb's had, not least thanks to the support of some of his followers contributed to it morally and more importantly financial help, finally recovered enough that he was able to resume his work as an author again: After 2006 a story cycle for the comic series Green Arrow submitted he is currently working on two novels about his home, Michigan.

Web links

• Lambiek Comiclopedia: William Messner-Loebs
• January 20th, 2005 issue of Detroit News : "Artist in Howell faces adversity with a smile"