Doug Moench

60

Doug Moench : biography

February 23, 1948 –

Moench has worked for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics and many other smaller companies; he has written hundreds of issues of many different comics, and created dozens of characters, such as Moon Knight. In 1973, 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, Rampaging Hulk (continuing on the title when it changed its name to The Hulk!) and Doc Savage, while also serving as a regular scribe for virtually every other Curtis title during the course of the imprint’s existence. Moench is perhaps best known for his work on Batman, whose title he wrote from 1983–1986 and then again from 1992–1998. 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. Moench also wrote the companion title Detective Comics from 1983–1986. In his second run on the title, Moench was one of the writers of the "Knightfall" storyline and wrote Batman #500 in which the character Azrael replaced Bruce Wayne as Batman.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 260: "By Batman #500, the last chapter of the ‘Knightfall’ saga by writer Doug Moench and artist Jim Aparo and Mike Manley, Azrael was truly his own [version of] Batman."

Moench is a frequent and longtime collaborator with comics artist Paul Gulacy. at the Grand Comics Database The pair are probably best known for their work on Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu, which they worked on together from 1974–1977. They also 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 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 RainManning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 251: "Written by Batman alumnus Doug Moench, and illustrated with the shadowy pencils of Kelley Jones, Red Rain chronicled the clash between Batman and the legendary Dracula." 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.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 267: "Fans were also treated to a companion special entitled Batman-Spawn…by writers Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, and Alan Grant, and artist Klaus Janson."

Married to Debra with a son (Derek), Moench currently lives in Pennsylvania.

Non-comics bibliography (selected)

Moench did 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 also wrote an article called "23 on the 23rd" (a true story about Moench’s 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 cohesive storyline in which Batman fakes his own death. The set also 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 also 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.
  • The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse — Story editor and head writer for the 1980s cartoon.
  • Red Sonja — Original screenplay for the Red Sonja movie. The movie was later rewritten and changed quite a bit from Moench’s version.