Happy Birthday: Mark Gruenwald
Born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1953, Mark E. Gruenwald is a rarity in the comc book industry in that he spent his entire professional career with one company.
After graduating with an art degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Gruenwald moved to New York and applied at both DC and Marvel, with no luck. He then switched his focus from art to writing (he had been a Literature minor in school). He self-published a fanzine called Omniverse, which caught the eye of new Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. Shooter offered Gruenwald a job as an assistant editor in February 1978.
Two years later Shooter promoted Gruenwald to full editor. In the late ’80s he became executive editor there. Gruenwald also wrote for Marvel, and is probably best known for his ten years writing Captain America, and for his work on The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. He also wrote the Squadron Supreme 12-issue series, which many consider his finest work.
Sadly, Gruenwald suffered a fatal heart attack in August 1996. According to his wishes, he was cremated and his ashes were mixed into the ink used to print the Squadron Supreme trade paperback, thus ensuring that he and his greatest work would always be together.
I knew Mark very well. We both attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the 70s. In fact, he did artwork for the 70s (original) incarnation of my sercon fanzine TANGENT. He would come over to my apt. on Saturdays and we would work on Tangent, talk comics (I sold him my entire collection of around 10,000 when I moved from Oshkosh to Kansas City in 1978). We also talked a lot about his OMNIVERSE, and at his request I penned an article for (I think) the first issue. I recall it had to do with David Gerrold's THE MAN WHO FOLDED HIMSELF. It was a shock when I heard of his death, and I thank you for remembering it.–Dave Truesdale