Mark Gruenwald tribute on the Marvel Appendix

Yesterday was the anniversary of Mark Gruenwald's birthday; Gruenwald passed away 30 years ago this year. He was the single most influential writer on me - his editorials in Marvel Age opened up what writing in the comic book business was about and he gave practical behind-the-scenes descriptions of the considerations he put into his stories.

Of course, Gruenwald was also the originator of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, that beloved trove of character profiles. I began contributing to the Marvel Appendix during the website's first year and it was that association that led to my becoming a writer at Marvel Comics and contributing to the new version of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (among other comics) from 2004-2012. Although I quit working for Marvel, I've gradually resumed writing for the Appendix. To celebrate Gruenwald's life, yesterday I posted a character profile for each of Gruenwald's 5 best-known works: Dr. Jeannine O'Connell of Project: PEGASUS who appeared in Gruenwald's Marvel Two-in-One; Watchdog Prime, the supreme leader of the Watchdogs from Gruenwald's Captain America; The Institute of Evil, the rival faction of the Squadron Supreme in Gruenwald's well-loved mini-series; the Clinic for Paranormal Research, where most of Gruenwald's D.P.7 stories were set; and Master Elo an Eternal from Gruenwald's Quasar.

Rest in peace, Mr. Gruenwald.