Profile of Robert Kanigher on Famous Like Me

Robert Kanigher (June 18, 1915 - May 6, 2002) was a prolific comic book writer whose career spanned five decades.

Kanigher's career as a writer started early, with his short stories and poetry being published in magazines. He won The New York Times Collegiate Short Story Contest in 1932. Kanigher also wrote for radio and authored several plays.

Kanigher's earliest comics work was in such titles as Fox Feature Syndicate's Blue Beetle, MLJ/Archie Comics's Steel Sterling and The Web, and Fawcett Comics Captain Marvel Adventures.

In 1943 Kanigher wrote How to Make Money Writing for Comics, one of the earliest works on the subject. That same year he also wrote How to Make Money Writing for Radio.

Kanigher joined National Periodical Publications, the future DC Comics, as a scripter in 1946, and was quickly promoted to editor. He wrote for The Justice Society of America, Hawkman, Green Lantern, and edited Wonder Woman in addition to scripting the title.

Starting in 1952, Kanigher began editing and writing the "big 5" DC Comics' war titles: G.I. Combat, Our Army at War, Our Fighting Forces, All-American Men of War, and Star-Spangled War Stories. His creation of Sgt. Rock with Joe Kubert is considered one of his most memorable contributions to the medium. Later in his careeer he also created other popular war series, such as Enemy Ace, The Haunted Tank and The Unknown Soldier.

In the late 1950s and 1960s, Kanigher had a hand in creating many other characters, including Viking Prince, Ballon Buster, Black Canary and the Batman villian Poison Ivy.

Kanigher also scripted the first appearance of the Barry Allen Flash in Showcase #4, the comic generally credited for reviving superheroes and and starting the Silver Age of Comics.

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