Written by steve gerber, mary skrenes, steven grant, and mark gruenwald. Gerber and mary skrenes, and illustrated by jim mooney, as simply the greatest. If anybody knew any of this, it could only be writers steve gerber son of satan, thundarr the barbarian and mary skrenes unknown as a writer at the time, but shes since scripted tv animation such as transformers, g. More on steve gerber, howard the duck, and omega the unknown. One of books teenage fans was jonathan lethem, and nearly 30. She may be best known as cocreator with steve gerber of omega the unknown for marvel comics, although she worked on other marvel characters such as the defenders and guardians of the galaxy. Jul 18, 2008 originally created in 1975 by steve gerber and mary skrenes, omega. Scott mccloud, in his classic text understanding comics, details. Founded in 1997, has become a leading book price comparison site. Having read almost all of steve gerber s work for marvel, dc, and the shortlived malibu during the early 90s comic boom, i can safely say that although omega the unknown was abruptly cancelled with no solid or worthy ending written by steven grant rather than steve gerber, it is one of the best pieces of comic literature ive experienced. The unknown 19761977 and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Written by steve gerber, mary skrenes, steven grant, and mark gruenwald, omega the unknown classic collects all of omegas appearances from his short lived series to the wrapup issues in defenders comics which came later. Author jonathan lethem revives marvels cult classic, omega. September 20, 1947 february 10, 2008 was an american comic book writer best known for cocreating the satiric marvel comics character howard the duck and a characterdefining run on manthing, one of their monster properties.
Although grant tried his best to be true to intentions of gerbers character, the wrap up doesnt really fit tonal or stylistically with the rest of the series. In 1975, cowriters steve gerber and mary skrenes created the mute, reluctant antihero omega. The first issue is a kind of cult classic, but the book was quickly canceled, and gerber in some way really let loose, though in a frustrated way, and in any. Birch, was published from october 1990 to october 1991. Omega the unknown was an american comic book published by marvel comics from 1976 to 1977, featuring the eponymous fictional character. To keep himself sane, he wrote bizarre short stories such as elves against hitler, conversion in a terminal subway, and. The unknown classic by jim mooney, steve gerber, mary. Regardless, due to reader demand, omegas story did get a wrap up in issues 75 and 76 of the defenders despite those issues being written by steve grant, not steve gerber.
Despite its short run, it has remained as a cult classic due to its intriguing characters and. Gerber is my favorite writer to work in the comics factory system, ever, period, full stop. Shop graphic novels books and collectibles abebooks. Omega the unknown comics omega the unknown comic book. Whether it was the storytelling style or the fact that the book focused on two separate characters, the book ran for less than a year and was ultimately cancelled because of low sales. The steve gerber interview by gary groth dec 22, 1978 its entirely possible that steve gerber was the finest writer working for a genreoriented comicbook company in the 1970s. Near the end of his career, gerber completed a short run on omega the unknown, an alien. The unknown 19761977 and millions of other books are. Books by steve gerber author of essential howard the duck. The series, written by steve gerber and mary skrenes and illustrated by jim. I enjoyed the storys oddness but i can understand how this series would have had comic readers a little puzzled, even in the 70s. Its demons, depowerment and drama when the defenders discover the true secret of omega and his mysterious charge.
Through the run of this comic book it is made clear that there is a connection between the laconic omega and the strangely analytical jamesmichael, with most issues adding to the mysterious nature of their relationship. Omega the unknown was created by steve gerber and mary skrenes. Marvels lost superhero spoiler needs to make a return. Martijn, i know you havent read the original omega series, so im curious what you think of this new series. Omega the unknown was a comic published by marvel comics from 1976 to 1977, written by steve gerber and mary skrenes and drawn by jim mooney, ran for 10 issues before cancellation for low sales. This story deals with an unusually mature 12yearold boy dealing with the loss of his parents. Defenders 76 october 1979 issue marvel comics by viewobscura marvel comics superheroes, marvel comic books. Gerber surname gerber is a surname, and may refer to. The unknown, but the series only lasted for 10 brief issues. Gerber and skrenes unfinished masterpiece, omega the unknown was one of the most offbeat tales of a very offbeat decade for comics. I loved that book so much that i looked into other gerber books.
Mar 22, 20 omega the unknown is one of those books that never quite gained traction at the time it was published. In 1976 marvel comics began publishing omega the unknown, a series written and created by steve gerber and mary skrenes. In fact the unknown, which was part of the comic book s title, pretty much described omega all around. Omega the unknown classic by steve gerber goodreads. Steve gerber, mary skrenes, scott edelman, roger stern, steven grant, jim mooney, lee. It would be a mistake to say that lethem is spinning gold from just another piece of pulp fiction. Steve gerber s most popular book is essential howard the duck, vol. Created in 1975 by steve gerber and mary skrenes, the original omega the unknown lasted only ten issues but was a legend to those who recall it an aheadofitstime tale of an antihero, inflected with brilliant ambiguity. The characters in this book seem more down to earth and real than most comics of the time. The headmen is a group of fictional supervillains appearing in american comic books published by marvel comics publication history. While gerber seemed unhappy with grants conclusion, 26 it nevertheless tied up the loose ends of the comic series, and is considered canon by marvel.
Steve gerber author of essential howard the duck, vol. For the most part, i enjoyed what steve gerber was trying to do with omega the unknown. The unknown was the story of a mute, reluctant superhero from another planet and a 12yearold boy with whom omega not only shared a strange destiny, but also a common enemy a legion of robots and nanoviruses that were sent from afar to hunt the two of them down. Best known for his magnum opus howard the duck, he also wrote influential series such as manthing, omega the unknown, the phantom zone, and hard time, expressing a combination of intelligence and empathy rare in american comics gerber rose to prominence. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app.
Omega the unknown was a shortlived yet influential comic created by steve gerber which ran for 10 issues march, 1976october, 1977. Jul 21, 2008 he is allowed to recreate omega the unknown, a shortlived marvel comics cult classic from the 70s and bring it up to a level it might have achieved. Steve gerber and mary skrenes created something ahead of its time with the original omega. Steve gerber 19472008 author of essential howard the duck. Omega the unknown, a look at a remarkable marvel series. Steve gerber, a cuttingedge comicbook writer and creator bestknown for howard the duck, the illtempered, cigarsmoking marvel comics character whose adventures satirized american life in the. Gueststarring spiderman if you look closely enough see more see less.
Omega the unknown was published by marvel comics from 1976 to 1977, featuring the eponymous fictional character. Steve gerber, mary skrenes, scott edelman, roger stern, steven grant, mark gruenwald, ed hannigan. Tired of annoyingly plucky boy sidekicks, gerber pitched it as a realistic portrayal of a young boys life, but stan lee insisted on more supernatural elements and crossovers with inuniverse heroes. The return of omega the unknown from marvel comics in december. Steve gerber has 359 books on goodreads with 17816 ratings. The return of omega the unknown from marvel comics in. As i said in that thread, i strongly sympathize with steve gerber s attempts to gain some measure of control over the characters he created while working for marvel, including howard the duck and omega the unknown. Contains material originally published in magazine form as omega. Browse the marvel comic series omega the unknown 1976 1977. Im a huge fan of the 70s series, and im really fascinated by this new comic. Omega the unknown, the last survivor of an alien world, battles a horde of steel assassins. Omega the unknown classic by steve gerber on ziesing books.
Mary skrenes is a comic book writer and screenwriter. Steve gerber 19472008 is among the most significant comics writers of the modern era. Ruby thursday was the instigator of the death of another gerber creation, omega the unknown. The first issue is a kind of cult classic, but the book was quickly canceled, and gerber in some way really let loose, though in a frustrated way, and in any case did not have enough issues to finish the tale. Steven grant wrote a conclusion to steve gerber s omega the unknown series in two issues of the defenders, at the end of which most of the original series characters were killed. Though not as good as howard the duck, omega the unknown is fine example of what made steve gerbers works truely shine, characters.
I still find gerber s run amusing, but was more impressed by david anthony krafts scripts, with a two issue storyline loaded with blue oyster cult references. A young boy discovers that he was being raised by robots. One of them was steve gerber, who deserves a biography. The time is right for the return of one of marvels most idiosyncratic characters. Getting to know omega the unknown ifanboy comic books. Jonathan lethem jonathan lethem karl rusnak karl rusnak lee elias mary skrenes paul hornschemeier petra goldberg roger stern steve gerber. Now, all ten issues have been rewritten and placed into graphic novel format. F it get a divorce by steve kane and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Created by writer steve gerber, best known for howard the duck, it has a strange double protagonist. Marvels shortlived superstar fought enemies both infamo. Defenders writer steve gerber formed the headmen from 1950s anthological horrorstory characters appearing in the. Now over three decades after the original series launched, jonathan lethem will set out to redefine omega. However, gerber ably worked around these restrictions. Steve gerber s scripts may not hold up for new readers, but this was the watchmendark knight level stuff of my childhood. Originally created by writers steve gerber, mary skrenes, and illustrator jim mooney, 19761977. Browse and buy a vast selection of graphic novels books and collectibles on. The unknown classic marvel, 2005 series december 2005. Check out individual issues, and find out how to read them. Sep 19, 2019 omega the unknown was a comic published by marvel comics from 1976 to 1977, written by steve gerber and mary skrenes and drawn by jim mooney, ran for 10 issues before cancellation for low sales. The collection features art by jim mooney and herb trimpe and though it had low sales initially, the series has gained a. Despite its short run, it has remained as a cult classic due to its. Steve gerber surnom reg everbest naissance 20 septembre 1947 saint louis missouri deces wikipedia en francais.
I had not heard of this book until i finished reading the howard the duck omnibus. The brainchild of quirky comics maverick steve gerber creator of the genreskewering howard the duckand cowriter mary skrenes, omega debuted in 1976 and instantly distinguished itself as an oddball, forwardlooking property the book centered on the travails. Omega the unknown was a very uneven comic published by marvel comics in the late 1970s. Comicbook writer created howard the duck and worked on tv. Marvels shortlived superstar fought enemies both infamous and obscure, but it took his death to unveil the story of. Jonathan lethems the fortress of solitude and omega. Though not as good as howard the duck, omega the unknown is fine example of what made steve gerber s works truely shine, characters. Subscribe to marvel unlimited to read omega the unknown comic lists by marvel experts.
Omega the unknown by jonathan lethem, karl rusnak, farel dalrymple and paul hornschemeier with a cameo by gary panter may be the oddest comic marvel has ever published, but also maybe the most rewarding. Nov 19, 2012 written by steve gerber, mary skrenes, steven grant, and mark gruenwald, omega the unknown classic collects all of omegas appearances from his short lived series to the wrapup issues in defenders comics which came later. The series, written by steve gerber and mary skrenes and illustrated by jim mooney, ran for 10 issues before cancellation for low sales. Near the end of his career, gerber completed a short run on omega the unknown. The origin and history of omega the unknown youtube. The series told the story of one of marvels most unique heroes, the mysterious omega.
Ernst ludwig gerber 17461819, composer, author heiko gerber born 1972, german football player joseph gerber 19241996, founder of gerber scientific magda gerber. Having read almost all of steve gerbers work for marvel, dc, and the shortlived malibu during the early 90s comic boom, i can safely say that although omega the unknown was abruptly cancelled with no solid or worthy ending written by steven grant rather than steve gerber, it is one of the best pieces of comic literature ive experienced. Omega the unknown 5 marvel 1976 vf gil kane spidermancondition very fine shipping shipped in a box, sandwiched between rigid cardboard for protection. She was the creator of and inspiration for beverly switzler, the companion of howard the duck.
Aug 22, 2016 the song of roland, author unknown france, c. Originally created in 1975 by steve gerber and mary skrenes, omega the unknown. Created in 1975 by steve gerber and mary skrenes, the original omega the unknown lasted only ten issues, but was a legend to those who recall it an aheadofitstime tale of an antihero, inflected with brilliant ambiguity. Omega the unknown, script by mary skrenes and steve gerber, art by jim mooney. The omega the unknown storyline ends in the most likely place.