Creator: Bill Mantlo

His ability to turn in scripts overnight made him an indispensable fill-in writer.  He also was the first to write about Bruce Banner being abused as a child, was a phenomenal franchise writer, and created many lasting characters (see below) who were adapted in TV and film.  After souring on the industry, he became a public defender and then, tragically, a victim of a hit-and-run that left him penniless and permanently institutionalized.  He brought in a lot of money for Marvel, and it’s painful to see how he has been neglected over the years.  If you like his work, you can donate here.

Bill Mantlo’s top 20 characters here (posted in November 2022 on his birthday).