| Mark Hanerfeld | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1944 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 4, 2000 (aged 55–56) |
| Area(s) | Writer, Editor |
| Pseudonym(s) | Felton Marcus Charles Nussbaum[1] |
Notable works | Co-creator of Abel The Wonderful World of Comics column Executive Secretary, Academy of Comic-Book Fans and Collectors (1968–1970) |
| Awards | 1969 Alley Award for Best Comic Strip Writer (Fan Activity Section)[2] |
Mark Hanerfeld (1944–January 4, 2000) was an American writer and editor in the comic book industry. Starting out in the world of comics fandom, Hanerfeld is most well known for co-creating Abel, the "host" of the DC Comics horror comics anthology House of Secrets, as well as being the model for the character's appearance.[3][4][5]
Hanerfeld, a New Yorker,[6] graduated from the High School of Music & Art.[7]
Hanerfeld started out in the world of comics fandom, first by writing to various DC comic book letter columns (with his first letter being printed in Justice League of America in 1961.[1] Forming a relationship with top editor Julius Schwartz,[8] Hanerfeld began visiting the DC offices (as well as meeting other like-minded fans).[1] Hanerfeld became such a constant on the DC Thursday tours that eventually the company let him begin leading them.[1]
Meanwhile, Hanerfeld was immersed in the world of comics fanzines, first compiling the news section of The Comic Reader (TCR), called "On the Drawing Board."[1] He took over as editor of TCR[9] in 1968,[10] while also becoming Executive Secretary of the Academy of Comic-Book Fans and Collectors (ACBFC).[6] Doing double-duty was apparently too much for Hanerfeld: by mid-1969 he was having trouble maintaining a consistent publication schedule for TCR and, despite winning a 1969 Alley Award, by early 1970 the fanzine was no longer being published. The ACBFC, meanwhile, went defunct in mid-1969.[11]
In 1968, Hanerfeld began writing columns for The Wonderful World of Comics (WWC), and Fact Files,[1] filler text features that appeared in select DC Comics titles.[10] During the period 1968–1970, Hanerfeld wrote most of the WWC columns, which were probably inspired by Marvel's Bullpen Bulletins;[12] the WWC columns provided insight into various elements of the comics world, from creator biographies to insider info on company sales and publishing decisions to the world of comics fanzines and the burgeoning comic convention scene. Fact File pieces were usually one-page recaps of the careers of various DC heroes.
In 1969, DC editor Joe Orlando created the design for Abel, based on Hanerfeld:
I started out basing it on the biblical Cain and Abel but then I turned to the people that were around me. It's just a writer's trick to take people's personalities and inject them into your characters. Mark stuttered when he got nervous. He was short and heavy so Abel was short and heavy. Abel was a good counterpoint to Cain who was tall and thin.[13]
Hanerfeld and artist Bill Draut then created the first story featuring Abel, in DC Special #4 (July–Sept. 1969); Abel soon became the host of House of Secrets. During the period 1969 to 1974, Hanerfeld also wrote stories for such DC titles as The Spectre, Phantom Stranger, and Justice League of America.[10]
In the summer of 1970, Hanerfeld — on his own dime — attended the Golden State Comic-Con, where he enthusiastically promoted DC's line of titles.[8] Upon his return, he encouraged fellow East Coast comics industry figures to attend future editions of what became the San Diego Comic-Con.[8]
Hanerfeld was officially at DC in the period 1971–1973, serving as an assistant editor under DC vice president Joe Orlando.[13] In that role, he also served as the DC librarian.[10][8]
From 1974 to 1987, Hanerfeld work on promotional tie-ins for Marvel Comics, producing minicomics featuring Captain America, the Hulk, Spider-Man, and Tarzan advertising Aurora models, Pez, 7-Eleven, and bubble gum.[10]
Throughout the 1980s, he helped coordinate Marvel reprints for the company's Marvel UK line.[10] He left comics after the 1980s.
Hanerfeld died of heart failure[8] in January 2000 after a period of ill health.[8] He was commemorated at the 2000 Harvey Award ceremony at the Pittsburgh Comicon.[14]
Hanerfeld appeared as a metafictional character in Batman #237 (December 1971). Written by Dennis O'Neil and illustrated by Neal Adams, the story featured several comics creators appearing and interacting with Batman and Robin at the Rutland Halloween Parade in Rutland, Vermont.[15]
He also appeared in a photograph in Elvira's House of Mystery #4 (June 1986).[16][17][18]