Dennis J. “Denny” O’Neil was the fan-favorite comic book writer who revitalized Batman and Green Arrow in the 1970s, and who named the Transformers franchise’s robot hero “Optimus Prime.”
- Died: June 11, 2020 (Who else died on June 11?)
- Details of death: Died at home of natural causes.
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A guiding voice in superhero comics
When O’Neil went to work for DC Comics in 1968, he was one of a new generation of creators who would begin leading the old-fashioned comic book brand toward a more Marvel-like, young-adult relevance. As the writer of Green Arrow, he turned DC’s archer character into a socially conscious urban hero whose stories dealt with controversial issues such as racial injustice and drug abuse.
Then O’Neil took over the Batman comics in the period that followed the campy 1960s TV show, setting a darker, more serious tone that reinterpreted Batman as a shadowy avenger, setting the stage for the eventual cinematic versions of the 1990s and 2000s. Along with artist Neal Adams, O’Neil created the popular Batman villain Ra’s al Ghul, as well as returning the mad Joker to his creepy, murderous roots.
In the 1980s, O’Neil became the editor of the Batman comics, and later wrote the novelizations of the movies Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.
He helped the Transformers roll out
During several years working at Marvel Comic in the early 1980s, O’Neil was involved with Marvel’s collaboration with Hasbro to create characters and backstory for the launch of the toy company’s Transformers brand. O’Neil has been credited with naming the heroic Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, who subsequently became the popular face of the franchise that has endured across multiple toy lines, cartoon and comics series, and Hollywood blockbusters for more than 35 years.
What they said about him
Full Obituary: Games Radar
