Today we take a look at one of the most underrated people to ever work in comics.
1/11/07
11. Flo Steinberg
That's right. Fabulous Flo Steinberg, First Lady of Marvel Comics.
Click the picture to make it larger, if you wish. I'm terrible with resizing these things.
Flo was Stan Lee's secretary back in the height of the Marvel Age (the swingin' 60's). She was at the heart of bullpen, answering the sacks full of letters that came through the door, handling letters pages and organizing the Merry Marvel Marching Society.
Later, she'd appear as the Invisible Girl in What If? #11:
She left Marvel in 1968, but became interested in the world of underground comix. In 1975, she bridged the gap between "underground" and "independent" by publishing Big Apple Comix, a book featuring work from Wally Wood, Neal Adams, Denny O'Neil, Herb Trimpe, Archie Goodwin, Mike Ploog, Al Williamson, and some other cool peeps:
The magical internet tells me Flo returned to Marvel as a proofreader in the '90's, and I remember her showing up on Stan Lee's A&E biography special back when that aired. Unfortunately, she seems to have dropped off the map. So I have to ask: whatever happened to Flo Steinberg? 'cause she's awesome, as a key figure in the development of the fabled Marvel fan community, and the growth of the indie comics scene-- and as a darn nifty person.
And if you can hunt down Comic Book Artist #18, you'll find a lovely tribute to the lady.