In Memoriam: American comic writer Roger McKenzie
We’re sorry to the passing of gifted American comics scribe, Roger McKenzie, who among many other achievements, helped shape Daredevil’s resurgence as a popular character, working with Frank Miller and others, in the 1980s. He is also well regarded for his work on Captain America, his memorable stories again helping shape that character’s enduring popularity with many fans.
Roger is best known for his work with Frank Miller on the title Daredevil for Marvel Comics, his role in that character’s reshaping he reportedly often downplayed in favour of Miller. He started working in comics in 1976, initially for Warren Publishing, on Creepy and Vampirella and more, and not long afterwards, began his work with DC Comics on titles such as House of Mystery, House of Secrets, Unexpected and others.
In the late 1970s, he started working for Marvel on various of their titles, among them Battlestar Galactica, Captain America and Ghost Rider; but in particular bringing a noir-ish horror aspect to Daredevil, his work overshadowed by the rapid rise Frank Miller, who took over scripting duties on the title at the decision of another American comics legend, editor, Denny O’Neil.
Roger first worked with Frank Miller on a story in “Weird War Tales at DC, published in 1978. That same year he began writing Daredevil at Marvel, where Miller soon joined him.
From the 1980s, he has also published with a variety of smaller publishers, writing the main story and a “Magnus” back-up in Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom at Gold Key (Western, 1982). Alongside Pat Broderick, they co-created the science fiction series Sun Runners (1984–1987) Eclipse, Sirius, and then Amazing
He became executive editor at Charlton Neo, writing for their titles The Charlton Arrow and Charlton Wild Frontier, and from February 2015, wrote the Spookman weekly comic strip with Sandy Carruthers for the website Pix-C.
His many credits also include stories for ACP Comics’ classic horror anthology comic, Forbidden Gallery.
In a statement posted by Roger’s family on hisFacebookpage yesterday, they announced “Early this morning, Peepster-in-Chief Roger McKenzie passed away peacefully in hospice care. He’d been dealing with end-stage heart failure and kidney disease for the past several months.
“He was certain that he still had some stories to tell in the time he had left, and struggled mightily to write one last script. He loved and valued all of his comic book colleagues, his friends, and the Peepsters who supported his work. He’ll be greatly missed by his wife Tami, chosen family member Catherine, and furry family members Timmy, MoJo, and Baby Girl.”
Commenting on his passing, Marvel Comics described him as a gifted writer, “his work on Daredevil helped introduce the darker tone that defined the character for years. He’s had a lasting impact on Marvel’s storytelling, from Daredevil to Cap and beyond. Our condolences to his family and friends.”
“I am very sad to hear this news,” notes writer Dan Johnson of Empire Comics Lab. “Roger was the first professional writer from my youth who treated me like a peer and I can’t tell you how much that meant to me. He was also one of the people responsible for bringing me onboard as an assistant editor at Charlton Neo and encouraged my writing, commenting that it was nice to see someone who was trying to break in that knew how to write a comics script in the right format. He was even kind of enough to do a script for the horror comic I edited, Cemetery Plots.
“He was just all-around a great person and human being. Rest in Peace, Peepster. God Bless and Keep you.”
“Sad to learn that we’ve lost my Charlton Neo Comics cohort Roger McKenzie,” notes author Paul Kupperberg. “Roger was one of the good guys, a talented writer and a Southern gentleman who always had a smile for everyone. R.I.P. old friend.”
“It’s been many decades since we sat across from each other, but I can still hear his distinctive laugh and warm drawl,” notes DC Comics legend, Paul Levitz. “Roger worked briefly on staff with me at DC, and wrote comics for pretty much any place that published them during his lifetime. Some of those early stories were for me back when I was a young editor. His collaborations with Frank Miller on Daredevil were a part of Frank’s journey to becoming the writer as well as artist on the series, and making it a groundbreaking triumph.
“Roger made the room in any room lighter, at least back in the day, and his Facebook posts showed that same warm wit until the end. Travel well into your next chapter, and thanks for the tales and the good moods. My sympathies to Tami and all who loved him or his work.”
Roger McKenzie, writer, born 8th November 1950, died 21st August 2026
• The Charlton Arrow (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
Although never as popular as DC, Marvel or even Archie, Charlton Comics had a long run from 1944 to 1985 and also produced a line of successful publications like Hit Parader. They didn’t spawn the superhero icons other publishers did but released a variety of titles that have become beloved by millions. They were fortunate to employ an array of legendary writers and artists who displayed a creative passion in the Charlton titles more than with other publishers, where they received more pay and fame.
When Charlton closed shop, they sold off most of their properties, with many left to languish in limbo. If anything, appreciation of their comics has grown over the years, with fan publications, such as Charlton Spotlight, dedicated to their memory. The Charlton Arrow is the fruits of those labours, honouring the Charlton legacy
• Key Collector Profile: Roger McKenzie
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who MagazineandOverkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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