Robert 'Bob' Kanigher, a legendary figure in DC Comics history, left an indelible mark on the industry, with a remarkable career spanning an impressive five decades. His contributions to the world of comics are so significant that streets and buildings have been named in his honor within the fictional cities of DC Comics, including Central City and Keystone City. In fact, the hometown of Nate Banks in the popular comic book series, The Amazing Adventures of Nate Banks, is even named Kanigher Falls, a testament to the enduring impact of his work.
As a prolific creator, Kanigher co-conceptualized some of DC Comics' most iconic characters, including Poison Ivy, Black Canary, Wonder Girl, Metal Men, Suicide Squad, and The Flash, as well as hundreds of DC War Comics. His remarkable career began at Fox Comics, where he penned the original Dan Garrett Blue Beetle, followed by the best-selling Captain Marvel Adventures. He soon joined All-American Comics, which would eventually become DC, and went on to write the Justice Society, before taking the reins as editor and writer of Wonder Woman, a title he guided from 1946 to 1968.
Kanigher's impressive resume also includes the creation of stalwarts like Metal Men, Black Canary, and Batman villain Poison Ivy, as well as introducing Barry Allen as the new Flash, considered one of the first stories of the Silver Age. He wrote countless DC heroes, cementing his status as a master storyteller. However, his greatest success and most notable output came from DC's war comics, where he introduced memorable protagonists like Sgt. Frank Rock and the men of Easy Company, the Haunted Tank, GI Robot, The Losers, Enemy Ace, the Creature Commandos, and the Unknown Soldier, often collaborating with esteemed artists Russ Heath and Joe Kubert.
Kanigher's war comics stood out for their intense action and weariness of combat, which humanized his characters despite their extraordinary abilities. His stories featured Nazi supermen with metal fists and airplanes shot down with handguns, making his characters relatable and authentic. Throughout his illustrious career, Kanigher left an indelible mark on the world of DC Comics, earning him a revered place in the pantheon of comic book legends.
