Will Murray, the writer who co-created Squirrel Girl and contributed to Batman stories, has died at 73. The pulp author and historian passed away on August 24, with news of his death shared four days later.
Matt Moring of Steeger Books shared the news in the Old Pulp Facebook group. He wrote, “With a heavy heart, I’m sharing that Will Murray passed away Monday. He was a great scholar and writer, and friend, and will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. Details on services will be shared by the family when available”. PulpFest later reported Murray’s death, noting his decades of work in pulp fiction.
Murray’s comic book legacy began with Squirrel Girl, also known as Doreen Green. He created the character with artist Steve Ditko for 1991’s Marvel Super-Heroes #8. Murray later returned to the character with a story in Marvel Comics #1001 in 2019.
His Marvel credits also included Untold Tales of Spider-Man, Ultimate Hulk and the prose novel Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Empyre. For DC, he wrote five short stories for The Further Adventures anthology books featuring Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the Joker.
Outside superhero comics, Murray built a long career writing about classic pulp characters. He wrote numerous Doc Savage novels under the name Kenneth Robeson and also worked on Tarzan, The Shadow and The Spider. From 1988 to 1997, he ghostwrote The Destroyer novels featuring Remo Williams.
Born as William Patrick Murray in Boston on April 28, 1953, he attended the University of Massachusetts. He entered publishing through fanzines before becoming literary executor for the estate of Doc Savage creator Lester Dent in 1979.
Murray received several honors for his contributions to science fiction, including a First Fandom Hall of Fame Award in 2023. Mark Evanier later paid tribute to him as a “versatile” writer and “a great historian of comics,” noting Murray’s help with an upcoming Jack Kirby book.
SuperHeroHype sends condolences to Will Murray’s friends and family at this time.
