Stefan Mager

Robert Edward Weinberg (1946-2016) was an American author, editor, publisher, and collector whose career spanned science fiction, horror, and comic books. Born in New Jersey, he began selling stories in 1967 and worked part-time as a writer while owning a bookstore, becoming a full-time author after 1997. Weinberg also edited works in horror, science fiction, and western genres. He graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology. From 1970 to 1981, he edited and published the fanzine 'Pulp,' featuring interviews with notable pulp writers, and also released several series of pulp reprints. His contributions to comics include writing for Marvel Comics and creating the series 'Nightside.' Weinberg was also involved with the editorial board of Battered Silicon Dispatch Box and Arkham House. He received a Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2007 and a Special Committee Award at Chicon 7 for his service to speculative fiction, though he was unable to attend the latter due to health issues.

Weinberg was a significant figure in the realm of pulp magazines and fanzines. From 1970 to 1981, he edited and published 'Pulp,' a fanzine dedicated to pulp magazines, which gained recognition for its interviews with prominent pulp writers like Walter B. Gibson and Frederick C. Davis. Over its 14-issue run, 'Pulp' served as a vital connection to the history and creators of the genre. Concurrently, Weinberg also published several series of pulp reprints, including 'Pulp Classics,' 'Lost Fantasy,' 'Weird Menace,' and 'Incredible Adventures,' making classic pulp fiction accessible to a new audience.

Beyond his own writing, Weinberg made substantial contributions as an editor and publisher. He edited books across the horror, science fiction, and western genres. His involvement extended to serving on the 'Council of Six,' an advisory board for the Canadian publisher Battered Silicon Dispatch Box. In this capacity, alongside George Vanderburgh, he took on editorial responsibilities at Arkham House, a publisher known for its contributions to horror and supernatural fiction. This role placed him at the forefront of curating and shaping works within the speculative fiction landscape.

Weinberg's career also encompassed the comic book industry. He wrote for Marvel Comics, beginning with the series 'Cable,' and later created the series 'Nightside,' featuring a character he had previously introduced in a short story. His comic work also includes contributions to titles such as 'Vampire the Masquerade,' 'Extinction Event,' 'The Phantom: Generations,' and 'HP Lovecraft.' Additionally, Weinberg co-authored several non-fiction books exploring the science behind popular culture, including 'The Science of Superheroes,' 'The Science of Supervillains,' and 'The Science of James Bond,' bridging the gap between speculative fiction and scientific inquiry.