Tom De Haven

Tom De Haven, born in 1949, is an American author, editor, journalist, and educator whose work frequently delves into themes of literary and film noir, the dynamics of the Hollywood studio system, and the American comics industry. He holds a Sociology degree from Rutgers University and an MFA from Bowling Green State University. De Haven's writing has been significantly influenced by comic books and graphic novels since his childhood. He began his teaching career in creative writing at Hofstra University before moving to Rutgers, where he taught American Studies, including early college courses on American comics. He is currently a full professor of Creative Writing at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he also teaches courses on subjects like "The Graphic Novel." De Haven is also the co-creator of the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award and is a licensed private investigator. He identifies as a Democrat and has expressed political views that have drawn criticism. He has noted his agreement with observations about the cultural significance of the 1930s and nostalgia for past decades.

As a freelance journalist, De Haven has contributed criticism to prominent publications such as The New York Times Book Review and Entertainment Weekly. His notable novels include the "Funny Paper" trilogy, which traces the history of newspaper comic strips from the late 19th century to the 1970s. Critics have praised this trilogy, with The New York Times Book Review comparing it to John Dos Passos's "U.S.A." trilogy for comic enthusiasts. In 2005, he published "It's Superman!," a novel that reimagined the early life of the superhero during the Great Depression. De Haven was initially hesitant to write about Superman but ultimately embraced the opportunity, drawing inspiration from early comic book stories and aiming to imbue the character with a social conscience relevant to the New Deal era. He relocated the character's setting from Cleveland to "Metropolis" in New York City.

Tom De Haven's career spans writing, editing, journalism, and academia. He earned a Sociology degree from Rutgers University in 1971 and an MFA from Bowling Green State University in 1973. His academic path led him to teach creative writing at Hofstra University starting in 1981, followed by a move to Rutgers in 1987 to teach American Studies, where he developed one of the first college courses dedicated to American comics. Currently, he is a full professor of Creative Writing at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, within their MFA program. In addition to his teaching duties, he often instructs American Studies courses, including one titled "The Graphic Novel." De Haven also co-created the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, an honor for debut novels. Beyond his academic and writing pursuits, he is a licensed private investigator.

De Haven's literary output and critical interests frequently revolve around specific cultural and artistic domains. He is recognized for his recurring examination of literary and film noir, the complex structure of the Hollywood studio system, and the evolution of the American comics industry. His deep engagement with comic books and graphic novels, which began in his youth, has profoundly shaped his narrative style. He views himself as a "narrative writer," and the storytelling techniques found in comics have been a significant influence since he was a child. This influence is evident in his novels, particularly those that engage directly with comic book characters and history, such as his "Derby Dugan" trilogy and "It's Superman!" His work often reflects a critical perspective on American culture and history, with specific nods to the cultural output of the 1930s and generational nostalgia.

Tom De Haven is particularly noted for his novels that engage with the world of comic strips and superheroes. His "Funny Paper" trilogy, comprising "Funny Papers" (1985), "Derby Dugan's Depression Funnies" (1996), and "Dugan Under Ground" (2001), chronicles the history of newspaper comics from the 1890s through the 1970s. This trilogy garnered significant critical acclaim, with The New York Times Book Review describing it as "a mighty accomplishment: John Dos Passos's U.S.A. trilogy for comic geeks." The Boston Globe characterized the series as a "wild ride." In 2005, his novel "It's Superman!" offered a fresh perspective on the superhero's early years during the Great Depression, drawing inspiration from the 1930s-1950s era comics and focusing on Superman's social conscience and engagement with issues of the New Deal.

“the First Great Disappointment of My Life”

“Should I do a novel with a character that I don't own? So I had to think about it, but I didn't think about it very long, really. I just thought [...] this is too good to let go [...] they were giving me carte blanche.”

“a mighty accomplishment: John Dos Passos's U.S.A. trilogy for comic geeks.”

“wild ride”