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Irene Vartanoff

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Irene Vartanoff (b. September 18, 1948) is a writer.

Personal History

Irene Vartanoff is an accomplished writer of fiction, known in fandom for the novels "Temporary Superheroine" and "Crisis at Comicon". She wrote a handful of stories for DC, usually centered around romance themes, and edited a number of others. When she moved to Marvel Comics she also took on the role of a colorist. In the 1980's she was responsible for policing copyright permission and infringement of the Superman logo.[1]

Vartanoff's claim to fame at DC comics was that she was a Letterhack; the letterhack, at DC, and had over a hundred letters published in various comics during the 1960's. She's most famous for two things: her full-page criticism of Hawkman #16[2] and having her existence repeatedly called into question by other fans who didn't believe that one person had written so many letters in such short a span of time. Metamorpho #15 had an entire letter page dedicated to her existence entitled, "'The Great Vartanoff Rumble'" to which she merely responded "I Exist!".

Julius Schwartz nick-named her "Poison I.V." for her critical letters; and Stan Lee would later nick-name her "Impish Irene".[3]

Irene Vartanoff was also mentioned in-universe in Metal Men #21 and appeared as an autograph hound in The Flash #195.

Vartanoff Letters

Books confirmed to have a letter from Irene Vartanoff include:[4]

Work History

Notes

  • Metamorpho #17 letters page continued the debate begun in Metamorpho #15, with the consensus being that Irene Vartanoff did, in fact exist. Her sister—future colorist for DC—Ellen Vartanoff assured that Irene did exist, "I ought to know, because I'm her (ugh!) sister!"

Trivia

  • Irene Vartanoff's letter in The Atom #29 was later plagiarized and republished as a letter by Steven Schumer in World's Finest #166, with only the name of the characters changed. In a way, she had the same letter published twice.

External Links

Vartanoff's Website

References

  1. ↑ www.cbr.com
  2. ↑ Her letter was published in Hawkman #18
  3. ↑ www.file770.com
  4. ↑ www.comics.org
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