Robert Bernstein (comics) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert Bernstein |
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Bernstein (left) in 1965 with pianist Géza Anda (center) and Jerry Schoenbaum, head of MGM's classical music division.
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| Born | May 23, 1919 |
| Died | December 19, 1988 (aged 69) Delray Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Area(s) | Writer |
| Pseudonym(s) | R. Berns |
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Notable works
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Aquaman |
Robert Bernstein (born May 23, 1919 – died December 19, 1988) was an American writer. He was known for writing comic books, plays, and organizing music concerts. He started the Island Concert Hall concert series, which lasted for 15 years on Long Island. Sometimes, he used the name R. Berns for his work.
Writing Comic Books
Robert Bernstein was a talented writer for many comic books. He is most famous for his stories for EC Comics and DC Comics. At DC Comics, he helped create the background and stories for the hero Aquaman.
He also helped create other popular characters. These include Congorilla, Aqualad, and Aquagirl for DC Comics. For Archie Comics, he co-created the Jaguar.
Back then, comic book writers often did not get credit for their work. Bernstein's first known credit was in a story called "Ghouls' Gold." It appeared in Crime Does Not Pay #43 in 1946. He also wrote for other comics like Golden Lad and a Green Lantern story.
During the 1950s, Bernstein wrote for Marvel Comics, which was then called Atlas Comics. He wrote for war comics series like War Comics. He also wrote stories for the masked Western hero, Black Rider. For DC Comics, he wrote for war comics like All-American Men of War and Our Army at War. He also wrote psychological stories for EC Comics and superhero tales. He even worked with artist Jack Kirby on a Green Arrow story.
With artist Howard Sherman, Bernstein changed the "Congo Bill" jungle-adventure story. It became the superhero story "Congorilla" in Action Comics #248 in 1959.
Superman and Aquaman Stories
Robert Bernstein wrote many stories for DC Comics' most famous heroes. His first known Superman story was "The Oldest Man In Metropolis" in Action Comics #251 (1959). He also wrote for other Superman-related comics. These included Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane and Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen. He also wrote for Superboy and stories featuring Supergirl.
Bernstein helped bring back Aquaman with artist Ramona Fradon. This happened in Adventure Comics #260 (1959). He wrote many Aquaman stories and introduced important characters. One of these was Aqualad, Aquaman's teen sidekick, in Adventure Comics #269 (1960). Aqualad later became the hero Tempest. Bernstein and artist George Papp also introduced the Phantom Zone and General Zod into the Superman stories. This was in Adventure Comics #283 (1961).
During this time, known as the Silver Age of Comic Books, Bernstein also wrote for Archie Comics. He wrote stories for characters like the Fly and the Jaguar. He also worked on some of the earliest Iron Man and Thor stories for Marvel Comics. These stories were plotted by Marvel's editor-in-chief, Stan Lee. Bernstein helped create Iron Man's friends, Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan. He used the name "R. Berns" for his Marvel work.
Bernstein also adapted the famous radio character The Shadow for Archie Comics in 1964. His last original DC Comics story in the 1960s was "Olsen's Time-Trip to Save Krypton." It appeared in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #101 (1967). He wrote one final comic story in 1980, called "The Miracle of the Catacombs."
Organizing Concerts
Beyond comics, Robert Bernstein was also known for organizing music concerts. He started the Island Concert Hall series on Long Island, which ran for 15 years.
He began his concert career in 1951. He helped start the Roslyn Music Group, which presented chamber-music and solo artists. Bernstein felt that Long Island loved the arts. So, in 1964, he launched the Concert Hall series. This series offered about 30 performances each year. They included classical music, jazz, dance, and theater shows. These events took place at places like Long Island University and the Nassau Coliseum.
His Life
Robert Bernstein lived in Upper Brookville, New York, on Long Island. He passed away at age 69 from heart failure. This happened at his winter home in Delray Beach, Florida. He was survived by his wife, Beverly, his daughter, Alison, and his sister, Louise Sandler.
