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{{Infobox comics creator
| image         = File:RogerSlifer.jpg
| imagesize     = 
| caption       = Roger Slifer
| birth_name    = Roger Allen Slifer
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1954|11|11}}
| birth_place   = [[Shelbyville, Indiana|Shelbyville]], [[Indiana]], U.S.
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|2015|3|30|1954|11|11}}
| death_place   = [[Greensburg, Indiana|Greensburg]], Indiana, U.S.
| nationality   = American
| cartoonist    = 
| write         = y
| pencil        = 
| ink           = 
| letter        = y
| color         = y
| edit          = y
| alias         = 
| notable works = [[Lobo (DC Comics)|Lobo]]<br>''[[Omega Men]]''
| awards        = 
| sortkey       = Slifer, Roger
| subcat        = American
}}
'''Roger Allen Slifer'''<ref name=Bails /> ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|l|aɪ|f|ər}}; November 11, 1954 – March 30, 2015) was an American comic book writer, [[screenwriter]], and [[television producer]] who co-created the character [[Lobo (DC Comics)|Lobo]] for [[DC Comics]]. Among the many comic-book series for which he wrote was DC's ''[[Omega Men]]'' for a run in the 1980s.

Slifer was the victim of a hit-and-run collision in 2012 that left him in institutional care until his death.

==Biography==
Slifer was born on November 11,<ref name="CBG">{{cite web|authorlink=John Jackson Miller|last=Miller|first=John Jackson|url=http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays|title=Comics Industry Birthdays|work=[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]|date=June 10, 2005|accessdate=December 12, 2010|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031356/http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays|archivedate=February 18, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1954.<ref name="Bails">{{cite web|url= http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=SLIFER%2c+ROGER|title= Slifer, Roger|first= Jerry|last= Bails|first2= Hames|last2= Ware|authorlink= Jerry Bails|year= 2006|work= Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928-1999|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20130901030736/http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=SLIFER%2c+ROGER|archivedate= September 1, 2013|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}</ref> He had a sister, Connie.<ref name=SMDN /><!-- Slifer attended [[Morristown Junior-Senior High School|Morristown High School]] in the early 1970s.-->

Slifer spent most of his childhood in [[Morristown, Indiana]].

=== Comics ===
Slifer started out in comics as a member of the so-called [[CPL Gang]], a group of amateur comics enthusiasts based in [[Indianapolis]], many of whom later went on to careers in the comics industry.

By the mid–1970s, Slifer was working as a freelance writer for [[Marvel Comics]]. Thanks to Marvel staffers (and former CPL Gang members) [[Duffy Vohland]] and [[Tony Isabella]],<ref name="Morgan" /> in the late 1970s Slifer was hired as an assistant editor at Marvel,<ref name="GCDeditor">{{gcdb|type=editor|search= Roger+Slifer|title= Roger Slifer (editor)}}</ref> where he wrote for a number of comic-book series including ''[[Defenders (comics)|The Defenders]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|last = DeAngelo|first = Daniel|title = The Not-Ready-For-Super-Team Players A History of the Defenders|journal = [[Back Issue!]]|issue = 65|pages = 9–10|publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|location= Raleigh, North Carolina|date = July 2013}}</ref> He also became a colorist.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} Eventually, Slifer became a special projects editor at Marvel, overseeing comics magazines published by Marvel's parent company such as ''[[The Rampaging Hulk]]''. During this time, Slifer worked on the ''[[Marvel Classics Comics]]'' line, in addition to film adaptations.<ref name="WizardWorld">{{cite web|url= http://www.wizardworld.com/rogerslifer.html|title= Roger Slifer|year= 2012|publisher= [[Wizard Entertainment|Wizard World]]|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20131215013746/http://www.wizardworld.com/rogerslifer.html|archivedate= December 15, 2013|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all|accessdate= June 25, 2012}}</ref>

In 1979, Slifer (with the financial assistance of [[David Anthony Kraft]]), under the publishing imprint '''Excalibur Enterprises''', published ''Collector's Classics #1: Manhunter: The Complete Saga'', which reprinted the [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]]/[[Walt Simonson]] run of [[Manhunter (comics)|Manhunter]] backup stories from [[DC Comics]]' ''[[Detective Comics]]'' #437–443.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fassett|first=Ryan|date=2021-05-20|title=Writer and Publisher David Anthony Kraft Has Passed Away|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/writer-and-publisher-david-anthony-kraft-has-passed-away/|access-date=2021-05-20|website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors|language=en}}</ref>

Slifer moved to [[DC Comics]] in February 1981, ostensibly as the company's first sales manager to comic book [[Direct market|specialty stores]].<ref>{{cite journal|last = Catron|first = Michael|authorlink = Michael Catron|title = Slifer Named to Promo Post|journal = [[Amazing Heroes]]|issue = 1|page= 27|publisher = [[Fantagraphics Books]]|date = June 1981|location= Stamford, Connecticut<!--location in 1981-->}}</ref> He continued writing sporadically, most notably on ''Omega Men'', where he co-created the extraterrestrial alien mercenary anti-hero [[Lobo (DC Comics)|Lobo]] with artist [[Keith Giffen]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Manning|first= Matthew K.|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah, ed.|chapter= 1980s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 202 |quote = When space-bike-riding renegade Lobo made his debut during the "Citadel War" storyline in ''The Omega Men'' by Roger Slifer and artist Keith Giffen, he was hardly recognizable as the rebellious anti-hero who would become one of the best-selling DC characters of the 1990s.}}</ref> Slifer served as an editor at DC from 1984–1985 and oversaw the ''[[Green Lantern (comic book)|Green Lantern]]/[[Green Arrow]]'' reprint series, ''[[Showcase (comics)#New Talent Showcase|New Talent Showcase]]'', and ''[[World's Finest Comics]]''.<ref name="GCDeditor" /> Slifer left DC after clashing with the company about its stance regarding [[Creator ownership|creators' rights]].<ref>Slifer, Roger. "Screwed by DC," ''The Comics Journal'' #121 (April 1988), p. 25.</ref> Slifer had been involved in the creators' rights issue since the late 1970s.<ref>Groth, Gary. "Birth of the Guild: May 7, 1978," ''The Comics Journal'' #42 (October 1978), pp. 21-28.</ref><ref>"Ploog & Kirby Quit Marvel over Contract Dispute," ''The Comics Journal'' #44 (Jan. 1979), p. 11.</ref>

=== Animation ===
After leaving DC, Slifer found work with [[Sunbow Entertainment]], an animation production company with ties to Marvel Comics and [[Marvel Productions]]. Slifer eventually became a supervising producer, story editor, and writer for the animated television program ''[[Jem and the Holograms]]''. He produced and was story editor on other animated series including ''[[G.I. Joe Extreme]]'', ''[[My Little Pony 'n Friends]]'', ''[[The Transformers (TV series)|Transformers]]'', ''[[Street Fighter]]'', ''[[Conan the Adventurer (animated series)|Conan the Adventurer]]'', and ''[[Bucky O'Hare]]''.<ref name="WizardWorld" /> During his time at Sunbow, Slifer's colleagues included former Marvel Comics writers [[Steve Gerber]] and [[Marv Wolfman]].<ref name="Morgan" />

Slifer co-produced the first season of ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'' for [[4Kids Entertainment]] in the United States.<ref name="WizardWorld" />

=== Video games ===
Slifer worked as a writer and consultant in the video games industry.<ref name="WizardWorld" />

== Personal life ==
Prior to 2012, Slifer lived in [[Santa Monica, California]].

=== Hit-and-run crash ===
Early on June 23, 2012, Slifer was hit by a motorist while walking in [[Santa Monica, California]], after spending the evening with friends. The [[Hit and run (vehicular)|driver fled the scene]]. Slifer was seriously injured, suffering breaks to some ribs, his collar bone, and his shoulder. Most critically, due to head injuries, doctors had to remove a portion of Slifer's skull<ref name=SMDN>{{cite web|url= http://smdp.com/cartoon-producer-hospitalized-after-hit-and-run/85036|title= Cartoon producer hospitalized after hit-and-run|first= Ashley|last= Archibald|date= June 26, 2012|work= [[Santa Monica Daily Press]]|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20130901033453/http://smdp.com/cartoon-producer-hospitalized-after-hit-and-run/85036|archivedate= September 1, 2013|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}</ref> and place him in an [[induced coma]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://laist.com/2012/06/26/comic_book_writer_and_tv_producer_i.php|title=Comic Book Writer and TV Producer In Coma After Hit-and-Run|last=William-Ross|first=Lindsay|date=June 26, 2012|publisher=[[Gothamist.com]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029000035/http://laist.com/2012/06/26/comic_book_writer_and_tv_producer_i.php|archivedate=October 29, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all|accessdate=June 27, 2012}}</ref> at the [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center]].<ref name=MTV />

S.L.I.F.E.R., the Society for Legal, Investigative and Financial Empowerment and Recovery, was created in July 2012 to assist in bringing the hit-and-run driver to justice and providing updates on Slifer's condition.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/SLIFER.Needs.You/info "About,"] S.L.I.F.E.R. Needs You Facebook page. Accessed Feb. 23, 2013.</ref> The nonprofit assistance organization [[The Hero Initiative]] helped raise money to assist in Slifer's legal case and medical care.<ref name=MTV>{{cite web|url= http://geek-news.mtv.com/2012/07/06/roger-slifer-lobo/|title= Co-Creator of DC's 'Lobo' In Coma After Hit-And-Run, Needs Your Help|first= Valerie|last= Gallaher|date= July 6, 2012|publisher= [[MTV|MTV Geek]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141005154325/http://geek-news.mtv.com/2012/07/06/roger-slifer-lobo/|archive-date= October 5, 2014|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all}}</ref>

Slifer's sister Connie Carlton took over his care, and in late July 2012, Slifer was moved from [[UCLA]]'s Ronald Reagan Neuroscience/Trauma Intensive Care Unit to Barlow Respiratory Hospital in [[Los Angeles]]. At that point, he was still comatose.<ref>Alovis, Will. [https://www.facebook.com/SLIFER.Needs.You "Roger Medical Update 7/27/12,"] S.L.I.F.E.R. Needs You Facebook page (July 27, 2012).</ref> Slifer's condition improved at Barlow, and he emerged from his coma. In late September 2012, he was transferred to the sub-acute care facility Goldstar Rehabilitation Services, in Santa Monica.<ref>Alovis, Will. [https://www.facebook.com/SLIFER.Needs.You "Roger Medical Update 10/8/12,"] S.L.I.F.E.R. Needs You Facebook page (Oct. 8, 2012).</ref>

As of late February 2013, Slifer was awaiting surgery to replace the portion of his skull removed immediately after the crash. Carlton had arranged to transport Slifer to Indiana for further rehabilitation.<ref>Carlton, Connie. [https://www.facebook.com/SLIFER.Needs.You "Roger Medical Update 2/15/13,"] S.L.I.F.E.R. Needs You Facebook page (Feb. 15, 2013).</ref> He died on March 30, 2015.<ref name=newsarama-death>{{cite web| url = http://www.newsarama.com/23967-lobo-co-creator-roger-slifer-passes-away.html | title= Lobo Co-Creator Roger Slifer Passes Away| first= Chris |last=Arrant |publisher=[[Newsarama]]| date= March 30, 2015 |accessdate= March 30, 2015 | archivedate= April 1, 2015| archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20150401043505/http://www.newsarama.com/23967-lobo-co-creator-roger-slifer-passes-away.html|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

== Tributes ==
Slifer had three fictional characters named at least in part after him:
* [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]]'s robot character [[Rog-2000]] was named as such by [[Bob Layton]] in 1974, who was riffing on the amount of "Rogers" – specifically Slifer and [[Roger Stern]] – who contributed to the ''[[Contemporary Pictorial Literature]]'' fanzine. 
* The true identity of [[Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)|Ghost Rider]] villain Inferno, created in 1974 by [[Tony Isabella]] and [[Jim Mooney]], is that of a demon named "Slifer, Fear-Monger". Isabella had met Slifer through a mutual friend.<ref name="Morgan">{{cite web|url= http://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html|title= Meet Roger Slifer|first= Mark|last= Morgan|date= February 15, 2012|publisher= (Interview) A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20141225010629/http://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html|archivedate= December 25, 2014|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}</ref>
* An Egyptian God card in the [[Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game|''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' Trading Card Game]], originally named {{Nihongo|Sky Dragon of Osiris|オシリスの天空竜|Oshirisu no Tenkūryū}}, was renamed "Slifer the Sky Dragon" after Slifer by [[4Kids Entertainment]] employee Sam Murakami.<ref name="Morgan" />

==Bibliography==
===Comic books===

====DC Comics====
* ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #347 (1982)
* ''[[Green Lantern (comic book)|Green Lantern]] / [[Green Arrow]]'' #1 (introduction only) (1983)
* ''[[Omega Men]]'' #1–13 (1983–1984)

====Marvel Comics====
{{div col|colwidth=20em}} 
* ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers Annual]]'' #8 (1978)
* ''[[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]]'' #44–47 (1977)
* ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' #183 (1977)
* ''Giant-Size Defenders'' #4–5 (1975)
* ''[[Iron Man]]'' #84–85 (1976)
* ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #13, 38–40 (1976–1978)
* ''[[Luke Cage|Power Man]]'' #46 (1977)
{{div col end}}
==Screenwriting credits==
* series head writer denoted in bold
===Television===
* ''[[G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1985 TV series)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' (1985)
* ''[[The Transformers (TV series)|The Transformers]]'' (1988): season 5 Tommy Kennedy segments 
* '''''[[Jem (TV series)|Jem]]''''' (1986-1988)
* ''[[RoboCop (animated TV series)|Robocop]]'' (1988)
* ''[[G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1989 TV series)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' (1990)
* '''''[[Bucky O%27Hare and the Toad Wars|Bucky O’Hare and the Toad Wars]]''''' (1991)
* ''[[My Little Pony Tales]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Conan the Adventurer (1992 TV series)|Conan the Adventurer]]'' (1992-1993)
* '''''[[Tenko and the Guardians of the Magic]]''''' (1995)
* '''''[[G.I. Joe Extreme]]''''' (1996): season 2 head writer
* '''''[[Street Fighter (TV series)|Street Fighter]]''''' (1996): season 2 head writer
* ''[[Spider-Man Unlimited]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 TV series)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' (2006)

===Film===
*''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (1986): associate story consultant

==Producer==
===Television===
* ''The Transformers'' (1985-1986): associate producer for seasons 2-3 
* ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters]]'' (2001): co-producer

== See also ==
* [[Bill Mantlo]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{gcdb|type=credit|search=Roger+Slifer|title=Roger Slifer}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=1313|title=Roger Slifer}}
*{{IMDb name|0805824}}
*[http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/creator.php?creatorid=575 Roger Slifer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824101838/http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/creator.php?creatorid=575 |date=2018-08-24 }} at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
*[http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/nams34.htm#N129 Roger Slifer] at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators

{{s-start}}
{{succession box |title=''The [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]]'' writer|before=[[Gerry Conway]]|after=[[David Anthony Kraft]] | years=1977<br/>(with Gerry Conway and <br>David Anthony Kraft)}}
{{succession box |title=''[[Omega Men]]'' writer|before= n/a|after= [[Todd Klein]]|years=1983&ndash;1984}}
{{s-end}}
{{Jem and the Holograms}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Slifer, Roger}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:American comics writers]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
[[Category:American comic book editors]]
[[Category:Comic book letterers]]
[[Category:Comics colorists]]
[[Category:DC Comics people]]
[[Category:Lobo (DC Comics)]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics writers]]
[[Category:Pedestrian road incident deaths]]
[[Category:People from Shelby County, Indiana]]
[[Category:People with traumatic brain injuries]]