Award Winning 'Batman' Comic Book Writer, Alan Grant, Passes Away At 73

A revolutionary career came to an end yesterday. Alan Grant, the Scottish comics writer, best known for his work on 2000 AD and Batman, passed away on Thursday.

His wife Sue broke the news through a Facebook post that read "I have no words. Alan died this morning." She further added: "Grant was one of his generation’s finest writers, combining a sharp eye for dialogue and political satire with a deep empathy that made his characters seem incredibly human and rounded. Through his work he had a profound and enduring influence on 2000 AD and on the comics industry."

The tribute continued: "His impact on comics and standing in the industry simply cannot be understated. But he was more than just a giant in his field – he was a fascinating man whose sharp wit and boundless warmth touched all those who met him. One cannot separate 2000 AD from Alan Grant, his humor, humanity, and intelligence made it what it is, and his talent was integral to its success. We are forever poorer without him. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and his friends. Rest well and thank you, Alan."

Alan was born in 1949 in Bristol and grew up in Scotland. His writing career began with publisher DC Thomson where he partnered with now-famed comics titan John Wagner. While working on the Batman series in the 1980s and 1990s, Alan co-created characters Anarky, Victor Zsasz, and the Ventriloquist.

His death is a huge loss to the industry. A tribute by 2000AD read, "Everyone at 2000 AD and Rebellion is devastated to hear of the passing of Alan Grant." The tribute mentioned that Alan was ill for some time but he continued to write. His last work for 2000 AD was a Judge Anderson story in 2018 and a war story in the Battle Special in 2020. Describing Alan's passing as a "painful gut punch," the tribute said that his impact on comics "simply cannot be understated."

The Scottish Book Trust said today: "We are saddened today to learn of Alan Grant's passing. As a leading star of Scottish comics – and a great ambassador for them – he will be truly missed." "Our hearts go out to Alan's family and friends, and his many, many fans."

Eisner-winning writer Tom King added: "Horribly saddened to hear of the passing of Alan Grant. Lobo, LEGION, Batman—these books questioned what super hero comics could be and do: they were sharply, cooly cynical and yet oddly—and wonderfully—they contained a powerful, warm undercurrent of hope. Hell of a writer. RIP."

Writer Richard Newby said: "Such a consistently strong writer on Batman and Detective Comics who was behind so many of the stories I grew up reading in the 90s.  A foundational voice for many. RIP Alan Grant. We’ve lost too many great ones in the comics industry this year."

Alan has been described as an 'unsung hero of UK comics' as tributes poured in for 'one of the greats'.