Alfred Bester

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Alfred Bester
Biographical information
Born: December 18, 1913
Died: September 30, 1987
Nationality: Mini usa.gif American
Occupation: Writer
Website: N/A


Alfred Bester was an American science fiction author, TV and radio scriptwriter, magazine editor and scripter for comic strips and comic books. Though successful in all these fields, he is probably best remembered today for his work as a science fiction author, and as the winner of the first Hugo Award in 1953 for his novel The Demolished Man.

In 1942, two of his science fiction editors got work at DC Comics, and invited Bester to contribute to various DC titles. Consequently, Bester left the field of short story writing and began working for DC Comics as a writer on Superman, Green Lantern and other titles. It is popularly believed that Bester wrote the version of the Green Lantern Oath: "In brightest day, In blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power, green latern's light".

Bester was also the writer for Lee Falk's comic strips The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician while their creator served in World War II. It is widely speculated how much influence Bester had on these comics. One theory claims that Bester was responsible for giving the Phantom his surname, "Walker".

After four years in the comics industry, in 1946 Bester turned his attention to radio scripts, after wife Rolly (a busy radio actress) told him that the show Nick Carter, Master Detective was looking for story submissions. Over the next few years, Bester wrote for Nick Carter, as well as The Shadow, Charlie Chan, Nero Wolfe and other shows. He later wrote for The CBS Radio Mystery Theater.

Mandrake the Magician Dailies by Alfred Bester(1942-1946)

# Title Writer Artist Start End Weeks
29 "The Witch of Kaloon" Bester Davis 12 Apr 1943 23 Oct 1943 28
30 "The Earthshaker" Bester Davis 25 Oct 1943 29 Jan 1944 14

Mandrake the Magician Sundays by Alfred Bester(1942-1946)

# Title Writer Artist Start End Weeks
22 "Pacifica" Bester Davis 19 Apr 1942 1 Nov 1942 29
23 "Mystery of the Girls with Red Hair" Bester Davis 8 Nov 1942 28 Feb 1943 17
24 "Cloud City" Bester Davis 7 Mar 1943 7 Nov 1943 36
25 "Gloria Golden" Bester Davis 14 Nov 1943 23 Jan 1944 11
26 "The Garden of Wuzzu" Bester Davis 30 Jan 1944 21 May 1944 17
27 "The Circus Adventure" Bester Davis 28 May 1944 27 Aug 1944 14
28 "The Santa Claus Pirates" Bester Davis 3 Sep 1944 3 Dec 1944 14
29 "Fountain of Youth" Bester Davis 10 Dec 1944 18 Mar 1945 15
30 "Kingdom of the Wind" Bester Davis 25 Mar 1945 17 Jun 1945 13
31 "The Attalan Deep" Bester Davis 24 Jun 1945 4 Nov 1945 20
32 "The Twins of Karana" Bester Davis 11 Nov 1945 3 Mar 1946 17
33 "The Singing Devils" Bester Davis 10 Mar 1946 30 Jun 1946 17
34 "Roc Island" Bester Davis 7 Jul 1946 3 Nov 1946 18

Note: Bester wrote the ending of the story "Pacifica".