Dennis Marks, R.I.P.

Sorry to hear of the passing of Dennis Marks, a prolific writer, mostly of animation. Dennis was one of the main writers of the Beatles cartoon show and of many other successful programs, including Batfink, The Transformers, The Superman-Aquaman Hour and Josie and the Pussycats. He was the head writer of the 1981 Spider-Man cartoon series and the 1982 Incredible Hulk show and did occasional voices on both. In theatrical animation, he wrote the 1990 movie of The Jetsons and worked on Tom and Jerry: The Movie, which was released two years later. He also produced the childrens' TV series, Wonderama, for many years and wrote a few scripts for DC Comics in the sixties. I worked with Dennis on the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon show, which he co-created. He was a clever guy and very passionate about everything he did.

A memorial service will be held on Friday afternoon, January 20, at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Dennis was a longtime fixture of the Castle. Every Friday lunchtime for years, he could be found on the same stool at the Owl Bar, nursing a straight-up martini and holding court about what was wrong with the world. Wherever he is now, he's giving them an earful.