Len Wein in 2016: “I’m Still That Same Kid Who Wrote Those Early House of Mystery Stories” [LISTEN]

Yesterday, comic book fans mourned the loss of the great writer/editor Len Wein, best known as the co-creator of Wolverine and Swamp Thing — and today, ComicBook.com is providing our readers with the audio of our final interview with the comics great.

When DC launched the Legends of Tomorrow anthology series in 2016, Wein was one of a number of veteran creators we spoke with about his role on the book (he wrote the Metal Men segments).

“I’m still that same kid who wrote those early House of Mystery stories, who started on Phantom Stranger, who was writing Swamp Thing — hey, wait a second, I’m still writing Swamp Thing!” Wein joked. “I’m that guy. My body may have gone on and on but I think the heart of me as a writer and as a comic book fan has never aged. I think one of the reasons I’m still working when others of my age and guys even younger have gone on to other things is, this is my heart. I love this.”

The interview was lost at the time, and has never been previously published. By the time the file resurfaced, Legends of Tomorrow had concluded. We did not realize that it would be our final opportunity to speak with Wein, who discussed Metal Men of course but also delved into some of his philosophy on storytelling in general, noting that he’s rarely concerned with “the mechanics” of a book, and more preoccupied with the characters.

Hopefully, while the meat of the interview may feel a bit dated, some of Wein’s warmth, humor, and insight will prove timeless.

In recent months, Wein has undergone a number of surgeries, with the final tweet on his official account indicating that he came through surgery, “which went very well,” on September 7.

Wein was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2008.

Back in 2012, Wein told ComicBook.com that he was glad he got to work on the controversial Before Watchmen project at DC.

“It’s time somebody did it, especially at the quarter-century mark,” Wein said. “Some of us that were around when it started, may not be around at the next quarter-century mark.”

You can listen below.