Flo Steinberg

Flo Steinberg (March 17, 1939 – July 23, 2017) is best remembered as the heart of Marvel Comics during the 1960s Silver Age. Born in New York City, she joined the fledgling company as Stan Lee’s secretary, receptionist, and fan liaison when the staff numbered only two. Her warmth and dedication made her a vital witness to Marvel’s transformation into a pop culture powerhouse. In 1975, she became a pioneering independent publisher with *Big Apple Comix*, one of the first hybrid underground/alternative comic books. Steinberg’s own writing credits span 21 issues from 1965 to 2019, primarily on romance and humor titles like *Patsy and Hedy*, *Patsy Walker*, and *Modeling with Millie*, as well as work on *Tales of Suspense* and *Los Vengadores*. She collaborated closely with Lee and later with Roy Thomas. A fictionalized version of Steinberg appeared in Marvel Comics, and she was a beloved convention speaker and the subject of magazine profiles. She received no major industry awards but left an indelible legacy as a foundational figure in Marvel’s early community and a trailblazer in independent publishing.