Tom Veitch

Tom Veitch was an American writer whose work spanned comics, novels, and poetry, best remembered for his contributions to the *Star Wars* expanded universe. Born on September 26, 1941, he was the older brother of comics writer and artist Rick Veitch. Veitch entered the comic book industry in the early 1970s, with his first credited work appearing in 1971. Over a career that stretched into the 2010s, he wrote for 77 issues, most prominently on DC Comics’ *Animal Man* and *Kamandi at Earth’s End*, as well as *The Light and Darkness War*. His most influential work came in the 1990s when he co-wrote *Star Wars: Dark Empire* and *Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi* for Dark Horse Comics, helping to shape the franchise’s post-film lore. Veitch’s writing often blended epic scope with philosophical undertones, and he collaborated closely with artists including his brother Rick Veitch and Cam Kennedy. He died on February 14, 2022. While he did not receive major industry awards, his *Star Wars* stories remain touchstones for fans of the expanded universe, and his earlier work is studied for its inventive take on DC’s post-apocalyptic and animal-themed characters.