Philip Wylie

• Born 1902-05-12 · Died 1971-10-25

Wylie authored numerous books that influenced comic books, including his 1930 book, Gladiator. He also co-wrote with Edwin Balmer the 1933 book, When Worlds Collide and its 1934 sequel After Worlds Collide, that served as an inspiration for the comic strip Flash Gordon. The World's Collide books served as a basis for the Speed Spaulding comic strip syndicated through John F. Dille Company from January 8, 1940, to March 29, 1941, in which both Wylie and Balmer were credited as creators.