# Stephen Wacker
**Stephen Wacker** (born 1970 in St. Louis, Missouri; often credited as **Steve Wacker**) is an [American comic book](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-comic-book) editor and media producer who has served as a senior editor at [Marvel Comics](https://www.edgepedia.org/marvel-comics), a vice president in Marvel's animation department and later head of content for its digital media division, Editor-in-Chief of Jonathan Hickman's 3 Worlds 3 Moons, and co-founder of the entertainment studio Stone Kite.[1](https://www.comics.org/creator/19139/) • [2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) • [3](https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-editor-steven-wacker-leaves/) • [4](https://3w3m.substack.com/p/3w3m-hires-stephen-wacker-as-editor) Marvel has announced him as Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics, succeeding C.B. Cebulski, who moves to a new role as Editor, Asia Originals.[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970, St. Louis, Missouri, United States; "Steve Wacker" is a common alternative credit[1](https://www.comics.org/creator/19139/) |
| Marvel tenure | More than 15 years at Marvel, seven as a senior editor (October 2006 to December 2013 per his profile)[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) • [5](https://linkedin.com/in/stephen-wacker-44190798) |
| Signature comics | Best-selling "Brand New Day" and "Superior Spider-Man" eras of Amazing Spider-Man; influential Daredevil and Hawkeye series; Captain Marvel relaunch; introduction of Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), of which he is credited as co-creator[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) • [6](https://bleedingcool.com/comics/steve-wacker-replaces-c-b-cebulski-as-marvel-editor-in-chief/) |
| Awards | 2015 Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story (awarded to Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal, written by G. Willow Wilson and illustrated by Adrian Alphona and Jake Wyatt); 2016 Rudolph-Dirks-Award; 2017 Emmy nomination for Marvel's Rocket & Groot[1](https://www.comics.org/creator/19139/) • [7](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/stephen-wacker) • [10](https://www.thehugoawards.org/2015/08/2014-hugo-award-winners-announced/) |
| Screen work | Co-executive producer on Avengers Assemble, Ultimate Spider-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy; executive producer on the Marvel 616 and Behind the Mask documentaries and the Wastelanders audio series[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) • [3](https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-editor-steven-wacker-leaves/) |
| Post-Marvel roles | Editor-in-Chief of 3 Worlds 3 Moons (February 2022 to May 2023); co-founder and SVP, Media, at Stone Kite (January 2024 to July 2026)[5](https://linkedin.com/in/stephen-wacker-44190798) • [2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) |
| Current role | Editor-in-Chief, Marvel Comics, succeeding C.B. Cebulski[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) |
## Early career at DC Comics
Wacker began his editorial career at [DC Comics](https://www.edgepedia.org/dc-comics), working on titles including JLA, JSA, Legion of Super-Heroes, Jonah Hex, Villains United, and the weekly series 52.[4](https://3w3m.substack.com/p/3w3m-hires-stephen-wacker-as-editor) His work shepherding 52, a successful weekly series published by Marvel's rival, led Marvel to recruit him.[3](https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-editor-steven-wacker-leaves/)
## Career at Marvel Comics
Wacker joined Marvel in 2006 and worked as a senior editor until 2013, a span his LinkedIn profile dates more precisely as October 2006 to December 2013.[3](https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-editor-steven-wacker-leaves/) • [5](https://linkedin.com/in/stephen-wacker-44190798) Marvel's own announcement credits him with more than 15 years at the company in total, seven of them as a senior editor overseeing the best-selling "Brand New Day" and "Superior Spider-Man" eras of Amazing Spider-Man.[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief)
His editorial credits extend across some of Marvel's most acclaimed runs of the 2010s: the Daredevil and Hawkeye series, the Captain Marvel relaunch by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy that trade press described as redefining the character for a modern audience, the introduction of [Kamala Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/kamala-khan) as the new [Ms. Marvel](https://www.edgepedia.org/ms-marvel), and Venom.[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) • [3](https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-editor-steven-wacker-leaves/) • [6](https://bleedingcool.com/comics/steve-wacker-replaces-c-b-cebulski-as-marvel-editor-in-chief/) • [4](https://3w3m.substack.com/p/3w3m-hires-stephen-wacker-as-editor) Bleeding Cool credits him as co-creator of Kamala Khan.[6](https://bleedingcool.com/comics/steve-wacker-replaces-c-b-cebulski-as-marvel-editor-in-chief/) Ms. Marvel (2014 series) #1, "No Normal", won the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, and Ms. Marvel (2015 series) #1, "Meta-Morphose", won a 2016 Rudolph-Dirks-Award for Best Publication (Super Hero).[1](https://www.comics.org/creator/19139/)
Marvel's creator page lists his credited runs with date ranges: Daredevil (2011–2014), Hawkeye (2012–2015), Nova (2013–2015), and Superior Spider-Man (2013–2014).[8](https://www.marvel.com/comics/list/creators/11879)
## Move to animation, television and digital media
In 2013 Wacker moved from New York to California to take a position as a vice president in Marvel's animation department.[3](https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-editor-steven-wacker-leaves/) The 3 Worlds 3 Moons announcement places the move in 2014, saying he "left comics in 2014 when he was pulled over to work with Marvel's growing TV and animation division"; the two accounts differ by a year on the timing.[4](https://3w3m.substack.com/p/3w3m-hires-stephen-wacker-as-editor)
In animation he served as co-executive producer on Avengers Assemble, Ultimate Spider-Man, and [Guardians of the Galaxy](https://www.edgepedia.org/guardians-of-the-galaxy), and co-produced the Emmy-nominated Rocket & Groot animated shorts in 2017.[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) The Television Academy records his nomination as Co-Executive Producer for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program in 2017 for Marvel's Rocket & Groot, episode "Space Walk", on the Disney XD App, produced by [Marvel Animation](https://www.edgepedia.org/marvel-animation) and Passion Animation Studios.[7](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/stephen-wacker) He also worked as an executive producer on the Marvel 616 and Marvel Behind the Mask documentaries that aired on [Disney XD](https://www.edgepedia.org/disney-xd).[3](https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-editor-steven-wacker-leaves/) Marvel credits him as an executive producer of the Wastelanders audio series.[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) His profile lists him as VP, Head of Content, Digital Media at Marvel Entertainment from November 2019 to February 2022.[5](https://linkedin.com/in/stephen-wacker-44190798)
## 3 Worlds 3 Moons, Stone Kite, and return to Marvel
In February 2022 Wacker became Editor-in-Chief of 3 Worlds 3 Moons (3W3M), [Jonathan Hickman](https://www.edgepedia.org/jonathan-hickman)'s worldbuilding project.[5](https://linkedin.com/in/stephen-wacker-44190798) • [2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) He held that role until May 2023.[5](https://linkedin.com/in/stephen-wacker-44190798)
He then co-founded the entertainment studio Stone Kite, serving as SVP, Media, "guiding storytelling across various media" from January 2024 to July 2026; his profile locates the role in Los Angeles.[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) • [5](https://linkedin.com/in/stephen-wacker-44190798) Marvel subsequently announced his appointment as Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics, taking over from C.B. Cebulski, who moves to Japan as Editor, Asia Originals.[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief)
## Editorial approach and collaborations
In a Comics Beat interview, Wacker described the editorial job as "being advocates and caretakers for projects and characters…both inside the company and outside the company."[9](https://www.comicsbeat.com/working-with-wacker-steve-wacker-on-helping-creators-make-comics/) His recruiting record illustrates the approach: he hired Joe Keatinge for a short Thanos mini-series after seeing Keatinge's work on Glory.[9](https://www.comicsbeat.com/working-with-wacker-steve-wacker-on-helping-creators-make-comics/)
He also explained two editorial decisions in his own words. After Andy Diggle's Shadowland story left Daredevil "back at more-or-less at center", he saw the opportunity to try something new.[9](https://www.comicsbeat.com/working-with-wacker-steve-wacker-on-helping-creators-make-comics/) And when Marvel NOW relaunched the line, he kept Dan Slott on Amazing Spider-Man as an exception because Slott, along with artists Ramos, Stegman, and Camuncoli, "was still in the middle of a long term story that we'd been setting up for awhile."[9](https://www.comicsbeat.com/working-with-wacker-steve-wacker-on-helping-creators-make-comics/)
## By the numbers
- Seven years and two months as a Marvel senior editor, October 2006 to December 2013.[5](https://linkedin.com/in/stephen-wacker-44190798)
- More than 15 years at Marvel in total across comics, animation, and digital media.[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief)
- One Emmy nomination, in 2017, for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program.[7](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/stephen-wacker)
- One Rudolph-Dirks-Award (2016); in 2015, the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story went to Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal, written by G. Willow Wilson and illustrated by Adrian Alphona and Jake Wyatt.[1](https://www.comics.org/creator/19139/) • [10](https://www.thehugoawards.org/2015/08/2014-hugo-award-winners-announced/)
- Four credited title runs at Marvel with published date ranges, from Daredevil (2011–2014) to Hawkeye (2012–2015).[8](https://www.marvel.com/comics/list/creators/11879)
## Reception
Trade press has characterized his Marvel runs in contrasting terms. Marvel's announcement calls Brand New Day and Superior Spider-Man "best-selling" and the Daredevil, Hawkeye, and Captain Marvel series "beloved and influential".[2](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief) Bleeding Cool, covering the same career, described the runs he oversaw as "famous and infamous, including One More Day and Brand New Day and the Superior Spider".[6](https://bleedingcool.com/comics/steve-wacker-replaces-c-b-cebulski-as-marvel-editor-in-chief/) ComicBook.com singled out the DeConnick/Soy Captain Marvel relaunch as having "served to redefine that character for a modern audience".[3](https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-editor-steven-wacker-leaves/)
## References
1. [GCD :: Creator :: Stephen Wacker (b. 1970), Grand Comics Database](https://www.comics.org/creator/19139/)
2. [Marvel Comics Names Stephen Wacker as New Editor-in-Chief, Marvel.com](https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-names-stephen-wacker-editor-in-chief)
3. [Marvel's Stephen Wacker Leaving For New Venture, ComicBook.com](https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-editor-steven-wacker-leaves/)
4. [3W/3M Hires Stephen Wacker as Editor-in-Chief, 3 Worlds 3 Moons (Substack)](https://3w3m.substack.com/p/3w3m-hires-stephen-wacker-as-editor)
5. [Stephen Wacker, LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/stephen-wacker-44190798)
6. [Steve Wacker Replaces C.B. Cebulski As Marvel Editor-In-Chief, Bleeding Cool](https://bleedingcool.com/comics/steve-wacker-replaces-c-b-cebulski-as-marvel-editor-in-chief/)
7. [Stephen Wacker, Emmy Awards and Nominations, Television Academy](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/stephen-wacker)
8. [Stephen Wacker creator credit page, Marvel.com](https://www.marvel.com/comics/list/creators/11879)
9. [Working With Wacker: Steve Wacker on Helping Creators Make Comics, Comics Beat](https://www.comicsbeat.com/working-with-wacker-steve-wacker-on-helping-creators-make-comics/)
10. [2015 Hugo Award Winners Announced](https://www.thehugoawards.org/2015/08/2014-hugo-award-winners-announced/)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Visual arts and design › Illustration and illustrators › Comic books and characters*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license