Keith Giffen was an American comic book writer and artist known primarily for his extensive work with DC and Marvel Comics. Born Keith Ian Giffen on November 30, 1952, in Queens, New York City, he became a significant creative force in the comic book industry from the 1970s onward. Giffen passed away on October 9, 2023. While his reputation rests largely on his contributions to American superhero comics, his career also included notable work in the field of manga and animation, particularly in adapting Japanese properties for English-speaking audiences.

Giffen was responsible for the English-language adaptation of several manga series. Among the most prominent of these projects are the violent survival thriller Battle Royale and the martial arts action series Ikki Tousen. These adaptations involved translating the original Japanese text and rewriting the dialogue and narration for an English-speaking audience, a role distinct from that of the original creator. Through this work, Giffen served as a crucial bridge, helping to bring popular Japanese manga to the North American market during a period of growing international interest in the medium.

Beyond adaptation, Giffen contributed original work to the manga format. He created the series I Luv Halloween for the publisher Tokyopop, which was presented in a manga-style format aimed at the Western market. This work stands as an example of his original creator-driven content produced specifically within the context of the manga industry, rather than the American comic book direct market.

Giffen also worked in television animation, serving as a storyboard artist for several shows. His credits in this area include work on series such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd n Eddy. While the specific credit for the anime series Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers is part of his broader profile, his verified involvement with manga adaptation and animation storyboarding confirms his professional engagement with these media beyond American comics.

Giffen's significance to the industry lies in his prolific and versatile output. He was a co-creator of major comic book characters such as Rocket Raccoon (with Bill Mantlo), Lobo (with Roger Slifer), and the Jaime Reyes version of Blue Beetle. His runs on titles like Legion of Super-Heroes and his humorous take on the Justice League in Justice League International are considered landmark works. His forays into manga adaptation and animation represent an extension of his versatile career, applying his skills as a writer and visual storyteller to international and multimedia projects.