Max Trell was a renowned writer of serialized children's stories, which were published in North American newspapers from the late 1920s to the early 1950s. His "Good Night Stories" series followed the thrilling adventures of Knarf and Hanid, two shadow children who lived in the mystical realm of Shadowland.
Trell's writing career spanned a wide range of creative endeavors, including cartoon strips and comic books. He was one of the writers who took over the popular strip Secret Agent X-9 after Dashiell Hammett's departure. Additionally, Trell collaborated with other writers on the iconic comic strip Prince Valiant, as well as its related books and screenplays.
Born on September 6, 1900, in New York City, Trell was the son of Sol and Sophie Trell. His father, a Russian immigrant, had established a cigar shop in the Bronx by 1900, while his mother was born in New York to Russian and German parents.
In 1924, Trell married Bluma L. Popkin, a lawyer who would later abandon her law practice to become a renowned expert on ancient Greek culture. At the time of her death on June 10, 1997, at the age of 94, she was a retired professor emeritus from New York University. Trell himself passed away on February 3, 1996, at the age of 95, possibly in Englewood, New Jersey.
Max and Bluma Trell left behind their son, Max Jr., who survived them.
