After working for a Chicago newspaper, in 1949 Irwin Stein returned to New York, where he wrote comic book scripts for Quality Comics (Doll Man, Plastic Man) and Hillman Periodicals before employment as the comic book editor with St. John Publications. In 1954, Stein and his wife Helen began a magazine company, Royal Publications, which published the pulp magazines Our Life and Celebrity from Royal's East 44th Street offices.
After working for a Chicago newspaper in 1949, Irwin Stein returned to New York City where he wrote comic book scripts for Quality Comics (Doll Man, Plastic Man) and Hillman Periodicals before becoming the editor of St. John Publications. In 1954, Stein and his wife Helen started Royal Publications, which published pulp magazines Our Life and Celebrity from their offices on East 44th Street.