Eric Stephenson (born January 8, 1968) is an American

comic book A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...

publisher, editor, and writer. He is the publisher of

Image Comics Image Comics is an independent American American comic book, comic book publisher and is the third largest direct market comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry by market share. Its best-known publications include ''Spawn (comics) ...

, where he has also co-created and written comics such as ''Long Hot Summer'', ''

Nowhere Men ''Nowhere Men'' is a comic book series written by Eric Stephenson. The first six issues were drawn by Nate Bellegarde, colored by Jordie Bellaire, lettered by Fonografix (Steven Finch), and published by Image Comics. As of issue 7, Dave Taylo ...

'', and ''They're Not Like Us''.

Career

Stephenson was involved with Image Comics during its formative years, having learned about plans for the new company from co-founder

Jim Valentino Jim Valentino (born October 28, 1952) is an American writer, penciler, editor and publisher of comic books, best known for his 1990–1992 work on '' Guardians of the Galaxy'' for Marvel Comics, and for co-founding Image Comics, a company publ ...

months before it was announced. In the 1990s, he was the editor for

Rob Liefeld Robert Liefeld (; born October 3, 1967) is an American comic book creator. A prominent writer and artist in the 1990s, he is known for co-creating the character Cable (comics), Cable with writer Louise Simonson and the character Deadpool with wri ...

's Extreme Studios and writer or co-writer for significant runs of '' Bloodstrike'', ''

Brigade A brigade is a major tactical military unit, military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute ...

'', ''

New Men New Men is a term referring to various upwardly mobile groups in premodern England, particularly under the dynasties of Lancaster, York and Tudor (1399–1603). The term may refer to new aristocracy, enriched gentry, or middle-class profess ...

'', '' Supreme'', ''Team Youngblood'', and '' Youngblood''. With

, he co-created Psilence. Between 1999 and 2000, Stephenson wrote ''

Spider-Man Unlimited ''Spider-Man Unlimited'' is an animated television series produced by Saban Entertainment which features the Marvel comic book superhero Spider-Man and serves as a follow-up to '' Spider-Man: The Animated Series''. ''Unlimited'' premiered in 1 ...

'' and '' Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man'', and co-wrote several issues of ''

Wolverine The wolverine ( , ; ''Gulo gulo''), also called the carcajou or quickhatch (from East Cree, ''kwiihkwahaacheew''), is the largest land-dwelling species, member of the family Mustelidae. It is a muscular carnivore and a solitary animal. The w ...

'' first with

Erik Larsen Erik J. Larsen (born December 8, 1962) is an American comic book artist, writer, and publisher. He currently acts as the chief financial officer of Image Comics. He gained attention in the early 1990s with his art on Spider-Man series for Marvel ...

and then later with Rob Leifeld for

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

. From 2001 to 2002, he co-wrote and colored '' Fantastic Four: The World's Greatest Comics Magazine''. Stephenson worked with Valentino and Larsen during their tenures as Publisher of Image Comics, first as Director of Sales & Marketing and then later as the company's Executive Director. He also developed and edited two Image anthologies, '' Four-Letter Worlds'' (2005) and '' Put the Book Back on the Shelf: A Belle & Sebastian Anthology'' (2006). In 2008, Stephenson was promoted to the position of Publisher of Image Comics, replacing Larsen. During this period he oversaw the expansion of Image's line to include titles such as ''

Bitch Planet ''Bitch Planet'' is an American comic book published by Image Comics, created by writer Kelly Sue DeConnick and artist Valentine De Landro. The series is a feminist portrayal of the exploitation film genre and takes place in a dystopian reality, ...

'', '' East of West'', '' Monstress'', ''

Saga Sagas are prose stories and histories, composed in Iceland and to a lesser extent elsewhere in Scandinavia. The most famous saga-genre is the (sagas concerning Icelanders), which feature Viking voyages, migration to Iceland, and feuds between ...

'', and ''

The Wicked + The Divine ''The Wicked + The Divine'' is a contemporary fantasy comic book series created by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, and published by Image Comics. The series is largely influenced by pop music and various mythological deities, and includes the ...

''. It was also at this time that he began writing ''

'' and ''They're Not Like Us''. In 2014, ''Nowhere Men'' received four

Eisner Award The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, are awards for creative achievement in American comic books. They are regarded as the most prestigious and significant awards in the comic industry and often referred ...

nominations, including Best Continuing Series, Best Writer, Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team, and Best Colorist. ''The Beat: The News Blog of Comics Culture'' named Stephenson the Comics Industry Person of the Year in 2012, and Stephenson won the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award in 2014. In 2018, Image added Stephenson to its board of directors, naming him as the company's Chief Creative Officer.

References

External links

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Stuff Said podcast interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stephenson, Eric 1968 births Living people American comics writers American comic book editors Writers from Louisville, Kentucky Image Comics Image Comics writers