Jae Lee (born 1972) is a
Korean American
Korean Americans are Americans of Korean ancestry (mostly from South Korea). In 2015, the Korean-American community constituted about 0.56% of the United States population, or about 1.82 million people, and was the fifth-largest Asian America ...
comics artist
A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in both drawing and writing cartoons (individual images) or comics (sequential images). Cartoonists differ from comics writers or comic book illustrators in that they produce both the literary and g ...
known for his interior illustration and cover work for various publishers, including
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Comics'' in ...
,
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. ( doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery.
DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with the ...
,
Image Comics
Image Comics is an American comic book publisher and is the third largest comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry in both unit and market share. It was founded in 1992 by several high-profile illustrators as a venue for creator-o ...
, and
Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment is an American comic book publisher founded by Nick Barrucci in 2004 at Mount Laurel, New Jersey. It is best known as the owners of '' The Boys'' franchise across several IP medias. Dynamite primarily publishes adaptations ...
.
Career
Jae Lee's first work for
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Comics'' in ...
was a
Beast serial in ''
Marvel Comics Presents
''Marvel Comics Presents'' was an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics originally from 1988 to 1995. It returned for a second volume in 2007–2008, and a third volume that started in 2019.
Volume 1
The first volume ...
'' #85–92 (1991).
He first rose to prominence in the industry in 1992 for his work on Marvel's ''
Namor the Sub-Mariner
Namor (), also known as the Sub-Mariner, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Debuting in early 1939, the character was created by writer-artist Bill Everett for comic book packager Funnies Inc ...
'', taking over the art duties from
John Byrne, who continued on the series as writer.
Terry Kavanagh
Terrence "Terry" Kavanagh ( ; born July 9) is an American comic book editor and writer.
Career
Kavanagh was a Marvel Comics editor from 1985 to 1997. Titles he edited during that time included ''Marvel Comics Presents'' and ''Nick Fury, Agent ...
, Lee's editor on both ''Marvel Comics Presents'' and ''Namor'', later said he assigned Lee to ''Namor'' because he liked his style and felt that, as a new artist, he would benefit from working with an experienced writer. Lee continued when
Bob Harras
Robert Harras (born January 11, 1959''Comics Buyer's Guide'' #1650; February 2009; page 107) is an American comics writer and editor, who was editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics from 1995 to 2000 and editor-in-chief of DC Comics from 2010 to 2020. ...
became the writer, drawing issues #26–38 (May 1992–May 1993). As penciller of ''
X-Factor
''The X Factor'' is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for ''Pop Idol'' (2001–2003) ...
'', Lee was one of the artists of the "
X-Cutioner's Song
"X-Cutioner's Song" is a crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics' in twelve parts from November 1992 to early 1993. It ran in ''Uncanny X-Men'', ''X-Men'' (vol. 2), ''X-Factor'', and '' X-Force'', and featured Stryfe as the central villai ...
" storyline which ran throughout the X-Men titles in 1992. The following year, Lee drew the three issue ''
Youngblood Strikefile
Youngblood is a superhero team that starred in their self-titled comic book, created by writer/artist Rob Liefeld. The team made its debut as a backup feature in the 1987 RAMM #1 before the next month appearing in the one-shot ''Megaton Explosio ...
'' 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
Awesome Comics or Awesome Entertainment (also known as Awesome-Hyperwerks when briefly joined with Hyperwerks Entertainment) was an American comic book studio formed in 1997 by Rob Liefeld following his expulsion from Image Comics, a company he ...
at
Image Comics
Image Comics is an American comic book publisher and is the third largest comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry in both unit and market share. It was founded in 1992 by several high-profile illustrators as a venue for creator-o ...
and the three issue ''
WildC.A.T.s Trilogy'' for
Jim Lee
Jim Lee (Korean 이용철; born August 11, 1964) is a Korean American comic-book artist, writer, editor, and publisher. He is currently the Publisher and Chief Creative Officer of DC Comics. In recognition of his work, Lee has received a Harvey ...
's
WildStorm
Wildstorm Productions, (stylized as WildStorm), is an American comic book imprint. Originally founded as an independent company established by Jim Lee under the name "Aegis Entertainment" and expanded in subsequent years by other creators, Wild ...
, another founding Image Comics studio. In 1994, Jae Lee produced a creator-owned Image Comics series, ''
Hellshock'', a story about a fallen angel that he wrote and illustrated.
In 1998, Lee and writer
Paul Jenkins crafted an ''
Inhumans
The Inhumans are a fictional superhuman race of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The comic book series has usually focused more specifically on the adventures of the Inhuman Royal Family, and many peop ...
'' limited series, for which they won the 1999
Eisner Award
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, are List of Eisner Award winners, prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books, sometimes referred to as the comics industry's equivalent of the Acad ...
for Best New Series.
They later reteamed on ''
The Sentry
Sentry or The Sentry may refer to:
Comics
*Sentry (Kree)
* Sentry (Curtis Elkins)
*Sentry (Robert Reynolds)
* Senator Ward (comics) or Sentry
Vehicles
* Sentry (AUV), an autonomous underwater vehicle used to measure deep-ocean data
*E-3 Sentry AW ...
''. Lee and writer
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison, MBE (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. Their work is known for its nonlinear narratives, humanist philosophy and countercultural leanings. Morrison has written extensively for th ...
produced the four-issue miniseries ''
Fantastic Four: 1234'' (Oct. 2001–Feb. 2002), which garnered Lee a nomination for a 2002 Eisner Award as Best Cover Artist. In 2003, Lee, writer
John Ney Rieber
John Ney Rieber is an American comic book writer.
Career
John Ney Rieber's first professional work in comics was scripting over the finished pages of the graphic novel '' Tell Me, Dark'', conceived by his late friend and mentor Karl Edward Wag ...
, and Lee's wife, colorist June Chung, produced a ''
Transformers/G.I. Joe'' six-issue miniseries for
Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996. Best known for its comic book adaptations of Transformers, the company shut down on January 4, 2005.
History
Brothers Pat Lee and Roger Lee founde ...
, which took place in an alternate
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
setting.
Beginning in 2007, Lee worked with artist
Richard Isanove
Richard Isanove (born 1968) is a French artist and painter working in the American comic book industry.
Early life
Richard Isanove was born in the south of France, studied film and animation at the Ecole nationale superieure des arts decoratifs ...
and writers
Robin Furth
Robin Furth is the personal research assistant to Stephen King and the author of Stephen King's '' The Dark Tower: A Complete Concordance'', which was published by Scribner on December 5, 2006. It is a compilation of her two previous encyclopedic ...
and
Peter David
Peter Allen David (born September 23, 1956), often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films and video games.Buxton, Marc (March 29, 2014)"From 'Future Imperfect' to '2099': Peter David's Greatest Hits" Co ...
on Marvel Comics' ''
The Dark Tower'' comic series, based on
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high s ...
's ''
The Dark Tower'' novels. Lee illustrated the first three miniseries in that series, ''
The Gunslinger Born'', ''
The Long Road Home
''The Long Road Home: The Ultimate John Fogerty/Creedence Collection'' is a compilation album by American roots rock singer-songwriter John Fogerty, released on November 1, 2005, by Fantasy Records. It compiles songs from Fogerty's solo career an ...
'' and ''
Treachery''. He returned for the fifth book in the series, ''
Battle of Jericho Hill''. He also provided cover and interior illustrations for the
Donald M. Grant
Donald Metcalf Grant (April 3, 1927 – August 19, 2009) was an American publisher.
Biography
He was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1927 and graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1949. Grant's interest in fantasy and science ...
edition of King's eighth ''Dark Tower'' novel, ''
The Wind Through the Keyhole
''The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole'' is a fantasy novel by American writer Stephen King. As part of ''The Dark Tower'' series, it is the eighth novel, but it is set chronologically between volumes four and five. First mentioned by Ki ...
'', which was released February 21, 2012.
At
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. ( doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery.
DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with the ...
, Lee worked on the ''
Before Watchmen
''Before Watchmen'' is a series of comic books published by DC Comics in 2012. Acting as a prequel to the 1986 12-issue ''Watchmen'' limited series by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, the project consists of eight limited series and on ...
'' project, drawing the mini-series ''
Ozymandias
"Ozymandias" ( ) is a sonnet written by the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822). It was first published in the 11 January 1818 issue of '' The Examiner'' of London.
The poem was included the following year in Shelley's c ...
'' (Sept. 2012–April 2013) written by
Len Wein
Leonard Norman Wein (; June 12, 1948 – September 10, 2017) was an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men ...
. He illustrated ''
Batman/Superman
''Superman/Batman'' is a monthly comic book series published by DC Comics that features the publisher's two most popular superheroes: Superman and Batman. ''Superman/Batman'' premiered in August 2003, an update of the previous series, ''World' ...
'' in 2013–2014 with writer
Greg Pak.
Awards and nominations
*1999 Eisner Award for Best New Series, for ''
Inhumans
The Inhumans are a fictional superhuman race of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The comic book series has usually focused more specifically on the adventures of the Inhuman Royal Family, and many peop ...
'' vol. 2, with Paul Jenkins
*Nominated: 2002 Eisner Award for Best Cover Artist, for ''
Our Worlds at War
"Our Worlds at War" was a comic book storyline, published by DC Comics in mid-2001. OWAW was a crossover storyline that spanned several different books, including several books starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, ...
'' and ''
Fantastic Four: 1234''
Bibliography
Comics
DC Comics
*''
Action Comics
''Action Comics'' is an American comic book/ magazine series that introduced Superman, one of the first major superhero characters. The publisher was originally known as National Allied Publications, and later as National Comics Publications ...
'' vol. 2 #38 (among other artists) (2015)
*''
Batman
Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on March 30, 1939. I ...
: Jekyll & Hyde'' miniseries, #1–3 (of 6) (2005)
*''
Batman/Superman
''Superman/Batman'' is a monthly comic book series published by DC Comics that features the publisher's two most popular superheroes: Superman and Batman. ''Superman/Batman'' premiered in August 2003, an update of the previous series, ''World' ...
'' #1–4, 8–9, 13, ''Annual'' #1 (2013–2014)
*''
Before Watchmen
''Before Watchmen'' is a series of comic books published by DC Comics in 2012. Acting as a prequel to the 1986 12-issue ''Watchmen'' limited series by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, the project consists of eight limited series and on ...
:
Ozymandias
"Ozymandias" ( ) is a sonnet written by the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822). It was first published in the 11 January 1818 issue of '' The Examiner'' of London.
The poem was included the following year in Shelley's c ...
'' miniseries, #1–6 (2012–2013)
*''
Fables'' #146 (among other artists) (2015)
*''
Superman
Superman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and debuted in the comic book '' Action Comics'' #1 ( cover-dated June 1938 and pu ...
: American Alien'' #4 (2016)
Image Comics
*''
The Darkness: Prelude'' (2003)
*''The Darkness and
Tomb Raider
''Tomb Raider'', also known as ''Lara Croft: Tomb Raider'' from 2001 to 2008, is a media franchise that originated with an action-adventure video game series created by British gaming company Core Design. Formerly owned by Eidos Interactive, ...
'' (2005)
*''Hellshock'' #1–4 (1994)
*''Hellshock'', vol. 2, #1–3 (1997–1998)
*''Hellshock'', vol. 2, ''The Definitive Edition'' (2007)
*''Seven Sons'' (2022)
*''
WildC.A.T.s
Wildcats, sometimes rendered WildCats or WildC.A.T.s, is a superhero team created by the American comic book artist Jim Lee and writer Brandon Choi.
Publication history
The team first appeared in August 1992 in the first issue of their epon ...
: Trilogy'', miniseries, #1–3 (1993)
*''
Witchblade: Demon'' (2003)
*''Witchblade and Tomb Raider'' (2005)
*''
Youngblood: Strikefile'', miniseries, #1–3 (1993)
Marvel Comics
*''
Captain America
Captain America is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character First appearance, first appeared in ''#Golden Age, Captain America Comics'' #1 (cover ...
'' vol. 4 #10–16 (2003)
*''
Daredevil
Daredevil may refer to:
* A stunt performer
Arts and media Comics
* Daredevil (Lev Gleason Publications), a fictional 1940s superhero popularized by writer-artist Charles Biro
* Daredevil (Marvel Comics character), a Marvel comic book superhero ...
'' vol. 2 #65 (among other artists) (2004)
*''
Dark Tower'':
**''
The Gunslinger Born'' miniseries #1–7 (2007)
**''
The Long Road Home
''The Long Road Home: The Ultimate John Fogerty/Creedence Collection'' is a compilation album by American roots rock singer-songwriter John Fogerty, released on November 1, 2005, by Fantasy Records. It compiles songs from Fogerty's solo career an ...
'' miniseries #1–5 (2008)
**''
Treachery'' miniseries #1–6 (2008–2009)
**''
The Battle of Jericho Hill'' miniseries #1–5 (2010)
*''
Excalibur
Excalibur () is the legendary sword of King Arthur, sometimes also attributed with magical powers or associated with the rightful sovereignty of Britain. It was associated with the Arthurian legend very early on. Excalibur and the Sword in th ...
vs.
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, first appearing in Uncanny X-Men, ''The X-Men'' #1 by artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and writer/editor Stan Lee in 1963. Although initially cancelled in ...
: XX Crossing Special'' (among other artists) (1992)
*''
Fantastic Four: 1234'' #1–4 (2001–2002)
*''
Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of ''The Incredible Hulk (comic book), The Incredible Hulk' ...
&
Thing
Thing or The Thing may refer to:
Philosophy
* An object
* Broadly, an entity
* Thing-in-itself (or ''noumenon''), the reality that underlies perceptions, a term coined by Immanuel Kant
* Thing theory, a branch of critical theory that focuse ...
: Hard Knocks'' miniseries #1–4 (2004–2005)
*''
The Incredible Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of '' The Incredible Hulk'' (May 1962). In his comic book a ...
'' vol. 3 #82 (2005)
*''
Inhumans
The Inhumans are a fictional superhuman race of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The comic book series has usually focused more specifically on the adventures of the Inhuman Royal Family, and many peop ...
'' vol. 2 #1–12 (1998–1999)
*''
Marvel Comics Presents
''Marvel Comics Presents'' was an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics originally from 1988 to 1995. It returned for a second volume in 2007–2008, and a third volume that started in 2019.
Volume 1
The first volume ...
'' #85–92 (
Beast feature) (among other artists) (1991)
*''
Namor the Sub-Mariner
Namor (), also known as the Sub-Mariner, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Debuting in early 1939, the character was created by writer-artist Bill Everett for comic book packager Funnies Inc ...
'' #26–38 (1992–1993)
*''
The Sentry
Sentry or The Sentry may refer to:
Comics
*Sentry (Kree)
* Sentry (Curtis Elkins)
*Sentry (Robert Reynolds)
* Senator Ward (comics) or Sentry
Vehicles
* Sentry (AUV), an autonomous underwater vehicle used to measure deep-ocean data
*E-3 Sentry AW ...
'' miniseries #1–5 (2000–2001)
*''Sentry vs. The Void'' (2001)
*''
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the Si ...
'' #41–43 (1993–1994)
*''
Ultimate Fantastic Four'' #19–20 (2005)
*''
Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual'' #1 (2005)
*''
Uncanny X-Men
''Uncanny X-Men'', originally published as ''The X-Men'', is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics since 1963, and is the longest-running series in the X-Men comics franchise. It features a team of superheroes called the X- ...
'' #304 (among other artists) (1993)
*''Uncanny X-Men Annual'' #16 (1992)
*''
X-Factor
''The X Factor'' is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for ''Pop Idol'' (2001–2003) ...
'' #84–86 (1992–1993)
*''
Young Avengers Special'' #1 (among other artists) (2006)
Other publishers
*''
Transformers / G.I. Joe'' #1–6 (
Dreamwave
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996. Best known for its comic book adaptations of Transformers, the company shut down on January 4, 2005.
History
Brothers Pat Lee and Roger Lee founde ...
, 2003)
*''Verotika'' #3 (
Verotik
Verotik is an American comic book company founded by heavy metal/horror punk musician Glenn Danzig. The comics are aimed toward adult readers as they often contain imagery of a sexual and/or violent nature.
The company's two longest-running tit ...
, 1995)
Books
*''The Illustrated
Dracula
''Dracula'' is a novel by Bram Stoker, published in 1897. As an epistolary novel, the narrative is related through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles. It has no single protagonist, but opens with solicitor Jonathan Harker taki ...
'' by
Bram Stoker
Abraham Stoker (8 November 1847 – 20 April 1912) was an Irish author who is celebrated for his 1897 Gothic horror novel '' Dracula''. During his lifetime, he was better known as the personal assistant of actor Sir Henry Irving and busi ...
(
Viking Studio, 2006)
*''The Dark Tower:
The Wind Through the Keyhole
''The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole'' is a fantasy novel by American writer Stephen King. As part of ''The Dark Tower'' series, it is the eighth novel, but it is set chronologically between volumes four and five. First mentioned by Ki ...
'' by
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high s ...
- Limited Edition (
Donald M. Grant, Publisher, 2012)
Film
Jae Lee provided the artwork for the portrait of
Death
Death is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism. For organisms with a brain, death can also be defined as the irreversible cessation of functioning of the whole brain, including brainstem, and brain ...
in the 2019 animated short ''
DC Showcase: Death'', as well as several sketch drawings seen during the end credits.
References
External links
*
Jae Leeat The Art of Jae Lee
*
Jae Leeat Mike's Amazing World of Comics
at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Jae
1972 births
20th-century American artists
21st-century American artists
American comics artists
American comics writers
American people of Korean descent
DC Comics people
Living people
Marvel Comics people
People from Fairfax County, Virginia