Richard Howell (born November 16, 1955) is an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

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 ...

best known as the co-founder and editor of Claypool Comics.

Career

Richard Howell entered the comics industry in 1977 with his self-published series ''Portia Prinz of the Glamazons''. Beginning in 1980, he and his partner

Carol Kalish Carol Kalish (February 14, 1955Kraft, David Anthony. 1984, "Sales Director Carol Kalish: Marvel's Direct Sales Manager Tells Her Side," ''Comics Interview'', vol. 1, no. 18, pp. 57-71. – September 5, 1991) was an American writer, editor, comic bo ...

co-edited the

New Media/Irjax New Media Distribution/Irjax Enterprises was a comic book distributor and publisher active from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. In 1978, the company's legal actions against the dominant distributor of the era, Sea Gate Distributors, widened the fi ...

line of magazines. They also ran the New Media/Irjax-owned Boston-area

distributor A distributor is an enclosed rotating switch used in spark-ignition internal combustion engines that have mechanically timed ignition. The distributor's main function is to route high voltage current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs ...

Solar Spice and Liquors, named after a fictional corporation created by

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

writer

Poul Anderson Poul William Anderson (November 25, 1926 – July 31, 2001) was an American fantasy and science fiction author who was active from the 1940s until the 21st century. Anderson wrote also historical novels. His awards include seven Hugo Awards and ...

. Howell replaced Peter B. Gillis as editorial director of New Media/Irjax in June 1981. Howell began working for

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, 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 Co ...

in 1982 and

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 thei ...

in 1983. Writer

Tony Isabella Tony Isabella (born December 22, 1951) is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, artist and critic, known as the creator and writer of Marvel Comics' Black Goliath; DC Comics' first major African-American superhero, Black Lightning; and as ...

and Howell produced ''The Shadow War of

Hawkman Hawkman is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in ''Flash Comics'' #1, published by All-American ...

limited series Limited series may refer to: *Limited series, individual storylines within an anthology series *Limited series, a particular run of collectables, usually individually numbered *Limited series (comics), a comics series with a predetermined number of ...

in 1985 and an ongoing ''Hawkman'' series the following year. Howell and writer

Steve Englehart Steve Englehart (; born April 22, 1947) is an American writer of comic books and novels. He is best known for his work at Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s and 1980s. His pseudonyms have included John Harkness and Cliff Garnett. Early li ...

crafted a twelve-issue ''

The Vision and the Scarlet Witch ''The Vision and the Scarlet Witch'' is a series of comic books published by Marvel Comics. The primary characters of these comics star the Vision and Scarlet Witch, known as a couple and are two longtime members of the Avengers. Publication hist ...

'' limited series in 1985-1986, wherein the

Scarlet Witch Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. Her first appearance was in ''The X-Men'' #4 (March 1964) ...

became pregnant. With co-editor Jesse Reyes, he relaunched the

Vampirella Vampirella () is a fictional vampire superheroine created by Forrest J Ackerman and comic book artist Trina Robbins in Warren Publishing's black-and-white horror comics magazine ''Vampirella'' #1 (Sept. 1969), a sister publication of ''Creepy'' ...

character at

Harris Comics Harris Publications Inc. was an American special interest media company, operating over 75 brands with print, digital, mobile and live event platforms prior to its sale to Athlon Media in 2016. It produced magazines that educate, entertain, inf ...

and co-founded Claypool Comics with Ed Via in 1993. Howell served as editor of Claypool's line throughout its existence. Claypool announced in July 2006 that the print end of its published line would cease, as

Diamond Comic Distributors Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. (often called Diamond Comics, DCD, or casually Diamond) is an American comic book distributor serving retailers in North America and worldwide. They transport comic books and graphic novels, as well as other po ...

, the industry's major distribution arm, would no longer carry it. ''Deadbeats'' continues as a webcomic at the Claypool Comics website.

Personal life

Howell and Kalish were longtime residents of

Leonia, New Jersey Leonia is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, the borough's population was 8,937,Elvira, Mistress of the Dark'' #1–166 (1993–2007) * ''Phantom of Fear City'' #1–12 (1993–1995) * ''Soulsearchers and Company'' #1–82 (1993–2007)

Comico

* ''

Jonny Quest ''Jonny Quest'' is a science fiction-adventure media franchise that revolves around the titular boy named Jonny Quest, who accompanies his scientist father on extraordinary adventures. The franchise started with a 1964–1965 television serie ...

Special'' #1–2 (1988)

DC Comics

* ''

Action Comics Weekly ''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 and ...

'' #615–620 (1988) * ''

All-Star Squadron The All-Star Squadron is a DC Comics superhero team that debuted in ''Justice League, Justice League of America'' #193 (August 1981) and was created by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway. Although the team was introduced in the 1980s, its se ...

'' #27–28, 30, 36–37, 40, 57, ''Annual'' #3 (1983–1986) * ''

Blackhawk Black Hawk and Blackhawk may refer to: Animals * Black Hawk (horse), a Morgan horse that lived from 1833 to 1856 * Common black hawk, ''Buteogallus anthracinus'' * Cuban black hawk, ''Buteogallus gundlachii'' * Great black hawk, ''Buteogallus uru ...

'' #268, 273 (1984) * ''

DC Comics Presents ''DC Comics Presents'' is a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1978 to 1986 which ran for 97 issues and four ''Annual''s. It featured team-ups between Superman and a wide variety of other characters in the DC Universe. A recurring back ...

'' #95 (1986) * '' Firestorm the Nuclear Man'' #68 (1988) * ''

Green Lantern Green Lantern is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. They fight evil with the aid of rings that grant them a variety of extraordinary powers, all of which come from imagination, fearlessness, ...

'' vol. 2 #162 (1983) * ''

'' vol. 2 #1–16, ''Special'' #1 (1986–1987) * ''The Shadow War of Hawkman'' #1–4 (1985) * ''

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 publi ...

'' #661 (2007) * ''Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes'' #3–5 (1988) * '' Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe'' #5, 10, 14, 23 (1985–1987) * ''Who's Who: Update '87 '' #2–3, 5 (1987)

Desperado-Eastern Press

* ''Portia Prinz of the Glamazons'' #1–5 (1977–1978)

Dynamite Entertainment

* ''

Masters Series'' #5 (2011)

Eclipse Comics

* '' Alien Encounters'' #7 (1986) * ''

The DNAgents ''The DNAgents'' is a comic-book series created by writer Mark Evanier and artist Will Meugniot and published by Eclipse Comics in 1983. It was later picked up briefly by Antarctic Press. In June 2006, reprinted issues were collected into ''DNAge ...

'' #15, 17–19, 22 (1984–1985) * ''

The Liberty Project ''The Liberty Project'' is an American comic book series created by writer Kurt Busiek and artist James W. Fry. Publication history ''The Liberty Project'' was published by Eclipse Comics in 1987. It ran for eight issues until 1988 before its c ...

'' #6 (1987) * ''Merchants of Death'' #3–4 (1988) * ''New DNAgents'' #11 (1986) * ''Portia Prinz of the Glamazons'' #1–6 (1986–1987) * ''Surge'' #2 (1984) * ''Three Dimensional DNAgents'' #1 (1986)

Harris Comics

* ''

Creepy Creepiness is the state of being wikt:creepy, creepy, or causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or wikt:unease, unease. A person who exhibits creepy behaviour is called a creep. Certain traits or hobbies may make people seem creepy to others. The ...

1993 Fearbook'' (1993) * ''Vampirella's Summer Nights'' (1992) * ''Vampirella: Morning in America'' #3 (1991)

Marvel Comics

* '' Avengers 2000'' (2000) * ''Avengers Annual'' #19 (1990) * ''

Conan the Barbarian Conan the Barbarian (also known as Conan the Cimmerian) is a fictional sword and sorcery hero who originated in pulp magazines and has since been adapted to books, comics, films (including '' Conan the Barbarian'' and '' Conan the Destroyer'') ...

'' #145 (1983) * ''

The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones The ''Indiana Jones'' franchise has produced many comic books. Marvel Comics initially owned the rights before passing them to Dark Horse Comics in 1990. Marvel published adaptations of the films '' Raiders of the Lost Ark'', '' Indiana Jones a ...

'' #3 (1983) * ''Hero: Warrior of the Mystic Realms'' #5–6 (1990) * ''

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 ...

Special'' #1 (1990) * '' Iron Man Annual'' #11 (1990) * '' Marvel Comics Presents'' #18, 52, 60–63 (1989–1990) * ''

Marvel Fanfare ''Marvel Fanfare'' was an anthology comic book series published by American company Marvel Comics. It was a showcase title featuring a variety of characters from the Marvel universe. Volume one ''Marvel Fanfare'' featured characters and settings ...

'' #54-55, 59 (1990–1991) * ''

Marvel Super Special ''Marvel Comics Super Special'' was a 41-issue series of one-shot comic-magazines published by Marvel Comics from 1977 to 1986. They were cover-priced $1.50 to $2.50, while regular color comics were priced 30 cents to 60 cents, Beginning with issue ...

'' #24 (''

The Dark Crystal ''The Dark Crystal'' is a 1982 dark fantasy film directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. It stars the voices of Stephen Garlick, Lisa Maxwell, Billie Whitelaw, Percy Edwards, and Barry Dennen. The film was produced by ITC Entertainment and The ...

'') (1982) * '' Moon Knight'' #34 (1983) * ''

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe The ''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe'' is an encyclopedic guide which details the fictional universe featured in Marvel Comics publications. The original 15-volume series was published in comic book format in 1982, followed by sporadic u ...

'' #5 (1983) * ''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition'' #6 (1986) * ''Open Space'' #4 (1990) * ''

Power Man and Iron Fist ''Power Man and Iron Fist'' (originally ''Luke Cage, Hero for Hire'' then ''Luke Cage, Power Man'') was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the superheroes Power Man and Iron Fist. Publication history ''He ...

'' #102, 105 (1984) * ''

'' vol. 2 #1–12 (1985–1986) * ''

Web of Spider-Man ''Web of Spider-Man'' is the name of two different monthly comic book series starring Spider-Man that have been published by Marvel Comics since 1985, the first volume of which ran for 129 issues between 1985 and 1995, and the second of which ran ...

'' #46 (1989) * '' What If...?'' vol. 2 #17 (1990) * ''

What The--?! ''What The--?!'' is a Marvel Comics comic book series self-parodying the Marvel Universe, similar in vein to the 1960s series '' Not Brand Echh''. It was billed as "The Marvel mag of mirth and mayhem!" The series ran for 26 issues, from August 19 ...

'' #3, 6–7, 17 (1988–1992) * '' Wolverine: Global Jeopardy'' #1 (1993)

Welsh Publishing

* ''The Adventures of Jell-O Man and Wobbly'' #1 (1991)

References

External links

*
Richard Howell
at Mike's Amazing World of Comics

at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators * {{DEFAULTSORT:Howell, Richard 1955 births 20th-century American artists 21st-century American artists American comics artists American comics writers DC Comics people Living people Marvel Comics people People from Leonia, New Jersey