Jon J Muth (; born July 28, 1960) is an American writer and illustrator of

children's book Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. Modern children's literature is classified in two different ways: genre or the intended age of the reader. Children's ...

s as well as graphic novels and comic books.

Career

Muth studied stone sculpture and ''shodō'' ( 書道) (brush calligraphy) in Japan; and studied painting, printmaking, and drawing in England, Austria, and Germany. In the comics industry, his works include

J. M. DeMatteis John Marc DeMatteis (; born December 15, 1953) is an American writer of comic books, television and novels. Biography Early career J. M. DeMatteis's earliest aspirations were to be a rock musician and comic book artist. He began playing in ban ...

graphic novel A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...

'' Moonshadow'',

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 ...

's '' The Mystery Play'', Neil Gaiman's '' The Sandman: The Wake'' with

Michael Zulli Michael Zulli is an American artist known for his work as an animal and wildlife illustrator and as a comic book illustrator. Career Michael Zulli's career in the comics industry began in October 1986 with ''The Puma Blues'', on which he collabo ...

and

Charles Vess Charles Vess (born June 10, 1951) is an American fantasy artist and comics artist who has specialized in the illustration of myths and fairy tales. His influences include British "Golden Age" book illustrator Arthur Rackham, Czech Art Nouveau ...

, Mike Carey's '' Lucifer: Nirvana'' and '' Swamp Thing: Roots''. He worked with writers Walt and

Louise Simonson Louise Simonson (née Mary Louise Alexander; born September 26, 1946) is an American comic book writer and editor. She is best known for her work on comic book titles such as ''Conan the Barbarian'', '' Power Pack'', ''X-Factor'', ''New Mutants'', ...

and co-artist Kent Williams on '' Havok and

Wolverine The wolverine (), (''Gulo gulo''; ''Gulo'' is Latin for " glutton"), also referred to as the glutton, carcajou, or quickhatch (from East Cree, ''kwiihkwahaacheew''), is the largest land-dwelling species of the family Mustelidae. It is a muscul ...

: Meltdown'' in 1988. That series was a result of Williams and Muth's desire to work on a project together. Muth received an Eisner Award in the category "Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (Interior Art)" in 1995 for his work on ''The Mystery Play''. In addition, Muth has had an award-winning career as a children's book writer and illustrator. He explained that "A sense of joy is what moved me from comics to picture books. My work in children's books grew out of a desire to explore what I was feeling as a new father." He received a Gold Medal from the

Society of Illustrators The Society of Illustrators is a professional society based in New York City. It was founded in 1901 to promote the art of illustration and, since 1959, has held an annual exhibition. History Founding The Society of Illustrators was founded on ...

in 1999 for his illustrations in ''Come On, Rain!'' by Karen Hesse. Muth created a version of the stone soup

fable Fable is a literary genre: a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse (poetry), verse, that features animals, legendary creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that are Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphized, and that illustrat ...

set in China and illustrated cards for the ''

Magic: The Gathering ''Magic: The Gathering'' (colloquially known as ''Magic'' or ''MTG'') is a Tabletop game, tabletop and Digital collectible card game, digital Collectible card game, collectable card game created by Richard Garfield. Released in 1993 by Wizards ...

'' collectible card game. In 2005, Muth collaborated with author

Caroline Kennedy Caroline Bouvier Kennedy (born November 27, 1957) is an American author, attorney, and diplomat serving in the Biden administration as the United States Ambassador to Australia since 2022. She previously served in the Obama administration as th ...

on ''A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children''.

Bibliography

Muth has authored and illustrated a number of books for a variety of publishing houses.

Art collections

* ''Vanitas: Paintings, Drawings and Ideas''

Tundra Publishing Tundra Publishing was a Northampton, Massachusetts-based comic book publisher founded by Kevin Eastman in 1990. The company was founded to provide a venue for adventurous, creator-owned work by talented cartoonists and illustrators. Its publicat ...

, 1991 * ''Pictures Places Stone'' Allen Spiegel Fine Arts, 1993 * ''Koan: Paintings by Jon J Muth & Kent Williams'' with Kent Williams, Allen Spiegel Fine Arts, November 2001,

Children's books authored and illustrated

* ''The Three Questions'', Scholastic Press, April 2002, * ''Stone Soup'', Scholastic Press, March 2003, * '' Zen Shorts'', Scholastic Press, March 2005, * '' Zen Ties'', Scholastic Press, February 2008, * ''Zen Ghosts'', Scholastic Press, September 2010, * ''Hi, Koo!'', Scholastic Press, February 2014, * ''Zen Socks'', Scholastic Press, September 2015, * ''Mama Lion Wins the Race'', Scholastic Press, August 2017, * ''Zen Happiness'', Scholastic Press, January 2019, *Addy's Cup of Sugar, October 20, 2020 ISBN 978-0439634281 Theater Adaptation * ''Zen Shorts'', Adapted for stage by Rogue Artists Ensemble, 2015 T.V. Adaptations * Stillwater, Apple TV+, 2020-

Children's books illustrated

* ''Come On, Rain'' with author Karen Hesse, Scholastic Press, March 1999, * ''Putnam and Pennyroyal'' with author Patrick Jennings, Scholastic Press, November 1999, * ''Gershon's Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year'' with author

Eric A. Kimmel Eric A. Kimmel (born 1946) is an American author of more than 50 children's books. His works include Caldecott Medal, Caldecott Honor Book ''Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins'' (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners ...

, Scholastic Press, September 2000, * '' Why I Will Never Ever Ever Ever Have Enough Time to Read This Book'' with author Remy Charlip,

Tricycle Press Ten Speed Press is a publishing house founded in Berkeley, California in 1971 by Phil Wood. Ten Speed Press was bought by Random House in February 2009 and is now part of their Crown Publishing Group division. History Wood worked with Barnes & N ...

, September 2000, * ''Our Gracie Aunt'' with author

Jacqueline Woodson Jacqueline Woodson (born February 12, 1963) is an American writer of books for children and adolescents. She is best known for ''Miracle's Boys'', and her Newbery Honor-winning titles ''Brown Girl Dreaming'', ''After Tupac and D Foster'', ''Feat ...

, Jump At The Sun, April 2002, * ''Old Turtle and the Broken Truth'' with author Douglas Wood, Scholastic Press, October 2003, * ''No Dogs Allowed!'' with author

Sonia Manzano Sonia Manzano (born 1950) is an American actress, screenwriter, author, singer and songwriter. She is best known for playing Maria on ''Sesame Street'' from 1971 to 2015. She received a Lifetime Achievement Daytime Emmy Award in 2016. Her mem ...

Atheneum Books Atheneum Books was a New York City publishing house established in 1959 by Alfred A. Knopf, Jr., Simon Michael Bessie and Hiram Haydn. Simon & Schuster has owned Atheneum properties since its acquisition of Macmillan in 1994 and it created Athen ...

, April 2004, * ''A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children'' with author Caroline Kennedy, Hyperion Books, September 2005, * ''I Will Hold You 'till You Sleep'' with author Linda Zuckerman, Scholastic Press, October 2006, * ''Mr. George Baker'' with author Amy Hest,

Walker Books Walker Books is a British publisher of children's books, founded in 1978 by Sebastian Walker, Amelia Edwards, and Wendy Boase. In 1991, the success of Walker Books' ''Where's Wally?'' series enabled the company to expand into the American ma ...

, June 2007, *''A Family Christmas'' with selection by Caroline Kennedy, Hachette Books; First edition, October 2007, * ''Stonecutter'' with author John Kuramoto, Feiwel & Friends, April 2009, * ''The Christmas Magic'' with author Lauren Thompson, Scholastic Press, September 2009, * ''City Dog, Country Frog'' with author Mo Willems, Hyperion Books, June 2010, *''Poems to Learn by Heart'' with author Caroline Kennedy, Disney-Hyperion; First edition, March 2013,

Comics/graphic novels

* '' Epic Illustrated'' #12, 19–21, 24, 31,

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 ...

, June 1982 – August 1985 * '' Moonshadow'' #1–12 with author

, Marvel Comics/

Epic Comics Epic Comics (also known as the Epic Comics Group)Shooter, Jim. "Bullpen Bulletins: The Truth About the Epic Comics Group!" Marvel comics cover-dated November 1982. was an imprint of Marvel Comics from 1982 to 1996. A spin-off of the publisher's ...

, March 1985 – February 1987, collected as ''The Compleat Moonshadow'' which also includes ''Farewell Moonshadow'', DC Comics, February 1998, * ''Dracula: A Symphony in Moonlight and Nightmares'', Marvel Comics, 1986, ;

NBM Publishing Nantier Beall Minoustchine Publishing Inc. (or NBM Publishing) is an American graphic novel publisher. Founded by Terry Nantier in 1976 as Flying Buttress Publications, NBM is one of the oldest graphic novel publishers in North America. The compa ...

, January 1993 * ''

New Mutants The New Mutants are a group of fictional mutant superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, generally in association with the X-Men. Originally depicted as the teenaged junior class at the Xavier Institute, subs ...

'' #62 with author Louise Simonson, Marvel Comics, April 1988 * '' Havok and

: Meltdown'' #1–4 with authors

Walt Simonson Walter Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is an American comic book writer and artist, best known for a run on Marvel Comics' ''Thor'' from 1983 to 1987, during which he created the character Beta Ray Bill. He is also known for the creator-owned w ...

and artist Kent Williams, Marvel Comics/Epic Comics, 1988–1989, collected edition March 2003, * ''M'' #1–4 based on the screenplay by

Fritz Lang Friedrich Christian Anton Lang (; December 5, 1890 – August 2, 1976), known as Fritz Lang, was an Austrian film director, screenwriter, and producer who worked in Germany and later the United States.Obituary ''Variety'', August 4, 1976, p. 6 ...

Eclipse Comics Eclipse Comics was an American comic book publisher, one of several independent publishers during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1978, it published the first graphic novel intended for the newly created comic book specialty store market. It was ...

, 1990–1992, collected edition Abrams Books, April 2008, * ''Ray Bradbury Comics'' #5 comics adaptation of Bradbury's story "The April Witch",

Topps Comics Topps Comics was a division of Topps, Topps Company, Inc. that published comic books from 1993 to 1998, beginning its existence during a short comics-industry boom that attracted many investors and new companies. It was based in New York City, at ...

, October 1993 * '' The Mystery Play'' with author

, DC Comics, January 1994, * ''The Mythology of an Abandoned City''

, June 1994, * '' The Sandman: The Wake'' contributed the story "Exiles" with author Neil Gaiman, DC Comics, December 1996, * ''

Swamp Thing The Swamp Thing is a superhero in American comic books published by DC Comics. A humanoid/plant elemental creature, created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson, the Swamp Thing has had several humanoid or monster incarnations in v ...

: Roots'' DC Comics, March 1998, 978-1563893773 * ''

Silver Surfer The Silver Surfer is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character also appears in a number of movies, television, and video game adaptations. The character was created by Jack Kirby and first a ...

'' #139–145 (#143–144 covers only) with author J. M. DeMatteis, Marvel Comics, 1998 * '' 9-11: Artists Respond, Volume One'' "Prayer" two-page story,

Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, and manga publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, Oregon comic book shops know ...

, January 2002 * ''

Global Frequency ''Global Frequency'' is an American comic book limited series created and written by Warren Ellis and published by Wildstorm Productions, an imprint of DC Comics. It is a science-fiction series set in the present day, consisting of single-issue, ...

: Planet Ablaze'' contributed the story "Big Skys" with author

Warren Ellis Warren Girard Ellis (born 16 February 1968) is a British comic book writer, novelist, and screenwriter. He is best known as the co-creator of several original comics series, including ''Transmetropolitan'' (1997–2002), ''Global Frequency'' ( ...

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 ...

, February 2004, * '' Lucifer, Book 11: Evensong'' contributed the story "Nirvana" with author Mike Carey, DC Comics, January 2007,
''The Seventh Voyage: Star Diaries''
Author: Stanislaw Lem , Illustrator: Jon J Muth , Translator: Michael Kandel, Graphix, October 2019,

Awards

Books

*''The Seventh Voyage'' **2020, ''Eisner Nomination,'' Best Adaptation from Another Medium *''Moonshadow: The Definitive Edition'' **2020, ''Eisner Nomination'', Best Archival Collection/ Project-Comic Books **2019, ''Broken Frontier Award'', Best Collection of Classic Material *''Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons'' **2016, ''Beehive Book Award'', Winner in the Poetry Division *''Zen Socks'' ** 2015, ''A Junior Library Guild Selection'' *''City Dog, Country Frog'' **2010, ''A Junior Library Guild Selection'' *''A Christmas Magic'' **2010, ''Ohioana: The Hamilton County Committee Program''; In honor of Hamilton County Authors and Composers *''Stonecutter'' **2010, ''Ohioana: The Hamilton County Committee Program''; In honor of Hamilton County Authors and Composers *''Zen Ties'' ** 2009, ''Illustrator of the Year,'' The Children's Choice Book Award ** 2009, ''The Frances & Wesley Bock Book Award,'' Neumann University **2009, ''Children's Choice Book Awards,'' Children's Book Council ** 2008, ''Children’s Picture Book Award'', New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association *''Zen Shorts'' **2006, ''Caldecott Honor Book'', The Association for Library Service to Children **2006, ''Book Sense Book of the Year'', American Booksellers Association **2005, ''Children’s Picture Book Award'', New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association *''The Three Questions'' **2002, ''Children's Media Honor, Achievement in Picture Books'', Parent's Guide to Children's Media, Inc., Board of Directors **2002, ''HONORS Award, National Children's Publications Awards ,'' National Parenting Publications Awards *''Gershon's Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year'' ** 2000, ''Sydney Taylor Book Award,'' The Association of Jewish Libraries * ''Come On, Rain'' ** 1999, ''Gold Medal'', The Society of Illustrators *''The Mystery Play'' **1995, ''Best Painter'', Will Eisner Comics Industry Award *''The Mythology of an Abandoned City'' ** 1993, ''Best Graphic Album'' nomination, Will Eisner Comics Industry Award

Other

* Stillwater, Apple TV+ Television Series ** 2021, Nomination, ''Annie Award'' ** 2021, Nomination, ''Emmy Award'' ** 2021, Recipient, ''Peabody Award''

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Muth, Jon J 1960 births 20th-century American artists 21st-century American artists American children's book illustrators American children's writers American comics artists American comics writers Artists from Cincinnati DC Comics people Eisner Award winners for Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (Interior) Game artists Living people Marvel Comics people