Brent Anderson (born June 15, 1955) is an American
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 comics illustrators/artists in that they produce both the literar ...
known for his work on ''
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills'' and the comic book series ''
Astro City
''Astro City'', also known as ''Kurt Busiek's Astro City'', is an American superhero anthology comic book series centered on a fictional American city of that name. Created and written by Kurt Busiek, the series is mostly illustrated by Brent And ...
''.
Early life
In junior high school, Brent Anderson discovered the pantheon of characters in
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 ...
. The first Marvel comic he read was ''
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four, often abbreviated as FF, is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team debuted in '' The Fantastic Four'' #1 ( cover-dated November 1961), helping usher in a new level of realism i ...
'' #69, "By Ben Betrayed" (Dec. 1967),
"They were a family who had super-powers and helped each other out. I wanted to be part of a family like that," he says.
Anderson began writing and drawing his own comics on school binder paper, creating a pantheon of his own that included "Radium the Robot" and "The Chameleon".
After doing
fanzine
A fanzine (blend word, blend of ''fan (person), fan'' and ''magazine'' or ''zine'') is a non-professional and non-official publication produced by enthusiasts of a particular cultural phenomenon (such as a literary or musical genre) for the pleas ...
illustrations, Anderson's first professional comics work appeared in the mid-1970s in independent/underground publications such as ''All-Slug'', ''Tesserae'', and ''Venture''.
Career
Anderson was one of several artists to draw the comics adaptation of ''
Xanadu'' in ''
Marvel Super Special
''Marvel Comics Super Special'' was a 41-issue series of one-shot (comics), one-shot comic-magazines published by American company Marvel Comics from 1977 to 1986. They were cover-priced $1.50 to $2.50, while regular color comics were priced 30 cen ...
'' #17 (Summer 1980). In 1981, ''
Ka-Zar The Savage'', written by
Bruce Jones, became Anderson's first regular series.
The ''
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills'' graphic novel followed, as well as artwork on a number of Marvel Comics series, including the heroic space-opera ''
Strikeforce: Morituri''. During this period, Anderson was active doing artwork for independent publishers
Pacific Comics
Pacific Comics was a comic book Distribution (marketing), distributor and Comic book publisher, publisher active from 1971 to 1984. The company began as a San Diego, California, comic book shop owned by brothers Bill Schanes, Bill and Steve Schan ...
and
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 store, comic book specialty stor ...
,
including the innovative cinematic comic ''
Somerset Holmes''.
In 1995, Anderson co-created with writer
Kurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek ( ; born September 16, 1960) is an American comic book writer. His work includes the '' Marvels'' limited series, his own series titled '' Astro City'', a four-year run on '' The Avengers, Thunderbolts,'' and ''Superman.''
Early lif ...
and cover artist
Alex Ross
Nelson Alexander Ross (born January 22, 1970) is an American comic book creator, comic book writer and artist known primarily for his painted interiors, covers, and design work. He first became known with the 1994 miniseries ''Marvels'', on which ...
, the award-winning ''
Astro City
''Astro City'', also known as ''Kurt Busiek's Astro City'', is an American superhero anthology comic book series centered on a fictional American city of that name. Created and written by Kurt Busiek, the series is mostly illustrated by Brent And ...
''. Other work included
J. Michael Straczynski's ''Rising Stars: Untouchable'' spin-off series written by
Fiona Avery
Fiona Kai Avery (born September 13, 1974) is an American comic book and television writer. Avery was hired as a reference editor for the fifth season of ''Babylon 5'' and later continued in that role for the spin-off ''Crusade''. Avery contribut ...
covering the life story of special assassin Laurel Darkhaven.
Work continues on a 200-plus page graphic novel, ''Jar of Ashes'', written by
Shirley Johnston. Anderson worked with writer
Marv Wolfman
Marvin Arthur Wolfman (born May 13, 1946) is an American comic book and novelization writer. He worked on Marvel Comics's ''The Tomb of Dracula'', for which he and artist Gene Colan created the vampire-slayer Blade (character), Blade, and DC Comi ...
on a one-shot featuring
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, ...
and
Plastic Man
Plastic Man (Patrick "Eel" O'Brian) is a superhero featured in American comic books first appearing in ''Police Comics'' #1, originally published by Quality Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. Created by cartoonist Jack Cole (artist), Jack Co ...
entitled ''Green Lantern/Plastic Man: Weapons of Mass Deception'', released in December 2010. A ''
Phantom Stranger
The Phantom Stranger is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, of unspecified paranormal origins, who battles mysterious and occult forces, sometimes under their Vertigo (DC Comics), Vertigo imprint. The character ...
'' ongoing series written by
Dan DiDio
Dan DiDio (; born October 13, 1959) is an American writer, editor, and publisher who has worked in the television and comic book industries. From February 2010 until February 2020, he was the co-publisher of DC Comics, along with Jim Lee. '' Wizar ...
and drawn by Anderson began in September 2012. In June 2013, Busiek and Anderson relaunched their ''Astro City'' series as part of DC's
Vertigo
Vertigo is a condition in which a person has the sensation that they are moving, or that objects around them are moving, when they are not. Often it feels like a spinning or swaying movement. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, perspira ...
line. The ongoing ''Astro City'' series concluded as of issue #52 in 2018.
In April 2022, Anderson was reported among the more than three dozen comics creators who contributed to
Operation USA
Operation USA (also known as OpUSA, Operation California, or OpCal) is a non-profit humanitarian organization supporting health, education, and relief programs at home and abroad. The Organization is privately funded, receiving no assistance ...
's benefit anthology book, ''Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds'', a project spearheaded by
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing is an American publisher of comic books, graphic novels, art books, and comic strip collections. It was founded in 1999 as the publishing division of Idea and Design Works, LLC (IDW) and is recognized as the fifth-largest comic ...
Special Projects Editor
Scott Dunbier
Scott Dunbier is an American comic book editor, best known as the Special Projects Editor at IDW Publishing.
Career
Dunbier rose to prominence in the comic book industry as executive editor of the Wildstorm comic book line. After several years ...
, whose profits would be donated to relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees resulting from the February
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, , starting the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, conflict between the two countries which began in 2014. The fighting has caused hundreds of thou ...
. Anderson and
Kurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek ( ; born September 16, 1960) is an American comic book writer. His work includes the '' Marvels'' limited series, his own series titled '' Astro City'', a four-year run on '' The Avengers, Thunderbolts,'' and ''Superman.''
Early lif ...
teamed up to contribute a new ''
Astro City
''Astro City'', also known as ''Kurt Busiek's Astro City'', is an American superhero anthology comic book series centered on a fictional American city of that name. Created and written by Kurt Busiek, the series is mostly illustrated by Brent And ...
'' story to the anthology, which will harbor themes relevant to the events in Ukraine.
Art style
Anderson's work fits into the category of "realism" defined by
Neal Adams
Neal Adams (June 15, 1941 – April 28, 2022) was an American comic book artist. He was the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates, and was a Creator ownership, creators-rights advocate who helped secure a pension and re ...
, one of Anderson's many artistic influences.
Anderson's work is known for its focus on character. "My greatest joy in drawing comics comes when I've added nuance to a character with just the right expression and illustrated a scene that captures the perfect moment of mood. When the characters come to life I feel alive. That's why I've dedicated my professional life to creating comics."
Awards
*
Inkpot Award
The Inkpot Award is an honor bestowed annually since 1974 by Comic-Con International. It is given to professionals in the fields of comic books, comic strips, animation, science fiction, and related areas of popular culture, at Comic-Con Internati ...
, 1985
*
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 ...
** Best New Series, 1996
** Best Single Issue, 1996, 1997, 1998
** Best Continuing Series, 1997, 1998
** Best Serial Story, 1998
*
Harvey Award
The Harvey Awards are given for achievement in comic books. Named for writer-artist Harvey Kurtzman, the Harvey Awards were founded by Gary Groth in 1988, president of the publisher Fantagraphics, to be a successor to the Kirby Awards, which were ...
** Best New Series, 1996
** Best Single Issue or Story, 1996
** Best Graphic Album, previously released work, 1997
*
Don Thompson Award
** Best Achievement by Penciler, 1996
** Favorite Single Creative Team (with
Kurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek ( ; born September 16, 1960) is an American comic book writer. His work includes the '' Marvels'' limited series, his own series titled '' Astro City'', a four-year run on '' The Avengers, Thunderbolts,'' and ''Superman.''
Early lif ...
), 1998
Bibliography
DC Comics
* ''
9-11: The World's Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember, Volume Two'' (2002)
* ''
Action Comics
''Action Comics'' is an American comic book/Comic anthology, magazine series that introduced Superman, one of the first major superhero characters. The publisher was originally known as Detective Comics Inc., which later merged into National ...
'' vol. 2 #2 (2011)
* ''
Anima
Anima may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities
* Anima, in the Spira world in ''Final Fantasy'' games
* Anima, in the ''Fire Emblem'' game series
* Anima (comics), a DC Comics character
Film
* '' Anima – Symphonie pha ...
'' #7 (1994)
* ''
Batman: Gotham Knights'' #46 (2003)
* ''
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight'' #31 (1992)
* ''Batman: Turning Points'' #4 (2001)
* ''
Fanboy
A fan or fanatic, sometimes also termed an aficionado or enthusiast, is a person who exhibits strong interest or admiration for something or somebody, such as a celebrity, a sport, a sports team, a genre, a politician, a book, a movie, a video ...
'' #3 (1999)
* ''
Gen13: Medicine Song'' #1 (2001)
* ''
Green Lantern Legacy: The Last Will & Testament of Hal Jordan'' HC (2002)
* ''Green Lantern/
Plastic Man
Plastic Man (Patrick "Eel" O'Brian) is a superhero featured in American comic books first appearing in ''Police Comics'' #1, originally published by Quality Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. Created by cartoonist Jack Cole (artist), Jack Co ...
: Weapons of Mass Deception'' #1 (2011)
* ''
Judge Dredd
Judge Joseph Dredd is a fictional character created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra. He first appeared in the second issue of the British weekly anthology Comic book, comic ''2000 AD (comics), 2000 AD'' (1977). He is the magazi ...
: Legends of the Law'' #1–4 (1994–1995)
* ''
Night Force
''Night Force'' is the name of three comic book series published by American company DC Comics. The first series, written by Marv Wolfman and illustrated by Gene Colan, debuted in a special insert in ''The New Teen Titans'' #21 (July 1982). The se ...
'' vol. 2 #1–3 (1996–1997)
* ''
Phantom Stranger
The Phantom Stranger is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, of unspecified paranormal origins, who battles mysterious and occult forces, sometimes under their Vertigo (DC Comics), Vertigo imprint. The character ...
'' vol. 4 #0, #1–2, 4–5 (2012–2013)
* ''Silver Age: Green Lantern'' #1 (2000)
* ''
Superboy Annual'' #4 (1997)
* ''
Superman
Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...
'' #90–91, 185 (1994–2002)
* ''
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe'' #2, 4–5 (1985)
* ''
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a superheroine who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in ''All Star Comics'' Introducing Wonder Woman, #8, published October 21, 1941, with her first feature in ''Sensation Comic ...
Annual'' #4 (1995)
Vertigo
*''
Astro City
''Astro City'', also known as ''Kurt Busiek's Astro City'', is an American superhero anthology comic book series centered on a fictional American city of that name. Created and written by Kurt Busiek, the series is mostly illustrated by Brent And ...
'' vol. 3 #1–11, 13–16, 18–21, 23–24, 26, 29–30, 32–34, 37–38, 41, 43, 45–46, 49–52 (2013–2018)
Wildstorm
*''Astro City'' vol. 2 #16–22 (1999–2000)
*''Astro City: A Visitor’s Guide'' #1 (2004)
*''Astro City: Local Heroes'' #1–5 (2003–2004)
*''Astro City: The Dark Age Book One'' #1–4 (2005)
*''Astro City: The Dark Age Book Two'' #1–4 (2007)
*''Astro City: The Dark Age Book Three'' #1–4 (2009)
*''Astro City: The Dark Age Book Four'' #1–4 (2010)
*''Astro City: Supersonic''
*''Astro City: Samaritan'' (2006)
*''Astro City: Beautie'' #1 (2008)
*''Astro City: Astra'' #1–2 (2009)
*''Astro City: Silver Agent'' #1–2 (2010)
*''Astro City/Arrowsmith'' #1 (2004)
*''Astro City Special'' #1 (2004)
Eclipse Comics
* ''
Somerset Holmes'' #5–6 (1984)
* ''
Total Eclipse
An eclipse is an astronomical event which occurs when an astronomical object or spacecraft is temporarily obscured, by passing into the shadow of another body or by having another body pass between it and the viewer. This alignment of three ...
'' #1 (1988)
* ''Valkyrie!'' #1–3 (1988)
Image Comics
*''Kurt Busiek's Astro City'' #1–6 (1995–1996)
*''Kurt Busiek's Astro City'' vol. 2 #1/2, #1–15 (1996–1998)
Marvel Comics
* ''
The Avengers
Avenger(s) or The Avenger(s) may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Marvel Comics universe
* Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes
**Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of "The Infinity Sag ...
'' vol. 3 #51 (2002)
* ''
Battlestar Galactica
''Battlestar Galactica'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Glen A. Larson. It began with the original television series in 1978, and was followed by a short-run sequel series, '' Galactica 1980'', a line of book adaptat ...
'' #21 (1980)
* ''
Captain America
Captain America is a superhero created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in '' Captain America Comics'' #1, published on December 20, 1940, by Timely C ...
'' vol. 3 #29 (2000)
* ''
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four, often abbreviated as FF, is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team debuted in '' The Fantastic Four'' #1 ( cover-dated November 1961), helping usher in a new level of realism i ...
Roast'' #1 (1982)
* ''
Heroes for Hope
''Heroes for Hope: Starring the X-Men'' is a 1985 Marvel comic book designed to raise awareness about hunger in Africa. Proceeds from the comic went to the American Friends Service Committee, to assist in their work on behalf of African famine ...
Starring the X-Men'' #1 (1985)
* ''
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 ...
'' #23 (1980)
* ''
Ka-Zar the Savage'' #1–15, 18–19 (1981–1982)
* ''
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 setting ...
'' #30 (
Moon Knight
Moon Knight is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin, the character first appeared in ''Werewolf by Night'' #32 (August 1975).
The son of a rabbi, Marc S ...
) (1987)
* ''
Marvel Graphic Novel
''Marvel Graphic Novel'' (''MGN'') is a line of graphic novel trade paperbacks published from 1982 to 1993 by Marvel Comics. The books were published in an oversized format, 8.5" x 11", similar to French albums. In response, DC Comics estab ...
'' #5 (''
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills'') (1983)
* ''
Marvel Treasury Edition
''Marvel Treasury Edition'' is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics from 1974 to 1981. It usually featured reprints of previously published stories but a few issues contained new material. The series was published in an oversiz ...
'' #27 (
Angel
An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body), heavenly, or supernatural being, usually humanoid with bird-like wings, often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in variou ...
backup story) (1980)
* ''
Moon Knight
Moon Knight is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin, the character first appeared in ''Werewolf by Night'' #32 (August 1975).
The son of a rabbi, Marc S ...
'' #33 (1983)
* ''
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
The ''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe'' is an encyclopedic Guide book, 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 b ...
'' #6, 8–9 (1983)
* ''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition'' #8 (1986)
* ''
Power Pack
Power Pack is a superhero team consisting of four young siblings appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Louise Simonson and artist June Brigman, they first appeared in their own series in 1984, which las ...
'' #9–10, 13, 18–19, 21 (1985–1986)
* ''
The Pulse'' #6–7 (2005)
* ''
Punisher Movie Special'' #1 (1990)
* ''
Strikeforce: Morituri'' #1–9, 11–15, 18–20 (1986–1988)
* ''
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 List of X-Men comics, X-Men comics franchise. It features a team of super ...
'' #144, 160, ''Annual'' #5 (1981–1982)
* ''
Universe X: 4'' (2000)
* ''Universe X: Iron Men'' #1 (2001)
* ''
What If...?'' #34 (one page) (1982)
Now Comics
* ''
Kato of the Green Hornet'' #1–2 (1991)
Pacific Comics
* ''
Somerset Holmes'' #1–4 (1983–1984)
Slave Labor Graphics
* ''Spin World'' #1–4 (1997–1998)
References
External links
*
*
Brent Andersonat Mike's Amazing World of Comics
at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Brent
1955 births
20th-century American artists
21st-century American artists
American comics artists
Artists from San Jose, California
DC Comics people
Inkpot Award winners
Living people
Marvel Comics people