José Antonio Villarrubia Jiménez-Momediano (born 17 November 1961) is a Spanish-American
artist
An artist is a person engaged in an activity related to creating art, practicing the arts, or demonstrating the work of art. The most common usage (in both everyday speech and academic discourse) refers to a practitioner in the visual arts o ...
and educator who has done considerable work in the 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 ...
industry, particularly as a
colorist
In comics, a colorist is responsible for adding color to black-and-white line art. For most of the 20th century this was done using brushes and dyes which were then used as guides to produce the printing plates. Since the late 20th century it is ...
. His fine art photography has been exhibited in the U.S., Latin America and Europe, in institutions such as the
Baltimore Museum of Art
The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) in Baltimore, Maryland, is an art museum that was founded in 1914. The BMA's collection of 95,000 objects encompasses more than 1,000 works by Henri Matisse anchored by the Cone Collection of modern art, ...
and the
Inter-American Development Bank
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB or IADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States of America. It serves as one of the leading sources of development financing for the countri ...
.
Biography
Villarrubia was born in
Madrid
Madrid ( ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in Spain, most populous municipality of Spain. It has almost 3.5 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 7 million. It i ...
, and moved to
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the List of United States ...
in 1980. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the
Maryland Institute College of Art
The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is a Private university, private art school, art and design college in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1826 as the Maryland Institute for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts, it is regarded as one of ...
and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from
Towson University
Towson University (TU or Towson) is a public university in Towson, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1866 as Maryland's first training school for teachers, Towson University is a part of the University System of Maryland. Since its foundin ...
Walters Art Museum
The Walters Art Museum is a public art museum located in the Mount Vernon, Baltimore, Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. Founded and opened in 1934, it holds collections from the mid-19th century that were amassed substantially ...
. From 2011 to 2016 he was chair of the
Illustration
An illustration is a decoration, interpretation, or visual explanation of a text, concept, or process, designed for integration in print and digitally published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, vi ...
Department of the
Maryland Institute College of Art
The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is a Private university, private art school, art and design college in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1826 as the Maryland Institute for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts, it is regarded as one of ...
, and is coordinator of its Sequential Art minor. He has lectured extensively about art, including
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University (often abbreviated as Johns Hopkins, Hopkins, or JHU) is a private university, private research university in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1876 based on the European research institution model, J ...
, the
College Art Association
The College Art Association of America (CAA) is the principal organization in the United States for professionals in the visual arts, from students to art historians to emeritus faculty. Founded in 1911, it "promotes these arts and their understan ...
,
Dickinson College
Dickinson College is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1773 as Carlisle Grammar School, Dickinson was chartered on September 9, 1783, ...
, the ICA in London, the Willem de Kooning Academy, the Naples Academy of Art, and the
MacWorld
''Macworld'' is a digital magazine and website dedicated to products and software of Apple Inc., published by Foundry, a subsidiary of IDG.
History
''Macworld'' was founded by David Bunnell and Cheryl Woodard (publishers) and Andrew Fl ...
UK Convention.
In comics, Villarrubia has created digitally manipulated illustrations for titles such as ''Veils'', ''
Promethea
''Promethea'' is a comic book Ongoing series, series created by Alan Moore, J. H. Williams III and Mick Gray, published by America's Best Comics/WildStorm.
It tells the story of Sophie Bangs, a college student from an alternate futuristic New Y ...
'', and '' The Sentry''. As a colorist, he has frequently collaborated with artists including
Jae Lee
Jae Lee (born 1972) is an American comics artist known for his interior illustration and cover work for various publishers, including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics, and Dynamite Entertainment.
Career
Jae Lee's first work for Marvel Com ...
(''Hellshock'', ''
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 ...
1234'', ''
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 ...
''),
Bill Sienkiewicz
Boleslav William Felix Robert Sienkiewicz ( ; ; born May 3, 1958) is an American artist known for his work in comic books—particularly for Marvel Comics' ''The New Mutants (comic book), The New Mutants'', ''Moon Knight,'' and ''Elektra: Assassi ...
(''
Sentry
Sentry or The Sentry may refer to:
Marvel 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 Sentr ...
/
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 ...
'', ''
X-Men Unlimited
''X-Men Unlimited'' is the name of several comic book titles published by Marvel Comics. An anthology title, it features stories that focus less on the main continuity and more on peripheral events occurring with the X-Men characters. The first t ...
Promethea
''Promethea'' is a comic book Ongoing series, series created by Alan Moore, J. H. Williams III and Mick Gray, published by America's Best Comics/WildStorm.
It tells the story of Sophie Bangs, a college student from an alternate futuristic New Y ...
Paul Pope
Paul Pope (born September 25, 1970) is an American alternative cartoonist. Pope's work combines the precision and romance of European comics artists with the energy and page design of the manga tradition. Pope's two protagonist types are the ...
(''
Solo
Solo or SOLO may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Characters
* Han Solo, a ''Star Wars'' character
* Jacen Solo, a Jedi in the non-canonical ''Star Wars Legends'' continuity
* Kylo Ren (Ben Solo), a ''Star Wars'' character
* Napoleon Solo, fr ...
Wednesday Comics
''Wednesday Comics'' was a weekly anthology comic book launched by DC Comics on July 8, 2009. The twelve issues of the title were published in 14" x 20" broadsheet format, deliberately similar to Sunday newspaper comics sections. Each edition fea ...
''),
Jeff Lemire
Jeff Lemire (; born March 21, 1976) is a Canadian comic book writer, artist, and television producer. He is the author of critically acclaimed titles including the '' Essex County Trilogy'', '' Sweet Tooth'', and '' The Nobody''. His written work ...
Trillium
''Trillium'' (trillium, wakerobin, toadshade, tri flower, birthroot, birthwort, and sometimes "wood lily") is a genus of about fifty flowering plant species in the family Melanthiaceae. ''Trillium'' species are native to temperate regions of No ...
''),
Kaare Andrews
Kaare Kyle Andrews (born 1975) is a comic book writer, comics artist, artist and filmmaker from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His work includes ''Spider-Man'', ''Iron Fist (character), Iron Fist'', ''Renato Jones'', and ''The Incredible Hulk (comic bo ...
(''
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appearance, first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in ...
/
Doctor Octopus
Doctor Octopus (Dr. Otto Octavius), also known as Doc Ock for short, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and first appeared in ''The Amazin ...
: Year One'', ''
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 ...
Ryan Sook
Ryan Sook is an American comic book artist, known for his work on books such as '' Seven Soldiers: Zatanna'', ''X-Factor'' and '' The Spectre''. His style has been compared to that of Mike Mignola, Adam Hughes, and Kevin Nowlan.
Career
Sook' ...
(''
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appearance, first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in ...
Unlimited'', ''
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'' (2001–200 ...
CAGE
A cage is an enclosure often made of mesh, bars, or wires, used to confine, contain or protect something or someone. A cage can serve many purposes, including keeping an animal or person in captivity, capturing an animal or person, and displayi ...
'', ''
Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider is the name of multiple superheroes or antiheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Phantom Rider.
The first s ...
'', '' Conan the Cimmerian'', '' Starr''). He has won the 2006 Comicdom Award for best colorist for his work on ''
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'' (2001–200 ...
'', has been nominated twice for the
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 ...
for best colorist and has been included in The Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition.
With writer
Alan Moore
Alan Moore (born 18 November 1953) is an English author known primarily for his work in comic books including ''Watchmen'', ''V for Vendetta'', ''The Ballad of Halo Jones'', Swamp Thing (comic book), ''Swamp Thing'', ''Batman: The Killing Joke' ...
he has produced two illustrated books, both published by
Top Shelf Productions
Top Shelf Productions is an American publishing company founded in 1997, originally owned and operated by Chris Staros and Brett Warnock with a small staff. Currently an imprint of IDW Publishing, Top Shelf is based in Marietta, Georgia.
Top Sh ...
: '' Voice of the Fire'' and '' The Mirror of Love''. The latter is a love poem and a detailed history of homosexuality, highlights historical figures in art and literature. It originally began as a part of the '' AARGH!'' Anthology in 1988. ''AARGH!'' rtists Against Rampant Government Homophobiawas a comic book protest against Britain's proposed
anti-gay
Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who identify or are perceived as being lesbian, gay or bisexual. It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred, or antipathy, m ...
Section 28
Section 28 refers to a part of the Local Government Act 1988, which stated that Local government in the United Kingdom, local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with t ...
. It was translated and published in French as ''Le Miroir de l'amour'' (November 2006), by Carabas Revolution, in Italian as ''Lo Specchio dell'Amore'' (September 2008) by Edizioni BD and in Spanish as ''El Espejo del amor'' (November 2008) by Editorial Kraken. In 2020 Giangiacomo Feltrinelli Editori published a new edition with a new Italian translation by Marco Rosary.
Villarrubia worked on the comic series Sweet Tooth, coloring nearly all of its 40 issues. (written and drawn by
Jeff Lemire
Jeff Lemire (; born March 21, 1976) is a Canadian comic book writer, artist, and television producer. He is the author of critically acclaimed titles including the '' Essex County Trilogy'', '' Sweet Tooth'', and '' The Nobody''. His written work ...
from 2009 to 2013). In 2020 Lemire and Villarrubia returned to the character in a new series published under DC Comics' Black Label Imprint. The series was titled ''Sweet Tooth: The Return''.
From 2012 to 2018, Villarrubia colored the three graphic novels by
Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Michael Bourdain ( ; June 25, 1956 – June 8, 2018) was an American celebrity chef, author and Travel documentary, travel documentarian. He starred in programs focusing on the exploration of international culture, cuisine, and the huma ...
: ''Get Jiro!'', ''Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi'' and ''Hungry Ghosts''
Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. is an American diversified multinational mass media and entertainment studio conglomerate that produces, acquires, and distributes filmed entertainment (theatrical motion pictures, television programs, and rec ...
Animation later announced development of Hungry Ghosts as an animated series.
In 2019
Casterman
Casterman is a publisher of Franco-Belgian comics, specializing in comic books and children's literature. The company is based in Tournai, 90 kilometres southwest of the centre of Brussels, Belgium.
History
The company was founded in 1780 by Don ...
published the first French language graphic novel completely colored by Villarrubia. A new chapter of the series ''
Le Transperceneige
''Snowpiercer'' (French language, French: ''Le Transperceneige'' ) is a four-volume post-apocalyptic, climate fiction graphic novel written by Jacques Lob and illustrated by Jean-Marc Rochette. The first volume was serialized in 1982 and publishe ...
'' (''Snowpiercer: Extinctions''), the comic was written and illustrated by series co-creator Jean-Marc Rochette. The release of this volume was originally scheduled to coincide with the premiere of the Snowpiercer television adaptation. ''Snowpiercer'' TV series that adapts this comic. The series was produced by
TNT
Troponin T (shortened TnT or TropT) is a part of the troponin complex, which are proteins integral to the contraction of skeletal and heart muscles. They are expressed in skeletal and cardiac myocytes. Troponin T binds to tropomyosin and helps ...
and premiered in May 2020.
DC Comics' prestige imprint Black Label published two series colored by Villarrubia launched in November 2020, ''Sweet Tooth: The Return'', where he reunited with collaborator Jeff Lemire and the long delayed ''The Other History of the DC Universe'', written by
John Ridley
John Ridley IV (born October 1, 1964) is an American screenwriter, television director, novelist, and showrunner, known for '' 12 Years a Slave'', for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He is also the creator and showrunn ...
.
In 2022 he restored the original colors of the classic series ''
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing is a superhero and antihero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson, the Swamp Thing has had several different incarnations throughout his publication. The ch ...
'' 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 (character), Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel sup ...
,
Bernie Wrightson
Bernard Albert Wrightson (October 27, 1948 – March 18, 2017) was an American artist, known for co-creating the Swamp Thing, his Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein, adaptation of the novel ''Frankenstein'' illustration work, and for his other ho ...
House of Secrets'' #92 and ''Swamp Thing'' #1–13.
Starting in 2023, he became the Project Art Director and art restorer for The Richard Corben Library from
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, manga and Artist's book, art book publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon, by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, O ...
. The project began reprinting works by Corben, including the ''Den'' series.
In 2024, Casterman published a newly colored version by Villarrubia of ''Exterminator 17'' () by Jean-Pierre Dionnet and
Enki Bilal
Enki Bilal (born Enes Bilal; born 7 October 1951) is a French comic book creator and film director.
Biography Early life
Bilal was born in Belgrade, PR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia, to a Czech mother, Ana, who came to Belgrade as child from Karlovy ...
.
Awards and Honors
*1997: Nominated for Best Colorist and Best Painter, Squiddy Awards.
*1998: Won the Alex Sidorowicz Award for contributions to the Performing Arts from the Baltimore Theatre Project.
*2000: ''Veils'' (Illustrated by Villarrubia with Stephen John Phillips) was nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Designed Publication.
*2001: Nominated for Best Colorist for Marvel.com Awards.
*2001: Nominated for Best Colorist and Best Painter, Squiddy Awards.
*2002: Nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Colorist (for ''Fantastic Four: 1234'').
*2006: Won the Comicdom Award for Best Colorist for ''X-Factor''.
*2006: Nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Colorist (for ''Desolation Jones'').
*2007: ''Batman: Year 100'' (colored by Villarrubia) won the Eisner Award for Best Limited Series.
*2008: Nominated for the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Great Graphic Novels for Teens: ''Spiderman: Reign'', ''Crossing Midnight'' and ''Batman: Year 100''.
*2010: ''Unknown Soldier'' issues #13-14 (colored by Villarrubia) won the Glyph Comics Award for Story of the Year.
*2011: Won the Harvey Award for Best Colorist for ''Cuba: My Revolution''.
*2013: ''Django Unchained'' (partially colored by Villarrubia) was nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Adaptation From Another Medium.
*2016: Won the Rankin Award from the Robert E. Howard Foundation for ''King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border'' (with Tomás Giorello).
*2017: Won the Carlos Giménez Award for Best Colorist.
*2017: ''America'' (colored by Villarrubia) was nominated for a GLAAD Award.
*2017: ''Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love'' (colored by Villarrubia) was nominated for a GLAAD Award.
*2018: ''Infidel'' (edited and colored by Villarrubia) was chosen as one of NPR's "100 Favorite Horror Stories."
*2022: Won second Prize for Best Edited Book in the category of General Works for ''Hércules 1417'', edited by Villarrubia.
*2022: Nominated to the Tripwire Award for Best Colorist
*2024: Won a second Rankin Award from the Robert E. Howard Foundation for the ''Conan the Barbarian series'' (Titan Comics, with Roberto de la Torre).
*2024: ''Den Volume 4: Dreams and Alarums'' by Richard Corben, art directed and restored by Villarrubia, was chosen by the New York Times as one of eight Best Graphic Novels and Comics of 2024.