Shawn McManus (born June 30, 1958) is an
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 ...
who has worked extensively over three decades for
DC Comics
DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...
and other companies, notably for 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 ...
imprint including the ''
Fables
Fable is a literary genre defined as 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 ...
'' series.
Comics
Born in
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline () is an affluent town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, and part of the Greater Boston, Boston metropolitan area. An exclave of Norfolk County, Brookline borders six of Boston's neighborhoods: Brighton, Boston, Brighton ...
, McManus entered the comics field in the early 1980s with work for ''
Heavy Metal'' and
DC Comics
DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...
. For the June 1983 issue of ''Heavy Metal'' he collaborated with
Bhob Stewart
Robert Marion Stewart, known as Bhob Stewart (November 12, 1937 – February 24, 2014) was an American writer, editor, cartoonist, filmmaker, and active fan who contributed to a variety of publications over a span of five decades. His articles a ...
and John Coffey on "Zenobia". Six months later, McManus and Stewart teamed with
Jim McDermott on "Symbiosis", also in ''Heavy Metal'' (December 1983).
He drew the
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and designed by George Papp, he first appeared in ''More Fun Comics'' No. 73 on September 19, 1941 (cover dated November 1941), th ...
backup feature in ''
Detective Comics
''Detective Comics'' (later retitled as ''Batman Detective Comics'') is an American comic book series published by Detective Comics, later shortened to DC Comics. The first volume, published from 1937 to 2011 (and later continued in 2016), is ...
'' in 1983-1984. McManus gained wider attention when he illustrated two issues of ''
The Saga of the Swamp Thing'' written by
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' ...
.
McManus worked with writer
Todd Klein on ''
Omega Men'', creating
Zirral and other characters for that series. He has drawn issues of ''
Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate (also known as Fate) is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first version was originally created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, debuting in ''More Fun Comics' ...
'' and ''
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight''.
He collaborated with
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard MacKinnon Gaiman (; born Neil Richard Gaiman; 10 November 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, audio theatre, and screenplays. His works include the comic series ''The Sandman (comic book), The Sandma ...
on the "
Fables & Reflections" and "
A Game of You" story arcs in ''
The Sandman''. McManus' other Sandman credits include ''The Sandman Presents: Taller Tales'' and a pair of
limited series about the witch
Thessaly
Thessaly ( ; ; ancient Aeolic Greek#Thessalian, Thessalian: , ) is a traditional geographic regions of Greece, geographic and modern administrative regions of Greece, administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient Thessaly, a ...
written by
Bill Willingham
William Willingham (born 1956) is an American writer and artist of comics, known for his work on the series '' Elementals'' and ''Fables''.
Career
William Willingham was born in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. During his father's military career the fam ...
.
McManus' artwork for
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 ...
includes ''
Peter Parker: Spider-Man Annual '97'' and ''
Daredevil'' #351.
In an interview,
John Rozum, who scripted that issue of ''Daredevil'', recalled:
McManus has contributed to titles from a variety of other publishers, including
Atomeka Press (''
A1''),
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 ...
(''
Cheval Noir''), Exhibit A Press (''
Wolff & Byrd: Counselors of the Macabre''),
First Comics (''
Grimjack''),
Image Comics
Image Comics is an independent American American comic book, comic book publisher and is the third largest direct market comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry by market share. Its best-known publications include ''Spawn (comics) ...
(''
Supreme''),
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics Entertainment, Inc. (launched as Malibu Graphics) was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. Notable titles published by Malibu included ''Th ...
(''The Man Called A-X''), and DC Comics'
Paradox Press
Paradox Press was a division of DC Comics formed in 1993 after editor Mark Nevelow departed from Piranha Press. Under the initial editorship of Andy Helfer, Andrew Helfer and Bronwyn Carlton, the imprint was renamed. Paradox was best known for pu ...
(''
The Big Book Of
''The Big Book Of'' is a series of graphic novel comics anthology, anthologies published by American company DC Comics imprint (trade name), imprint Paradox Press.
Publication history
The ''Big Books'' were published between 1994 and 2000. Just o ...
Freaks''). He worked on
Leah Moore and
John Reppion's ''
Wild Girl'' (
Wildstorm
Wildstorm Productions (stylized as WildStorm) is an American comic book imprint. Originally founded as an independent company established by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi to publish through Image Comics, Wildstorm became a publishing imprint of DC C ...
, 2004–2005) with
J. H. Williams III, about 13-year-old Rosa Torez who discovers that she can communicate with animals. In 2007, he did an eight-issue run on ''
Aquaman
Aquaman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in ''More Fun Comics'' #73 (November 1941). Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles ...
: Sword of Atlantis'' and an issue of ''
The Creeper'' for DC.
He illustrated ''
Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love'' in 2010 and ''Cinderella: Fables Are Forever'' the following year. He was one of several artists to contribute to the ''Fairest in All the Land'' graphic novel.
Children's art
Writer-illustrator and lecturer Mark McKenna, creator of the ''Banana Tail'' children's book series, described his long association with McManus that led to their ''Banana Tail: The Early Years'' (2009) color print:
Television
In 1987, McManus worked on the animated series ''
Dinosaucers
''Dinosaucers'' is a 1987 animated television series co-produced in the United States and Canada; developed and produced by DIC Animation City in association with Lightyear Entertainment and Coca-Cola Telecommunications. The show was created b ...
''. For the TV series ''
Tales from the Crypt'', McManus and
Mike Vosburg illustrated comic book covers designed to look like the original
1950s comics. The McManus ''Crypt'' cover is seen in the first episode ("The Man Who Was Death").
Awards
1985
Jack Kirby Award nomination with Alan Moore for Best Single Issue ("Pog" in ''The Saga of the Swamp Thing'' #32).
Comics bibliography
Dark Horse Comics
* ''
Cheval Noir'' #48 (1993)
DC Comics
* ''
Aquaman
Aquaman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in ''More Fun Comics'' #73 (November 1941). Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles ...
: Sword of Atlantis'' #50–57 (2007)
* ''
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight'' #44–45 (1993)
* ''
Countdown to Mystery'' #5 (2008)
* ''
Creeper'' #5 (2007)
* ''
Deadman
Deadman or Deadman's may refer to:
* "Deadman" or "dead man", are alternative terms for a dead man's switch
* "Deadman's foot" is another name for a Salamander (metallurgy), Salamander in metallurgy
* "Deadman anchor" is a buried object (log, con ...
'' #7–9 (2002)
* ''
Detective Comics
''Detective Comics'' (later retitled as ''Batman Detective Comics'') is an American comic book series published by Detective Comics, later shortened to DC Comics. The first volume, published from 1937 to 2011 (and later continued in 2016), is ...
'' #533–545 (
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and designed by George Papp, he first appeared in ''More Fun Comics'' No. 73 on September 19, 1941 (cover dated November 1941), th ...
) (1983–1984)
* ''
Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate (also known as Fate) is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first version was originally created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, debuting in ''More Fun Comics' ...
'' #1–11, 13–20, 22–24 (1988–1991)
* ''Elvira's
House of Mystery
''The House of Mystery'' is the name of several horror comics, horror, fantasy comics, fantasy, and mystery fiction, mystery comics anthology, comics anthologies published by DC Comics. It had a companion series, ''The House of Secrets (DC Comi ...
'' #1, 4 (1986)
* ''
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and designed by George Papp, he first appeared in ''More Fun Comics'' No. 73 on September 19, 1941 (cover dated November 1941), th ...
'' vol. 2 #51–52 (1991)
* ''Helmet of Fate:
Detective Chimp'' #1 (2007)
* ''
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino, the Legion is a group of superpowered beings living in the 30th and 31st centuries of t ...
'' vol. 3 #27 (1986)
* ''
Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century'' #16 (2008)
* ''
Lobo'' #30, 37 (1996–1997)
* ''Man Called A-X'' vol. 2 #1–6 (1997–1998)
* ''
New Talent Showcase'' #4 (1984)
* ''
Omega Men'' #25–31, 33, 35, 38, ''Annual'' #2 (1985–1986)
* ''
The Saga of the Swamp Thing'' #28, 32 (1984–1985)
* ''
The Sandman'' #31–33, 35–37 (1991–1992)
* ''
Shadowpact
The Shadowpact is a fictional group of magic-based heroes who fought against the Spectre in the 2005 limited series '' Day of Vengeance'', published by DC Comics.
Their self-titled series ended in May 2008, after 25 issues and a two-year run, b ...
'' #8 (2007)
* ''Swamp Thing'' #111, 116, ''Annual'' #3 (1987–1992)
* ''Talent Showcase'' #18 (1985)
* ''
Who's Who in the DC Universe
''Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe'' (1985–87), usually referred to simply as ''Who's Who'', is the umbrella title for a number of comic book series which DC Comics published to catalogue the wide variety of fictional ch ...
'' #10 (1991)
* ''Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe'' #3, 7, 9–10, 17–18, 20 (1985–1986)
America's Best Comics
* ''
Tom Strong'' #19, 27 (2003–2004)
* ''Tom Strong's Terrific Tales'' #7 (2003)
Paradox Press
* ''
The Big Book Of
''The Big Book Of'' is a series of graphic novel comics anthology, anthologies published by American company DC Comics imprint (trade name), imprint Paradox Press.
Publication history
The ''Big Books'' were published between 1994 and 2000. Just o ...
Freaks'' (1996)
Vertigo
* ''Cinderella: Fables Are Forever'' #1–6 (2011)
* ''
Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love'' #1–6 (2010)
* ''
The Dreaming
The Dreaming, also referred to as Dreamtime, is a term devised by early anthropologists to refer to a religio-cultural worldview attributed to Australian Aboriginal mythology. It was originally used by Francis Gillen, quickly adopted by hi ...
'' #31, 39, 50 (1998–2000)
* ''
Fables
Fable is a literary genre defined as 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 ...
'' #51, 110–111, 114–124, 144, 147 (2006–2015)
* ''Fables: The Wolf Among Us'' #1–2 (2015)
* ''
Fairest'' #7, 21–26 (2012–2014)
* ''Fairest in All the Land'' HC (2014)
* ''
Sandman Presents: The Thessaliad'' #1–4 (2002)
* ''Sandman Presents: Thessaly: Witch for Hire'' #1–4 (2004)
* ''
Unwritten: Tommy Taylor and the Ship That Sank Twice'' HC (2013)
* ''Vertigo: Winter's Edge'' #3 (2000)
* ''
The Witching Hour'' vol. 3 #1 (2013)
Wildstorm
* ''
Wild Girl'' #1–6 (2005)
HM Communications
* ''
Heavy Metal'' #v7#9 (1983)
Image Comics
* ''
Deathblow'' #18 (1995)
* ''
Shadowhawk Gallery'' #1 (1994)
* ''
Supreme'' #7–8 (1993)
Malibu Comics
* ''Man Called A-X'' #0, #1–4 (1994–1995)
Marvel Comics
* ''
Daredevil'' #351–352 (1996)
* ''Dream Team'' #1 (1995)
* ''
Excalibur: XX Crossing'' #1 (1992)
* ''
Marvel Comics Presents
''Marvel Comics Presents'' is an American comic book anthology title that was published in three series by Marvel Comics: from 1988 to 1995; 2007 to 2008; and in 2019.
Volume 1
The first volume was released on a bi-weekly basis and lasted for ...
'' #109–111, 113–118 (1992)
* ''
Namor
Namor McKenzie (), also known as the Sub-Mariner, is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-artist Bill Everett for comic book packager Funnies Inc., the character first appeared in '' Moti ...
, the Sub-Mariner'' #38, 41 (1993)
* ''
Punisher Annual'' #6 (1993)
* ''
The Punisher War Journal'' #50 (1993)
* ''
The Sensational Spider-Man
''The Sensational Spider-Man'' is a comic book series starring Spider-Man (Ben Reilly) published by Marvel Comics for 35 issues (#0–33, with #−1 published in July 1997 between #17 and 18), from January 1996 until November 1998.
Publication ...
'96'' #1 (1996)
* ''
Spider-Man Annual '97'' #1 (1997)
* ''
Spider-Man Unlimited'' #10 (1995)
* ''
Ultraforce
The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in American comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel. The purpose of the group was to protect the public and keep other "Ultras" (superheroes) from becoming unruly.
The group co ...
/Spider-Man'' #1A (1996)
* ''
Wolverine/Nick Fury: Scorpio Rising'' #1 (1994)
References
External links
*
*
Shawn McManusat Mike's Amazing World of Comics
at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
{{DEFAULTSORT:McManus, Shawn
1958 births
20th-century American artists
21st-century American artists
American caricaturists
American fantasy artists
American comics artists
American children's book illustrators
DC Comics people
Living people
Marvel Comics people
Artists from Brookline, Massachusetts