Steve Yeowell () is a British
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 ...
, well known for his work on the long-running science fiction and
fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures.
The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...
weekly comic ''
2000 AD''.
Biography
Having trained in
3D design (specialising in
silversmithing and jewellery), Yeowell began drawing comics purely for pleasure, with no particular intention to become a professional artist. Having shown his portfolio to artist
Bryan Talbot, he quickly found himself given work by
Swiftsure (on the ''Lieutenant Fl'ff'' strip). After this, he worked on a "dummy comic"
David Lloyd was creating for Fleetway called ''Fantastic Adventure''. This was his first meeting with writer
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. Their work is known for its nonlinear narratives, Humanism, humanist philosophy and counterculture, countercultural leanings. Morrison has writt ...
, who was writing the ''California Crew'' strip ("loosely based on the
A-Team") Yeowell was drawing. While ''Fantastic Adventure'' wasn't picked up,
John Higgins asked Yeowell to help him with a music magazine's comic strip off the back of it and, afterwards, helped him get work at
Marvel UK
Marvel UK was an imprint (trade name), imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint United States of America, US-produced stories for the United Kingdom, British weekly comic market. Marvel UK later produced original material by British cr ...
. He started on ''
Spider-Man and Zoids'' before doing ''
Action Force
Action Force is a brand of European action figures released in the 1980s that was based on the ''Action Man'' toyline. It was also used to introduce ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' toys to European markets. Several publishing companies have ...
'' and later ''
ThunderCats
''ThunderCats'' is a media franchise, featuring a fictional group of cat-like humanoid aliens. The characters were created by Tobin Wolf and featured in an animated television series named ''ThunderCats'', running from 1985 to 1989, whic ...
''.
On ''Zoids'', he worked with Morrison again and as a result, Morrison picked Yeowell to be the main artist on new superhero strip ''
Zenith
The zenith (, ) is the imaginary point on the celestial sphere directly "above" a particular location. "Above" means in the vertical direction (Vertical and horizontal, plumb line) opposite to the gravity direction at that location (nadir). The z ...
'', to run in ''2000 AD'' beginning in 1987.
''Zenith'' was a success, running to four full-length series plus several one-offs. Yeowell was headhunted by American comics companies and has worked on ''
Batman
Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
'', ''
The Fantastic Four'', ''
The Invisibles'',
''
JSA'' and ''
Starman''. He continued his association with Morrison, collaborating on ''
Sebastian O'' and ''
The New Adventures of Hitler''.
Yeowell's work is noted for delicate penmanship and lifelike facial expressions, with a notable economy of style that means that his work suits both colour and
monochrome
A monochrome or monochromatic image, object or palette is composed of one color (or values of one color). Images using only shades of grey are called grayscale (typically digital) or black-and-white (typically analog). In physics, mon ...
treatment. He works with a dip pen (Gillot 404 nib) and a Windsor & Newton Series 7 No.3 sable brush, as well as
Rotring and marker pens, on 220 g/m
2 Daler Rowney Heavyweight Cartridge Paper.
The concentration on human features means that Yeowell's work is held to suit superhero, science fiction and historical genres equally.
Later work has included ''
The Red Seas'', an eighteenth-century pirate story scripted by
Ian Edginton and science fiction
Triad tale ''Red Fang'' by
Steve Moore.
Bibliography
Comics work includes:
* ''
Zoids
is a Japanese science fiction media franchise created by Tomy that feature giant robots (or "mecha") called Zoids, with designs being based on animals; including dinosaurs, mammals, insects, arachnids and mythological creatures.
The franchise ...
'': "The Black Zoid" (with
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. Their work is known for its nonlinear narratives, Humanism, humanist philosophy and counterculture, countercultural leanings. Morrison has writt ...
, in ''Spider-Man and the Zoids'' #40–49, 1986–1987)
The Black Zoid
*''Zenith
The zenith (, ) is the imaginary point on the celestial sphere directly "above" a particular location. "Above" means in the vertical direction (Vertical and horizontal, plumb line) opposite to the gravity direction at that location (nadir). The z ...
'' (with Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. Their work is known for its nonlinear narratives, Humanism, humanist philosophy and counterculture, countercultural leanings. Morrison has writt ...
)
** "Phase One" (in ''2000 AD'' #535–549, 1987)
** "Interludes 1 & 2" (in ''2000 AD'' #558–559, 1988)
** "Phase Two" (in ''2000 AD'' #89-606, 1988)
** "Interlude 3" (in ''2000 AD Winter Special'' No. 1, 1988)
** "Phase Three" (in ''2000 AD'' #626–634, 650–662 & 667–670, 1989–1990)
** "Phase Four" (in ''2000 AD'' #791–806, 1992)
** "zzzzenith.com" (in ''2000 AD'' prog 2001, 2000)
*'' Tharg's Future Shocks'':
** "What's in a Name?" (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 ...
, in ''2000 AD'' No. 538, 1987)
** "Sleighbells in the Sky" (with Gordon Robson, in ''2000 AD'' No. 710, 1990)
*''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 ...
'':
** "Family Affair" (with Alan Grant, in ''2000 AD'' No. 659, 1989)
** "First Offence" (with John Wagner, in ''2000 AD'' No. 716, 1991)
** "Man Who Broke the Law" (with Mark Millar
Mark Millar (; born 24 December 1969) is a Scottish comic book writer who first came to prominence with a run on the superhero series ''The Authority (comics), The Authority'', published by DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint. Millar has written ext ...
, in ''2000 AD'' #968–969, 1995)
** "Heist" (with Ian Edginton, in ''2000 AD'' #1480–1481 2006)
*'' The New Adventures of Hitler'' (with Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. Their work is known for its nonlinear narratives, Humanism, humanist philosophy and counterculture, countercultural leanings. Morrison has writt ...
):
** "What do you mean, ideologically unsound?" (in ''Crisis
A crisis (: crises; : critical) is any event or period that will lead to an unstable and dangerous situation affecting an individual, group, or all of society. Crises are negative changes in the human or environmental affairs, especially when ...
'' No. 46, 1990)
** "Mad dogs and Englishmen" (in ''Crisis
A crisis (: crises; : critical) is any event or period that will lead to an unstable and dangerous situation affecting an individual, group, or all of society. Crises are negative changes in the human or environmental affairs, especially when ...
'' No. 47, 1990)
*'' Red Razors'' (with Mark Millar
Mark Millar (; born 24 December 1969) is a Scottish comic book writer who first came to prominence with a run on the superhero series ''The Authority (comics), The Authority'', published by DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint. Millar has written ext ...
):
** "Red Razors" (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #1.8–1.15, 1991)
** "The Secret Origin of Comrade Ed" (in ''Judge Dredd Mega-Special'' No. 5, 1992)
** "Doctor's Orders" (in ''Judge Dredd 1993 Yearbook'', 1992)
*'' 67 Seconds'' (with James Robinson, graphic novel
A graphic novel is a self-contained, book-length form of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and Anthology, anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comics sc ...
, 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 American publishing company Marvel Comics, active from 1982 to ...
, 1992, )
*'' Sebastian O'' (with Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. Their work is known for its nonlinear narratives, Humanism, humanist philosophy and counterculture, countercultural leanings. Morrison has writt ...
, 3 issues, DC/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 ...
, 1993)
*'' The Invisibles'' (with Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. Their work is known for its nonlinear narratives, Humanism, humanist philosophy and counterculture, countercultural leanings. Morrison has writt ...
, DC/Vertigo, vol 1 #1–4, 1994; #22–24, 1996)
*'' Maniac 5'' (with Mark Millar
Mark Millar (; born 24 December 1969) is a Scottish comic book writer who first came to prominence with a run on the superhero series ''The Authority (comics), The Authority'', published by DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint. Millar has written ext ...
):
** "Maniac 5" (in ''2000 AD'' #842–849, 1993)
** "Maniac 6" (in ''2000 AD'' #956–963, 1995)
*'' Skrull Kill Krew'' (with Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. Their work is known for its nonlinear narratives, Humanism, humanist philosophy and counterculture, countercultural leanings. Morrison has writt ...
and Mark Millar
Mark Millar (; born 24 December 1969) is a Scottish comic book writer who first came to prominence with a run on the superhero series ''The Authority (comics), The Authority'', published by DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint. Millar has written ext ...
, Marvel
Marvel may refer to:
Business
* Marvel Entertainment, an American entertainment company
** Marvel Comics, the primary imprint of Marvel Entertainment
** Marvel Universe, a fictional shared universe
** Marvel Music, an imprint of Marvel Comics ...
, 5-issue mini-series, 1995, tpb, 2006 )
*'' Vector 13'': "Case Three: The Dream Factory" (with Kek-W, in ''2000 AD'' #990, 1996)
*''Black Light'': "Pandora's Box" (with Dan Abnett
Daniel P. Abnett ( ; born 12 October 1965) is an English comic book writer and novelist. He has been a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and has worked on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since ...
/ Steve White, in ''2000 AD'' #1010–1013, 1996 - Lee Sullivan is incorrectly credited with the art in Prog 1010)
*''Ghost
In folklore, a ghost is the soul or Spirit (supernatural entity), spirit of a dead Human, person or non-human animal that is believed by some people to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely, from a ...
'' No. 14 (pencils, with Eric Luke and inks by Randy Emberlin
Randy Emberlin is a comic book inker best known for his ink work on the Spider-Man comic books. Per the bio on his website, he currently lives in Portland, Oregon. He has spent the past 30 years working in a variety of creative fields, including as ...
, 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 ...
, May 1996)
*'' A Life Less Ordinary'' (adaptation of the Danny Boyle
Daniel Francis Boyle (born 20 October 1956) is an English director and producer. He is known for his work on the films ''Shallow Grave (1994 film), Shallow Grave'' (1994), ''Trainspotting (film), Trainspotting'' (1996) and its sequel ''T2 Tra ...
film, with David Bishop, in ''2000 AD'' #1063–1070, 1997)
*'' Sinister Dexter'' (with Dan Abnett
Daniel P. Abnett ( ; born 12 October 1965) is an English comic book writer and novelist. He has been a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and has worked on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since ...
):
** "Taking the Mick" (in ''2000 AD'' #1079–1082, 1998)
** "Dead Man Whacking" (in ''2000 AD'' #1108–1109, 1998)
** "'Twas the Fight Before Christmas" (in ''2000 AD'' #1124, 1998)
** "Write from Wrong" (in ''2000 AD'' #1345–1347, 2003)
** "Life's A Beach" (in ''2000 AD'' #1433–1435, 2003)
*''Devlin Waugh'' (with John Smith):
** "Chasing Herod" (in ''2000 AD'' #1149–1167, 1999)
** "Reign of Frogs" (in ''2000 AD'' #1168–1173, 1999)
*''Red Fang'' (with Steve Moore, in ''2000 AD'' #200-1211, 2000)
*'' Armitage'': "Bodies of Evidence" (with Dave Stone, in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #3.64–67, 2000)
*'' Nikolai Dante'' (with Robbie Morrison
Robbie Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer known for his work in the weekly anthology '' 2000 AD'', where he co-created the long-running serial '' Nikolai Dante'' with artist Simon Fraser.
Career
Morrison began his career in '' 2000 ADs ...
):
** "The Beguiling" (in ''2000 AD'' #1234–1235, 2001)
** "Fiends" (in ''2000 AD'' #1236–1239, 2001)
*'' Pussyfoot 5'': "Alien Sex Fiend!" (with John Smith, in ''2000 AD'' #1251–1256, 2001)
*'' DeMarco'' (by Robbie Morrison
Robbie Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer known for his work in the weekly anthology '' 2000 AD'', where he co-created the long-running serial '' Nikolai Dante'' with artist Simon Fraser.
Career
Morrison began his career in '' 2000 ADs ...
):
** "Deep Blue Death" (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #4.03–4.05, 2001)
** "The Fierce and the Furious" (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #4.06–4.08, 2002)
*'' DeMarco, P.I.'' (with Michael Carroll):
**"The Whisper" (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #343–348, 2013–2014)
**"Déjà Vu" (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #355–357, 2014)
*'' The Red Seas'' (with Ian Edginton)
** ''Under the Banner of King Death. The Red Seas Book I'' (in ''2000 AD'' #1313–1321, 2002 )
** ''Twilight of the Idols. The Red Seas Book II'' (in ''2000 AD'' prog 2004 & #1371–1379, 2003–2004 )
** "Meanwhile..." (in ''2000 AD'' #1416–1419, 2004)
** "Underworld. The Red Seas Book III" (in ''2000 AD'' #1460–1468, 2005)
** "The Hollow Land" (in ''2000 AD'' #1491–1499, 2006)
** "With a bound he was free..." (in ''2000 AD'' #1513–1517, 2006)
** "War Stories" (in ''2000 AD'' #1562–1566, 2007)
** "Old Gods" (in ''2000 AD'' #1600-, 2008)
** "Signs and Portents" (in ''2000 AD'' Prog 2009 and #1617-1623, 2008–2009)
** "The Chimes of Midnight" (in ''2000 AD'' #1644-1649, 2009)
** "Hell and High Water" (in ''2000 AD'' #1688-1699, 2010)
** "Gods and Monsters" (in ''2000 AD'' #1728-1739, 2011)
** "Beautiful Freak" (in ''2000 AD'' #1792-1796, 2012)
** "Fire Across the Deep" (in ''2000 AD'' Prog 2013 and #1813-1823, 2012-2013)
*'' The Scarlet Apocrypha'': "Semblance" (with Dan Abnett
Daniel P. Abnett ( ; born 12 October 1965) is an English comic book writer and novelist. He has been a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and has worked on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since ...
, in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #4.13, 2002)
*'' Tyranny Rex'': "The Comeback" (with John Smith, in ''2000 AD'' #1395–1399, 2004)
*'' Detonator X'' (with Ian Edginton, in ''2000 AD'' #1534–1543, 2007)
Awards
*1987 ''Zenith'': "Phase One" won the Eagle Award for Favourite Single or Continued Story (British)
Notes
References
*
*
Steve Yeowell
at Barney
Steve Yeowell
on Marvel.com
External links
2004 interview with 2000ADReview
Month of Art Stars: Artist's Choice – Steve Yeowell
Comics Should Be Good, Comic Book Resources
''CBR'', formerly ''Comic Book Resources'', is a news website primarily covering comic book news, comic book reviews, and comic book–related topics involving movies, television, anime, and video games. It is owned by Valnet, parent of publicat ...
, 5 July 2009
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yeowell, Steve
Living people
Year of birth missing (living people)
British comics artists