Gary Frank
Encyclopedia
Gary Frank is a British
comic book artist
, notable for pencilling on Midnight Nation
and Supreme Power
, both written by J. Michael Straczynski
. He has also worked with author Peter David
on The Incredible Hulk and Supergirl
. He had a creator-owned
series, Kin
, which he wrote himself, published by Top Cow in 2000.
Writer Geoff Johns
, who has collaborated with Frank, has opined that Frank's rendition of Superman is the best of his generation, and that the only other artist in the same league with Frank in this regard is Curt Swan
.
and Toxic!
. This led to a stint at Marvel UK
in 1992, as regular series' artist on Motormouth & Killpower
. It was on that series that he began a long-running collaboration with inker
Cam Smith
, who would continue to ink Frank's work for many years. In 1992, Frank was recruited by Marvel Comics
to illustrate covers for The Incredible Hulk, beginning with issue #400. Shortly thereafter, he was hired as the series' ongoing artist (replacing Jan Duursema
) beginning with issue #403 in 1993 and ending with #425 in 1995. Frank is widely considered the last of the "four great artists" (following Todd McFarlane
, Jeff Purves, and Dale Keown
) who have worked on the series during writer
Peter David
's award-winning, 12-year run on the book.
During his initial time at Marvel, Frank also contributed covers, interiors, and pin-up illustrations for various series, such as X-Men Unlimited
, the Sabretooth Special
, X-Men Classic, X-Men Prime, and Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme
, among others. He also provided covers for Acclaim Comics' Ninjak
and Harris Comics' Vampirella
.
In 1996, Frank moved to DC Comics
, where he worked on various loose assignments that included a Birds of Prey one-shot and covers for the mini-series and one-shots that followed, and the DC/Marvel Amalgam
one-shot, Bullets and Bracelets. The same year, Frank and Smith were hired as the art team on DC's new Supergirl
ongoing series, which re-teamed Frank with writer Peter David. Frank's run as penciller ended with issue #9 in 1997, although he continued to provide covers for the series until issue #21.
In 1997, Frank and Smith moved to Image Comics
, where they, along with writer John Arcudi
, were hired as the new creative team on the popular Wildstorm
title Gen¹³
, beginning with the epilogue story in issue #25. Their run on the series was praised for its dark, realistic style, in both writing and art; however, the drastic change in tone and style alienated many longtime fans who had grown accustomed to the more fantastical and cartoonish approach of the highly successful Brandon Choi
/J. Scott Campbell
run. Nevertheless, the Arcudi/Frank/Smith tenure on the series lasted two years, until issue #41 in 1999.
(It was during this run, in 1998, that Wildstorm head Jim Lee
moved his studio and all its properties to DC Comics. Therefore, issues #25-36 were published by Image and issues #37-41 were published by DC/Wildstorm.)
In 2000, Frank worked on various loose assignments for both DC and Marvel, including issue #7 of Tom Strong
(under DC's America's Best Comics imprint), and writing and penciling a 2-page X-Men story in X-Men: Millennial Visions (his final collaboration to date with inker Cam Smith), while working on his first creator-owned series. Kin
, a six-issue miniseries created, written, and penciled by Frank, was published under Image's Top Cow imprint. The story tells of a secret government agency named S.I.A. who discovers that a race of neanderthal men exists in the mountains of Alaska and proceed to eliminate them in order to obtain their technology, which developed differently from that of the rest of the world. The book's protagonist, S.I.A. agent Trey McAloon, is opposed to the agency's plans and confronts them about it, while the book's other main character, Alaskan Park Ranger Elizabeth Leaky, establishes contact with one of the neanderthals.
The miniseries' conclusion was an open-ended one, with questions left unanswered, but, as of yet, no sequel or continuation of the story has been announced. The trade paperback collection of Kin (entitled Kin: Descent of Man) includes six pages of additional story that were not featured in the original issues.
Also in 2000, Frank began his first collaboration with J. Michael Straczynski
, the acclaimed television writer and creator of Babylon 5
, who had created the successful comic series Rising Stars
the year before. Frank served as penciller on Straczynski's Midnight Nation
, a 12-issue limited series published by Top Cow from 2000 to 2002 under their now-defunct Joe's Comics
imprint. The first issue of the series included a 5-page interview with Frank and Straczynski. One of the inkers on the series was Jon Sibal, with whom Frank would begin a long-running artistic collaboration that continues to this day.
On July 16, 2002, it was announced that Frank had signed an exclusive contract with Marvel. His first work under this new contract was a two-issue story arc on The Avengers
(issues #61-62), written by Geoff Johns
and inked by Jon Sibal. In 2003, Frank re-teamed with writer J. Michael Straczynski on Supreme Power
, a revamp of Marvel's superhero team Squadron Supreme
, published under their mature-audience Marvel MAX imprint. With its hard-edged realism and mature storytelling, the book became Marvel's first MAX title to sell over 100,000 copies, making it their best-selling mature-readers series of all time. The series ran for 18 issues, from 2003 to 2005.
During his run on Supreme Power, Frank also provided covers for a diverse number of Marvel books, such as Silver Surfer
#7; Wolverine/Punisher #2; The Incredible Hulk #75; issues 4 and 6 of the Supreme Power spin-off miniseries, Doctor Spectrum; The Amazing Spider-Man
#515 and 517; Black Panther
#10; and numerous others, as well as two pages of interior art for the Avengers: Finale one-shot.
On May 10, 2007, having worked several years on a Marvel
exclusive contract, Frank signed a new one with DC Comics
. He most recently served as the regular series artist on Action Comics
with writer Geoff Johns
. After the New Krypton
story arc, Action Comics became a title headlined by Kryptonian
heroes Nightwing
and Flamebird
. As a result of this, the creative team on Action Comics changed.
Frank and Johns will still be working with Superman, however, in a six-issue mini-series entitled Superman: Secret Origin
. The story features what Johns and DC Executive Editor Dan DiDio
are calling a "definitive" telling of the origin story of Superman
, dealing with his life in Smallville, his first adventure with the Legion of Super-Heroes
as Superboy
, and his arrival in Metropolis
and at the Daily Planet
. Frank and Johns will also collaborate on an out-of-continuity original graphic novel
starring Batman titled Batman: Earth One
. The novel is the first in a series of graphic novel scheduled in 2010 that is a redefining of Batman.
players from the 1989–90 season. He wrote it in conjunction with then-Rovers player Geoff Twentyman
.
The DVD case for the documentary Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics features a Superman illustration by Frank.
Frank's artwork was featured during the finale of the TV series Smallville
when the character Chloe Sullivan
is shown reading a Superman comic book to her son.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
comic book artist
Comic Book Artist
Comic Book Artist was an American magazine founded by Jon B. Cooke devoted to anecdotal histories of American comic books, with emphasis on comics published since the 1960s...
, notable for pencilling on Midnight Nation
Midnight Nation
Midnight Nation is a religious-themed twelve-issue American comic book limited series, created by J. Michael Straczynski and published from 2000 to 2002 by Top Cow Productions under their now defunct Joe's Comics imprint...
and Supreme Power
Supreme Power
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in publications under the mature-audience MAX imprint by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in Supreme Power #1 and was created by writer J...
, both written by J. Michael Straczynski
J. Michael Straczynski
Joseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
. He has also worked with author Peter David
Peter David
Peter Allen David , often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, movies and video games...
on The Incredible Hulk and Supergirl
Supergirl
Supergirl is a female counterpart to the DC Comics Superman. As his cousin, she shares his super powers and vulnerability to Kryptonite. She was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959. She first appeared in the Action Comics comic book series and later branched out...
. He had a creator-owned
Creator ownership
Creator ownership is an arrangement in which the creator or creators of a work of fiction retain full ownership of the material, regardless of whether it is self-published or by a corporate publisher. In some fields of publishing, such as fiction writing, creator ownership is a standard arrangement...
series, Kin
Kin (comics)
Kin is a 6 issues comics-book limited series created in 2000 by Gary Frank and published by Top Cow/Image Comics. A secret government agency S.I.A. finds out that the neanderthals still exist hidden in Alaskan mountains and proceed to eliminate them in order to obtain their technology that...
, which he wrote himself, published by Top Cow in 2000.
Writer Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
, who has collaborated with Frank, has opined that Frank's rendition of Superman is the best of his generation, and that the only other artist in the same league with Frank in this regard is Curt Swan
Curt Swan
Douglas Curtis Swan was an American comic book artist. The artist most associated with Superman during the period fans and historians call the Silver Age of comic books, Swan produced hundreds of covers and stories from the 1950s through the 1980s.-Early life and career:Curt Swan, whose Swedish...
.
Career
Gary Frank began his professional career in 1991, illustrating covers and interior short stories for publications like Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine
Doctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
and Toxic!
Toxic!
Toxic! was a British weekly comic book published by Apocalypse Ltd. A total of 31 issues were published from March 28-October 24, 1991.-History:...
. This led to a stint at Marvel UK
Marvel UK
Marvel UK was an imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint US produced stories for the British weekly comic market, though it later did produce original material by British creators such as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Dave Gibbons, Steve Dillon and Grant Morrison.Panini Comics obtained the...
in 1992, as regular series' artist on Motormouth & Killpower
Motormouth (comics)
Motormouth is a fictional character created by Paul Neary and developed by writer Graham Marks with initial designs by Gary Frank as the titular character of her own series Motormouth , was part of a line of original comics released in the early-to-mid 1990s by Marvel UK...
. It was on that series that he began a long-running collaboration with inker
Inker
The inker is one of the two line artists in a traditional comic book or graphic novel. After a pencilled drawing is given to the inker, the inker uses black ink to produce refined outlines over the pencil lines...
Cam Smith
Cam Smith
Cam Smith is a British comic book artist and inker known to British comic book readers for his work on 2000 AD and in the American comic book market for his collaborations with Gary Frank, inking that would earn him and Eisner Award nomination....
, who would continue to ink Frank's work for many years. In 1992, Frank was recruited by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
to illustrate covers for The Incredible Hulk, beginning with issue #400. Shortly thereafter, he was hired as the series' ongoing artist (replacing Jan Duursema
Jan Duursema
Jan Duursema is an American comic book artist known for her work on the Star Wars comics franchise. She was the creator of Denin and Vila from Naldar, the Twi'lek Jedi Aayla Secura and the Kiffar Jedi Quinlan Vos....
) beginning with issue #403 in 1993 and ending with #425 in 1995. Frank is widely considered the last of the "four great artists" (following Todd McFarlane
Todd McFarlane
Todd McFarlane is a Canadian cartoonist, writer, toy designer and entrepreneur, best known for his work in comic books, such as the fantasy series Spawn....
, Jeff Purves, and Dale Keown
Dale Keown
Dale Keown is a Canadian comic book artist from Grande Prairie, Alberta who currently resides in Toronto.-Career:Keown started working in comics in 1986 drawing several series for Aircel Comics, including Samurai, Elflord, Dragon Ring , and Warlock 5.Keown moved to Marvel Comics in 1989, where he...
) who have worked on the series during writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
Peter David
Peter David
Peter Allen David , often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, movies and video games...
's award-winning, 12-year run on the book.
During his initial time at Marvel, Frank also contributed covers, interiors, and pin-up illustrations for various series, such as X-Men Unlimited
X-Men Unlimited
-Volume 1:The purpose of this title was to run stories that fit between the main X-Men comics. The stories included all characters from the X-titles, and the issues were collections of short stories...
, the Sabretooth Special
Sabretooth (comics)
Sabretooth is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne. The character first appeared in Iron Fist #14...
, X-Men Classic, X-Men Prime, and Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
, among others. He also provided covers for Acclaim Comics' Ninjak
Ninjak
Ninjak is a fictional comic book character that originally appeared in eponymous books by Valiant Comics, and later by Acclaim Comics. Co-created by writer Mark Moretti and artist Joe Quesada, the character first appeared in Bloodshot #6 as Colin King and quickly gained his own series...
and Harris Comics' Vampirella
Vampirella
Vampirella is a fictional character, a comic book vampire heroine created by Forrest J Ackerman and costume designer Trina Robbins in Warren Publishing's black-and-white horror comics magazine Vampirella #1 . Writer-editor Archie Goodwin later developed the character from horror-story hostess, in...
.
In 1996, Frank moved to DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, where he worked on various loose assignments that included a Birds of Prey one-shot and covers for the mini-series and one-shots that followed, and the DC/Marvel Amalgam
Amalgam Comics
Amalgam Comics was a publishing imprint shared by DC Comics and Marvel Comics, in which the two comic book publishers merged their characters into new ones . These characters first appeared in a series of twelve comic books which were published in 1996, between issues 3 and 4 of the Marvel vs...
one-shot, Bullets and Bracelets. The same year, Frank and Smith were hired as the art team on DC's new Supergirl
Supergirl
Supergirl is a female counterpart to the DC Comics Superman. As his cousin, she shares his super powers and vulnerability to Kryptonite. She was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959. She first appeared in the Action Comics comic book series and later branched out...
ongoing series, which re-teamed Frank with writer Peter David. Frank's run as penciller ended with issue #9 in 1997, although he continued to provide covers for the series until issue #21.
In 1997, Frank and Smith moved to Image Comics
Image Comics
Image Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
, where they, along with writer John Arcudi
John Arcudi
John Arcudi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work on The Mask and B.P.R.D., and his series Major Bummer.-Career:Arcudi worked for Malibu Comics upon its founding in 1986, working on its Eternity line...
, were hired as the new creative team on the popular Wildstorm
Wildstorm
WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...
title Gen¹³
Gen¹³
Gen¹³ is a fictional superhero team and comic book series originally written by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi and illustrated by J. Scott Campbell. It was originally published by Image Comics under the banner Wildstorm, which went on to become an imprint for DC Comics, who continued publishing the Gen¹³...
, beginning with the epilogue story in issue #25. Their run on the series was praised for its dark, realistic style, in both writing and art; however, the drastic change in tone and style alienated many longtime fans who had grown accustomed to the more fantastical and cartoonish approach of the highly successful Brandon Choi
Brandon Choi
Brandon Choi is an American comic book writer best known as one of the co-creators of the series Gen¹³ which enjoyed high popularity in the middle and late 1990s. He also wrote several other titles for Wildstorm Comics.-Biography:...
/J. Scott Campbell
J. Scott Campbell
Jeffrey Scott Campbell is an American comic book artist. He has had several pen names, including "Jeff Scott", but is best known as J. Scott Campbell...
run. Nevertheless, the Arcudi/Frank/Smith tenure on the series lasted two years, until issue #41 in 1999.
(It was during this run, in 1998, that Wildstorm head Jim Lee
Jim Lee
Jim Lee is a Korean-American comic book artist, writer, editor and publisher. He first broke into the industry in 1987 as an artist for Marvel Comics, illustrating titles such as Alpha Flight and Punisher War Journal, before gaining a great deal of popularity on The Uncanny X-Men...
moved his studio and all its properties to DC Comics. Therefore, issues #25-36 were published by Image and issues #37-41 were published by DC/Wildstorm.)
In 2000, Frank worked on various loose assignments for both DC and Marvel, including issue #7 of Tom Strong
Tom Strong
Tom Strong is a comic book created by writer Alan Moore and artist Chris Sprouse initially published bi-monthly by America's Best Comics, an imprint of DC Comics' Wildstorm division.-Background:Tom Strong, the title character, is a "science hero"...
(under DC's America's Best Comics imprint), and writing and penciling a 2-page X-Men story in X-Men: Millennial Visions (his final collaboration to date with inker Cam Smith), while working on his first creator-owned series. Kin
Kin (comics)
Kin is a 6 issues comics-book limited series created in 2000 by Gary Frank and published by Top Cow/Image Comics. A secret government agency S.I.A. finds out that the neanderthals still exist hidden in Alaskan mountains and proceed to eliminate them in order to obtain their technology that...
, a six-issue miniseries created, written, and penciled by Frank, was published under Image's Top Cow imprint. The story tells of a secret government agency named S.I.A. who discovers that a race of neanderthal men exists in the mountains of Alaska and proceed to eliminate them in order to obtain their technology, which developed differently from that of the rest of the world. The book's protagonist, S.I.A. agent Trey McAloon, is opposed to the agency's plans and confronts them about it, while the book's other main character, Alaskan Park Ranger Elizabeth Leaky, establishes contact with one of the neanderthals.
The miniseries' conclusion was an open-ended one, with questions left unanswered, but, as of yet, no sequel or continuation of the story has been announced. The trade paperback collection of Kin (entitled Kin: Descent of Man) includes six pages of additional story that were not featured in the original issues.
Also in 2000, Frank began his first collaboration with J. Michael Straczynski
J. Michael Straczynski
Joseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
, the acclaimed television writer and creator of Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
, who had created the successful comic series Rising Stars
Rising Stars
Rising Stars is a 24-issue comic book limited series by J. Michael Straczynski about 113 people born with special abilities following the appearance of a mysterious light in the sky above Pederson, Illinois. The series explores how society may react to the advent of superpowers, and how those who...
the year before. Frank served as penciller on Straczynski's Midnight Nation
Midnight Nation
Midnight Nation is a religious-themed twelve-issue American comic book limited series, created by J. Michael Straczynski and published from 2000 to 2002 by Top Cow Productions under their now defunct Joe's Comics imprint...
, a 12-issue limited series published by Top Cow from 2000 to 2002 under their now-defunct Joe's Comics
Joe's Comics
Joe's Comics was a short lived American comic book imprint of Top Cow Productions created specifically for J. Michael Straczynski. Top Cow offered JMS his own imprint after the impressive sales of Rising Stars. He accepted and named it Joe's Comics. In his own words:Rising Stars was moved to the...
imprint. The first issue of the series included a 5-page interview with Frank and Straczynski. One of the inkers on the series was Jon Sibal, with whom Frank would begin a long-running artistic collaboration that continues to this day.
On July 16, 2002, it was announced that Frank had signed an exclusive contract with Marvel. His first work under this new contract was a two-issue story arc on The Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
(issues #61-62), written by Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
and inked by Jon Sibal. In 2003, Frank re-teamed with writer J. Michael Straczynski on Supreme Power
Squadron Supreme (Supreme Power)
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in publications under the mature-audience MAX imprint by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in Supreme Power #1 and was created by writer J...
, a revamp of Marvel's superhero team Squadron Supreme
Squadron Supreme
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first appeared in Avengers #85 - 86 The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first...
, published under their mature-audience Marvel MAX imprint. With its hard-edged realism and mature storytelling, the book became Marvel's first MAX title to sell over 100,000 copies, making it their best-selling mature-readers series of all time. The series ran for 18 issues, from 2003 to 2005.
During his run on Supreme Power, Frank also provided covers for a diverse number of Marvel books, such as Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
#7; Wolverine/Punisher #2; The Incredible Hulk #75; issues 4 and 6 of the Supreme Power spin-off miniseries, Doctor Spectrum; The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the adventures of the fictional superhero Spider-Man. Being the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a monthly periodical and was published continuously until it was...
#515 and 517; Black Panther
Black Panther (comics)
The Black Panther is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and penciller-co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #52...
#10; and numerous others, as well as two pages of interior art for the Avengers: Finale one-shot.
On May 10, 2007, having worked several years on a Marvel
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
exclusive contract, Frank signed a new one with DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. He most recently served as the regular series artist on Action Comics
Action Comics
Action Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined...
with writer Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
. After the New Krypton
Superman: New Krypton
"New Krypton" is a Superman story arc written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Sterling Gates with art by Gary Frank, Alex Ross, Renato Guedes, Jamal Igle and Pete Woods and published by DC Comics...
story arc, Action Comics became a title headlined by Kryptonian
Kryptonian
Kryptonians are a fictional extraterrestrial race of the DC Comics universe who hail from the planet Krypton. The term originated from the stories of DC Comics superhero, Superman...
heroes Nightwing
Nightwing
Nightwing is a name that has been used by several fictional characters in the DC Comics Universe. It was conceived as a Kryptonian analogue to the character of Batman, with Nightwing's frequent partner Flamebird based on Robin...
and Flamebird
Flamebird
Flamebird is the name used by six different fictional comic book characters who have appeared in books published by DC Comics, specifically from the Superman and Batman mythos....
. As a result of this, the creative team on Action Comics changed.
Frank and Johns will still be working with Superman, however, in a six-issue mini-series entitled Superman: Secret Origin
Superman: Secret Origin
Superman: Secret Origin was a six-issue monthly American comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank starring the DC Comics superhero Superman...
. The story features what Johns and DC Executive Editor Dan DiDio
Dan DiDio
Dan DiDio is an American writer, editor and publisher who has worked in the television and comic book industries. He is currently the Co-Publisher of DC Comics, along with Jim Lee...
are calling a "definitive" telling of the origin story of Superman
Origin of Superman
The origin of Superman is the story that relates Superman's arrival on Earth and the beginnings of his career as a superhero. The story has been through many revisions through decades of publication in comic books and radio, television and film adaptations....
, dealing with his life in Smallville, his first adventure with the Legion of Super-Heroes
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a fictional superhero team in the 30th and 31st centuries of the . The team first appears in Adventure Comics #247 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
as Superboy
Superboy (Kal-El)
The original Superboy is a fictional superhero who appears in DC Comics. The name of Superman as a boy, Superboy has adventures that occur in the relative past to those of Superman and take place predominantly in his hometown of Smallville...
, and his arrival in Metropolis
Metropolis (comics)
Metropolis is a fictional city that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is the home of Superman. Metropolis first appeared by name in Action Comics #16 ....
and at the Daily Planet
Daily Planet
The Daily Planet is a fictional broadsheet newspaper in the , appearing mostly in the stories of Superman. The building's original features were based upon the AT&T Huron Road Building in Cleveland, Ohio...
. Frank and Johns will also collaborate on an out-of-continuity original graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
starring Batman titled Batman: Earth One
Batman: Earth One
Batman: Earth One is an upcoming graphic novel series, that is part of the DC: Earth One line, set to be released on May 8 2012, written by Geoff Johns with art by Gary Frank.-Publication history:...
. The novel is the first in a series of graphic novel scheduled in 2010 that is a redefining of Batman.
DC Comics
- Action ComicsAction ComicsAction Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined...
#858-863, 866-870 (2007–08) - BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
: Dark Knight Dynasty (among other artists) (1997) - Batman ChroniclesBatman ChroniclesThe Batman Chronicles is a series of comics published by DC Comics from 1995 to 2001, which lasted 23 quarterly issues and a series of collections.-Publication history:...
#10 (1997) - Black CanaryBlack CanaryBlack Canary is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics superheroines created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino. The first Black Canary debuted appeared in Flash Comics #86 . The first Black Canary was the alter-ego of Dinah Drake, who took part in Golden Age adventures...
/OracleOracle (comics)Oracle, in comics, may refer to:*Oracle, an alias used by DC Comics character Barbara Gordon*Oracle. the original alias of the DC Comics character who would be reimagined as Aurakles...
: Birds of Prey, one-shot (1996) - Bullets and Bracelets #1 (Amalgam ComicsAmalgam ComicsAmalgam Comics was a publishing imprint shared by DC Comics and Marvel Comics, in which the two comic book publishers merged their characters into new ones . These characters first appeared in a series of twelve comic books which were published in 1996, between issues 3 and 4 of the Marvel vs...
, 1996) - DC Universe: LegaciesDC Universe: LegaciesDC Universe: Legacies are a 2010-2011 ten-issue comic book limited series written by Len Wein and published by DC Comics. It details the person an admirer of Golden Age of Comic Books-era, Silver Age of Comic Books-era, Bronze Age of Comic Books-era, and Modern Age of Comic Books-era superheroes in...
, limited series, (Blue BeetleBlue BeetleBlue Beetle is the name of three fictional superheroes that appear in American comic books published by a variety of companies since 1939.-Publication history:...
) #10 (2011) - The Flash #1 (Tangent ComicsTangent ComicsTangent Comics was a DC Comics imprint created in 1997–1998, developed from ideas created by Dan Jurgens. The line, formed from various one-shots, focused on creating all-new characters using established DC names, such as the Joker, Superman, and the Flash...
, 1997) - Gen¹³Gen¹³Gen¹³ is a fictional superhero team and comic book series originally written by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi and illustrated by J. Scott Campbell. It was originally published by Image Comics under the banner Wildstorm, which went on to become an imprint for DC Comics, who continued publishing the Gen¹³...
#25-41 (WildstormWildstormWildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...
, 1997–99) - JLAJLA (comic book)JLA was a monthly comic book published by DC Comics from January 1997 to April 2006 featuring the Justice League.-Publication history:The low sales of the various Justice League spinoff books by the mid-1990s prompted DC to revamp the League as a single team on a single title...
#15 (1998) - Just Imagine Stan Lee With Gary Frank Creating ShazamJust Imagine...Just Imagine Stan Lee is a comic book published by DC Comics. It was the first work by Stan Lee, co-creator of numerous popular Marvel Comics characters, for DC Comics, in which he reimagined several DC superheroes including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The...
(2002) - SupergirlSupergirl (comic book)Supergirl is the name of six comic book series published by DC Comics, featuring various characters of the same name. The majority of the titles feature Superman's cousin Kara Zor-El.-Volume 1 :...
, vol. 3, #1-9 (1996–97) - Superman: New KryptonSuperman: New Krypton"New Krypton" is a Superman story arc written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Sterling Gates with art by Gary Frank, Alex Ross, Renato Guedes, Jamal Igle and Pete Woods and published by DC Comics...
Special, one-shot (among other artists) (2008) - Superman: Secret OriginSuperman: Secret OriginSuperman: Secret Origin was a six-issue monthly American comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank starring the DC Comics superhero Superman...
, miniseries, #1-6 (2009–10) - Tom StrongTom StrongTom Strong is a comic book created by writer Alan Moore and artist Chris Sprouse initially published bi-monthly by America's Best Comics, an imprint of DC Comics' Wildstorm division.-Background:Tom Strong, the title character, is a "science hero"...
#7 (America's Best Comics, 2000) - War of the Supermen #0 (among other artists) (2010)
- Wonder WomanWonder WomanWonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, vol. 3, Annual #1 (2007)
Marvel
- AvengersAvengers (comics)The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
, vol. 3, #61-62 (2002) - Avengers Finale (among other artists) (2005)
- Doctor Strange, Sorcerer SupremeDoctor StrangeDoctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
#82-83 (1995) - Incredible HulkHulk (comics)The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
, vol. 2, #403-411, 413-418, 420-423, 425 (1993–95) - Incredible Hulk, vol. 3, #100-101, 106-107 (2007)
- SabretoothSabretooth (comics)Sabretooth is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne. The character first appeared in Iron Fist #14...
Special #1 (1995) - Squadron SupremeSquadron SupremeThe Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first appeared in Avengers #85 - 86 The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first...
, miniseries, #1-5, 7 (2006) - Supreme PowerSupreme PowerThe Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in publications under the mature-audience MAX imprint by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in Supreme Power #1 and was created by writer J...
#1-12 (2003–04) - X-MenX-MenThe X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
: Prime (among other artists) (1995)
Other publishers
- GodwheelGodwheelThe Godwheel is one of the main concepts of the Malibu Comics Ultraverse. While it lent its name to a 1994/1995 four-issue series, the Godwheel is actually the place of origin of quite a few Ultraverse concepts, characters and significant items that predate that series...
#1 (Malibu, 1995) - KinKin (comics)Kin is a 6 issues comics-book limited series created in 2000 by Gary Frank and published by Top Cow/Image Comics. A secret government agency S.I.A. finds out that the neanderthals still exist hidden in Alaskan mountains and proceed to eliminate them in order to obtain their technology that...
#1-6 (Image, 2000) - Midnight NationMidnight NationMidnight Nation is a religious-themed twelve-issue American comic book limited series, created by J. Michael Straczynski and published from 2000 to 2002 by Top Cow Productions under their now defunct Joe's Comics imprint...
#1-12 (Image, 2000–01) - VampirellaVampirellaVampirella is a fictional character, a comic book vampire heroine created by Forrest J Ackerman and costume designer Trina Robbins in Warren Publishing's black-and-white horror comics magazine Vampirella #1 . Writer-editor Archie Goodwin later developed the character from horror-story hostess, in...
/DraculaDraculaDracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
: The Centennial (Harris, 1997)
In other media
In 1990, prior to him working in the comic industry, he produced a book called Rovers: Portrait of a Football Team, which featured caricatures of a number of Bristol Rovers F.C.Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
players from the 1989–90 season. He wrote it in conjunction with then-Rovers player Geoff Twentyman
Geoff Twentyman, Jr.
Geoff Twentyman is the sports editor of BBC Radio Bristol, and a former professional footballer.The son of former Liverpool player Geoff Twentyman, Geoff Jr. began his career as a trainee at his father's club, but after failing to make the grade there he moved on to Chorley, and from there to...
.
The DVD case for the documentary Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics features a Superman illustration by Frank.
Frank's artwork was featured during the finale of the TV series Smallville
Smallville
Smallville is the hometown of Superman in comic books published by DC Comics. While growing up in Smallville, the young Clark Kent attended Smallville High with best friends Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross...
when the character Chloe Sullivan
Chloe Sullivan
Chloe Sullivan is a fictional character from the television series Smallville. Series regular Allison Mack has portrayed the character since the pilot episode; two other actresses performed the role of Chloe Sullivan as a child. The character was created exclusively for Smallville, by series...
is shown reading a Superman comic book to her son.