John Ostrander (born April 20, 1949) is an American writer of
comic bookA comic book is a magazine made up of narrative artwork, often accompanied by dialog and often including brief descriptive prose...
s. Originally an actor in a Chicago theatre company, he moved into writing comics in 1983. His first published works were stories about the character "Sargon, Mistress of War", who appeared the
First ComicsFirst Comics was an American comic-book publisher active in the 1980s, known for titles like American Flagg!, Grimjack, Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, and Jon Sable.-History:...
series
Warp!Warp!, also spelled Warp, was an American science-fiction play. It was created at Chicago, Illinois' Organic Theatre Company in 1971 by co-authors Stuart Gordon and Bury St. Edmund. The play moved to Broadway for a short run in February 1973...
, based on a series of plays by that same Chicago theatre company. He is co-creator of the character
GrimjackGrimjack is the main character of a comic book published by First Comics. John Ostrander and Timothy Truman are credited as co-creators of the character, although Ostrander had been developing Grimjack with artist Lenin Delsol before Truman's arrival on the project...
with
Timothy TrumanTimothy Truman is an American writer, artist and musician best known for his stories and Wild West-style comic book art....
, who originally appeared in a back up story in the
First ComicsFirst Comics was an American comic-book publisher active in the 1980s, known for titles like American Flagg!, Grimjack, Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, and Jon Sable.-History:...
title,
StarslayerStarslayer: The Log of the Jolly Roger was an American comic book series created by Mike Grell.-Publication history:Grell originally created Starslayer for DC Comics, but plans to publish it were halted after the mass cancellation of titles known as the DC Implosion. Instead, he offered it to...
, before going on to appear in his own book, again published by
First ComicsFirst Comics was an American comic-book publisher active in the 1980s, known for titles like American Flagg!, Grimjack, Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, and Jon Sable.-History:...
in the mid 1980s.
John Ostrander (born April 20, 1949) is an American writer of
comic bookA comic book is a magazine made up of narrative artwork, often accompanied by dialog and often including brief descriptive prose...
s. Originally an actor in a Chicago theatre company, he moved into writing comics in 1983. His first published works were stories about the character "Sargon, Mistress of War", who appeared the
First ComicsFirst Comics was an American comic-book publisher active in the 1980s, known for titles like American Flagg!, Grimjack, Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, and Jon Sable.-History:...
series
Warp!Warp!, also spelled Warp, was an American science-fiction play. It was created at Chicago, Illinois' Organic Theatre Company in 1971 by co-authors Stuart Gordon and Bury St. Edmund. The play moved to Broadway for a short run in February 1973...
, based on a series of plays by that same Chicago theatre company. He is co-creator of the character
GrimjackGrimjack is the main character of a comic book published by First Comics. John Ostrander and Timothy Truman are credited as co-creators of the character, although Ostrander had been developing Grimjack with artist Lenin Delsol before Truman's arrival on the project...
with
Timothy TrumanTimothy Truman is an American writer, artist and musician best known for his stories and Wild West-style comic book art....
, who originally appeared in a back up story in the
First ComicsFirst Comics was an American comic-book publisher active in the 1980s, known for titles like American Flagg!, Grimjack, Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, and Jon Sable.-History:...
title,
StarslayerStarslayer: The Log of the Jolly Roger was an American comic book series created by Mike Grell.-Publication history:Grell originally created Starslayer for DC Comics, but plans to publish it were halted after the mass cancellation of titles known as the DC Implosion. Instead, he offered it to...
, before going on to appear in his own book, again published by
First ComicsFirst Comics was an American comic-book publisher active in the 1980s, known for titles like American Flagg!, Grimjack, Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, and Jon Sable.-History:...
in the mid 1980s. First Comics ceased publication in 1991, by which time Ostrander was already doing work for other comics companies (his first scripts for
DC ComicsDC Comics is one of the largest and most popular American comic book and related media companies, along with Marvel Comics. It is the publishing division of DC Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary company of Warner Bros. Entertainment...
were published in 1986).
Prior to his career in comic books, Ostrander studied
theologyThe term "theology" literally means the study of God, deriving from the Greek word theos, meaning 'God', and the suffix -ology from the Greek word logos meaning "discourse", "theory", or "reasoning"...
with the intent of becoming a Catholic
priestA priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities. Their office or position is the priesthood, a term which may also apply to such persons collectively.Priests and priestesses...
, but now describes himself as an agnostic . His in-depth explorations of morality were later used in his work writing
The SpectreThe Spectre is a fictional cosmic entity and superhero who has appeared in numerous comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in a next issue ad in More Fun Comics #51 and received his first story the next month, #52...
, a
DC ComicsDC Comics is one of the largest and most popular American comic book and related media companies, along with Marvel Comics. It is the publishing division of DC Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary company of Warner Bros. Entertainment...
series about the manifestation of the wrath of God. His focus on the character's human aspect, a dead police detective from the 1930s named Jim Corrigan, and his exploration of moral and theological themes brought new life to a character often thought of as impossible to write. He has also worked on
FirestormFirestorm is the name of three fictional comic book superheroes published by DC Comics. Ronnie Raymond the first Firestorm debuted in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man vol. 1 #1 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom. Martin Stein the second Firestorm debuted in Firestorm the Nuclear Man vol...
,
Justice LeagueThe Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
,
Martian ManhunterJ'onn J'onzz, also referred to as the Martian Manhunter, is a fictional character that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225 J'onn J'onzz, also referred to as the Martian...
,
ManhunterManhunter is the name given to several different DC Comics superheroes/antiheroes, as well as the Manhunters, an entire race of androids created by the Guardians of the Universe as a forerunner to the Green Lantern Corps...
,
Suicide SquadThe Suicide Squad is a name for two fictional organizations in DC Comics Universe. The first version debuted in The Brave and the Bold #25 , the second, also known as Task Force X, in Legends #3 . An "original" Suicide Squad was retconned into continuity in Secret Origins vol...
, and
WastelandWasteland was an American anthology-style horror comic book published by DC Comics in 1987-1989 and intended for adult readers. The series lasted 18 issues....
for DC.
From the mid-1980s until her death from
breast cancerBreast cancer is a cancer that starts in the breast, usually in the inner lining of the milk ducts or lobules. There are different types of breast cancer, with different stages , aggressiveness, and genetic makeup. With best treatment, 10-year disease-free survival varies from 98% to 10%...
in 1997, Ostrander frequently co-wrote with his wife
Kim YaleKim Yale was an American writer and editor of comic books for multiple comic book companies, including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, First Comics and Warp Graphics....
. It was while working with her that he made what is probably his most lasting contribution to the
DC UniverseThe DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
: the recasting of Barbara Gordon, the former
BatgirlBatgirl is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, frequently depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman. Originally created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff, the first incarnation of the character, the "Bat-Girl" Betty Kane, debuted in...
, into the information and computer specialist
OracleOracle, in comics, may refer to:*Oracle, an alias used by DC Comics character Barbara Gordon, formerly Batgirl*Oracle. the original alias of the DC Comics character who would be reimagined as Aurakles...
. He is also responsible for the creation of characters like
Amanda WallerDr. Amanda Blake Waller is a character published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Legends #1 in 1986, and was created by John Ostrander, Len Wein, and John Byrne...
,
ShangoShango is a fictional deity published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Firestorm, The Nuclear Man #95, March 1990, and was created by John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake.-Down the Chain:...
, the
SoyuzSoyuz is a fictional DC Comics Russian superteam introduced in Firestorm v.2 #70, . They were created by John Ostrander and Joe Brozowski...
and
PozharPozhar is a fictional DC Comics Russian superhero. A frequent nemesis of Firestorm, he first appeared in Fury of Firestorm #62, , and was created by John Ostrander and Joe Brozowski.-Fictional character biography:...
.
At
Marvel ComicsMarvel Publishing, Inc., a company doing business as Marvel Comics, produces American comic books and related media. It forms a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc....
, Ostrander has also worked on
X-MenX-Men is a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1 . Under a cloud of increasing anti-mutant sentiment, Professor Xavier creates a haven at his Westchester mansion to train young mutants to use their powers for the...
,
BishopBishop is a Marvel Comics superhero; a fictional character who is a member of the X-Men. Created by Whilce Portacio and Jim Lee, the character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #282 ....
,
QuicksilverQuicksilver is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 Quicksilver (Pietro Django Maximoff) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4...
,
Heroes for HireHeroes for Hire is a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics. The team first appeared in Power Man and Iron Fist #54 , and was created by Ed Hannigan and Lee Elias.-Publication history and original concept:...
and the
PunisherThe Punisher is an antihero within Marvel Comics' Marvel Universe, created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr. and Ross Andru...
, as well as the acclaimed
WesternWestern may refer to:* Western , a category of fiction and visual art centered on the American Old West** Western fiction, the Western genre as featured in literatureIn geography:...
mini-series
Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes.
Ostrander has also written for other comics companies:
Hotspur for
Eclipse ComicsEclipse Comics was an American comic book publisher, one of several independent publishers during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1978, it published the first graphic novel for the newly-created comic book specialty store market...
;
Lady DeathLady Death is a fictional character, a comic book goddess created by Brian Pulido and Steven Hughes. Lady Death first appeared in Evil Ernie #1 by Eternity Comics in December 1991. Lady Death then reappeared in the Evil Ernie: The Resurrection mini-series published by Pulido under his now defunct...
for
Chaos! Comics-Overview:Their titles included Lady Death, Purgatori, Evil Ernie, Chastity, Jade, Omen, Bad Kitty, Cremator, Lady Demon, and Smiley The Psychotic Button....
;
Magnus, Robot FighterMagnus, Robot Fighter is a fictional character created by writer/artist Russ Manning in 1963, based primarily on Tarzan. Magnus first appeared in Magnus Robot Fighter 4000 A.D. #1, published by Gold Key Comics in February 1963. The character was subsequently published by Valiant Comics and...
,
Rai and the Future ForceRai is a fictional superhero from the Valiant Comics universe. Rai was the first original hero created by Valiant and had its beginning as a flipbook back-up feature in Magnus Robot Fighter issues #5-8. The popularity of the flipbook back-up story later led to an ongoing series...
and
Eternal WarriorGilad Anni-Padda aka the Eternal Warrior is the title character of a 50-issue comic book series by Valiant Comics that ran from 1992 to 1996. Eternal Warrior was relaunched with the other Valiant characters under the banner of Acclaim Comics in 1996 . Valiant Entertainment, Inc...
for
Valiant ComicsValiant Comics is a American comic book publishing company founded by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter, writer/artists Bob Layton and a number of financial partners in 1989....
.
Ostrander was one of the main writers on
Star Wars: RepublicThe Star Wars: Republic comic book series is set in the Star Wars universe, and depicted events taking place between Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace to just after Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. There are 83 issues. It was originally titled simply Star Wars, and acquired its...
for
Dark Horse ComicsDark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book publisher.Mike Richardson, the owner of several comic book shops in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, began to publish in 1986 with an anthology series called Dark Horse Presents, investing profits from his stores into Dark...
, and many of his story arcs, such as "Twilight", "Darkness", and "The Clone Wars" stories are available in trade paperbacks. He is also the writer of an ongoing Star Wars comic series,
Star Wars: LegacyStar Wars: Legacy is an American comic book series set in the Star Wars universe. The series, published by Dark Horse Comics, is written by John Ostrander and Jan Duursema, and illustrated by Duursema and others, with inks by Dan Parsons and color by Brad Anderson...
.
Ostrander has also written a
Doctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a mysterious alien time-traveller known as "the Doctor" who travels in his space and time-ship, the TARDIS, which normally appears from the exterior to be a blue 1950s police box...
audio drama for
Big Finish ProductionsBig Finish Productions is a British company that produces books and audio plays based on British cult science fiction properties...
. Titled
Deadman's Hand, the story was originally announced for release in March 2004; it has since been resheduled twice, but no longer appears on Big Finish's pages as a
Future Releases and now seems unlikely to ever be released. As announced, the story was to feature the
Seventh DoctorThe Seventh Doctor is a fictional character, the seventh incarnation of the Doctor seen on screen in the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who...
,
AceAce, real name Dorothy, is a fictional character played by Sophie Aldred in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
and
HexThomas Hector Schofield, nicknamed Hex, is a fictional character played by Philip Olivier in a series of audio plays produced by Big Finish Productions based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. A staff nurse working for St. Gart's Hospital in London in the year...
.
His work has won him a good deal of recognition in the comics field, including nominations for the
Comics Buyer's GuideComics Buyer's Guide is the second longest-running periodical reporting on the comic book industry. Only the Dutch monthly Stripschrift, first published in February 1968, has been running longer.-History:...
Award for Favorite Writer in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.
In December 2006,
DC ComicsDC Comics is one of the largest and most popular American comic book and related media companies, along with Marvel Comics. It is the publishing division of DC Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary company of Warner Bros. Entertainment...
published a new
BatmanThe Batman, originally referred to as the Bat-Man, is a fictional character, a comic book superhero co-created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger , appearing in publications by DC Comics...
story-arc titled 'Grotesk' written by Ostrander that ran through
BatmanBatman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27, published in May 1939. Batman proved to be so popular that a self-titled ongoing comic book series began publication in the spring of 1940...
issues 659-662 with Tom Mandrake drawing.
Ostrander suffers from glaucoma, and is facing significant bills in treatment. To help cover his costs, a benefit auction has been organized for the 2009 Chicago Comic Con, with donations being managed by the website
comix4sight.com.
External links