.gif)
Sean Murphy (artist)
Encyclopedia
Sean Gordon Murphy is an American
animator and comic book creator
known for work on books such as Batman/Scarecrow: Year One, Teen Titans, Hellblazer
, Shaun of the Dead
and Joe the Barbarian
.
in 1980. He showed an interest in comics during grade school. In Salem
he apprenticed to local painter and cartoonist, Leslie Swank. He graduated from Pinkerton Academy high school in 1999, and attended Massachusetts College of Art
in Boston, and then Savannah College of Art and Design
.
, before moving onto various projects for Dark Horse Comics
.
Murphy's comic book work includes the miniseries Batman/Scarecrow: Year One with writer Bruce Jones
for DC Comics
and the graphic novel Off Road for Oni Press
. Upcoming projects include the four issue mini-series Outer Orbit at Dark Horse Comics
, two issues of Teen Titans for DC Comics
and a creator-owned project called Punk Rock Jesus which takes place in Ireland during the early 80s at the height of IRA terrorism. He has also had a run on Hellblazer
and, also at Vertigo, he is the artist on Joe the Barbarian
, with writer Grant Morrison
.
In 2005 he published his first original graphic novel, Off Road, which went on to win an American Library Association Award for young adults. His subsequent graphic novels include Outer Orbit and Punk Rock Jesus.
Murphy worked on Joe the Barbarian
, which was published in early 2010.
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
animator and comic book creator
Comic book creator
A comic book creator is someone who creates a comic book or graphic novel.The production of a comic book by one of the major comic book companies in the U.S...
known for work on books such as Batman/Scarecrow: Year One, Teen Titans, Hellblazer
Hellblazer
Hellblazer is a contemporary horror comic book series, originally published by DC Comics, and subsequently by the Vertigo imprint since March 1993, the month the imprint was introduced, where it remains to this day...
, Shaun of the Dead
Shaun of the Dead (comics)
The film Shaun of the Dead has had a number of comic adaptations.-2000 AD:2000 AD produced a Shaun of the Dead strip called "There's Something About Mary" which was written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, with art by Frazer Irving...
and Joe the Barbarian
Joe the Barbarian
Joe the Barbarian is an eight-issue comic book limited series written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Sean Murphy.-Publication history:Morrison has discussed the inspiration behind the series:...
.
Early life
Sean Gordon Murphy was born in Nashua, New HampshireNashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
in 1980. He showed an interest in comics during grade school. In Salem
Salem, New Hampshire
Salem is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 28,776 at the 2010 census. Salem is a marketing and distributing center north of Boston, with a major amusement attraction, Canobie Lake Park, and a large shopping mall, the Mall at Rockingham Park.- History :The...
he apprenticed to local painter and cartoonist, Leslie Swank. He graduated from Pinkerton Academy high school in 1999, and attended Massachusetts College of Art
Massachusetts College of Art
Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a publicly-funded college of visual and applied art, founded in 1873. It is one of the oldest art schools, the only publicly-funded free-standing art school in the United States, and was the first art college in the United States to grant an artistic degree...
in Boston, and then Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah College of Art and Design
SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design, is a private, accredited and degree-granting university with locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, Hong Kong, and Lacoste, France.-History:...
.
Career
Murphy started working professionally before graduating, on titles such Star Wars and Noble CausesNoble Causes
Noble Causes is an American comic book series created and written by Jay Faerber, illustrated by a variety of artists and published by Image Comics....
, before moving onto various projects for Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
.
Murphy's comic book work includes the miniseries Batman/Scarecrow: Year One with writer Bruce Jones
Bruce Jones (comics)
Bruce Jones, whose pen names include Philip Roland and Bruce Elliot, is an American comic book writer, novelist, illustrator, and screenwriter whose work included writing Marvel Comics' The Incredible Hulk from 2001-2005.-Early career:...
for 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...
and the graphic novel Off Road for Oni Press
Oni Press
Oni Press is an American independent comic book publisher based in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 1997 by Bob Schreck and Joe Nozemack with the goal of publishing the kinds of comics and graphic novels they themselves would want to read...
. Upcoming projects include the four issue mini-series Outer Orbit at Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
, two issues of Teen Titans for 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...
and a creator-owned project called Punk Rock Jesus which takes place in Ireland during the early 80s at the height of IRA terrorism. He has also had a run on Hellblazer
Hellblazer
Hellblazer is a contemporary horror comic book series, originally published by DC Comics, and subsequently by the Vertigo imprint since March 1993, the month the imprint was introduced, where it remains to this day...
and, also at Vertigo, he is the artist on Joe the Barbarian
Joe the Barbarian
Joe the Barbarian is an eight-issue comic book limited series written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Sean Murphy.-Publication history:Morrison has discussed the inspiration behind the series:...
, with writer Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
.
In 2005 he published his first original graphic novel, Off Road, which went on to win an American Library Association Award for young adults. His subsequent graphic novels include Outer Orbit and Punk Rock Jesus.
Murphy worked on Joe the Barbarian
Joe the Barbarian
Joe the Barbarian is an eight-issue comic book limited series written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Sean Murphy.-Publication history:Morrison has discussed the inspiration behind the series:...
, which was published in early 2010.
Full-length comics
- CrushCrush (comics)Crush is a four-issue comic book mini-series created in 2003 by Jason Hall and Sean Murphy , and published by Dark Horse Comics.-Summary:...
(with Jason Hall, 4-issue mini-series and TPB, Dark Horse ComicsDark Horse ComicsDark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
, 2003) - Batman/Scarecrow: Year One (with Bruce JonesBruce Jones (comics)Bruce Jones, whose pen names include Philip Roland and Bruce Elliot, is an American comic book writer, novelist, illustrator, and screenwriter whose work included writing Marvel Comics' The Incredible Hulk from 2001-2005.-Early career:...
, 2-issue mini-series, DC ComicsDC ComicsDC 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...
, 2005) - Off Road (script and art, graphic novel, Oni PressOni PressOni Press is an American independent comic book publisher based in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 1997 by Bob Schreck and Joe Nozemack with the goal of publishing the kinds of comics and graphic novels they themselves would want to read...
, 2005) - Shaun of the DeadShaun of the Dead (comics)The film Shaun of the Dead has had a number of comic adaptations.-2000 AD:2000 AD produced a Shaun of the Dead strip called "There's Something About Mary" which was written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, with art by Frazer Irving...
#3-4 (inks, with writer Chris RyallChris RyallChristopher "Chris" Ryall is best known as the Chief Creative Officer and Editor-in-Chief of IDW Publishing , and as a writer in the comic book industry. In February 2011, his Eisner Award-nominated series, Zombies vs. Robots, co-created with artist Ashley Wood, was optioned by Sony Pictures for...
and pencils and some inks by Zach Howard, 4-issue mini-series and TPB, IDW PublishingIDW PublishingIDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
, 2006) - Outer Orbit (co-writer/co-artist/colorist, with Zach Howard, 4-issue mini-series, Dark Horse ComicsDark Horse ComicsDark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
, 2006–2007) - HellblazerHellblazerHellblazer is a contemporary horror comic book series, originally published by DC Comics, and subsequently by the Vertigo imprint since March 1993, the month the imprint was introduced, where it remains to this day...
: #245-246: "Newcastle Calling" (with Jason AaronJason AaronJason Aaron is an American comic book writer, known for his work on titles such as The Other Side, Scalped, Ghost Rider, Wolverine and PunisherMAX.-Early life:Jason was born in Jasper, Alabama...
, Vertigo, 2008) - Grip (with David VonAllman, Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel 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...
, forthcoming) - Joe the BarbarianJoe the BarbarianJoe the Barbarian is an eight-issue comic book limited series written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Sean Murphy.-Publication history:Morrison has discussed the inspiration behind the series:...
(with Grant MorrisonGrant MorrisonGrant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, 8-issue limited series, Vertigo, March 2010-present, harcover, February 2011, ISBN 1401229719) - Hellblazer: City of Demons (with Si SpencerSi SpencerSi Spencer is a British comic book writer and TV dramatist and editor, with work appearing in British comics such as Crisis, before moving to the American comics industry...
, five-issue limited series, Vertigo, December 2010-present, tpb, May 2011, ISBN 1401231535)
Animation
- Punk Rock Jesus creator, co-producer, artistic director
- Fanboyz co-creator, background artist, character designer, voice actor
Short comics
- Batman/Superman Annual as contributing artist
- Angel Spotlight: Lindsey as contributing artist
- Star Wars Tales #19 as contributing artist
- Star Wars Tales #15 as contributing artist
- Noble Causes: Extended Family as contributing artist
Covers and pin-ups
- Spike vs. Dracula 5 issue miniseries and TPB (2006), cover artist
- Truth Serum TPB (2006), pin-up
Illustration work
- 5 page comic for Land Rover in Onelife magazine (UK)
- Advertising illustration for Nike
- Concept artwork Digilis with Peter Nelson
External links
- Murphy's Law: Checking in With Sean Murphy, NewsaramaNewsaramaNewsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry.-History:Newsarama began in Summer 1995 as a series of Internet forum postings on the Prodigy comic-book message boards by fan Mike Doran. In these short messages. Doran shared...
, February 2, 2005 - Sean Murphy Talks Off Road, Newsarama, September 15, 2005
- Space, The Funny Frontier, Broken Frontier, October 20, 2006
- Space Cadets: Howard And Murphy On Outer Orbit, Newsarama, November 9, 2006
- Interview about Outer Orbit, The Pulse, Comicon