Stephen R. Bissette
Encyclopedia
Stephen R. Bissette is an American
comics artist
, editor, and publisher with a focus on the horror
genre. He is best known for working with writer Alan Moore
and inker John Totleben
on the DC
comic Swamp Thing
in the 1980s.
Shortly after the publication of his first work, Abyss (1976), Bissette enrolled in the first class of The Kubert School. Before his first year was completed, his work was being published professionally in the pages of Sojourn, Sgt. Rock, and Heavy Metal
. In 1978, Bissette was among the Kubert School's very first graduating class, along with classmates Rick Veitch
, Tom Yeates, and others.
His early work appeared in the pages of Heavy Metal, Epic Illustrated, Bizarre Adventures, Scholastic Magazines' Weird Worlds and Bananas (illustrating stories written by Goosebumps founder and author R. L. Stine), and he worked with Rick Veitch on the graphic novelization of Steven Spielberg's motion picture 1941 (Simon and Schuster, 1979).
and inker John Totleben
on DC Comics
' Saga of the Swamp Thing
(1983–87).
Under the company name of Spiderbaby Grafix, he later published the horror
anthology
Taboo, the original home of Moore and Eddie Campbell
's From Hell
and Tim Lucas
' Throat Sprockets (illustrated by Mike Hoffman and David Lloyd). He created Tyrant, a comic book biography of a Tyrannosaurus rex
, which lasted only four issues. During this period, he also edited the horror anthology Gore Shriek, published by FantaCo Enterprises
.
Since 1991, Bissette has presented a lecture series on horror comics called "Journeys Into Fear." Having since grown in scope into a five-part series, Journeys Into Fear identifies 12th Century Japanese ghost scrolls and the 16th Century Mixtec codices as early ancestors, and traces the genre from its roots in Winsor McCay
's work, like Dream of the Rarebit Fiend.
In 1996–1997, Bissette contributed five covers for a comic book series about another swamp monster
, Hall of Heroes
' Bog Swamp Demon
.
' limited series 1963, their final creative collaborative effort. From 1963, Bissette owns the characters Hypernaut, N-Man, and the Fury.
Scott McCloud
's 24-hour comic
project began as a dare to Bissette in 1990. Each created a 24-page comic in 24 hours. The 24-Hour Comics Project evolved into a challenge taken up by hundreds of hopeful contributors, with several published collections, and inspired other time-limited creative projects.
In 1993, Bissette co-edited with Stanley Wiater Comic Book Rebels: Conversations with the Creators of the New Comics (Dutton, ISBN 1556113552), which featured interviews with such notable comics creators as Scott McCloud
, Harvey Pekar
, Dave Sim
, Howard Cruse
, Will Eisner
, Peter Laird
, Kevin Eastman
, and R. Crumb.
in White River Junction, Vermont
, where he also co-curates, with Denis St. John the CCS/Main Street Museum
ARTifacts Film Series.
Since the Spring of 2005, Bissette has also edited and published Green Mountain Cinema, a trade paperback journal devoted to the independent cinema scene in his home state of Vermont, as well as five volumes of Blur, collecting his film reviews and criticism.
The Stephen R. Bissette Collection at Henderson State University
in Arkadelphia, Arkansas
, houses Bissette's works and memorabilia.
Bissette's work with Alan Moore
and John Totleben
earned the 1985 "Best Single Issue" Jack Kirby Award for Swamp Thing
Annual #2, and the 1985, 1986, and 1987 Jack Kirby Awards for "Best Continuing Series" for Swamp Thing. His work with John Totleben earned them the 1985 "Best Art Team" Jack Kirby Award for Swamp Thing. Taboo won the "Best Anthology" Eisner Award
in 1993.
His work with Alan Moore and John Totleben earned a nomination for the 1985 "Best Single Issue" Jack Kirby Award for Swamp Thing #34. His work with John Totleben earned them nominations for the 1986 and 1987 Jack Kirby Awards for "Best Art Team" for their work on Swamp Thing. His work with Alan Moore earned them a nomination for the 1986 Jack Kirby Award for "Best Writer/Artist (Single or Team)". His work on Tabboo got him a nomination for the 1993 "Best Editor" Eisner Award.
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...
comics artist
Comics artist
A comics artist is an artist working within the comics medium on comic strips, comic books or graphic novels. The term may refer to any number of artists who contribute to produce a work in the comics form, from those who oversee all aspects of the work to those who contribute only a part.-Comic...
, editor, and publisher with a focus on the horror
Horror comics
Horror comics are comic books, graphic novels, black-and-white comics magazines, and manga focusing on horror fiction. Horror comic books reached a peak in the late 1940s through the mid-1950s, when concern over content and the imposition of the self-censorship Comics Code Authority contributed to...
genre. He is best known for working with writer Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
and inker John Totleben
John Totleben
John Totleben is an American illustrator working mostly in comics.-Biography:After studying art at a vocational high school in Erie, Totleben attended The Kubert School for one year...
on the DC
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...
comic Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
in the 1980s.
Early work and education
Bissette was born and raised in Vermont, where he still lives.Shortly after the publication of his first work, Abyss (1976), Bissette enrolled in the first class of The Kubert School. Before his first year was completed, his work was being published professionally in the pages of Sojourn, Sgt. Rock, and Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal (magazine)
Heavy Metal is an American science fiction and fantasy comics magazine, known primarily for its blend of dark fantasy/science fiction and erotica. In the mid-1970s, while publisher Leonard Mogel was in Paris to jump-start the French edition of National Lampoon, he discovered the French...
. In 1978, Bissette was among the Kubert School's very first graduating class, along with classmates Rick Veitch
Rick Veitch
Richard "Rick" Veitch is an American comic book artist and writer who has worked in mainstream, underground, and alternative comics.-Early career:...
, Tom Yeates, and others.
His early work appeared in the pages of Heavy Metal, Epic Illustrated, Bizarre Adventures, Scholastic Magazines' Weird Worlds and Bananas (illustrating stories written by Goosebumps founder and author R. L. Stine), and he worked with Rick Veitch on the graphic novelization of Steven Spielberg's motion picture 1941 (Simon and Schuster, 1979).
Horror master
Bissette is best known for his multiple award-winning collaboration with writer Alan MooreAlan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
and inker John Totleben
John Totleben
John Totleben is an American illustrator working mostly in comics.-Biography:After studying art at a vocational high school in Erie, Totleben attended The Kubert School for one year...
on 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...
' Saga of the Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
(1983–87).
Under the company name of Spiderbaby Grafix, he later published the horror
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
anthology
Comics anthology
Comics anthologies collect works in the medium of comics that are too short for standalone publication.- U.S. :- UK :British comics have a long tradition publishing comics anthologies, often weekly...
Taboo, the original home of Moore and Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
's From Hell
From Hell
From Hell is a comic book series by writer Alan Moore and artist Eddie Campbell, originally published from 1991 to 1996, speculating upon the identity and motives of Jack the Ripper. The title is taken from the first words of the "From Hell" letter, which some authorities believe was an authentic...
and Tim Lucas
Tim Lucas
Tim Lucas is a film critic, biographer, novelist, screenwriter, blogger, and publisher/editor of the video review magazine Video Watchdog.-Biography and early career:...
' Throat Sprockets (illustrated by Mike Hoffman and David Lloyd). He created Tyrant, a comic book biography of a Tyrannosaurus rex
Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosaurus meaning "tyrant," and sauros meaning "lizard") is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur. The species Tyrannosaurus rex , commonly abbreviated to T. rex, is a fixture in popular culture. It lived throughout what is now western North America, with a much wider range than other...
, which lasted only four issues. During this period, he also edited the horror anthology Gore Shriek, published by FantaCo Enterprises
FantaCo Enterprises
FantaCo Enterprises was an American comic book store and publishing company founded by Thomas Skulan and based in Albany, New York. As a publisher, FantaCo was known for its idiosyncratic line-up of mostly black-and-white titles, including the humorous Hembeck Series and the horror title Gore Shriek...
.
Since 1991, Bissette has presented a lecture series on horror comics called "Journeys Into Fear." Having since grown in scope into a five-part series, Journeys Into Fear identifies 12th Century Japanese ghost scrolls and the 16th Century Mixtec codices as early ancestors, and traces the genre from its roots in Winsor McCay
Winsor McCay
Winsor McCay was an American cartoonist and animator.A prolific artist, McCay's pioneering early animated films far outshone the work of his contemporaries, and set a standard followed by Walt Disney and others in later decades...
's work, like Dream of the Rarebit Fiend.
In 1996–1997, Bissette contributed five covers for a comic book series about another swamp monster
Swamp monster
Swamp monsters have been a staple of comics for years. From the 1940s to the present many murk-dwellers have made their muddy mark in comics. Swamp creatures are humanoid creatures similar to fish or resembling living piles of swamp mire. They live underwater and occasionally come to the surface,...
, Hall of Heroes
Hall of Heroes
Hall of Heroes was a short-lived American independent comic book company that existed from 1993 to 1999, as well as the name of their flagship title.-Titles:*Cyberfrog — by Ethan van Sciver; title later acquired by Harris Comics...
' Bog Swamp Demon
Bog Swamp Demon
The Bog Swamp Demon is a swamp monster that first appeared in the pages of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series. His adventures are chronicled in issues #4 through #12 of Volume 2 of the Mirage Studios title...
.
Other work
Bissette subsequently worked with Moore, Totleben, and Rick Veitch on the Image ComicsImage 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...
' limited series 1963, their final creative collaborative effort. From 1963, Bissette owns the characters Hypernaut, N-Man, and the Fury.
Scott McCloud
Scott McCloud
Scott McCloud is an American cartoonist and theorist on comics as a distinct literary and artistic medium...
's 24-hour comic
24-hour comic
A 24-hour comic is a 24-page comic book written, drawn, and completed in 24 hours. Scott McCloud originally came up with the challenge for himself and Steve Bissette as a creative exercise...
project began as a dare to Bissette in 1990. Each created a 24-page comic in 24 hours. The 24-Hour Comics Project evolved into a challenge taken up by hundreds of hopeful contributors, with several published collections, and inspired other time-limited creative projects.
In 1993, Bissette co-edited with Stanley Wiater Comic Book Rebels: Conversations with the Creators of the New Comics (Dutton, ISBN 1556113552), which featured interviews with such notable comics creators as Scott McCloud
Scott McCloud
Scott McCloud is an American cartoonist and theorist on comics as a distinct literary and artistic medium...
, Harvey Pekar
Harvey Pekar
Harvey Lawrence Pekar was an American underground comic book writer, music critic and media personality, best known for his autobiographical American Splendor comic series. In 2003, the series inspired a critically acclaimed film adaptation of the same name.Pekar described American Splendor as "an...
, Dave Sim
Dave Sim
David Victor Sim is an award-winning Canadian comic book writer and artist.A pioneer of self-published comics and creators' rights, Sim is best known as the creator of Cerebus the Aardvark, a comic book published from 1977 to 2004, which chronicles its main character in a 6,000-page self-contained...
, Howard Cruse
Howard Cruse
Howard Cruse is an American alternative cartoonist known for the exploration of gay themes in his comics.Cruse was raised in Springville, Alabama, the son of a preacher and a homemaker. His earliest published cartoons were in The Baptist Student when he was in high school. His work later appeared...
, Will Eisner
Will Eisner
William Erwin "Will" Eisner was an American comics writer, artist and entrepreneur. He is considered one of the most important contributors to the development of the medium and is known for the cartooning studio he founded; for his highly influential series The Spirit; for his use of comics as an...
, Peter Laird
Peter Laird
Peter Alan Laird is an American comic book writer and artist. He is best known for co-creating Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with writer and artist Kevin Eastman.-Early life and career:...
, Kevin Eastman
Kevin Eastman
Kevin Brooks Eastman is an American comic book artist and writer, best known as the creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Eastman is also the current owner, editor and publisher of the magazine Heavy Metal.-Early life:Eastman was born on May 30, 1962 in Springvale, Maine...
, and R. Crumb.
Retirement and teaching
Bissette retired from the comics industry in 1999, alluding to what he termed a "generational shift." He teaches courses in Comic Art History, Drawing, and Film at the Center for Cartoon StudiesCenter for Cartoon Studies
The Center for Cartoon Studies is a two year institution focusing on sequential art, specifically Comics and Graphic Novels, Located in the village of White River Junction, in the town of Hartford, Vermont, the Center offers a Master of Fine Arts degree, both one and two-year certificate...
in White River Junction, Vermont
White River Junction, Vermont
White River Junction is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Hartford in Windsor County, Vermont, United States...
, where he also co-curates, with Denis St. John the CCS/Main Street Museum
The Main Street Museum
The Main Street Museum is an eclectic display space for material culture and an experiment in a new taxonomy. Originally thought of as an "alternative" museum, the museum's present form and activities resemble the 18th and 19th century "cabinet of curiosities" and point to an interest in the...
ARTifacts Film Series.
Since the Spring of 2005, Bissette has also edited and published Green Mountain Cinema, a trade paperback journal devoted to the independent cinema scene in his home state of Vermont, as well as five volumes of Blur, collecting his film reviews and criticism.
The Stephen R. Bissette Collection at Henderson State University
Henderson State University
Henderson State University, founded in 1890 as Arkadelphia Methodist College, is a four-year public liberal arts university located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, United States. It is Arkansas's only member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges...
in Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, houses Bissette's works and memorabilia.
Awards
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
and John Totleben
John Totleben
John Totleben is an American illustrator working mostly in comics.-Biography:After studying art at a vocational high school in Erie, Totleben attended The Kubert School for one year...
earned the 1985 "Best Single Issue" Jack Kirby Award for Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
Annual #2, and the 1985, 1986, and 1987 Jack Kirby Awards for "Best Continuing Series" for Swamp Thing. His work with John Totleben earned them the 1985 "Best Art Team" Jack Kirby Award for Swamp Thing. Taboo won the "Best Anthology" Eisner Award
Eisner Award
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
in 1993.
His work with Alan Moore and John Totleben earned a nomination for the 1985 "Best Single Issue" Jack Kirby Award for Swamp Thing #34. His work with John Totleben earned them nominations for the 1986 and 1987 Jack Kirby Awards for "Best Art Team" for their work on Swamp Thing. His work with Alan Moore earned them a nomination for the 1986 Jack Kirby Award for "Best Writer/Artist (Single or Team)". His work on Tabboo got him a nomination for the 1993 "Best Editor" Eisner Award.
External links
- Bissette's previous blog
- Stephen R. Bissette at The Main Street MuseumThe Main Street MuseumThe Main Street Museum is an eclectic display space for material culture and an experiment in a new taxonomy. Originally thought of as an "alternative" museum, the museum's present form and activities resemble the 18th and 19th century "cabinet of curiosities" and point to an interest in the...