Tony Bedard
Encyclopedia
Antony "Tony" J. L. Bedard is a writer and editor who has worked in the comic book
industry from the early '90s through the present. He is best known for his work at CrossGen
Comics, where he was under exclusive contract, and for his run writing Marvel Comics
X-Men
spin-off Exiles
.
as an intern. There he worked his way up, first by lettering some of Valiant's comics and eventually becoming the editor and writer of several titles including Rai
, Psi-Lords and Magnus Robot Fighter. His early work is often credited by his full name - Anthony Bedard. After Valiant, Tony moved to freelance work for Broadway
, Malibu
and Crusade Comics, where he wrote the first two issues of Shi: The Series.
Tony then moved to an editorial position at DC Comics
. Here he worked on a number of projects, the most notable being the Hourman
monthly. He eventually moved into the Vertigo imprint where he edited several monthly titles, including Vertigo's longest running title Hellblazer
.
In 2001 Bedard signed an exclusive contract with CrossGen Comics. Bedard provided editorial knowledge to the company and took over writing CrossGen's launch title Mystic
. He went on to co-create Negation
with Mark Waid
and wrote a number of series for Crossgen. Bedard was writing the mini-series Negation War (which featured characters from the Negation series and was meant to wrap up important plot threads in Negation and the other CrossGen titles) when CrossGen filed for bankruptcy. As a result, only two issues of the series were ever published, and Bedard became the last writer of the Sigilverse
.
After CrossGen, Bedard began work on the Marvel Comics
series Exiles
, which he wrote for 44 issues and an annual. Originally announced as leaving Exiles with #83, his run was extended by six issues due to Chris Claremont
being diagnosed with cardiac stress. Bedard also scripted Uncanny X-Men
#472-473 and Annual #1, with plots from Claremont, and was the sole writer of Uncanny X-Men #474. Apart from Exiles he had a number of side projects, including the mini-series Spider-Man
: Breakout and the final 6 issues of the Rogue
monthly comic book.
Bedard then started writing for other comic publishers. With Image Comics
, Bedard put out a mini-series he created called Retro Rocket and co-wrote three issues of DC Comics
' Supergirl
and the Legion of Superheroes, helping out his former CrossGen co-worker Mark Waid
.
After wrapping up his run on Exiles, Tony returned to DC Comics and worked on a story in JSA: Classified. At the Wondercon
Convention, Bedard announced that he had signed on to a two year exclusive contract with DC Comics. His first announced projects included writing portions of the new weekly series Countdown, a six issue arc on Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes and a four issue Black Canary
mini-series.
Bedard then went on to write fill-in arcs on both Supergirl and Birds of Prey as well as contributing to The Outsiders fifth week event in August. He was originally announced as the ongoing writer of the 2007 relaunch of Batman and The Outsiders, however he was replaced by Chuck Dixon
due to his commitments to other DC series, including writing a months worth of Countdown scripts. He was the regular writer for Birds of Prey from #118 until the series end with #127.
In 2009 Bedard moved on to a number of projects at DC, the first of those being an all-new monthly series called R.E.B.E.L.S.
which began in February, with artist Andy Clarke
.
In 2010 Bedard became the ongoing writer for Green Lantern Corps starting with issue 48, coinciding with the beginning of the "Brightest Day" crossover event and in 2011 he launched the bi-weekly DC Universe Online Legends series co-written with Marv Wolfman
.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
industry from the early '90s through the present. He is best known for his work at CrossGen
CrossGen
Cross Generation Entertainment, or CrossGen, was an American comic book publisher that operated from 1998 to 2004.CrossGen Comics, Inc. was founded in 1998, by Tampa, Florida-based entrepreneur Mark Alessi who sought to create a comic book universe that was uniquely varied but also connected by a...
Comics, where he was under exclusive contract, and for his run writing 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...
X-Men
X-Men
The 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...
spin-off Exiles
Exiles (Marvel Comics)
The Exiles are a group of fictional characters that feature in three Marvel Comics series, Exiles, New Exiles, and Exiles vol. 2. The Exiles consists of characters from different dimensions, or realities, which have been removed from time and space in order to correct problems in various alternate...
.
Career
Tony began his work in the comics industry by working at Valiant ComicsValiant Comics
Valiant Comics is a comic book imprint published by various publishers since its inception with Voyager Communications, Inc. in 1989, later Acclaim Comics, Inc. Its assets were purchased from the bankruptcy of the Acclaim Entertaintment by Valiant Entertainment, Inc. in 2007.-Voyager...
as an intern. There he worked his way up, first by lettering some of Valiant's comics and eventually becoming the editor and writer of several titles including Rai
Rai (comics)
Rai is a fictional superhero that appeared in books published by Valiant Comics. 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...
, Psi-Lords and Magnus Robot Fighter. His early work is often credited by his full name - Anthony Bedard. After Valiant, Tony moved to freelance work for Broadway
Broadway Comics
Broadway Comics was a short-lived comic book publishing company started by Jim Shooter in 1995, after his former company, Defiant Comics, had folded...
, Malibu
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
and Crusade Comics, where he wrote the first two issues of Shi: The Series.
Tony then moved to an editorial position at 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...
. Here he worked on a number of projects, the most notable being the Hourman
Hourman
Hourman is the name of three different fictional DC Comics superheroes, the first of whom was created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily in Adventure Comics #48 , during the Golden Age of Comic Books.-Rex Tyler:Scientist Rex Tyler, raised in upstate...
monthly. He eventually moved into the Vertigo imprint where he edited several monthly titles, including Vertigo's longest running title 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...
.
In 2001 Bedard signed an exclusive contract with CrossGen Comics. Bedard provided editorial knowledge to the company and took over writing CrossGen's launch title Mystic
Mystic (comics)
Mystic is a comic book that was published by the since-defunct, Florida-based CrossGen Comics. Created by writer Ron Marz and artists Brandon Peterson and John Dell, it was one of five flagship titles in the company's Sigilverse shared universe...
. He went on to co-create Negation
Negation (comics)
Negation was a comic book series published from CrossGen. Tony Bedard was the writer for the entire run. Paul Pelletier was the artist for most of the issues, with an occasional fill-in artist taking an issue here and there.-Overview:...
with Mark Waid
Mark Waid
Mark Waid is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America...
and wrote a number of series for Crossgen. Bedard was writing the mini-series Negation War (which featured characters from the Negation series and was meant to wrap up important plot threads in Negation and the other CrossGen titles) when CrossGen filed for bankruptcy. As a result, only two issues of the series were ever published, and Bedard became the last writer of the Sigilverse
Sigilverse
The Sigilverse, also known as the CrossGen Universe, is a fictional shared universe which served as a setting for most titles published by CrossGen Comics. Except for El Cazador, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and a handful of flashbacks, all CrossGen Universe titles are set in the future...
.
After CrossGen, Bedard began work on the 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...
series Exiles
Exiles (Marvel Comics)
The Exiles are a group of fictional characters that feature in three Marvel Comics series, Exiles, New Exiles, and Exiles vol. 2. The Exiles consists of characters from different dimensions, or realities, which have been removed from time and space in order to correct problems in various alternate...
, which he wrote for 44 issues and an annual. Originally announced as leaving Exiles with #83, his run was extended by six issues due to Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont is an award-winning American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on Uncanny X-Men, far longer than any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters, and with introducing complex literary themes into superhero...
being diagnosed with cardiac stress. Bedard also scripted Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men, first published as The X-Men, is the flagship Marvel Comics comic book series for the X-Men franchise. It is the mainstream continuity featuring the adventures of the eponymous group of mutant superheroes...
#472-473 and Annual #1, with plots from Claremont, and was the sole writer of Uncanny X-Men #474. Apart from Exiles he had a number of side projects, including the mini-series Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
: Breakout and the final 6 issues of the Rogue
Rogue (comics)
Rogue was first slated to appear in Ms. Marvel #25 , but the book's abrupt cancellation left her original introduction story unpublished for over a decade, before seeing print in Marvel Super Heroes #11 in 1992. Rogue's first published appearance was in Avengers Annual #10...
monthly comic book.
Bedard then started writing for other comic publishers. With 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...
, Bedard put out a mini-series he created called Retro Rocket and co-wrote three issues of 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...
' 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...
and the Legion of Superheroes, helping out his former CrossGen co-worker Mark Waid
Mark Waid
Mark Waid is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America...
.
After wrapping up his run on Exiles, Tony returned to DC Comics and worked on a story in JSA: Classified. At the Wondercon
WonderCon
WonderCon is an annual comic book, science fiction, and motion picture convention, held in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1987.The convention was conceived by retailer John Barrett and originally held in the Oakland Convention Center, where it remained until 2003, when it moved to San...
Convention, Bedard announced that he had signed on to a two year exclusive contract with DC Comics. His first announced projects included writing portions of the new weekly series Countdown, a six issue arc on Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes and a four issue Black Canary
Black Canary
Black 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...
mini-series.
Bedard then went on to write fill-in arcs on both Supergirl and Birds of Prey as well as contributing to The Outsiders fifth week event in August. He was originally announced as the ongoing writer of the 2007 relaunch of Batman and The Outsiders, however he was replaced by Chuck Dixon
Chuck Dixon
Charles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, best known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.-Biography:Dixon grew up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, reading comics of all genres...
due to his commitments to other DC series, including writing a months worth of Countdown scripts. He was the regular writer for Birds of Prey from #118 until the series end with #127.
In 2009 Bedard moved on to a number of projects at DC, the first of those being an all-new monthly series called R.E.B.E.L.S.
R.E.B.E.L.S.
Revolutionary Elite Brigade to Eradicate L.E.G.I.O.N. Supremacy is the name of two separate fictional revolutionary paramilitary groups in the DC Comics Universe. Both incarnations have been L.E.G.I.O.N. adversaries and are led by Vril Dox.-Publication history:R.E.B.E.L.S. '94, R.E.B.E.L.S...
which began in February, with artist Andy Clarke
Andy Clarke (comics)
Andy Clarke is a British comics artist who came to prominence working at 2000 AD and became known to a wider audience at DC Comics.-Biography:...
.
In 2010 Bedard became the ongoing writer for Green Lantern Corps starting with issue 48, coinciding with the beginning of the "Brightest Day" crossover event and in 2011 he launched the bi-weekly DC Universe Online Legends series co-written with Marv Wolfman
Marv Wolfman
Marvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:...
.
Valiant
- Valiant Reader (1993) #1
- Magnus Robot Fighter #32, #35-46, #49-54 (1994–95).
- Rai and the Future ForceRai (comics)Rai is a fictional superhero that appeared in books published by Valiant Comics. 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...
#18, #20-23 (1994). - RaiRai (comics)Rai is a fictional superhero that appeared in books published by Valiant Comics. 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...
#24-30, #33 (1994–95). - Psi Lords #1-10 (1994–95)
- ShadowmanShadowmanShadowman or Shadow Man may refer to:*Shadow people, creatures of both modern folklore and paranormal popular culture*Shadowman , a comic book series from Valiant Comics...
#25 (1994). - Turok: Dinosaur HunterTurokTurok is a fictional American comic book character initially in comics from Western Publishing published through licensee Dell Comics. He first appeared in Four Color Comics #596 , then graduated to his own title, Turok, Son of Stone...
#17-19 (1994–95) - Solar, Man of the Atom #55-59 (1996).
CrossGen
- Mystic #18-43 (2001–2003).
- Negation Prequel One-Shot (2001). Co-Writer with Mark WaidMark WaidMark Waid is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America...
- NegationNegation (comics)Negation was a comic book series published from CrossGen. Tony Bedard was the writer for the entire run. Paul Pelletier was the artist for most of the issues, with an occasional fill-in artist taking an issue here and there.-Overview:...
#1-27 (2001–2004). Note: #1 & #2 Co-Written by Mark WaidMark WaidMark Waid is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America... - CrossGen Chronicles #7 (2002).
- Route 666Route 666 (comics)Route 666 was a comic book series created by CrossGen Entertainment in July of 2002. It was CrossGen's first horror comic venture, and contained a blend of action, menace and humor...
#1-22 (2002–2004). - Negation: Lawbringer #1 (2002).
- Mark of Charon #1-5 (2003).
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang #1-5 (2004).
- Negation: War #1-2 (2004).
Marvel
- ExilesExiles (Marvel Comics)The Exiles are a group of fictional characters that feature in three Marvel Comics series, Exiles, New Exiles, and Exiles vol. 2. The Exiles consists of characters from different dimensions, or realities, which have been removed from time and space in order to correct problems in various alternate...
#46-89, Annual #1 (2004–2006). - X-Men Unlimited Vol. 2X-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...
#6 (1st Story) (2005). - RogueRogue (comics)Rogue was first slated to appear in Ms. Marvel #25 , but the book's abrupt cancellation left her original introduction story unpublished for over a decade, before seeing print in Marvel Super Heroes #11 in 1992. Rogue's first published appearance was in Avengers Annual #10...
vol.3, #7-12 (2005). - X-Men: Age of Apocalypse One-Shot (2nd Story) (2005).
- Spider-Man: BreakoutSpider-ManSpider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
#1-5 (2005). - What If...? Featuring Captain America #1 (2005).
- Untold Tales of the New Universe: Psi-Force #1 (2006).
- Uncanny X-MenUncanny X-MenUncanny X-Men, first published as The X-Men, is the flagship Marvel Comics comic book series for the X-Men franchise. It is the mainstream continuity featuring the adventures of the eponymous group of mutant superheroes...
#472-473 (scripts only), #474, Annual #1 (2006). - Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #5 - #8 (2006).
DC
- DCU: Brave New World #1 ("Look to the Skies" framing sequence only) (2006).
- Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes #20-22 (2006). Co-writer with Mark WaidMark WaidMark Waid is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America...
- Birds of Prey #100 (Black Canary story only), #109 - 112, #118-127 (2006, 2007, 2008–2009).
- DC: Infinite Holiday Special (Trials of Shazam Story Only, Gift of the Magi) (2006).
- JSA Classified #17-18, #25 (2006, 2007).
- Countdown #49, #45, #40, #36, #32, #28, #22, #19, #17-13 (2007–2008).
- Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes #29, #31 - 36 (2007).
- Black Canary #1 - #4 (2007).
- Supergirl #20 - #22 (2007).
- Outsiders: Five of A Kind - Week 3: Thunder/Martian Manhunter (2007).
- Outsiders #50 (2007).
- DC Infinite Halloween Special - (Aquaman Story Only, Children of the Deep) (2007).
- Batman Confidential #13 - 16 (2008).
- R.E.B.E.L.S #1-28 (2009–2011).
- R.E.B.E.L.S Annual: Starro the Conqueror #1 (2009).
- The Great Ten #1-9 (2009–2010).
- Catwoman #83 (2010).
- Adventure Comics #7 (2010).
- Gotham City Sirens #12-15 (2010).
- Green Lantern Corps #48-present (2010–2011).
- DC Universe Online Legends #1-present (2011-present). Co-writer with Marv WolfmanMarv WolfmanMarvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:...
- Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #1-3 (2011).
- Green Lantern:New Guardians (2011-present).
- Blue Beetle (2011-present).
Valiant
- Darque Passages #1 (1994)
- Harbinger #27-34 (1994)
- Ninjak #3-8 (1994)
- Turok, Dinosaur Hunter #11-16 (1994)
DC
- DC One Million #1-4 (1998)
- JLA #24 - 26, #28 - 42, #1,000,000 (1998–2000)
- Hourman #1-25 (1999–2001)
- Fanboy #1-6 (1999)
- All Star Comics 80 Page Giant #1 (1999)
- Day of Judgement Secret Files and Origins #1 (1999)
- Aquaman Vol. 5 #61 - #75 (1999–2001)
- Batman: No Man's Land Secret Files and Origins #1 (1999)
- Batman: Gotham City Secret Files and Origins #1 (2000)
- Wonder Woman #164 - 165 (2000)
- The Spectre #1 (2001)
DC\Vertigo
- Codename: Knockout #1-5 (2001)
- Hellblazer #158-165 (2001)
- Transmetropolitan #43-48 (2001)
- Adventures in the Rifle Brigade: Operation Bollock #1-2 (2001)
External links
- Tony Bedard message board at Comic Book ResourcesComic Book ResourcesComic Book Resources, also known as CBR is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book-related news and discussion.-History:Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1996 as a development of the Kingdom Come Message Board, a message forum that Weiland had created to discuss DC...
- Negation Space A Negation fan site that contains information on the series as well as two interviews with Tony Bedard
Interviews
- Comic World News An interview with Tony Bedard
- Pop Syndicate An interview with Tony Bedard
- PLuGHiTz Live! An interview with Tony Bedard