Ron Frenz

Ronald Wade Frenz is an American comic book artist born in Pittsburgh in 1960. His work includes such titles as "Ka-Zar the Savage", "The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones", "Star Wars", "Marvel Saga", "The Mighty Thor", "Thunderstrike" and "Superman". He is one of a very few artist to hold down a regular stint on both "Amazing Spider-Man" and "Superman". He is well-known for his 1980s work on "Amazing Spider-Man", and more recently, for his work on "Spider-Girl" (which he co-created with writer Tom DeFalco). Frenz also co-created the New Warriors in the pages of "The Mighty Thor". Ron is known for his frequent collaborations with writer DeFalco, including the short-lived series "A-Next". Several of Frenz's creations/co-creations have gone on to be featured in regular or mini series at both Marvel and DC including Thunderstrike, New Warriors and Strange Visitor. His characters for Marvel's MC2 line have produced series featuring A-Next, J2, Dark Devil, The Buzz and the only female character to reach 100 consecutive issues at Marvel, Spider-Girl.

When DC Comics decided to change Superman's costume and powers, it was Frenz's design that was chosen for Superman's new look.Fact|date=February 2007 Frenz has a history of working on books where the characters were not in their original costumes/identities. Spider-Man wore his black costume. Thor took on a new secret identity and look, Superman changed costumes and powers all while Frenz was the regular artist on their titles.

DeFalco has called Ron one of his favorite collaborators, and the creative team of DeFalco, Frenz and inker Josef Rubinstein produced one of the most acclaimed runs on "The Amazing Spider-Man". Frenz's lean, quirky rendition of Spider-Man/Peter Parker was closer to the stylings of original Spidey artist Steve Ditko than most of the post-Ditko artists (who followed the Spidey model of John Romita, Sr.). Jim Owsley, editor of the Spider-Man titles at the time, has noted that "Frenz was "passionate" about Spider-Man, verging on fanatical."Fact|date=February 2007 Frenz replaced John Romita, Jr. as the regular artist on "The Amazing Spider-Man" in 1984 and the memorable stories he pencilled (written mainly by Roger Stern and then by DeFalco) included "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man" in issue #248, the first appearance of Spidey's black costume in issue #252, most of the original stories featuring The Hobgoblin, and Spidey's battle with Firelord in issues #269-270. It was Frenz and Defalco that made the "black suit" a symbiote and were indirectly responsible for the character Venom. Frenz and DeFalco were removed from "The Amazing Spider-Man" in 1986 by Jim Owsley, acting under the orders of Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. [ [http://phonogram.us/comics/adventures/spidey.htm Spider-Man Editorial Controversy] by former Marvel editor James Owsley / Christopher Priest] Frenz has returned sporadically since to pencil Spider-Man stories, including the 1996 mini-series "Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives", written by Roger Stern.

Frenz currently illustrates the "This Happened to Me" feature in the magazine "Outdoor Life".

Frenz sells his original art & does do commission work at http://www.catskillcomics.com/frenz.htm

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.lambiek.net/frenz_ron.htm Lambiek Comiclopedia]
* [http://marvel.com/catalog/?artist=Ron%20Frenz Ron Frenz on Marvel.com]