John Byrne

Infobox Comics creator


imagesize =
caption = At the 1992 San Diego Comic Book Expo.
"Photo by Corey Bond."
birthname = John Lindley Byrne
birthdate = birth date and age|1950|07|6
location = West Bromwich, West Midlands, United Kingdom
deathdate =
deathplace =
nationality = Naturalized American
(immigrated British, Canadian)
area = Penciller, Inker, Writer
alias =
notable works = Next Men
X-Men
Fantastic Four
Superman
awards = Eagle Awards, Favourite Comicbook Artist, 1978, 1979.
Inkpot Award, 1980.
Squiddy Award for Favorite Penciller, 1993.

John Lindley Byrne (born July 6 1950) is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero. His best-known work has been on Marvel Comics’ "X-Men" and "Fantastic Four" and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ "Superman" franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the "X-Men" comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with "Fantastic Four" (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including "Next Men" and "Danger Unlimited". He is sometimes considered a controversial figure due to opinions he has expressed regarding his experiences within the comics industry.

Biography

Early life and career

Byrne was born in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England where along with his parents (Frank and Nelsie) he lived with his maternal grandmother. ["The Man of Steel" #1 (Oct. 1986)] While living there, he was first exposed to the American superheroes that would dominate his professional life through reruns of American programs such as "The Adventures of Superman". In Britain, he was able to read domestic comics such as "Eagle" as well as reprints of DC Comics. [Byrne Robotics Forum: " [http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5806&KW=Bromwich Journey into Comics] ". URL accessed on December 2, 2005] When he was eight years old he left England with his parents and moved to Canada. According to Byrne himself, he was not an academically gifted student.

Later he was married to photographer and actress Andrea Braun Byrne for 15 years.

His first encounter with Marvel Comics was in 1962 with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s "Fantastic Four" #5. He later commented that "the book had an 'edge' like nothing DC was putting out at the time".Michael Thomas, " [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=151 John Byrne: The Hidden Answers] ", Comic Book Resources, August 22, 2000. URL accessed on May 17, 2008.] Jack Kirby’s work in particular had a strong influence on Byrne and he has worked with many of the characters Kirby created or co-created. Besides Kirby, Byrne was also influenced by the naturalistic style of Neal Adams.

In 1970, Byrne enrolled at the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary. He created the superhero parody "Gay Guy" for the college newspaper, which poked fun at the campus stereotype of homosexuality among art students. "Gay Guy" is also notable for featuring a prototype of the Alpha Flight character Snowbird. While there, he also published his first comic book, "ACA Comix" #1, featuring "The Death’s Head Knight". [The John Byrne Gallery: " [http://jbgallery.ourbunch.net/cgi-bin/thumbs.pl?CAT=collegedays Images from John’s College Days] ". URL accessed on December 2, 2005.]

Byrne left the college in 1973 without graduating. He broke into comics illustrating a two-page story by writer Al Hewetson for Skywald Publications’ black-and-white horror magazine "Nightmare" #20 (August 1974). He then began freelancing for Charlton Comics, making his color-comics debut with the "E-Man" backup feature “Rog-2000,” starring a robot character he’d created in the mid-1970s that colleagues Roger Stern and Bob Layton named and began using for spot illustrations in their fanzine "CPL" ("Contemporary Pictorial Literature"). A Rog-2000 story written by Stern, with art by Byrne and Layton, had gotten the attention of Charlton Comics editor Nicola Cuti, who extended Byrne an invitation. Written by Cuti, "Rog-2000" became one of several alternating backup features in the Charlton Comics superhero series "E-Man", starting with the eight-page "That Was No Lady" in issue #6 (Jan. 1975).

Byrne went on to work on the Charlton books "Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch", "", and "Emergency!", and co-created with writer Joe Gill the post-apocalyptic science-fiction series "Doomsday + 1". Byrne additionally drew a cover for the supernatural anthology "The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves" #54 (Dec. 1975).

Marvel Comics

Byrne’s first story for Marvel Comics was "Dark Asylum" (plotted by Tony Isabella and written by David Anthony Kraft), published in "Giant-Size Dracula" #5 (June 1975). [Isabella, Tony. [http://www.worldfamouscomics.com/tony/back20010504.shtml "Tony's Tips," "Comics Buyer's Guide" #1433 (May 4, 2001).] Accessed Sept. 17, 2008.] He began drawing Marvel’s lower-selling titles, including "Iron Fist", "The Champions", and "Marvel Team-Up". For many issues, he was paired with writer Chris Claremont, with whom he also teamed up for some issues of the black-and-white Marvel magazine "Star-Lord" (inked by Terry Austin, who soon after teamed up with Claremont and Byrne on "X-Men").

The Uncanny X-Men

Byrne joined Claremont beginning with "The X-Men" #108 (Dec. 1977). Their work together (along with inker Terry Austin) would make them both fan favorites, and "X-Men" became one of the industry’s best-selling titles. Byrne has repeatedly compared his working relationship with Claremont to Gilbert and Sullivan, and has said that they were "almost constantly at war over who the characters were".John Byrne, [http://www.slushfactory.com/content/EpuFlFFVuZUiRPXKuz.php "Too-Much-Reality Check"] , Slushfactory.com, January 29, 2003. URL accessed on December 2, 2005.] Byrne became "increasingly unhappy"Fact|date=April 2008 and left the title with issue #143 (Mar. 1981).

The Avengers

During the course of 1979 — while serving as the regular penciler on "X-Men" — Byrne displayed his prolificness by also taking on penciling duties for "The Avengers". Working for the most part with writer David Michelinie, Byrne drew issues #181-191 of the Marvel team title.

Captain America

In the early 1980s, Byrne worked on a number of other Marvel books. His nine-issue run (#247–255, 1980–1981) with writer Roger Stern on "Captain America" included an issue (#250) in which the Captain was nominated for the U.S. presidency.

The Fantastic Four

Byrne’s most important post-"X-Men" body of work at Marvel was his six-year run on "The Fantastic Four" (#232-293, 1981-1986), considered by many to be a "second Golden Age" [Frank Plowright, ed. "The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide". Aurum Press, 1997.] on that title. Byrne said his goal was to "turn the clock back . . . get back and see fresh what it was that made the book great at its inception". [Qtd. in Christopher Mari, "John Byrne", "Current Biography Yearbook" 2000, pages 81–4. H.W. Wilson, Co.] He also made a number of significant changes to the title: the Thing was replaced as a member of the quartet by the She-Hulk, while the Thing had adventures in his own comic (also written by Byrne), and his longtime girlfriend Alicia Masters left him for his teammate the Human Torch; the Invisible Girl was developed into the most powerful member with her heightened control of her refined powers and the self-confident assertiveness to use it epitomized by her name change to the Invisible Woman; and the Baxter Building, their headquarters, was destroyed and replaced with Four Freedoms Plaza. Byrne has cited multiple reasons for leaving the book, including “internal office politics” and that "it simply started to get old".Marcia Allass, " [http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/june99/byrne.shtml The Superheroes’ Mr. Fix-It: John Byrne] ", "Sequential Tart", vol. 2, issue 6, June 1999. URL accessed on December 2, 2005.]

Alpha Flight

In 1983 — while still at the helm of "Fantastic Four" — Marvel persuaded Byrne to write and draw "Alpha Flight", a Canadian superhero team who were first introduced “merely to survive a fight with the X-Men.” For more than two years, from 1983–1986, Byrne penciled every issue of both titles. "Alpha Flight" was popular (its first issue sold 500,000 copiesByrne Robotics FAQ: [http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=2&T1=Questions+about+Comic+Book+Projects Questions About Comic Book Projects] . URL accessed on December 2, 2005.] , but Byrne has said the book "was never much fun", and that he considered the characters two-dimensional. One of those characters, Northstar, became Marvel's first openly gay superhero. Though intended by Byrne to be gay from the beginning,Fact|date=March 2008 his homosexuality was only hinted at during Byrne's tenure on the book.

The Incredible Hulk

In 1985, after issue #28 of "Alpha Flight", Byrne swapped books with Bill Mantlo, writer of "The Incredible Hulk". According to Byrne, he discussed his ideas with editor-in-chief Jim Shooter ahead of time, but once Byrne was on the book, Shooter objected to them. Byrne only wrote and drew six issues (#314–319) of "The Incredible Hulk".

DC

Superman

Near the end of his time at Marvel he was hired by DC Comics to revamp its flagship character Superman. This was part of a company-wide restructuring of the history of the DC Universe and all of its characters following the miniseries "Crisis on Infinite Earths". Byrne’s reworking of Superman in particular gained widespread media coverage outside the comic book industry, including articles in "Time" and "The New York Times".

At the time, Byrne said, "I’m taking Superman back to the basics ... It's basically Siegel and Shuster's Superman meets the Fleischer Superman in 1986.”Peter Sanderson, "Amazing Heroes" #96, June 1986. Excerpted [http://fortress.supermanthrutheages.com/History/end.php here (dead link)] .] Byrne significantly reduced Superman’s powers (though he was still one of the most powerful beings on Earth), eliminated the Fortress of Solitude, Krypto, and had his foster parents the Kents still alive while Superman was an adult to enjoy their adopted son’s triumphs as well as to provide him with support, grounding, and advice whenever he needed it.

Byrne also did away with the character’s childhood/teenage career as Superboy; in Byrne’s revamped history, Clark Kent does not put on a costume and become a super-hero until he's an adult. Byrne has since admitted this was a mistake, since it completely gutted the basic premise of the Legion of Super-Heroes, a team of super-powered teenagers existing a thousand years in the future, who were inspired by Superboy.

In the Superman mythos, Byrne wrote Clark Kent as having a more aggressive and extroverted personality than previously depicted, even making him a top high-school football player. Byrne also did his part to come up with explanations for how Superman’s disguise works, such as the public simply does not realize that he has a secret identity since he is unmasked, that Superman would vibrate his face via his super speed in order to blur his image to photographers, and having Kent keep a weight training set around to explain how the human and presumably weaker Kent could have a frame as massive as Superman’s. Byrne’s Superman felt that his deepest roots were on Earth, and that his home planet of "Krypton is anathema to him".

The new Superman debuted in the six-issue miniseries "The Man of Steel", which described his origin and early career. Byrne wrote and drew two monthly Superman titles with the hero’s present-day adventures: a new "Superman" title beginning with issue #1 (January 1987) and "Action Comics", in which, beginning with issue #584, Superman teamed up with another hero or group. The original "Superman" book was renamed "Adventures of Superman" starting with issue #424 and was initially written by Marv Wolfman and drawn by Jerry Ordway, but the writing chores were taken over by Byrne after a year (from issues #436–442, and 444). As 1988 marked the 50th anniversary year of Superman’s creation, Byrne managed to do more Superman-related projects while working on the core Superman monthly titles at the same time: he wrote the prestige format graphic novel, "Superman: The Earth Stealers", while also writing three separate four-issue mini-series: "The World of Krypton", "The World of Metropolis", and "The World of Smallville". He also supplied the cover art for a "Time" magazine cover and interior spread which featured Superman, where his pencils were inked by Jerry Ordway. Around this time while working on the "Superman" titles, Byrne also penciled the 6-issue DC Universe crossover mini-series "Legends" in 1986-1987.

Byrne spent about two years on the Superman titles before leaving. He cited the lack of "conscious support" for his work from DC Comics and the fact that the version of Superman that the company licensed for merchandise was different from his version in the comic books as the reasons for his dissatisfaction.

Return to Marvel

In 1986, Marvel began publication of a new line of superhero titles created by then-Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, which took place in a continuum removed from the Marvel Universe proper, called the New Universe.

The Star Brand

In 1987, the New Universe line saw a revamp under new Editor-in-Chief Tom DeFalco, and Byrne took over writing and art-breakdowns on the line's flagship title, "Star Brand" (renamed "The Star Brand" during Byrne’s term on the book). Byrne’s run started with issue #11 and continued until the series' cancellation eight issues later upon Marvel's discontinuation of the New Universe line.

Avengers West Coast

In 1989, after leaving "Superman", Byrne returned to work on a number of titles for Marvel Comics. His work on "West Coast Avengers" (issues 42–57, soon renamed "Avengers West Coast") was contingent on his being allowed to do what he called “my Vision story.” The Vision was a long standing Marvel superhero and member of The Avengers, an android originally created by the villain Ultron constructed with the body of the original Human Torch. The Vision went on to join the team, marry his teammate the Scarlet Witch, and father two children by her. Byrne radically changed this, revealing that Ultron lied about the Vision’s creation. The android Human Torch was found and joined the WCA. The Vision was disassembled and stripped of his emotions. The couple’s twins were revealed to be pieces of the soul of the demon Master Pandemonium. In addition to these changes, Byrne’s run is remembered for the introduction of the Great Lakes Avengers, an eclectic group of new superheroes.

The Sensational She-Hulk

During She-Hulk’s tenure with the Fantastic Four, she appeared in "Marvel Graphic Novel" #18 in November 1985, titled "The Sensational She-Hulk", which Byrne also wrote and illustrated.

On the request of editor Mark Gruenwald, Byrne wrote and drew a new series in 1989, "The Sensational She-Hulk" (maintaining the 1985 graphic novel’s title). Gruenwald directed that it be significantly different from the character’s 1970s series, "The Savage She-Hulk".Byrne Robotics FAQ: [http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=3&T1=Questions+about+Aborted+Storylines Questions About Aborted Storylines] . URL accessed March 18, 2006.] Byrne’s take was comedic and the She-Hulk, who was aware she was in a comic book, regularly broke the fourth wall. Byrne left the book after writing and drawing the first eight issues. Byrne was asked for input on writer Dwayne McDuffie’s "" graphic novel, and according to Byrne, most of his objections to the story and notations of errors were ignored, and his editor, Bobbie Chase, “was rewriting my stuff to bring it into line with” the story in "Ceremony". Upon complaining to DeFalco, Byrne says he was fired from his series. He later returned to write and draw issues #31–50 under new editor Renée Witterstaetter.

Iron Man

Byrne took over writing "Iron Man" (#258–277), drawn by John Romita Jr. and later by Paul Ryan. Byrne launched a second “Armor Wars” story arc, restored the Mandarin as a major Iron Man nemesis, and featured the 1950s “pre-superhero Marvel” monster Fin Fang Foom.

Namor, the Sub-Mariner

Byrne also started a new series, "Namor, the Sub-Mariner". Byrne’s take on the undersea antihero Namor cast him as the head of a surface company, Oracle, Inc., in order to help keep the ocean unpolluted, and had Namor involved in corporate intrigue. Byrne wrote and drew the book for 25 issues, until new artist Jae Lee inspired a sharp change in the series’ mood and plot of the book. Byrne wrote the book until #32.

Creator-owned works

In the early 1990s, Byrne began creating a series of original, creator-owned works for publisher Dark Horse Comics. This was during a general trend in the industry for established creators working for Marvel and DC to bring their original works to other publishers or create their own companies to publish the works themselves (one prominent example is Image Comics). A number of these creators, including Byrne, Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, and Art Adams, banded together to form the Legend imprint at Dark Horse.

Byrne’s first title for Dark Horse was "Next Men", (a kind of "X-Men" for mature readers), a work he considered darker and more realistic than his previous work. The Next Men were five young people who were the product of a secret government experiment. Byrne said, “I thought I would see what I could do with superheroes in the ‘real world’ ” and “ [e] xplore the impact their existence would have.” Byrne’s other Dark Horse titles were "Babe" (a kind of "She-Hulk" for mature readers) and "Danger Unlimited", a kind of "Fantastic Four" for mature readers about team of heroes in the future fighting an alien occupation of Earth.

The "Next Men" lasted until issue 30 in 1994, when Byrne ended the series, intending to return “in no more than six months.” However, Byrne says he “did not count on...the virtual collapse of the whole comic book industry, which seemed to occur at just the time I put "Next Men" on the shelf...In the present, very depressed marketplace, I don’t feel "Next Men" would have much chance, so I leave the book hibernating until such time as the market improves.”

Later career

In later years, Byrne has done titles for Marvel, DC, and other publishers, including the 1992 prestige format graphic novel "Green Lantern: Ganthet’s Tale" with science fiction author Larry Niven at DC. He also returned to the "X-Men" franchise at Marvel from 1991–1992, succeeding longtime writer Chris Claremont, who left after 17 years working on the various "X-Men" related titles. Byrne's return as the new writer was brief, as he only wrote "Uncanny X-Men" # 281-285 and 288 with artist Whilce Portacio, and "X-Men (vol. 2)" # 4-5 with artist Jim Lee. Like Claremont before him, Byrne left writing the X-Men titles due to editorial differences with then X-Men editor at the time, Bob Harras.Fact|date=August 2008

He also wrote and drew another of DC’s signature series, the long-running "Wonder Woman" title from 1995–1998. During that time he relegated the superheroine to the status of observer in a many issues, spotlighting supporting characters such as Queen Hippolyta in their own adventures. He additionally took over "New Gods" vol. 4 at the end of 1996, as writer-artist of issues #12–15, continuing with it as the series was rebooted with a new #1 as "Jack Kirby’s Fourth World". That ran 20 issues from 1997–1998. During his tenure on the "New Gods", Byrne was also writer of the four-issue comic book mini-series crossover "Genesis", a storyline published weekly by DC Comics in August 1997. The series was drawn by Ron Wagner and Joe Rubinstein. Byrne also wrote a Wonder Woman prose novel, "Wonder Woman: Gods and Goddesses" (1997, Prima Lifestyles, ISBN 0-7615-0483-4).

His late-1990s Marvel work has been controversial. In the series "", Byrne sought to retell some of Spider-Man’s earliest adventures, changing some key aspects, and declaringFact|date=January 2008 that the new version had supplanted the original stories as official Spider-Man canon. In late 1998, Byrne also took over as writer of the flagship series, "The Amazing Spider-Man", at the end of the series with issue #440, by which time Marvel had decided to relaunch the book. The "last" issue of "Amazing Spider-Man" was #441 (Nov. 1998), with Marvel initiating "The Amazing Spider-Man" with a new issue #1 (Jan. 1999) with Howard Mackie as writer and Byrne as penciler. Byrne penciled issues #1–18 (from 1999–2000) and wrote #13–14.

Marvel hired Byrne in 1999 for a second volume of the series featuring "The Incredible Hulk", re-titled "Hulk", with Ron Garney penciling. Byrne wrote of his plans for the first year,Fact|date=August 2008 but as with his previous tenure on the character back in 1986, creative differences led to his abrupt departure before the year was over.Fact|date=August 2008 Byrne wrote the first seven issues, as well as that series’ summer annual.

From 1999–2001, Byrne returned to the "X-Men" once again, as he wrote and drew the flashback series "". The series lasted 22 issues. Despite being one of the lowest selling X-Men titles in history,Fact|date=August 2008 Byrne maintained the comic was still profitable and believed the cancellation to be unexplained. This disagreement factored in his decision to no longer work for Marvel Comics. [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=13522 Comic Book Resources] , November 15, 2000. Accessed August 8, 2007.]

Like "X-Men: The Hidden Years" works of this period have involved characters and events in time periods mostly skipped over by other comics ('), or alternate timelines (DC’s '); a common feature is to have characters who actually age during the course of the series, which is uncommon for characters in ongoing comics.

In early 2003, Byrne spent ten weeks as guest penciler on the syndicated newspaper strip "Funky Winkerbean". Byrne did this as a favor for "Winkerbean"’s creator, Tom Batiuk, who was recovering from foot surgery. [ [http://www.angelfire.com/va/funkyw/stuff.html The Unofficial Funky Winkerbean Fan Page] , URL accessed on January 25, 2008.] [ [http://www.ncs-glc.com/GLC/fest04/fest_2004_1.html The Glyph] , "The 2004 Festival of Cartoon Art — In a Series of Snapshots", URL accessed on January 25, 2008.]

His 2000s work has all been for DC Comics: "JLA" (#94–99, the “Tenth Circle” story arc), "Doom Patrol", "Blood of the Demon", a five-issue arc of "JLA Classified" and a brief return stint drawing Superman (with writer Gail Simone) in "Action Comics" #827–835. Afterward, Simone and Byrne reteamed to launch "The All-New Atom" series in 2006, with Byrne pencilling the first three issues.

For publisher IDW, Byrne worked on the final issue of the miniseries "Star Trek: Alien Spotlight" (Feb. 2008); on the series "FX" #1-6, written by Wayne Osborne, starting with the March 2008 issue; on the self-described "professional fan fiction," "Star Trek: Assignment Earth" #1-5; and on "Star Trek: Romulans" #1-2. His next projects are four issues of "Angel", "Crew" (a Pike-era Star Trek comic book) and the final chapter of his Romulans story before he starts on the second "Assignment: Earth" series. [ [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=142345 John Byrne on FX, Angel, Next Men and More] , Newsarama, January 1, 2008]

Controversies

Over the years, Byrne has gained a reputation as a controversial figure, and has noted this himself, stating that “as the people who have figured me out have said, I just don’t suffer fools gladly.”cite book | last=Cooke, | first=Jon B. | authorlink=Jon B. Cooke| coauthors=Nolen-Weathington, Eric | year=2006 | title=Modern Masters Volume 7: John Byrne | edition=1st ed. | publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |pages=77| id=ISBN 189390556X ] Gail Simone, who worked with Byrne on "The All New Atom" (2006), described Byrne as “very opinionated,” although she qualified her statement, noting Byrne’s talent and assessing his personality as integral to his abilities: “I think John Byrne is brilliant and his forceful personality is part of that.” [cite web| url =http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=7985 | title =CCI XTRA: Spotlight on Gail Simone | accessdate =2007-02-09 | author = Jim MacQuarrie | last =MacQuarrie | first =Jim | authorlink = | date =July 27, 2006| work =CBR News—The Comics Wire | publisher =Comic Book Resources ] Byrne’s opinions can lead to disputes, and commentators have noted disputes with Peter David, [ [http://peterdavid.malibulist.com/archives/004062.html PeterDavid.net: “The Comedy Stylings of John Byrne,” by Peter David, May 27, 2006] ] Jim Shooter, Joe Quesada, Mark Evanier, Marv Wolfman,Rich Johnston, “ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?article=1941 Lying in the Gutters] ,” Comic Book Resources, July 19, 2004. URL accessed on December 2, 2005.] and Erik Larsen. In 1982, during a panel discussion at the Dallas Fantasy Fair, Byrne made unflattering comments about longtime comics writer and one-time Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Roy Thomas. After a transcript of the panel was published in "The Comics Journal" #75 (Sept. 1982), Thomas threatened a libel suit if Byrne did not apologize. In a letter printed in "The Comics Journal" #82 (July 1983), Byrne retracted his statements, claiming he was only repeating information from Wolfman and Wein and wrote, “I acted only in the office of a parrot.” [qtd. in Rodrigo Baeza, “ [http://rodrigobaeza.blog-city.com/acting_in_the_office_of_a_parrot.htm Acting in the office of a parrot] .” URL accessed January 31, 2006.]

In the 1980s, Steve Gerber and Jack Kirby lampooned him in "Destroyer Duck", drawing him as a character called Cogburn, possessing a removable spine and existing only to serve as a cog in the mammoth corporation that owned him. ["Destroyer Duck", Eclipse Comics, 1981–83, issues #1–5; the letters page of #5 discusses the physical likeness and similarity of names, and acknowledges that the character is a response to comments Byrne made in the fan press.] Erik Larsen created a villain in the 1990s for his "Savage Dragon" and "Freak Force" series, Johnny Redbeard/The Creator, who also parodies Byrne; a massive cranium with atrophied appendages, he can bestow superpowers indiscriminately. [Eric Evans, “What Kirby Wanted,” foreword to "Savage Dragon Companion" #1 (Image Comics, July 2002), p. 5.] However, Byrne is also regarded as an enthusiastic talker, and someone with a warm love of his chosen medium. Tony Isabella has commented upon Byrne’s approachability when at comic conventions, describing him as “friendly, funny, and well-received by those who attended the show.” [cite web| url =http://www.worldfamouscomics.com/tony/back20041216.shtml | title =Tony Isabella, Dec 16, 2004 | accessdate =2007-02-09 | author =Tony Isabella | last =Isabella | first =Tony | authorlink =Tony Isabella | date =December 16, 2004| work =Tony’s Online Tips | publisher =World Famous Comics]

The magazine "Heroplay" examined Byrne’s alleged treatment of women in his comics and concluded, “As dynamic as his art can be, and as ambitious as his storylines are, he just seems to have an axe to grind with the female of the species,” and that he made women “either bitchy, flighty, or evil.” [cite web| url =http://www.heroplay.com/features/articles/display.php?id=27 | title =Don’t Do It to Me Again! | accessdate =2007-03-25 | author =zan| work =Viewpoints]

Despite the subject matter of which he writes and draws, in real life he is a firm skeptic. In a letter to the editor in the May/June 2008 issue of "Skeptical Inquirer", he wrote: "I don't believe in the supernatural in any way." [cite book
author =
coauthors =
year = May/June 2008
title = "Skeptical Inquirer"
publisher = Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
location = Amherst, New York
page = p. 65
isbn =
quote = In his letter to the editor, he discussed how he came to realize that "footsteps" his family were hearing in his house were actually caused by the foundation shifting due to old wood support beams in his cellar. When they were replaced, the "footsteps" stopped.]

The “Byrne Curse”

Byrne has referenced his alleged tendency to “predict” real-life events with his comic books, calling it the “Byrne Curse.” [ [http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=4&T1=Byrnisms%3A+opinions+and+observations+of+JB#72 Byrne Robotics: Byrnisms] ] In a letter to "Skeptic" magazine, he noted a 1977 issue of "Marvel Team-Up" depicting a blackout in New York, with a real-life blackout occurring the month the issue went on sale, six months after he had drawn it; an issue of "Uncanny X-Men" depicting a major earthquake in Japan, which again occurred in real life the month the comic was released; and an issue of "Wonder Woman" in which the death of the superheroine, who is an Amazon princess named Diana, is presented on the cover as a newspaper front page with the headline “Princess Diana Dies.” The issue went on sale on a Wednesday, and Britain’s Diana, Princess of Wales was killed in an accident three days later. [ [http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/05-01-05.html "eSkeptic" (magazine’s online newsletter), Jan. 5, 2005: “Science and the Search for Meaning,” by Michael Shermer] ]

Art style

Byrne has stated his major influences on his art style are Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, Steve Ditko, Neal Adams, and Jean Giraud (best known as Moebius), as well as British comics artists Frank Hampson and Frank Bellamy and cartoonist Giles.Fact|date=August 2008 He later described himself as “a Frank Miller sponge,”Fact|date=August 2008 and told several interviewers of his desire to incorporate influences from Miller and Gene Colan into his style.Fact|date=August 2008

Byrne’s original work has been noted as being rough, with his drawings emphasizing curves over straight lines. Byrne has himself admitted to straight lines being “his least favorite artistic element.” [John Byrne, "Learn to Draw Comics", p. 46, Collins, 2001. ISBN 0-00-413411-7.]

Ron Goulart has called Byrne’s artwork “an eminently acceptable mix of bravura, complexity and storytelling clarity.” [Ron Goulart, "The Great Comic Book Artists", pg. 18. St Martin’s Press, 1986. ISBN 0-312-34557-7.]

In Scott McCloud’s book "Understanding Comics", Byrne is charted along with other comics artists in the “Big Triangle.” [Scott McCloud, “ [http://www.scottmccloud.com/inventions/triangle/triangle.html The Big Triangle] .” URL accessed on December 2, 2005.] McCloud’s placement of Byrne within it identifies his style as similar to Gilbert Hernandez and Jim Lee, making the point that Byrne’s line style is naturalistic without being overly detailed.

Byrne is, in 2006, an accomplished comic book creator, and is capable of producing virtually all aspects of a book, although he does still produce work in collaboration. The one exception is coloring, since Byrne is color-blind. He has problems distinguishing between some shades of green and brown and pencilled Iron Fist for a year believing the costume was brown. While he experimented with his own hand-developed lettering fonts in the early 1980s, he now utilizes a computer font based on the handwriting of the letterer Jack Morelli.Byrne Robotics FAQ: [http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=6&T1=Creative+Process Creative Process] . URL accessed on December 2, 2005.]

Byrne’s artistic style, his layouts and his storytelling have been sources of instruction and inspiration to many comics artists, including George Pérez, ["Comics Feature" #19, 1982. Excerpted [http://www.titanstower.com/source/libntt/cfeat19.html here] . URL accessed December 2, 2005.] Jim Lee, [ [http://gelatometti.blogspot.com/2004/12/3-doors-down.html Gelatometti: 3 Doors Down] . URL accessed December 2, 2005] Todd McFarlane, [“ [http://www.spawn.com/info/todd/bio.long.aspx Todd McFarlane Complete Biography] ,” Spawn.com. URL accessed December 2, 2005.] Bryan Hitch, [Alexander Ness, “ [http://www.slushfactory.com/content/EpyFFyFyuAYXJIKlOC.php A Conversation with Bryan Hitch] ,” Slushfactory.com, September 12, 2003.] and Marcos Martín. [Scott Beatty, “ [http://www.scottbeatty.com/batgirlmarcosinterview.html Behind the Scenes: Words and Pictures with Marcos Martín!] ” URL accessed December 2, 2005.]

As Byrne’s style has evolved over the years fan opinion has differed, a fact Byrne addressed in one of his “IMO” opinion columns. [ [http://www.slushfactory.com/content/EpVZyVFlVyoAEzQmWa.php SlushFactory.com: IMO (column), “Your Old Stuff Was Better,” by John Byrne. July 8, 2003] ]

Awards

Byrne has been the recipient of multiple comic book awards, including Favourite Comicbook Artist Eagle Awards in 1978 and 1979; a 1980 Inkpot Award; and the 1993 Squiddy Award for Favorite Penciller.

elected bibliography

Marvel Comics

*"Alpha Flight" vol. 1 (Writer/Penciller) #1-28
*"Avengers" (Penciller) #164-166, 181-191 Annual #14, 18; (Writer) #305-317
*"Avengers West Coast" (Writer/Penciller) #42-57, Annual #4
*"Captain America" (Penciller) #247-255
*"The Champions" (Penciller) #11-15, 17
*"Daredevil" (Penciller) #138
*"Fantastic Four" (Writer/Artist) #209-221, 232-293
*"Iron Man" (Penciller) #118; (writer) #258-277; Annual #10 (artist)
*"The Incredible Hulk" (writer/artist) #314-319
*"Hulk" (writer) #1-7; Annual 1
*"" (Writer/Artist) #1-12
*"Namor the Sub-Mariner" (Writer/Artist) #1-25; (Writer) #26-32
*"The Sensational She-Hulk" (Writer/Artist) #1-8, 31-50
*"" (Writer/Artist) #1-12
*"The Amazing Spider-Man" vol. 1 (Penciler) #189, 190, 206; (Writer) 440-441
*"The Amazing Spider-Man" vol. 2 (Penciler) #1-18; (writer) 13, 14
*"Uncanny X-Men" (co-plotter and Penciller), #108, 109, 111-143;(Scripter) #273, 281-285, 288
*"X-Men (vol. 2)" (writer) #4-5
*"" #1-22 (writer/artist)

DC Comics

*"Action Comics" (writer/artist #584-600); (artist) #827-835; Annual 1 (writer); Annual 6 (writer/artist)
*"Adventures of Superman" (Writer) #436-442, 444; (inker) Annual #2
*"Batman/Captain America" (one shot intercompany crossover, published by DC, writer/artist)
*"Blood of the Demon" (writer/artist) #1-15
*"Doom Patrol" #1-18 (writer/artist)
*"The Man of Steel" (writer/artist) (6-issue Mini series)
*"Genesis" (mini-series, August 1997) (writer; with art by by Ron Wagner and Joe Rubinstein)
*"Green Lantern: Ganthet’s Tale" (one shot; script/artist, from a story by Larry Niven)
*"Jack Kirby’s Fourth World" #1-20 (writer/artist)
*"JLA" (Writer/Artist #94-99, with Chris Claremont)
Justice League Classified 50-54 (Artist)
*"Legends" (Mini series) (pencils)
*"New Gods" (vol. 4) #12-15 (writer/artist)
*"OMAC" (4-issue miniseries)
*"Superman (vol. 2)" (writer) #1-22; (Artist) #1-17, 19-22; 50 (Artist)
*"The All New Atom" (artist) #1-3
*"World of Krypton" #1-4 (Mini series) (writer & cover artist)
*"World of Metropolis" #1-4 (Mini series) (writer & cover artist)
*"World of Smallville" #1-4 (Mini series) (writer & cover artist)
*"Wonder Woman" (vol. 2) (Writer/Artist) #101-136

Dark Horse Comics

*"John Byrne’s 2112" (1991)
*"Danger Unlimited" (1993)
*"John Byrne’s Next Men" (1992–1994)
*"Babe" (1994)
*"" (1994)

Novels

*"John L. Byrne’s Fear Book" (1988; ISBN 0-446-34814-7)
*"Whipping Boy" (1992; ISBN 0-440-21171-9)
*"Wonder Woman: Gods and Goddesses" (1997, ISBN 0-7615-0483-4)

Newspaper Strips

*"Funky Winkerbean" (2003) (fill-in penciler for ten weeks)

Webcomics

*"You Go, Ghoul!" (2004) [Byrne Robotics: [http://www.byrnerobotics.com/Web_comics.asp Web Comics] . URL accessed on December 2, 2005.]

Audio/video

* [http://www.aroundcomics.com/interviews/john-byrne-on-ep.-044.html Interview with Around Comics]

Footnotes

References

* [http://www.byrnerobotics.com Byrne Robotics] —Official Website
* [http://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/byrne_john.htm Lambiek Comiclopedia: John Byrne]

External links

* [http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=3&PN=1 The John Byrne Forum]
* [http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/features/johnbyrne_imo/ John Byrne’s IMO] (column)
* [http://twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/12byrne.html Byrne interview on his early career] , "Comic Book Artist" #12, 2001
* [http://twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/12stern.html Roger Stern interview re.: Byrne] , "Comic Book Artist" #12, 2001
* [http://www.toptwothreefilms.com/films/aidc/bts/interviews/f20040927/index(3).html Interview at Top Two Three Films]

succession box | title="Wonder Woman" writer| before=William Messner-Loebs
after=Christopher Priest| years=1995–1998

Persondata
NAME=Byrne, John Lindley
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Comic book artist and writer
DATE OF BIRTH=July 6, 1950
PLACE OF BIRTH=Walsall, England
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=