Geof Darrow

Geof "Geofrey" Darrow (October 21, 1955) is a comic artist and designer born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States.

Career

He was a student at Hanna-Barbera cartoon studios after studying at the American Academy of Arts in Chicago. In the early 80s he worked in character design for the "Super Friends", "Richie Rich", and "Pac-Man" television series.

In 1982, he met French comic book writer and artist Moebius during the making of the film "Tron". Two years later, the two collaborated on a portfolio of prints named "La Cité Feu", later reprinted for the English speaking market as "City of Fire".

In 1990, Darrow collaborated with writer and artist Frank Miller on the comic book "Hard Boiled", a 3-part graphic novel. Loosely based on Philip K. Dick's short story "The Electric Ant", the book is an exploration of the mind and world of its protagonist, Nixon.

In 1993 and 1994, Darrow provided art for the role-playing game line "Underground", published by Mayfair Games. Inc. [ [http://www.mayfairgames.com/ Mayfair Games Official Site] ]

Darrow and Miller worked together again on "Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot" in 1996, a far more family-oriented work, in which the protagonists save Tokyo from destruction by a giant lizard. The story was later developed into an animated series by Sony entertainment, first aired in 1999.

Darrow was credited as 'Conceptual Designer' on all three "Matrix" movies. His visual style is most prominent in the scene of Neo's awakening from his biomechanical sleep. The insect-like machine that attacks Neo is a classic Darrow mechanoid made up of tubes, viewscreens and riveted joints. He has also contributed to both volumes of The Matrix comics, a series of short Matrix-inspired comic stories.

Darrow has also contributed covers to a number of other comics, including "Concrete", "Transmetropolitan" and Andrew Vachss' "Cross".

Darrow has lately been working on his self-penned series, "Shaolin Cowboy" (published by Burlyman Entertainment), featuring Darrow's trademark ultra-violence, irony and meticulous level of detail.

Darrow is also the co-creator of the series "Doc Frankenstein", written by the Wachowski Brothers, with art by Steve Skroce, also published by Burlyman Entertainment.

Outside of comic books and film, Darrow has also done some artwork for the "" trading card series.

Awards

Darrow has won three Eisner Awards. His first was in 1991, which he shared with Frank Miller for "Hard Boiled". His second was in 1996 for "Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot". His third was in 2006 in the Wrtier/Artist category for "Shaolin Cowboy".

Charity work

Darrow serves on the national advisory board of PROTECT: The National Association to Protect Children.

elected bibliography

* "La Cité Feu" (1984) with Moebius. Reproduced as 'City of Fire'.
* "Bourbon Thret" (1986), a (french) limited edition comes with the "Darrow magazine, 25 pages of "overwhelming testimonies" : mostly illustrated private jokes from French comic artists.
* "Hard Boiled" with Frank Miller (1990).
* "Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot" (1996)
* "Doc Frankenstein" (2004)
* "Shaolin Cowboy" (2005)

elected artwork

* " [http://www.vachss.com/av_books/comics/cross.html Andrew Vachss' CROSS] " cover gallery (1995-1996)
* " [http://www.vachss.com/av_books/list_special.html Another Chance To Get It Right] " covers/illustrations (1993/2003)
* " [http://www.vachss.com/av_books/hard_looks_tpb.html Hard Looks] " cover/illustrations (2002)
* " [http://www.vachss.com/media/art/chrysalis.html Metamorphosis] " original artwork (animation)
* " [http://www.vachss.com/flash/index.html The Zero] " original artwork (flash movie)
* " [http://www.vachss.com/10/darrow.html Honey's Butterfly] " original artwork (2005)

References

External links

* [http://www.burlymanentertainment.com Publishers of Shaolin Cowboy and the Matrix comics]
* [http://www.shadland.com/darrow Unofficial fan site with good examples of artwork]
* [http://www.vachss.com/media/comics/geof_darrow.html Page devoted to Darrow, on writer Andrew Vachss site.]
* [http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,270885_2%7C%7C442345%7C0_0_,00.html Entertainment Weekly article on Geof Darrow, 24 September 1999]
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