Antony Johnston

Infobox Comics creator
name = Antony Johnston


imagesize =
caption =
birthname =
birthdate = birth date and age|1972|08|25
location = Birmingham, United Kingdom
deathdate =
deathplace =
nationality = British
area = Writer
alias =
notable works = "Wasteland"
""
"Alan Moore's The Courtyard"
"Three Days in Europe"
awards = "Best Horror" American Independent Publishing Award

Antony Johnston (born August 25,1972) is an award-winning British writer. He is best known for the post apocalyptic comic series "Wasteland", his graphic novel adaptations of Anthony Horowitz' "Alex Rider" novels, and his work with Alan Moore.

Biography

Despite an early interest in comics and role-playing games, Johnston started his career as a graphic designer. He began his writing career with work for role-playing magazines before the Mark Salisbury-edited "Writers on Comic Scriptwriting" (Titan Books, 1999) rekindled his interest in comics [ [http://www.antonyjohnston.com/press/about.php Official biography] ] . Drawing on his design skills, he now designs many of his own comics and graphic novels. [ [http://www.antonyjohnston.com/gtw/ "Getting Things Written: Job Sheets," by Antony Johnston] . Accessed August 7, 2008] In May 2001, Johnston was one of the three founding editors of NinthArt.com, an attempt at taking a literary and critical approach to the comics medium designed to act as a journal and aimed at "the discerning reader." [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20061115160028/www.ninthart.com/about/what_is.php "What Is Ninth Art?" by Antony Johnston, Alasdair Watson and Andrew Wheeler, May 2001] . Accessed "(via the Internet Archive)" August 7, 2008] Between 2001 and 2004, he contributed a mostly-monthly Editorial entitled "Cassandra Complex," [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20061115160620/www.ninthart.com/authorindex.php?author=Antony+Johnston "Cassandra Complex Editorials"] by Antony Johnston at NinthArt.com (May 21, 2001 - April 30, 2004). Accessed "(via the Internet Archive)" August 7, 2008] and for five years formed one-third of the infrequent "Triple A" discussions, including the last (on June 19, 2006). [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20061115160534/www.ninthart.com/authorindex.php?author=Wheeler,+Johnston+and+Watson "Triple A"] by the Ninth Art editorial board (Johnston, Watson & Wheeler) at NinthArt.com (June 11, 2001 - June 19, 2006). Accessed "(via the Internet Archive)" August 7, 2008]

His fiction debut, "Frightening Curves", was an illustrated horror novel with artwork by Aman Chaudhary, published by now-defunct Cyberosia Publishing in 2001. The book won the Best Horror Award in the 2002 IPPY awards at Book Expo America. [ [http://www.independentpublisher.com/department.php?page=546 Winners and Finalists for the Independent Publisher Book Awards 2002] , Independent Publisher] Johnston would also produce a graphic novel - "Rosemary's Backpack" - and a contribution to the first "PopImage" anthology for Cyberosia in 2002.

In June 2008, Johnston held a Writing Masterclass workshop as part of the Thought Bubble Sequential Art Festival in Leeds. [ [http://thoughtbubblefestival.wordpress.com/2008/06/14/antony-johnston-writing-masterclass-26-june-630-8pm/ "ANTONY JOHNSTON WRITING MASTERCLASS 26 JUNE 6.30 - 8pm," June 14, 2008] . Accessed August 7, 2008]

Johnston "lives in northwest England with the loves of his life: his partner, Marcia, his dogs... and his iMac."

Oni and Avatar

Johnston's early comics work consisted primarily of non-serialised graphic novels for Oni Press [ [http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/+Antony+Johnston/ Suicide Girls interview] , Suicide Girls, February 3, 2005] [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=2556 Three's Not a Crowd: Johnston talks graphic novels at Oni in 2004] , Comic Book Resources, August 5, 2003] , and authorised comics adaptations of prose and poetry works by Alan Moore for Avatar Press. [ [http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/pulse.cgi?http%3A//www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi%3Fubb%3Dget_topic%26f%3D36%26t%3D000421 Johnston's Working in Alan Moore's Courtyard] , Comicon Pulse, November 13, 2002]

Oni

In 2002, he began his association with Oni Press by writing the five-issue miniseires "Three Days in Europe" (with art by Mike Hawthorne). Described by the publisher as a romantic comedy, Johnston revealed the origins of the series as being borne out of his "want [ing] to avoid being branded as a one-trick pony." [http://www.mania.com/onis-three-days-europe_article_35556.html Rob Allstetter, "Oni's THREE DAYS IN EUROPE" at Mania.com, July 26, 2002] . Accessed August 7, 2008] Initially, Johnston (who had been writing for comics journalism website NinthArt.com) produced a proposal for Oni Editor-in-Chief Jamie S. Rich, and with editor Jamie Lucas Jones transformed it into a title to be called "Emily Spook". While this, and Johnston's "150 West", a "crime/horror serial for the Warren Ellis-edited anthology "Night Radio"," were in the works, Johnston wrote the "completely different" series "Three Days in Europe".

After this initial mini-series, Johnston penned a number of graphic novels for Oni Press - "Spooked" (with Ross Campbell), "Julius" (with Brett Weldele) and "Closer" (with Mike Norton) released between February and May 2004; "The Long Haul" (with Eduardo Barreto) and "F-Stop" (with Matthew Loux) released in February and April 2005.

In 2005, Johnston became the first - and thus far only - other writer to pen a story for Greg Rucka's award-winning espionage comic series "Queen and Country", writing the three-issue "Queen & Country: Declassified" miniseries with artist Christopher Mitten. [ [http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2005/07/12/4cr-interview-antony-johnston/ Antony Johnston interview] , 4 Color Rebellion, July 12 2005] A year later, Johnston and Mitten launched "Wasteland" (2006), an ongoing post-apocalyptic series, again for Oni Press. [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=6900 The Rising Tide: Antony Johnston talks Oni's Wasteland] , Comic Book Resources, April 25, 2006]

Avatar

Meanwhile, Johnston began an association with Avatar Press adapting work by Alan Moore. Announced in September 2002, Moore's Lovecraft tale "The Courtyard" was 'sequentially adapted' for comics by Johnston, described then as "one of the industry’s rising stars." [ [http://www.avatarpress.com/2002/09/24/alan-moores-the-courtyard/ Avatar Press Release: "Alan Moore's The Courtyard," September 24, 2002] . Accessed August 7, 2008] Praised by writer Warren Ellis [ [http://www.avatarpress.com/thecourtyard/ Avatar: Alan Moore's "The Courtyard"] . Accessed August 7, 2008] , after collaborating with Moore personally on "The Courtyard" (initially intended to be published as part of Moore's "Yuggoth Cultures", but ultimately published independently) Johnston went on to adapt a number of Moore's prose writings for Avatar Press. These included:
* "Another Suburban Romance" (adapted from Moore's performance work),
* "Me and Dorothy Parker" (adapted from a song in "Alan Moore's Songbook", and published in "Yuggoth Cultures and Other Growths" #3)
* "Hypothetical Lizard" (adapted from Moore's novella, originally printed in the shared-world anthology "" (Ace, 1987))

In addition, "Yuggoth Creatures" [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=3433 Embracing Lovecraftian Monsters in Johnston's "Yuggoth Creatures"] , Comic Book Resources, April 22, 2004] [ [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12648 Johnston and the Yuggoth] , Newsarama, May 5, 2004] and the 4-issue "Nightjar" (with input from Bryan Talbot) [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=3021 Opening up a jar of horror: Antony Johnston talks 'Nightjar'] , Comic Book Resources, January 14, 2004] [ [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9080 Following in Moore's footsteps: Antony Johnston on Nightjar] , Newsarama, February 11, 2004] were inspired by Moore's earlier Cthulhu mythos works, but largely written by Johnston alone. Johnston's script for "The Courtyard" saw print in 2004 alongside the original short story which inspired the comics adaptation.

Johnston has also worked on non-Moore titles, including the adult story "Spellbound" for "Vivid Girls" (with Juan Jose Ryp) starring Vivid Entertainment stars Jenna Jameson and Tawny Roberts, [ [http://www.vividcomix.com/vividgirls/volume01/spellbound.html "Vivid Comix: Vivid Girls Volume One - Spellbound"] . Accessed August 7, 2008] and the final Avatar release tying into the 2003 remake of cult horror film "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre": "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Fearbook" #1 (with Daniel HDR), released in 2006. [ [http://www.digital-retribution.com/reviews/other/p022.php The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Fearbook] , Digital Retribution Comic Review]

Other publishers

2006 also saw the release of "", the first of Johnston's adaptations of Anthony Horowitz's "Alex Rider" series for Walker Books. [ [http://www.walkerbooks.co.uk/Stormbreaker-The-Graphic-Novel-1844281116 Publisher's book page] , Walker Books] In 2007 Del Rey Manga announced Johnston as the writer of a Marvel Comics-licensed original English-language manga version of "Wolverine", due for publication in 2009. [ [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=139064 Marvel, Del Rey Join to Produce OEL Manga With X-Men & Wolverine] , Newsarama, December 9, 2007] [ [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=154338 Marvel, Del Rey Announce Wolverine Manga Creators] , Newsarama, April 20, 2008] [ [http://blog.newsarama.com/2008/04/22/another-look-at-the-manga-style-wolverine-x-men/ Another look at the manga-style Wolverine, X-Men] , Newsarama, April 22, 2008]

Most recently, Johnston began writing the comic book prequel to the Electronic Arts videogame Dead Space, illustrated by Ben Templesmith [ [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=148444 Ben Templesmith: Moving into Dead Space] , Newsarama, February 28, 2008] and published through Image comics, for whom he had previously written a number of short stories. [ [http://www.wizarduniverse.com/030508deadspacejohnston.html Wizard Q&A] , "Wizard", March 5, 2008] . Shortly after, he was also announced as the game's scriptwriter. [ [http://deadspace.ea.com/blogs/blog-en-us/archive/2008/04/16/chuck-gets-animated.aspx Chuck Gets Animated] , Dead Space blog, April 18, 2008]

Films

In 2008, "Variety" reported that one of Johnston's early graphic novels, "Three Days in Europe", was on Jennifer Garner's production slate (following her first look deal with Warner Bros.), with Garner to star alongside Hugh Jackman. [ [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984205.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 Jennifer Garner gets first-look at WB] , "Variety", April 17, 2008] Later in the same year they revealed that Mandalay Pictures had acquired the film rights to "Julius," and F. Gary Gray was pencilled in as director. [ [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117990743.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2562 Mandalay nabs Oni Press' 'Julius'] , "Variety", August 18, 2008]

Awards

Johnston's 2001 novel "Frightening Curves" won the 2002 American Independent Publishing (IPPY) "Best Horror" award at Book Expo America. [ [http://www.independentpublisher.com/department.php?page=546 Winners and Finalists for the Independent Publisher Book Awards 2002] , Independent Publisher] Antony Johnston biography in Horowitz/Johnston/Kanako/Yuzuru "Point Blank: The Graphic Novel" (Philomel, 2007) ISBN 978-0-399-25026-2]

Nominations

* 2006: Nominated (for "Wasteland") for the "Best New Series" Harvey Award
* 2007: Nominated (for "Wasteland") for "Favourite Black and White Comicbook - American" Eagle Award

Bibliography

Comics and graphic novels

* "Sunday Mourning" (short story, with Mike Norton, in "9-11", 2002)

*"Rosemary's Backpack" (with Drew Gilbert, Cyberosia Publishing, 112 pages, 2002, ISBN 097094747X)

*"Three Days In Europe" (with Mike Hawthorne, 5-issue mini-series, Oni Press, 2002-2003, tpb, 152 pages, 2003, ISBN 1-929998-72-4)

*"Alan Moore's The Courtyard" (adapted from work by Alan Moore, with art by Jacen Burrows, 2-issue mini-series, Avatar Press, March 2003, tpb, 2004)

* "Another Suburban Romance" (adapted from work by Alan Moore, with art by Juan Jose Ryp, Avatar Press, April 2003)

* "Alan Moore's Yuggoth Cultures and Other Growths" #3: "Me and Dorothy Parker" (adapted from song by Alan Moore, with art by Marat Mychaels, Avatar Press, 2003, tpb, "Yuggoth Cultures", 2006, paperback ISBN 1-59291-026-2, hardback ISBN 1-59291-027-0)

*"Spooked" (with Ross Campbell, Oni Press, 168 pages, February 2004, ISBN 1-929998-79-1)

*"Julius" (with Brett Weldele, Oni Press, 168 pages, March 2004, ISBN 1-929998-80-5)

*"Closer" (with Mike Norton, Oni Press, 152 pages, May 2004, ISBN 1-929998-81-3)

* "Sweeps Week" (short story, with Mike Norton, in "Noble Causes: Extended Family" #2, Image Comics, 2004)

*"Alan Moore's The Courtyard Companion" (reprints Johnston's script for "Alan Moore's The Courtyard" with annotations by NG Christakos, Moore's original short story, new pinups/art by Jacen Burrows, and a new essay by Johnston, 2004)

*"Alan Moore's Hypothetical Lizard" (adapted from work by Alan Moore, with art by Lorenzo Lorente, 4-issue mini-series, Avatar Press, 2004-2005, tpb, 2007)

*"Yuggoth Creatures" (with Jacen Burrows, Sebastian Fiumara, Andres Guinaldo, Matthew T. Martin, Juan Jose Ryp, Dheeraj Verma and Mike Wolfer, one-shot, Avatar Press, 2004)

*"Nightjar" (with pencils by Max Fiumara and inks by Sebastian Fiumara, 4-issue mini-series, Avatar Press, 2004-2005)

*"Spellbound" in "Vivid Girls Volume 1" (with Juan Jose Ryp, Avatar Press, 2005, ISBN 159291022X)

*"The Long Haul" (with Eduardo Barreto, graphic novel, 176 pages, Oni Press, February 2005, ISBN 1-932664-05-X)

* "F-Stop" (with Matthew Loux, Oni Press, 164 pages, April 2005, ISBN 1-932664-09-2)

* "Hype" (short story, with Mike Hawthorne, in "Four Letter Worlds", Image Comics, 2005)

*"Queen & Country Declassified" (with Christopher Mitten, 3-issue mini-series, Oni Press, 2005)

*"Texas Chainsaw Massacre Fearbook" #1 (with Daniel HDR, Avatar Press, 2006)

*"Wasteland" (with Christopher Mitten, Oni Press, 2006-ongoing):
** "Cities In Dust (collects "Wasteland" #1-6, March, 2007, ISBN 978-1-932664-59-1)
** "Shades of God (collects "Wasteland" #8–13, December, 2007 , ISBN 978-1-932664-90-4)

*"Alex Rider" (with Kanako Damerum and Yuzuru Takasaki):
**"" (Walker Books, 2006, ISBN 1844281116)
**"" (Philomel Books, 2007, ISBN 0399250263)

* "Best Side Out" (short story, with Noel Tuazon, in "", Villard Books, 2007)

* "Supergiant Blues" (short story, with Luis Spoelana, in "24Seven Vol. 2", Image Comics, 2007)

*"Texas Strangers" (with co-author Dan Evans III and art by Mario Boon, Image Comics, 2007)

*"Dead Space" (with Ben Templesmith, Image Comics, March 2008-)

*"Wolverine" (with Wilson Tortosa, Del Rey, 2009, forthcoming)

Prose

*"Panel Beating: Geek To Chic/Mule Variations/Let's Kill Comics" in "POPIMAGE, Vol 1" (Cyberosia Publishing, 2002)

*"Pick Up the Phone" in "" (Abiogenesis, 2003)

Novels

* "Frightening Curves" (Cyberosia Publishing, July 2001, ISBN 0970947402)

* "(Dreams of Inan:) Stealing Life" (Abaddon Books, January 2007, ISBN 1-905437-12-9)

Essays

* " [http://web.archive.org/web/20061115160620/www.ninthart.com/authorindex.php?author=Antony+Johnston Cassandra Complex Editorials] " by Antony Johnston at NinthArt.com (May, 2001 - April, 2004) "(via the Internet Archive)"
* " [http://www.antonyjohnston.com/gtw/ Getting Things Written] " by Antony Johnston, August 2007

Notes

References

*comicbookdb|type=creator|id=4664|title=Antony Johnston

External links

* [http://www.antonyjohnston.com/ Official home page]
* [http://antonyjohnston.livejournal.com/ Antony Johnston on LiveJournal]
* [http://www.antonyjohnston.com/gtw/ "Getting Things Written" by Johnston]

Interviews

* [http://www.antonyjohnston.com/press/interviews.php AntonyJohnston.com Interviews listing]
* [http://www.comixology.com/podcasts/15/Wasteland-with-Antony-Johnston Interview with Antony Johnston] at ComiXology, January 21, 2008
* [http://www.wizarduniverse.com/030508deadspacejohnston.html Wizard Q&A: Antony Johnston] , "Wizard", March 5, 2008