Twin Cities comics artists
The Twin Cities refers to the major riverside metropolitan areas of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and surrounding townships in Ramsey and Hennepin counties. In recent years, the Twin Cities has become home to a burgeoning comics scene, in the top ten for number of resident comics artists in the United States.[1][2] The location of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design - one of the nation's first and only schools which offers both bachelor's and master's degrees in comic books (e.g.; 'BFA: Comic Art') - is likely a contributing factor. (See: MCAD) However, the global success of popular cartoonists like Minneapolis-born Charles M. Schulz must have paved the way.
List of artists[edit]
Artists who no longer live in the Twin Cities are noted for their most well-known work originating there. Many artists have moved to the area. Notable comic artists and cartoonists of the Twin Cities, and their achievements, include:
- Andy Singer - AndySinger.com socioPolitical cartoons, bicycle advocate.[3][better source needed]
- Ken Avidor - Roadkill Bill and editorial cartoonist.[4][better source needed]
- Terry Beatty - artist for DC Comics' many Batman: The Animated Series spin-offs.[5] Adjunct Faculty, MCAD Comics Department.
- Big Time Attic - comic book firm of Zander Cannon and Kevin Cannon (no relation)[6][better source needed]
- Neil Gaiman - creator of Sandman and writer of DC Comics.
- Peter Gross - artist for DC Comics, Vertigo Comics Notable titles: Lucifer, Books of Magic, The Unwritten.[7][better source needed]
- Sam Hiti - Xeric Foundation award winner for Tiempos Finales.[citation needed]
- Christopher Jones - writer, illustrator DC Comics, Image Comics, Calibur Comics and others. Co-Founder of Minneapolis science fiction convention CONvergence.[8][better source needed]
- Dan Jurgens - writer/penciller for DC Comics. Notable titles: Superman, Iron Fist and Thor.[9][better source needed]
- Doug Mahnke - DC, Dark Horse.
- Gordon Purcell - Star Trek comic adaptations.
- Steve Sack - editorial and political cartoonist.
- Zak Sally - Sammy the Mouse and Xeric Foundation award recipient, Visiting Artist Faculty, MCAD Comics Department.
- Charles M. Schulz - creator of Peanuts
- Mike Toft - Brain Food
- Reed Waller - creator of popular adult strip Omaha the Cat Dancer.
- Kate Worley - main writer on Omaha the Cat Dancer, popular contributor to Wimmen’s Comix.[10]
- Chris Monroe - creator of comic strip "Violet Days." Previously author of comic "The Invisible Fence." Children's book author.
Peanuts Characters Sculpture Project[edit]
The Twin Cities is home to a notable outdoor sculpture project, featuring the characters from Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts comic strip. Throughout Minneapolis and Saint Paul, one can find artistic variations of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Woodstock and others. The first such project was called Charlie Brown Around Town, featuring large three-dimensional copies of the character Charlie Brown in a joyful pose, and painted by various residents of the Twin Cities. Other characters from the strip soon followed.
References[edit]
- ^ "Comics by Local Scene 2009". The Comics Reporter.
- ^ Aamodt, Britt (2008-06-23). "MNArtists.org: Minnesota's unsung wealth of cartoonists, comic artists". MinnPost.
- ^ "Just Plain Funny". Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- ^ "The Art of Ken Avidor". Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- ^ "Terry Beatty Home Page". www.terrybeatty.com.
- ^ "Big Time Attic". www.bigtimeattic.com.
- ^ "Peter Gross Art | Peter Gross Art".
- ^ About Christopher Jones
- ^ "Dan Jurgens". lambiek.net.
- ^ Kate Worley Memorial Page