Jill Thompson has written and illustrated several stories featuring the Sandman characters. These include the manga-style book Death: At Death’s Door, one of DC’s best selling books of 2003,[8] set during the events of Season of Mists, and The Little Endless Storybook, a children’s book using childlike versions of the Endless.[9] In 2005 Thompson wrote and illustrated the The Dead Boy Detectives,[4] an original graphic novel based on two characters introduced in Season of Mists and subsequently portrayed by various creators. Well known for her work on Neil Gaiman‘s The Sandman characters and her own Scary Godmother series, she has worked on The Invisibles, Swamp Thing, and Wonder Woman as well. She became the artist of DC Comics‘ Wonder Woman series in 1990.[4] Her work on the “Chalk Drawings” story in Wonder Woman #46 (Sept. 1990) drew praise from writer George Pérez who stated “It was a good, quiet story, and I think Jill and I worked really well together on that one.”[5] Thompson illustrated the Brief Lives story arc in The Sandman issues #41–49,[6] and the story “The Parliament of Rooks” in issue #40 (part of the Fables and Reflections collection).[7] Within this tale she created the characters Li’l Death and Li’l Morpheus, childlike versions of two of the Endless based on classic comic characters Sugar and Spike.
“I just had this ridiculous epiphany – as all epiphanies usually are – and I thought if comics can do this, then that’s what I want to do“
The artist entered the comic book industry in his mid-thirties, following a seven-year stint as a wildlife artist. “I did manage to eke out a living,” Zulli explained to Alex Dueben in a 2016 interview for The Comics Journal. “I’ve always been interested in the natural world and had tried to depict it with some fidelity. I was just burnt out. I happened to stumble across this new thing that a studio assistant of mine had come across called a comics shop. He told me where one was and I went there and the two things that I bought happened to be an issue of Epic Illustrated that contained Barry Windsor-Smith’s The Beguiling, and Bryan Talbot’s Luther Arkwright. Between the two of them I just had this ridiculous epiphany – as all epiphanies usually are – and I thought if comics can do this, then that’s what I want to do. I want to work on that level.”Intent on making the transition from wildlife illustration to comics, Zulli explored comic shops throughout Massachusetts, chatting up staff and customers so that he could prepare for his potential career change. “I went to another comics shop in the area and I asked the manager there if he knew a writer and he said there’s an employee of his named Stephen,” Zulli said. “I arranged to meet him and we talked and we both had the same kind of goal, it turned out. We got along well.”Zulli, regarded by fans and peers as one of the most talented, detail-oriented comic book illustrators of his generation, passed away on July 8, 2024, following a brief illness. He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Pratt-Smith Zulli.
Written By Andrew Fargo
Posted July 29 2024
J.H. Williams III: A multiple award winning creator in both illustration, design, and writing.
The Story So Far…
J.H. grew up in the Bay Area of California where his obsession with comics began. His love for Micronauts toys prompted him to check out the comic by Bill Mantlo and Michael Golden. An addict was born, first he was drawn in by the stories and then the art of the books he was picking up. He started noticing names attached to these books and realized people actually did this for a living. Then, at the ripe old age of 8 he decided comics would be his life..err..career. Drawing every day and getting critiques at conventions from working professionals, he honed his craft, and eventually, with a helpful nudge from Howard Chaykin, started getting work. J.H. has been a professional comic book creator since 1991. As an artist of broad conceptual thinking and the ability to use several mediums, over time, J.H. has been able to craft unique images using a variety of techniques and methods stemming from influences of comics to fine arts. The bulk of his career has been with DC Comics. Among some of his earliest work includes a mini-series, Deathwish for the Milestone imprint, Batman, Starman, the Elseworlds graphic novel Justice Riders, to name a few. Also part of his early career was a very personal project, Chase which he co-created and co-wrote in addition to his art chores. He also has done a variety of work for Marvel Comics, such as Wolverine and X-Men related stories, along with numerous covers. This was followed by The Son Of Superman graphic novel with writer Howard Chaykin. But ultimately, it was Chase that brought a career defining offer he couldn’t refuse, Promethea with Alan Moore. The 32 issues of Promethea were at times daunting, but J.H. enjoys a challenge and was very grateful for the experience. Promethea earned numerous nominations and awards for all involved including an Eisner win for J.H. and company for Best Single Issue and a Best Artist win from the Harveys. Other notable works are Batwoman: Elegy with Greg Rucka, Desolation Jones with Warren Ellis, Batman: Snow that he co-wrote with his writing partner on Chase, D. Curtis Johnson, as well as Seven Soldiers Of Victory and Batman: The Black Glove with Grant Morrison. Williams became co-writer and artist on the Batwoman ongoing series with his very talented writing partner W. Haden Blackman. He took on the challenge of continuing the story out of devotion to this compelling character and her fans. Highlighting the success of the series were multiple nominations and awards, most notably a GLAAD award for Outstanding Comic Book and Eisner wins for J.H. in both the Best Cover Artist and Best Penciler/Inker categories. Over the pond, J.H. garnered 3 Eagle Award wins for this work (Yeah, we know, we’re tooting horns). His work on the series has garnered additional awards, such as The Inkwell, The National Cartoonist Society Award (The Rueben), another GLAAD award, along with various other nominations to date. Recent comics work is the highly acclaimed The Sandman: Overture with the illustrious Neil Gaiman. The two of them partnered in such a way to find new breaking ground of what to expect from the comics form. Creating a worthy piece of storytelling that forever alters the legendary Sandman canon, (and the very universe itself).