![Hope larson 2012](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Hope_larson_2012.jpg)
Hope Raue Larson (born 1982) is an
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
illustrator
An illustrator is an artist who specializes in enhancing writing or elucidating concepts by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. The illustration may be intended to clarify complicat ...
and
cartoonist
A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in both drawing and writing cartoons (individual images) or comics (sequential images). Cartoonists differ from comics writers or comic book illustrators in that they produce both the literary and ...
. Her main field is
comic books
A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...
.
Biography
Larson grew up in
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville ( ) is a city in, and the county seat of, Buncombe County, North Carolina. Located at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, it is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the state's 11th-most populous cit ...
, and attended
Carolina Day School
Carolina Day School is an independent, co-ed, college preparatory school serving grades pre-K through 12. The school is in the historic Biltmore Forest neighborhood of Asheville, North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeas ...
.
[Anne Fitten Glenn]
"Graphic Insight"
''Mountain Xpress''. Retrieved on December 24, 2008. Upon graduation from high school, she matriculated at
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private university, private research university in the town of Henrietta, New York, Henrietta in the Rochester, New York, metropolitan area. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree ...
and then transferred to the
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is a private art school associated with the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) in Chicago, Illinois. Tracing its history to an art students' cooperative founded in 1866, which grew into the museum and ...
, where she graduated with a
BFA in 2004.
She then moved to
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
with her husband, Canadian cartoonist
Bryan Lee O'Malley
Bryan Lee O'Malley (born February 21, 1979) is a Canadian cartoonist, best known for the ''Scott Pilgrim'' series. He also performs as a musician under the alias Kupek.
Career
Bryan Lee O'Malley attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary Sc ...
. In 2005, they moved to
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax is the capital and largest municipality of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and the largest municipality in Atlantic Canada. As of the 2021 Census, the municipal population was 439,819, with 348,634 people in its urban area. The ...
.
From 2008 until 2010, Larson and O'Malley lived in
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville ( ) is a city in, and the county seat of, Buncombe County, North Carolina. Located at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, it is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the state's 11th-most populous cit ...
. They relocated to
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
, California. She and O'Malley divorced in 2014. She returned to Asheville, where she currently lives.
Career
While Larson was in college,
Scott McCloud
Scott McCloud (born Scott McLeod; June 10, 1960) is an American cartoonist and comics theorist. He is best known for his non-fiction books about comics: ''Understanding Comics'' (1993), '' Reinventing Comics'' (2000), and ''Making Comics'' (200 ...
took an interest in her illustrations, encouraging her to create
comics
a medium used to express ideas with images, often combined with text or other visual information. It typically the form of a sequence of panels of images. Textual devices such as speech balloons, captions, and onomatopoeia can indicate ...
. Soon after, she was invited to the
webcomics
Webcomics (also known as online comics or Internet comics) are comics published on a website or mobile app. While many are published exclusively on the web, others are also published in magazines, newspapers, or comic books.
Webcomics can be ...
anthology site
Girlamatic
Girlamatic (sometimes stylized as GirlAMatic or Girl-A-Matic) was a webcomic subscription service launched by Joey Manley and Lea Hernandez in March 2003. It was the third online magazine Manley established as part of his Modern Tales family of w ...
and produced her first professional comic, a web serial entitled ''I Was There & Just Returned''. Afterwards, Larson concentrated on a number of small, hand-made
minicomics
A minicomic is a creator-published comic book, often photocopied and stapled or with a handmade binding. In the United Kingdom and Europe the term small press comic is equivalent with minicomic, reserved for those publications measuring A6 (105& ...
, combining her interests in comics, screenprinting, and bookmaking.
She contributed to
comics anthologies
A comics anthology collects works in the medium of comics, typically from multiple series, and compiles them into an anthology or magazine. The comics in these anthologies range from comic strips that are too short for standalone publication to co ...
''
Flight
Flight or flying is the process by which an object moves through a space without contacting any planetary surface, either within an atmosphere (i.e. air flight or aviation) or through the vacuum of outer space (i.e. spaceflight). This can be a ...
'', ''True Porn 2'', and ''You Ain't No Dancer'', while working on a web-serialized graphic novel, ''
Salamander Dream
''Salamander Dream'' () is an original graphic novel by Hope Larson, her first, released by AdHouse Books in 2005. The story about a young girl and a magical salamander was inspired by Larson's youth playing in nature, and it was originally releas ...
''. This eventually became her first full-length book, published by
AdHouse Books
AdHouse Books was an independent comic book publisher based in Richmond, Virginia. It was founded in 2002 by graphic designer Chris Pitzer.
AdHouse was known primarily as a publisher of graphic novels, beginning with 2002's '' Pulpatoon: Pilgri ...
in September 2005; she moved to
Oni Press
Oni Press is an American independent comic book and graphic novel publisher based in Portland, Oregon. In 2019, it became an imprint label following the company's merger with Lion Forge Comics. The merged company, Oni–Lion Forge Publishing Grou ...
for her second graphic novel, ''Gray Horses'' (released March 2006).
In 2006, Larson signed a two-book contract with New York publishing house
Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster () is an American publishing company and a subsidiary of Paramount Global. It was founded in New York City on January 2, 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. As of 2016, Simon & Schuster was the third largest publ ...
. The first book under this deal, ''Chiggers'' (released June 18, 2008, under the
Atheneum Books
Atheneum Books was a New York City publishing house established in 1959 by Alfred A. Knopf, Jr., Simon Michael Bessie and Hiram Haydn. Simon & Schuster has owned Atheneum properties since its acquisition of Macmillan in 1994 and it created Athene ...
Ginee Seo
The Giubiana is a traditional celebration having great popularity in the northern Italian region of Lombardy, and particularly in Brianza, as well as in the region of Piedmont. During the last Thursday in January, bonfires are lit, on which the Giu ...
imprint), is a graphic novel about "nerdy teenaged girls" who meet at summer camp. ''Chiggers'' is intended for a 9- to 12-year-old audience.
In 2012, Larson adapted
Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'Engle DStJ (; November 29, 1918 – September 6, 2007) was an American writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young adult fiction, including ''A Wrinkle in Time'' and its sequels: ''A Wind in the Door'', ''A Swiftly Tilting Plan ...
's work as ''A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel'', published by Margaret Ferguson Books (a Farrar Straus Giroux imprint).
In 2016, Larson became the new writer for
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery.
DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...
Batgirl
Batgirl is the name of several superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies to the superhero Batman. Although the character Betty Kane was introduced into publication in ...
, a run that saw the character go on back-packing trip through Asia on a voyage of self-discovery.
In addition to comics, Larson has worked as a freelance illustrator for various clients, including the ''
New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...
''.
She has worked as a
letterer
A letterer is a member of a team of comic book creators responsible for drawing the comic book's text. The letterer's use of typefaces, calligraphy, letter size, and layout all contribute to the impact of the comic. The letterer crafts the comi ...
on such books as
Brian Wood and
Ryan Kelly's ''
Local
Local may refer to:
Geography and transportation
* Local (train), a train serving local traffic demand
* Local, Missouri, a community in the United States
* Local government, a form of public administration, usually the lowest tier of administrat ...
''.
Larson's book ''All Summer Long'' was released by Farrar Straus Giroux in the spring of 2018.
Publishing
In 2006, Larson launched her own publishing imprint,
Tulip Tree Press. She has released several minicomics and prints through the Tulip Tree website; the only book released under the Tulip Tree name was
House of Sugar
''House of Sugar'' is the eighth studio album by American musician Alex G, released on September 13, 2019, through Domino Recording Company.
The album's title is a reference to both the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia and the gingerbread house ...
, an award-winning collection of
Rebecca Kraatz's comic strip, released 15 November 2006.
Acclaim
Larson was nominated for the 2006
Kim Yale Award for Best New Female Talent, and won the 2006
Ignatz Award
The Ignatz Awards recognize outstanding achievements in comics and cartooning by small press creators or creator-owned projects published by larger publishers. They have been awarded each year at the Small Press Expo since 1997, only skipping a ...
in the category Promising New Talent. In 2007, Larson won the
Eisner Award
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books, sometimes referred to as the comics industry's equivalent of the Academy Awards. They are named in ...
for Special Recognition (formerly known as "Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition"). She won the Eisner Award again in 2012 for her ''A Wrinkle in Time'' adaptation.
Rebecca Kraatz's
House of Sugar
''House of Sugar'' is the eighth studio album by American musician Alex G, released on September 13, 2019, through Domino Recording Company.
The album's title is a reference to both the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia and the gingerbread house ...
, Larson's first publishing venture, won the 2007
Doug Wright Award
The Doug Wright Awards for Canadian Cartooning (established in December 2004) are literary awards handed out annually since 2005 during the Toronto Comic Arts Festival to Canadian cartoonists honouring excellence in comics (including webcomics) ...
for Best Emerging Talent.
''All Summer Long'' was a ''Kirkus Reviews'' Best Book of 2018.
Works
Mainstream comic book work
*''
Batgirl
Batgirl is the name of several superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies to the superhero Batman. Although the character Betty Kane was introduced into publication in ...
'',
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery.
DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...
, 2016–2018, with
Rafael Albuquerque
Rafael Albuquerque (born April 12, 1981) is a Brazilians, Brazilian comic book creator primarily for his artwork on titles such as DC Comics' ''Jaime Reyes, Blue Beetle'' and as illustrator and co-creator of ''American Vampire''. Though primarily ...
Graphic novels
*''
Salamander Dream
''Salamander Dream'' () is an original graphic novel by Hope Larson, her first, released by AdHouse Books in 2005. The story about a young girl and a magical salamander was inspired by Larson's youth playing in nature, and it was originally releas ...
''.
AdHouse Books
AdHouse Books was an independent comic book publisher based in Richmond, Virginia. It was founded in 2002 by graphic designer Chris Pitzer.
AdHouse was known primarily as a publisher of graphic novels, beginning with 2002's '' Pulpatoon: Pilgri ...
, 2005
*''Gray Horses''.
Oni Press
Oni Press is an American independent comic book and graphic novel publisher based in Portland, Oregon. In 2019, it became an imprint label following the company's merger with Lion Forge Comics. The merged company, Oni–Lion Forge Publishing Grou ...
, 2006
*''Chiggers''.
Atheneum Books
Atheneum Books was a New York City publishing house established in 1959 by Alfred A. Knopf, Jr., Simon Michael Bessie and Hiram Haydn. Simon & Schuster has owned Atheneum properties since its acquisition of Macmillan in 1994 and it created Athene ...
, 2008
*''Mercury''. Atheneum Books, 2010
*''A Wrinkle in Time''. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012
*''Who is AC'' with Tintin Pantoja.
thenum Books 2013
*Four Points series
**''Compass South'', Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016
**''Knife's Edge'', Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2017
* ''
Goldie Vance'' with
Brittney Williams
Brittney LaDawn Williams (October 10, 1989) is an American character designer and comic artist. She has worked on comics such as Patsy Walker, Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! with Kate Leth and Goldie Vance with Hope Larson. She has also done chara ...
.
Boom! Studios
Boom! Studios (styled BOOM! Studios) is an American comic book and graphic novel publisher, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States.
History
Origins
In the early 2000s, Ross Richie and Andrew Cosby had been working in Holly ...
, 2016
*Eagle Rock series
**''All Summer Long'', Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2018
**''All Together Now'', Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2020
**''All My Friends'', Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2021
Selected short stories and minicomics
"Sex Rainbow,"March 2004 (originally printed as a deck of cards)
"Compound Eye,"April 2004
* "Weather Vain," August 2004 (originally printed in ''
Flight
Flight or flying is the process by which an object moves through a space without contacting any planetary surface, either within an atmosphere (i.e. air flight or aviation) or through the vacuum of outer space (i.e. spaceflight). This can be a ...
Vol. 2'')
"Mud,"February 2005 (originally printed in ''You Ain't No Dancer #1'')
"Little House in the Big Woods,"August 2006 (originally printed in the
New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...
)
* "When I Was A Slut," March 2006 (published in ''Project: Romantic'')
"Henry and Elizabeth,"July 2007 (printed in the New York Times, and later expanded to a minicomic)
*"Cosplay," February 2018 (published by Dark Horse Books in ''Secret Loves of Geeks'')
See also
*
Women in comics
References
External links
Hope Larson's websiteTulip Tree Press, Larson's publishing imprint
Hope Larsonon
hinah exhibitions"Thinking in Comics: A Roundtable on the Present and Future of the Graphic Novel featuring Matt Kindt, Hope Larson, Nate Powell, Dash Shaw, James Sturm, Jillian Tamaki, and Will Wilkinson" in ''Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Fine Arts'' (26.1)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Larson, Hope
Alternative cartoonists
American women cartoonists
American female comics artists
American comics writers
American webcomic creators
American people of German descent
American people of Swedish descent
American expatriates in Canada
Living people
Artists from Asheville, North Carolina
School of the Art Institute of Chicago alumni
Female comics writers
Eisner Award winners for Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition
1982 births
American cartoonists