Jon J Muth (; born July 28, 1960) 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 ...
writer and illustrator of
children's book
Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. Modern children's literature is classified in two different ways: genre or the intended age of the reader.
Children's ...
s as well as graphic novels and
comic books.
Career
Muth studied stone sculpture and ''shodō'' (
書道) (brush calligraphy) in Japan; and studied painting, printmaking, and drawing in England, Austria, and Germany.
In the comics industry, his works include
J. M. DeMatteis
John Marc DeMatteis (; born December 15, 1953) is an American writer of comic books, television and novels.
Biography
Early career
J. M. DeMatteis's earliest aspirations were to be a rock musician and comic book artist. He began playing in ban ...
'
graphic novel
A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...
''
Moonshadow'',
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison, MBE (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. Their work is known for its nonlinear narrative
A narrative, story, or tale is any account of a series of related events or experiences, w ...
's ''
The Mystery Play'',
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard MacKinnon GaimanBorn as Neil Richard Gaiman, with "MacKinnon" added on the occasion of his marriage to Amanda Palmer. ; ( Neil Richard Gaiman; born 10 November 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, gr ...
's ''
The Sandman: The Wake'' with
Michael Zulli
Michael Zulli is an American artist known for his work as an animal and wildlife illustrator and as a comic book illustrator.
Career
Michael Zulli's career in the comics industry began in October 1986 with ''The Puma Blues'', on which he collabor ...
and
Charles Vess
Charles Vess (born June 10, 1951) is an American fantasy artist and comics artist who has specialized in the illustration of myths and fairy tales. His influences include British "Golden Age" book illustrator Arthur Rackham, Czech Art Nouveau pain ...
,
Mike Carey's ''
Lucifer: Nirvana'' and ''
Swamp Thing: Roots''. He worked with writers
Walt
Walt is a masculine given name, generally a short form of Walter, and occasionally a surname. Notable people with the name include:
People Given name
* Walt Arfons (1916-2013), American drag racer and competition land speed record racer
* Walt B ...
and
Louise Simonson
Louise Simonson (née Mary Louise Alexander; born September 26, 1946) is an American comic book writer and editor. She is best known for her work on comic book titles such as ''Conan the Barbarian'', '' Power Pack'', ''X-Factor'', ''New Mutants'', ...
and co-artist
Kent Williams on ''
Havok and
Wolverine
The wolverine (), (''Gulo gulo''; ''Gulo'' is Latin for " glutton"), also referred to as the glutton, carcajou, or quickhatch (from East Cree, ''kwiihkwahaacheew''), is the largest land-dwelling species of the family Mustelidae. It is a muscul ...
: Meltdown'' in 1988. That series was a result of Williams and Muth's desire to work on a project together. Muth received an
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 ...
in the category "Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (Interior Art)" in 1995 for his work on ''The Mystery Play''.
In addition, Muth has had an award-winning career as a children's book writer and illustrator. He explained that "A sense of joy is what moved me from comics to picture books. My work in children's books grew out of a desire to explore what I was feeling as a new father." He received a Gold Medal from the
Society of Illustrators
The Society of Illustrators is a professional society based in New York City. It was founded in 1901 to promote the art of illustration and, since 1959, has held an annual exhibition.
History
Founding
The Society of Illustrators was founded on ...
in 1999 for his illustrations in ''Come On, Rain!'' by Karen Hesse. Muth created a version of the
stone soup fable
Fable is a literary genre: a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse (poetry), verse, that features animals, legendary creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that are Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphized, and that illustrat ...
set in China and illustrated cards for the ''
Magic: The Gathering
''Magic: The Gathering'' (colloquially known as ''Magic'' or ''MTG'') is a Tabletop game, tabletop and Digital collectible card game, digital Collectible card game, collectable card game created by Richard Garfield. Released in 1993 by Wizards ...
'' collectible card game. In 2005, Muth collaborated with author
Caroline Kennedy
Caroline Bouvier Kennedy (born November 27, 1957) is an American author, attorney, and diplomat serving in the Biden administration as the United States Ambassador to Australia since 2022. She previously served in the Obama administration as th ...
on ''A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children''.
Bibliography
Muth has authored and illustrated a number of books for a variety of publishing houses.
Art collections
* ''Vanitas: Paintings, Drawings and Ideas''
Tundra Publishing
Tundra Publishing was a Northampton, Massachusetts-based comic book publisher founded by Kevin Eastman in 1990. The company was founded to provide a venue for adventurous, creator-owned work by talented cartoonists and illustrators. Its publicat ...
, 1991
* ''Pictures Places Stone'' Allen Spiegel Fine Arts, 1993
* ''Koan: Paintings by Jon J Muth & Kent Williams'' with
Kent Williams, Allen Spiegel Fine Arts, November 2001,
Children's books authored and illustrated
* ''The Three Questions'',
Scholastic Press, April 2002,
* ''Stone Soup'', Scholastic Press, March 2003,
* ''
Zen Shorts'', Scholastic Press, March 2005,
* ''
Zen Ties'', Scholastic Press, February 2008,
* ''Zen Ghosts'', Scholastic Press, September 2010,
* ''Hi, Koo!'', Scholastic Press, February 2014,
* ''Zen Socks'', Scholastic Press, September 2015,
* ''Mama Lion Wins the Race'', Scholastic Press, August 2017,
* ''Zen Happiness'', Scholastic Press, January 2019,
*Addy's Cup of Sugar, October 20, 2020 ISBN 978-0439634281
Theater Adaptation
* ''Zen Shorts'', Adapted for stage by Rogue Artists Ensemble, 2015
T.V. Adaptations
* Stillwater, Apple TV+, 2020-
Children's books illustrated
* ''Come On, Rain'' with author
Karen Hesse
Karen S. Hesse (born August 29, 1952) is an American author of children's literature and literature for young adults, often with historical settings. She won the Newbery Medal for ''Out of the Dust'' (1997).
Early years and education
Karen Hess ...
,
Scholastic Press, March 1999,
* ''Putnam and Pennyroyal'' with author
Patrick Jennings
Sir Patrick Alfred Jennings, (20 March 183111 July 1897) was an Irish-Australian politician and Premier of New South Wales.
Early life
Jennings was born at Newry, Ireland, the son of Francis Jennings, a well-known merchant in that town. He ...
, Scholastic Press, November 1999,
* ''Gershon's Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year'' with author
Eric A. Kimmel
Eric A. Kimmel (born 1946) is an American author of more than 50 children's books. His works include Caldecott Medal, Caldecott Honor Book ''Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins'' (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners ...
, Scholastic Press, September 2000,
* ''
Why I Will Never Ever Ever Ever Have Enough Time to Read This Book'' with author
Remy Charlip
Remy or Rémy may refer to:
Places
* Remy River, a tributary of rivière du Gouffre in Saint-Urbain, Quebec, Canada
* Rémy, a French commune in Pas-de-Calais
* Remy, Oise, northern France
* Remy, Oklahoma, USA
* 14683 Remy, an asteroid
* Po ...
,
Tricycle Press
Ten Speed Press is a publishing house founded in Berkeley, California in 1971 by Phil Wood. Ten Speed Press was bought by Random House in February 2009 and is now part of their Crown Publishing Group division.
History
Wood worked with Barnes & N ...
, September 2000,
* ''Our Gracie Aunt'' with author
Jacqueline Woodson
Jacqueline Woodson (born February 12, 1963) is an American writer of books for children and adolescents. She is best known for ''Miracle's Boys'', and her Newbery Honor-winning titles ''Brown Girl Dreaming'', ''After Tupac and D Foster'', ''Feat ...
, Jump At The Sun, April 2002,
* ''Old Turtle and the Broken Truth'' with author
Douglas Wood, Scholastic Press, October 2003,
* ''No Dogs Allowed!'' with author
Sonia Manzano
Sonia Manzano (born 1950) is an American actress, screenwriter, author, singer and songwriter. She is best known for playing Maria on ''Sesame Street'' from 1971 to 2015. She received a Lifetime Achievement Daytime Emmy Award in 2016.
Her mem ...
,
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 Athen ...
, April 2004,
* ''A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children'' with author Caroline Kennedy,
Hyperion Books, September 2005,
* ''I Will Hold You 'till You Sleep'' with author
Linda Zuckerman, Scholastic Press, October 2006,
* ''Mr. George Baker'' with author
Amy Hest,
Walker Books
Walker Books is a British publisher of children's books, founded in 1978 by Sebastian Walker, Amelia Edwards, and Wendy Boase.
In 1991, the success of Walker Books' ''Where's Wally?'' series enabled the company to expand into the American ma ...
, June 2007,
*''A Family Christmas'' with selection by Caroline Kennedy, Hachette Books; First edition, October 2007,
* ''Stonecutter'' with author John Kuramoto,
Feiwel & Friends
Macmillan Publishers (occasionally known as the Macmillan Group; formally Macmillan Publishers Ltd and Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC) is a British publishing company traditionally considered to be one of the 'Big Five' English language publi ...
, April 2009,
* ''The Christmas Magic'' with author Lauren Thompson, Scholastic Press, September 2009,
* ''City Dog, Country Frog'' with author
Mo Willems
Mo Willems (born February 11, 1968) is an American writer, animator, voice actor, and children's book author. His work includes creating the animated television series ''Sheep in the Big City'' for Cartoon Network, working on ''Sesame Street'' ...
, Hyperion Books, June 2010,
*''Poems to Learn by Heart'' with author Caroline Kennedy, Disney-Hyperion; First edition, March 2013,
Comics/graphic novels
* ''
Epic Illustrated'' #12, 19–21, 24, 31,
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
, June 1982 – August 1985
* ''
Moonshadow'' #1–12 with author
J. M. DeMatteis
John Marc DeMatteis (; born December 15, 1953) is an American writer of comic books, television and novels.
Biography
Early career
J. M. DeMatteis's earliest aspirations were to be a rock musician and comic book artist. He began playing in ban ...
, Marvel Comics/
Epic Comics
Epic Comics (also known as the Epic Comics Group)Shooter, Jim. "Bullpen Bulletins: The Truth About the Epic Comics Group!" Marvel comics cover-dated November 1982. was an imprint of Marvel Comics from 1982 to 1996. A spin-off of the publisher's ...
, March 1985 – February 1987, collected as ''The Compleat Moonshadow'' which also includes ''Farewell Moonshadow'', DC Comics, February 1998,
* ''Dracula: A Symphony in Moonlight and Nightmares'', Marvel Comics, 1986, ;
NBM Publishing
Nantier Beall Minoustchine Publishing Inc. (or NBM Publishing) is an American graphic novel publisher. Founded by Terry Nantier in 1976 as Flying Buttress Publications, NBM is one of the oldest graphic novel publishers in North America. The compa ...
, January 1993
* ''
New Mutants
The New Mutants are a group of fictional mutant superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, generally in association with the X-Men. Originally depicted as the teenaged junior class at the Xavier Institute, subs ...
'' #62 with author Louise Simonson, Marvel Comics, April 1988
* ''
Havok and
Wolverine
The wolverine (), (''Gulo gulo''; ''Gulo'' is Latin for " glutton"), also referred to as the glutton, carcajou, or quickhatch (from East Cree, ''kwiihkwahaacheew''), is the largest land-dwelling species of the family Mustelidae. It is a muscul ...
: Meltdown'' #1–4 with authors
Walt Simonson
Walter Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is an American comic book writer and artist, best known for a run on Marvel Comics' ''Thor'' from 1983 to 1987, during which he created the character Beta Ray Bill. He is also known for the creator-owned w ...
,
Louise Simonson
Louise Simonson (née Mary Louise Alexander; born September 26, 1946) is an American comic book writer and editor. She is best known for her work on comic book titles such as ''Conan the Barbarian'', '' Power Pack'', ''X-Factor'', ''New Mutants'', ...
and artist
Kent Williams, Marvel Comics/Epic Comics, 1988–1989, collected edition March 2003,
* ''M'' #1–4 based on the
screenplay
''ScreenPlay'' is a television drama anthology series broadcast on BBC2 between 9 July 1986 and 27 October 1993.
Background
After single-play anthology series went off the air, the BBC introduced several showcases for made-for-television, fe ...
by
Fritz Lang
Friedrich Christian Anton Lang (; December 5, 1890 – August 2, 1976), known as Fritz Lang, was an Austrian film director, screenwriter, and producer who worked in Germany and later the United States.Obituary ''Variety'', August 4, 1976, p. 6 ...
,
Eclipse Comics
Eclipse Comics was an American comic book publisher, one of several independent publishers during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1978, it published the first graphic novel intended for the newly created comic book specialty store market. It was ...
, 1990–1992, collected edition
Abrams Books, April 2008,
* ''Ray Bradbury Comics'' #5 comics adaptation of Bradbury's story "The April Witch",
Topps Comics
Topps Comics was a division of Topps, Topps Company, Inc. that published comic books from 1993 to 1998, beginning its existence during a short comics-industry boom that attracted many investors and new companies. It was based in New York City, at ...
, October 1993
* ''
The Mystery Play'' with author
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison, MBE (born 31 January 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. Their work is known for its nonlinear narrative
A narrative, story, or tale is any account of a series of related events or experiences, w ...
, DC Comics, January 1994,
* ''The Mythology of an Abandoned City''
Tundra Publishing
Tundra Publishing was a Northampton, Massachusetts-based comic book publisher founded by Kevin Eastman in 1990. The company was founded to provide a venue for adventurous, creator-owned work by talented cartoonists and illustrators. Its publicat ...
, June 1994,
* ''
The Sandman: The Wake'' contributed the story "Exiles" with author
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard MacKinnon GaimanBorn as Neil Richard Gaiman, with "MacKinnon" added on the occasion of his marriage to Amanda Palmer. ; ( Neil Richard Gaiman; born 10 November 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, gr ...
, DC Comics, December 1996,
* ''
Swamp Thing
The Swamp Thing is a superhero in American comic books published by DC Comics. A humanoid/plant elemental List of swamp monsters, creature, created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson, the Swamp Thing has had several humanoid or mo ...
: Roots'' DC Comics, March 1998, 978-1563893773
* ''
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character also appears in a number of movies, television, and video game adaptations. The character was created by Jack Kirby and first a ...
'' #139–145 (#143–144 covers only) with author J. M. DeMatteis, Marvel Comics, 1998
[
* '' 9-11: Artists Respond, Volume One'' "Prayer" two-page story, ]Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, and manga publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, Oregon comic book shops known ...
, January 2002
* ''Global Frequency
''Global Frequency'' is an American comic book limited series created and written by Warren Ellis and published by Wildstorm Productions, an imprint of DC Comics.
It is a science-fiction series set in the present day, consisting of single-issue, ...
: Planet Ablaze'' contributed the story "Big Skys" with author Warren Ellis
Warren Girard Ellis (born 16 February 1968) is a British comic book writer, novelist, and screenwriter. He is best known as the co-creator of several original comics series, including ''Transmetropolitan'' (1997–2002), ''Global Frequency'' ( ...
, 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 ...
, February 2004,
* '' Lucifer, Book 11: Evensong'' contributed the story "Nirvana" with author Mike Carey, DC Comics, January 2007,
''The Seventh Voyage: Star Diaries''
Author: Stanislaw Lem , Illustrator: Jon J Muth , Translator: Michael Kandel, Graphix, October 2019,
Awards
Books
*''The Seventh Voyage''
**2020, ''Eisner Nomination,'' Best Adaptation from Another Medium
*''Moonshadow: The Definitive Edition''
**2020, ''Eisner Nomination'', Best Archival Collection/ Project-Comic Books
**2019, ''Broken Frontier Award'', Best Collection of Classic Material
*''Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons''
**2016, ''Beehive Book Award'', Winner in the Poetry Division
*''Zen Socks''
** 2015, ''A Junior Library Guild Selection''
*''City Dog, Country Frog''
**2010, ''A Junior Library Guild Selection''
*''A Christmas Magic''
**2010, ''Ohioana: The Hamilton County Committee Program''; In honor of Hamilton County Authors and Composers
*''Stonecutter''
**2010, ''Ohioana: The Hamilton County Committee Program''; In honor of Hamilton County Authors and Composers
*''Zen Ties''
** 2009, ''Illustrator of the Year,'' The Children's Choice Book Award
** 2009, ''The Frances & Wesley Bock Book Award,'' Neumann University
**2009, ''Children's Choice Book Awards,'' Children's Book Council
** 2008, ''Children’s Picture Book Award'', New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association
*''Zen Shorts''
**2006, ''Caldecott Honor Book'', The Association for Library Service to Children
**2006, ''Book Sense Book of the Year'', American Booksellers Association
**2005, ''Children’s Picture Book Award'', New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association
*''The Three Questions''
**2002, ''Children's Media Honor, Achievement in Picture Books'', Parent's Guide to Children's Media, Inc., Board of Directors
**2002, ''HONORS Award, National Children's Publications Awards ,'' National Parenting Publications Awards
*''Gershon's Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year''
** 2000, ''Sydney Taylor Book Award,'' The Association of Jewish Libraries
* ''Come On, Rain''
** 1999, ''Gold Medal'', The Society of Illustrators
*''The Mystery Play''
**1995, ''Best Painter'', Will Eisner Comics Industry Award
*''The Mythology of an Abandoned City''
** 1993, ''Best Graphic Album'' nomination, Will Eisner Comics Industry Award
Other
* Stillwater, Apple TV+ Television Series
** 2021, Nomination, ''Annie Award''
** 2021, Nomination, ''Emmy Award''
** 2021, Recipient, ''Peabody Award''
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Muth, Jon J
1960 births
20th-century American artists
21st-century American artists
American children's book illustrators
American children's writers
American comics artists
American comics writers
Artists from Cincinnati
DC Comics people
Eisner Award winners for Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (Interior)
Game artists
Living people
Marvel Comics people