Dan Jurgens

Dan Jurgens (; born June 27, 1959) is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for his work on the DC comic book storyline " The Death of Superman" and for creating characters such as Doomsday, Hank Henshaw and Booster Gold. Jurgens had a lengthy run on the Superman comic books including '' The Adventures of Superman'', ''Superman vol. 2'' and ''Action Comics''. At Marvel, Jurgens worked on series such as ''Captain America'', '' The Sensational Spider-Man'' and was the writer on ''Thor'' for seven years. He also had a brief run as writer and artist on '' Solar'' for Valiant Comics in 1995.

Career

1980s

After graduating from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1981, Jurgens' first professional comic work was for DC Comics on '' The Warlord'' #63 (Nov. 1982). He was hired due to a recommendation of Warlord creator Mike Grell who was deeply impressed by Jurgens' work after being shown his private portfolio at a convention. In 1984, Jurgens was the artist for the '' Sun Devils'' limited series (July 1984 – June 1985), with writers Gerry Conway and Roy Thomas. Jurgens would make his debut as a comic book writer with ''Sun Devils.'' He began scripting from Conway's plots with #8 (Feb. 1985) and fully took over the writing duties on the title with #10 (April 1985). In 1985, Jurgens created the character Booster Gold, who became a member of the Justice League. Jurgens was one of the contributors to the ''DC Challenge'' limited series in 1986. His first work on Superman was as penciller for '' The Adventures of Superman Annual'' #1 (1987). In 1988, Jurgens provided pencil art for the Deadman short stories which were written by Mike Baron in the short-lived anthology ''Action Comics Weekly'' from issues #601–612. He then had a run as artist of ''Green Arrow'' with writer Mike Grell from 1988 to 1990. In 1989, Jurgens began working full-time on the Superman character when he took over the writing/pencilling of the monthly ''The Adventures of Superman''.

1990s

Jurgens was the penciller of the 1991 limited series '' Armageddon 2001'' and co-created the hero Waverider with Archie Goodwin. Jurgens helped writer Louise Simonson and artist Jon Bogdanove launch a new Superman title, '' Superman: The Man of Steel'' in July 1991 and assumed the writing/pencilling of the main ''Superman'' comic book with issue No. 57 (July 1991). He created a supporting hero named Agent Liberty in issue No. 60 (Oct. 1991) and then worked on the "Panic in the Sky" crossover in 1992. During his run on ''Superman'', Jurgens created two major villains, Doomsday and the Cyborg Superman. Doomsday was the main antagonist in " The Death of Superman" storyline which saw the iconic hero killed in an issue consisting entirely of splash pages. The Cyborg Superman was an existing character which Jurgens reintroduced in ''The Adventures of Superman'' #500 for the "Reign of the Supermen" storyline. Jurgens wrote and drew ''Justice League America'' (#61–77 April 1992 – July 1993) and in 1993 pencilled the ''Metal Men'' four-issue miniseries, which was a retcon of their origin story. Jurgens wrote and pencilled the crossover series '' Zero Hour'' and the ''Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey'' miniseries, both in 1994.

Jurgens scripted and provided layout art for the ''Superman vs. Aliens'' miniseries. The story featured a battle between Superman and the aliens created by H. R. Giger (a.k.a. the Xenomorphs), from the titular film series. It was co-published by Dark Horse Comics and DC in 1995. In the same year, he gave up the pencilling duties on ''Superman''. Also in 1995 he was writer/penciller on '' Solar'' with issue #46 from Valiant Comics wherein he worked with inker Dick Giordano and with penciller Tom Grindberg joining in with issues #51–54 after Jurgens relinquished penciller duties with issue #50. In 1996 Jurgens and Italian artist Claudio Castellini worked on the highly publicized crossover '' Marvel vs DC''. Jurgens was one of the many creators who worked on the '' Superman: The Wedding Album'' one-shot in 1996 which featured the title character's marriage to Lois Lane. Jurgens developed the Tangent Comics imprint for DC the following year.

In January 1996, Jurgens was writer and penciller of the new Spider-Man series, '' The Sensational Spider-Man'', at Marvel Comics. The title was initially conceived to be the flagship showcase for the new Ben Reilly Spider-Man. The initial seven issues (#0–6, January–July 1996) were written and pencilled by Jurgens. Jurgens pushed strongly for the restoration of Peter Parker as the true Spider-Man and plans were made to enact this soon, but Bob Harras, the new Editor-in-chief, demanded the story be deferred until after the " Onslaught" storyline. Jurgens had by this stage become disillusioned with the immense amount of group planning and constant changes of ideas and directions and took this as the last straw, resigning from the title. In a past interview several years after his ''Spider-Man'' run, Jurgens stated that he would like to have another chance on the character, since his run was with the Ben Reilly character during the ''Spider-Man Clone Saga'', and not Peter Parker. Jurgens wrote and pencilled ''Teen Titans'' (vol. 2) for its entire two-year, 24-issue run (October 1996 – September 1998). George Pérez, the co-creator of ''The New Teen Titans'' served as inker for the series' first 15 issues. After 10 years working on the Superman character, Jurgens ended his run as writer with ''Superman'' vol. 2 #150 (Nov. 1999). Also in 1999, Jurgens was writer and layout artist for the tabloid-sized graphic novel ''Superman/Fantastic Four'', with finished art by his former ''The Adventures of Superman'' inker Art Thibert. Jurgens worked with Marvel Comics as writer on ''Thor'' vol. 2 with pencilling by John Romita Jr. and as writer/artist on ''Captain America'' vol. 3. Jurgens was the debut writer of the ''Tomb Raider: The Series'' comic book series licensed to Top Cow Productions and Image Comics, which in 1999. The debut issue of ''Tomb Raider'' was the number one selling comic book of that year. Jurgens was writer of the series until issue #21.

2000s

In 2000, Jurgens was the writer and provided layouts for the four issue prestige miniseries ''Titans/Legion of Super-Heroes: Universe Ablaze'', with finishes provided by Phil Jimenez. Jurgens wrote ''Aquaman'' vol. 3 from issue #63 (Jan. 2000) until its cancellation with issue #75 (Jan. 2001). In November 2002, he wrote and pencilled the four-issue weekly miniseries ''Superman: Day of Doom'' (Jan. 2003), which marked the 10 year anniversary of " The Death of Superman" storyline from 1992. After a hiatus from comics, he returned to DC Comics, providing layouts for the lead story in the ''Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006'' special (April 2006) and provided art for the weekly series '' 52'' and to the six-issue limited series ''Crisis Aftermath: The Battle For Blüdhaven'' written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Grey. Jurgens collaborated with writer/creator Marv Wolfman on the ''Nightwing'' series for issues #125–128. On ''Metamorpho: Year One'', Jurgens was writer and penciller for the first two issues with Mike Norton drawing issues #3–6. Jurgens was writer and artist of the "History of the Multiverse" back-up stories in the weekly '' ''Countdown'''' which appeared in issues #49–38. At the Los Angeles Comic Con in March 2007, DC announced a new, ongoing ''Booster Gold'' series written by Geoff Johns, pencilled by Jurgens, and inked by Norm Rapmund to begin shortly after the end of ''52''. He was the writer of ''Tangent: Superman's Reign'' limited series in 2008, revisiting the Tangent Comics characters and wrote and illustrated an issue of ''The Brave and the Bold'' vol. 2 No. 23 (July 2009), which featured Booster Gold and Magog.

2010s

Jurgens was amongst the creative talent of DC Comics' The New 52 relaunch in 2011, becoming the writer of the new ''Justice League International'' series with artist Aaron Lopresti and the artist of the new ''Green Arrow'' series with writer J. T. Krul and inker George Pérez. He became co-writer of ''Green Arrow'' with Keith Giffen on issues #3–6. DC announced in October 2011 that Jurgens would return to Superman, co-writing and drawing, the self-titled ''Superman'' series with Giffen. Their first issue was #7 (cover dated May 2012). During 2012–2013, Jurgens was writer and artist of ''Fury of the Firestorms: The Nuclear Men'' from issues #13–20, where the series was canceled. In 2014, he and Giffen together with Jeff Lemire and Brian Azzarello co-wrote '' The New 52: Futures End''. In 2015, Jurgens became the writer for ''Batman Beyond'', starting with issue #1 in June 2015. He was writer of the two-issue miniseries ''Convergence: Superman'' in 2015, and was the writer for '' Superman: Lois and Clark'' from 2015 to 2016. As part of the DC Rebirth relaunch of 2016, Jurgens wrote ''Action Comics'', with the series returning to the previous numbering, beginning with issue #957. He contributed to ''Action Comics'' #1000 (June 2018) and then became the writer of the ''Green Lanterns'' series.

Personal life

Jurgens is married and has two children, Quinn Jurgens and Seth Jurgens.

Awards

Jurgens was awarded the 1994 National Cartoonists Society Award for Best Comic Book.

Bibliography

Dark Horse Comics

*''Superman vs. Aliens'' #1–3 (story and layout art) (1995)

DC Comics

*'' 52'' #2–11, 24, 35, 43 (2006–2007)
*''Action Comics'' #601–612 ( Deadman short stories pencils), #650, 667 (1988, 1990–1991), #957–984, 987–1000 (writer; also artist on #993–994 and 1000; 2016–2018)
*''Action Comics'' Special #1 (writer, 2018)
*'' The Adventures of Superman'' #452 (with George Perez), 462–470, 478, 492, 500 (writer and penciller, 1989–1993); ''Annual'' #1 (pencils, 1987)
*''Agent Liberty Special'' # 1 (writer and cover artist, 1992)
*''Aquaman'' vol. 3 #63–75 (writer, 2000–2001)
*'' Aquaman and The Others'' #1–11 (writer, 2014–2015)
*'' Armageddon 2001'' #1–2 (artist, 1991)
*''Batman'' #359, 568 (1983–1999) ''Annual'' No. 9 (1985) (pencils)
*''Batman Beyond'' vol. 5 #1–16 (writer, 2015–2016)
*''Batman Beyond'' vol. 6 #1–11, 14–50 (writer, 2016–2020)
*''Batman Beyond Rebirth'' #1 (writer, 2016)
*''Booster Gold'' #1–25 (artist, 1986–1988)
*''Booster Gold'' vol. 2 #1–12, 15–19, 21–31, 44–47 (artist, 2007–2008; writer/artist, 2009–2011)
*''The Brave and the Bold'' vol. 3 #23 (writer/artist, 2009)
*''Convergence'' #0 (writer, 2015)
*''Convergence: Superman'' #1–2 (writer/artist, 2015)
*''Countdown'' (writer and artist of the "History of the Multiverse" back-up stories in issues #49–38) (2007)
*''Crisis Aftermath: The Battle For Blüdhaven'' #1–6 (2006) (pencils)
*''DC Challenge'' #6 (1986)
*'' DC Universe: Legacies'' #7–8 (2011)
*'' Firestorm: The Nuclear Man'' vol. 3 #33 (2007) (layouts only)
*''Flash Gordon'' #1–9 (miniseries) (writer/artist, 1989)
*'' Fury of the Firestorms: The Nuclear Men'' #13–20 (writer and pencils 2012–2013)
*''Green Arrow'' #13–14, 17–18, 21–24, 27–30, 33–34 (pencils) (1988–1990)
*''Green Arrow'' vol. 4 #1–5 (pencils); #3–6 (co-writer) (2011–2012)
*''Green Lanterns'' #50–57 (writer) (2018–present)
*''Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006'' (2006) (layouts for lead story)
*''Justice League America'' #61–77 (1992–1993)
*''Justice League International'' #1–12 (writer, 2011–2012)
*''Metal Men'' vol. 2 #1–4 (layouts) (1993)
*''Metamorpho: Year One'' #1–6 (writer; artist for issues 1 and 2 only, 2007)
*''The New Teen Titans'' vol. 2 #6 (pencils, 1984)
*''Nightwing'' vol. 2 #125–128 (2006–2007)
*''Nightwing'' vol. 4 #59–77 (writer, 2019-2020)
*'' Sun Devils'' #1–12 (writer and artist) (1984–1985)
*''Superman'' vol. 2 #29, 57–146, 148, 150, 700, 0, ''Annual'' #3, 5, #9–10 (writer: 1991–1999; pencils: 1991–1995)
*''Superman'' vol. 3 #7–12 (writer and pencils 2012)
*''Superman 80-Page Giant'' #1 (1999) (cover artist pencils and writer for 10-page short story)
*'' Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey'' (limited series; story and layouts) #1–4 (1994)
*''Superman: The Doomsday Wars'' #1–3 (1998–1999)
*'' Superman: Day of Doom'' #1–4 (2003)
*'' Superman: Lois and Clark'' #1–8 (writer, 2015–2016)
*''Superman: Secret Files'' #1 (writer and layout art for lead story; plus pencil art for character profiles) (1998)
*''Superman/Fantastic Four'' #1 (writer and layout art, with finished art by Art Thibert) (1999)
*'' Tangent: Superman's Reign'' #1–12 (2008–2009) (writer)
*''Teen Titans'' vol. 2 #1–24 (1996–1998)
*'' Time Masters: Vanishing Point'' #1–6 (2010 mini series) (writer/artist)
*''Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes'' #319–325 (1985)
*''Titans/Legion of Super-Heroes: Universe Ablaze'' #1–4 (prestige miniseries. writer and layouts, with finishes by Phil Jimenez) (2000)
*'' The Warlord'' #63–88, 91 (artist) (1982–1985)
*'' Zero Hour'' #0–4 (1994)

Marvel Comics

*''Captain America'' vol. 3 #25–50 (writer), #33–50 (penciller); ''Annual 2000''; ''Annual 2001'' (2000–2002)
*''Daredevil'' #224 (penciller) (1985)
*''Domination Factor: Fantastic Four'' #1-4 (writer and layouts) (1999)
*'' The Sensational Spider-Man'' #0–6 (writer and penciller) (1996)
*''Thor'' vol. 2 #1–58, 60–79 (writer); ''Annual 1999''; ''Annual 2000''; ''Annual 2001'' (1998–2004)

Valiant Comics

*'' Solar'' #46–54 writer/penciller on #46–50; writer only on #51–54 (1995)

References

External links

*

Dan Jurgens
at Mike's Amazing World of Comics


at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jurgens, Dan
1959 births
20th-century American artists
20th-century American male writers
20th-century American writers
21st-century American artists
21st-century American writers
American comics artists
American comics writers
American graphic novelists
American male novelists
Artists from Minnesota
DC Comics people
Living people
Minneapolis College of Art and Design alumni
Novelists from Minnesota
People from Ortonville, Minnesota
Role-playing game artists