Luna brothers

Jonathan Luna (born December 10, 1978) and Joshua Luna (born January 9, 1981Interview with the Luna Brothers at
Midtown Comics. YouTube. May 13, 2010), professionally known as the Luna Brothers, are Filipino-American comics creators known for their creator-owned books. They first achieved significant success with the series ''Ultra'' and ''Girls''. They are also known for their book ''The Sword'', and for providing the art for Marvel Comics' '' Spider-Woman: Origin''.

Although early in their career they wrote and drew together, later Joshua primarily scripted the dialogue, and Jonathan did the art.

Early lives

Jonathan Luna and Joshua Luna were born on December 10, 1978 and January 9, 1981, respectively, in California to Filipino parents. Their earliest interest in comics were through publications like '' Mad'' magazine, ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' and ''Uncanny X-Men'', and in particular, creators such as Mort Drucker, Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri, and Adam Hughes.

The Lunas spent most of their childhood overseas, living on military bases in Iceland and Italy. In their teens they were enthusiastic fans of fellow Filipino comics creator Whilce Portacio, and his creation, ''Wetworks''. They returned to the United States in their late teens, attending Savannah College of Art and Design, where they earned Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. Jonathan graduated in 2001, and Joshua in 2003. Their interest in the comics medium was reignited when they noticed works such as Garth Ennis's ''Preacher'', which inspired them to work in mature genres other than superheroes, as typified by the material published by Vertigo Comics.

Career

The Luna brothers sent ''Ultra'' to Image Comics publisher Erik Larsen as a blind submission, which consisted of a synopsis and five-page sequence. Image published ''Ultra'' as a miniseries between 2004 and 2005.

''Girls'' was also published by Image between May 2005 and April 2007. In October 2007, the brothers created a limited series, again for Image, titled ''The Sword''. Joshua Luna worked a solo miniseries, '' Whispers'', at Image in January 2012.

Similarly, Jonathan Luna pursued his own project for Image, teaming with fellow writer Sarah Vaughn on '' Alex + Ada'', which was released in 2013, and won a Special Prometheus Award in 2016.

The Lunas have expressed a preference for working on their own creations, but have stated that if given the opportunity, would like to work on Superman, Supergirl, Batman and Spider-Man. Joshua has also expressed an interest in one day feature film screenwriting.

Media adaptations

In 2006, a pilot episode was made for a proposed Ultra television series. The pilot was produced by Barbara Hall. It featured ''Lena Headey'' as Ultra (renamed Penny Penalosa) and Peter Dinklage and was directed by Helen Shaver. While CBS and the CW expressed an interest in the series, neither decided to carry it.

In July 2013, ''Variety'' reported that Lakeshore Entertainment had acquired the film rights to ''The Sword'' in February, and was developing a film adaptation written by David Hayter.

Technique and influences

Jonathan Luna has expressed an appreciation for horror works such as '' The Walking Dead'', ''The Descent'' and '' I Am Legend.'' The Lunas have also cited TV shows such as ''True Blood'' and ''The Sopranos'' as inspirations.

Early in their career they shared both writing and art duties in their work, as seen in the first several issues of ''Girls'', which they have described as a transition point in their collaborative process. Today, they both collaborate on plots, but Joshua primarily scripts the dialogue, and Jonathan does all the art.

When illustrating their work, Jonathan Luna uses 14 x 17 Strathmore bristol board, which he cuts into 11 x 17 pieces on which to draw. He draws using a 2H pencil, and after inking his pencils with a Micron pen, he edits his line work on a graphics tablet.

Personal life

As of 2013, the Luna brothers both live in Northern Virginia.

Bibliography

*''Ultra: Seven Days'' (232 pages, Image Comics, May 2005, softcover , hardcover, )
*''Girls: The Complete Collection'' (Image Comics, hardcover, November 2007, ) collects the individual volumes:
** ''Conception'' (collects ''Girls'' #1-6, 152 pages, November 2005, )
** ''Emergence'' (collects ''Girls'' #7-12, 152 pages, May 2006, )
** ''Survival'' (collects ''Girls'' #13-18, 152 pages, November 2006, )
** ''Extinction'' (collects ''Girls'' #19-24, 168 pages, May 2007, )
* '' Spider-Woman: Origin'' (with writers Brian Michael Bendis/Brian Reed, 5-issue mini-series, Marvel Comics, 2007, tpb, 120 pages, hardcover, , September 2006, softcover, March 2007, )
*''The Sword'' (Image Comics):
**''Fire'' (collects ''The Sword'' #1-6, 152 pages, April 2008, )
**''Water'' (collects ''The Sword'' #7-12, 152 pages, December 2008, )
**''Earth'' (collects ''The Sword'' #13-18, 152 pages, September 2009, )
**''Air'' (collects ''The Sword'' #19-24, 152 pages, July 2010, )

Joshua Luna

* ''Whispers'' ( Image Comics, 6-issue mini-series, 2012 - 2013)

Jonathan Luna

* ''Star Bright and the Looking Glass'' ( Image Comics, hardcover graphic novel, 2012)
* '' Alex + Ada'' (Image Comics, 2013 - 2015, with Sarah Vaughn)
* ''Eternal Empire'' (Image Comics, 2017 - 2018, with Sarah Vaughn)
* ''20XX'' (Image Comics, 2019 - present, with Lauren Keely)

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Luna Brothers
1978 births
1981 births
American comics artists
Filipino comics artists
American artists of Filipino descent
Living people
Sibling duos