Avatar Press
Encyclopedia
Avatar Press is an independent American
publisher of comic book
s, founded in 1996
by William A. Christensen, and based in Rantoul, Illinois
.
Avatar initially published only mini-series
; however, they have since begun to branch out. Currently, Avatar publishes several ongoing series
, including Doktor Sleepless
and Gravel, both written by Warren Ellis
.
" comics such as Pandora
, who is considered by many to be their flagship character. Other bad girl books include Hellina, Lookers, The Ravening, and Paul Pullido's Lady Death.
As part of an effort to expand beyond their reputation as a bad girl publisher, it offered a number of noted creators an opportunity to publish creator-owned books with no content restrictions whatsoever. Among the creators to take them up on their offer was Frank Miller
, Warren Ellis
, Alan Moore
, and Garth Ennis
.
Lately, the company has taken to licensed comic book adaptations of famous sci-fi and horror shows from movies and television, such as RoboCop
, Night of the Living Dead
, and Friday the 13th.
Avatar also has a strong web presence, launching Ellis' FreakAngels
webcomic and comics news site Bleeding Cool, helmed by Rich Johnston
.
comics (often written by William A. Christensen and Mark Seifert) are:
Sci-fi series, such as:
Horror series, such as:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
publisher of comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s, founded in 1996
1996 in comics
-Year overall:* Malcolm Jones III commits suicide at circa age 37.* Boody Rogers, creator of Sparky Watts, dies at c. age 92-January:* January 19: Bernard Baily, co-creator of The Spectre and Hourman, dies at age 79.* January 28:...
by William A. Christensen, and based in Rantoul, Illinois
Rantoul, Illinois
Rantoul is a village in Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 13,674 at the 2010 census. The present mayor is Neal Williams, who was re-elected in 2009...
.
Avatar initially published only mini-series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
; however, they have since begun to branch out. Currently, Avatar publishes several ongoing series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
, including Doktor Sleepless
Doktor Sleepless
Doktor Sleepless is a monthly comic book series written by Warren Ellis with art by Ivan Rodriguez that is published by Avatar Press, launched in July 2007...
and Gravel, both written by Warren Ellis
Warren Ellis
Warren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...
.
Overview
Avatar Press is most notable for their publishing of "Bad GirlBad girl art
Bad girl art is a superheroines art form genre coined after the analogy of good girl art which also includes strong female characters in comic books...
" comics such as Pandora
Pandora (comics)
Pandora is a fictional character created by William A. Christensen, Editor-in-Chief of Avatar Press comics.-Background:From Avatar Press' site:-Pandora Comics:*Pandora*Pandora: Demonography*Pandora: Devil's Advocate*Pandora: Nudes...
, who is considered by many to be their flagship character. Other bad girl books include Hellina, Lookers, The Ravening, and Paul Pullido's Lady Death.
As part of an effort to expand beyond their reputation as a bad girl publisher, it offered a number of noted creators an opportunity to publish creator-owned books with no content restrictions whatsoever. Among the creators to take them up on their offer was Frank Miller
Frank Miller (comics)
Frank Miller is an American comic book artist, writer and film director best known for his dark, film noir-style comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300...
, Warren Ellis
Warren Ellis
Warren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...
, Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
, and Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...
.
Lately, the company has taken to licensed comic book adaptations of famous sci-fi and horror shows from movies and television, such as RoboCop
RoboCop
RoboCop is a 1987 American science fiction-action film directed by Paul Verhoeven. Set in a crime-ridden Detroit, Michigan in the near future, RoboCop centers on a police officer who is brutally murdered and subsequently re-created as a super-human cyborg known as "RoboCop"...
, Night of the Living Dead
Night of the Living Dead
Night of the Living Dead is a 1968 American independent black-and-white zombie film and cult film directed by George A. Romero, starring Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea and Karl Hardman. It premiered on October 1, 1968, and was completed on a USD$114,000 budget. After decades of cinematic re-releases, it...
, and Friday the 13th.
Avatar also has a strong web presence, launching Ellis' FreakAngels
FreakAngels
FreakAngels is a free weekly webcomic created by Eagle Award-winning writer Warren Ellis and artist Paul Duffield. In collected form, it is published in book format by Avatar Press...
webcomic and comics news site Bleeding Cool, helmed by Rich Johnston
Rich Johnston
Rich Johnston is a writer who writes about the comic book industry.-Early life:Johnston grew up in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, studied politics at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and was an advertising copywriter until 2009; he currently lives in Kingston Vale, London, with his wife, Janice...
.
Bad Girl
Notable Bad GirlBad girl art
Bad girl art is a superheroines art form genre coined after the analogy of good girl art which also includes strong female characters in comic books...
comics (often written by William A. Christensen and Mark Seifert) are:
- PandoraPandora (comics)Pandora is a fictional character created by William A. Christensen, Editor-in-Chief of Avatar Press comics.-Background:From Avatar Press' site:-Pandora Comics:*Pandora*Pandora: Demonography*Pandora: Devil's Advocate*Pandora: Nudes...
(Avatar's flagship character) - Hellina
- William TucciWilliam TucciWilliam Tucci is an illustrator, writer and filmmaker best known among American comic book audiences for his creator-owned title and character, Shi.-Career:...
's ShiShi (comics)Shi is a fictional comic book character created by writer/illustrator William Tucci. She first appeared in Razor Annual #1 , and has since appeared in books by a variety of publishers, most notably, Tucci's company, Crusade Comics... - The Ravening
- Lookers
- Mike DeodatoMike DeodatoMike Deodato , sometimes credited as Mike Deodato Jr., is the professional pseudonym of Brazilian comic book artist Deodato Taumaturgo Borges Filho.-Biography:...
's Jade Warriors - Rob LiefeldRob LiefeldRob Liefeld is an American comic book writer, illustrator, and publisher. A prominent artist in the 1990s, he has since become a controversial figure in the medium....
's AvengelyneAvengelyneAvengelyne [uh-venj-ah-leen] is a fictional comic book character co-created by Rob Liefeld and Cathy Christian, and originally published in 1995 by Maximum Press. By the end of the 1990s, Avengelyne had a stint at Awesome Entertainment and enjoyed a short stint at Avatar Press. Avengelyne returned...
, GloryGlory (comics)Glory is a fictional character originally from Image Comics, and later on from the Awesome Comics comic book series created by Rob Liefeld. The character's full name is Gloriana Demeter, a half-Amazonian, half-Demon warrior.- Rob Liefeld's Glory :...
, and The Coven - Marat Mychael's Demonslayer
- Tim VigilTim VigilTimothy B. Vigil is a comic book artist, mostly working in the horror/adult genre. His main graphic novel Faust was adapted by Brian Yuzna as the 2001 movie Faust: Love of the Damned. The followup Faust: Book of M, was nominated for the 1999 Bram Stoker Award for Best Illustrated Narrative...
's Webwitch - Brian PulidoBrian PulidoBrian Pulido is a creator, writer and producer of comic books and films.-Early life:Growing up in Long Branch, New Jersey, Pulido first developed an interest in the horror genre after the release of Night of the Living Dead when he was a child.-Comic book career:Pulido has created, written or...
's Lady DeathLady DeathLady Death is a fictional character, a comic book goddess created by Brian Pulido and Steven Hughes. Lady Death first appeared in Evil Ernie #1 by Eternity Comics in December 1991. Lady Death then reappeared in the Evil Ernie: The Resurrection mini-series published by Pulido under his now defunct...
(of Chaos Comics fame), Belladonna, War AngelWar AngelWar Angel is a fictional character created by Brian Pulido for his new line of post-Chaos comics at Avatar Press. She exists in the same universe as the rest Pulido's new line including Lady Death and Unholy.-Background:...
, Unholy, and Gypsy - Medieval Lady Death
- Everette Hartsoe's Razor
- Jungle Fantasy, starring Fauna from the Threshold series' "Fauna, Jungle Girl"
- Twilight, which, along with Twilight: Live Wire, was reprinted in Twilight: Raw
- Mike Wolffer's Widow
Licensed properties
Notable adaptations of licensed properties include:Sci-fi series, such as:
- Frank Miller's RoboCopFrank Miller's RoboCopRoboCop refers to a number of comic book series spun off from the feature film of the same name.The main character is a fictional cyborg -Detroit police officer who begins as a human police officer Alex J. Murphy, who is killed in the line of duty by a vicious crime gang. Subsequently, Murphy is...
, based on his unused scripts for RoboCop 2RoboCop 2RoboCop 2 is a 1990 science fiction action film directed by Irvin Kershner and starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Belinda Bayer, Tom Noonan and Gabriel Damon. Set in the near future in a dystopian metropolitan Detroit, Michigan...
and RoboCop 3RoboCop 3RoboCop 3 is a science fiction action film, released in 1993, set in the near future in a dystopian metropolitan Detroit, Michigan, and filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. Most of the buildings seen in the film were slated for demolition to make way for facilities for the 1996 Olympics. Nancy Allen as... - Stargate, both Stargate SG-1Stargate SG-1Stargate SG-1 is a Canadian-American adventure and military science fiction television series and part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Stargate franchise. The show, created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, is based on the 1994 feature film Stargate by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich...
and Stargate AtlantisStargate AtlantisStargate Atlantis is a Canadian-American adventure and military science fiction television series and part of MGM's Stargate franchise. The show was created by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper as a spin-off series of Stargate SG-1, which was created by Wright and Jonathan Glassner and was itself... - SpeciesSpecies (film)Species is a 1995 science fiction horror film directed by Roger Donaldson, and starring Ben Kingsley, Michael Madsen, Alfred Molina, Forest Whitaker, Marg Helgenberger, and Natasha Henstridge...
Horror series, such as:
- Friday the 13th
- A Nightmare on Elm Street
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- George A. RomeroGeorge A. RomeroGeorge Andrew Romero is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter and editor, best known for his gruesome and satirical horror films about a hypothetical zombie apocalypse. He is nicknamed "Godfather of all Zombies." -Life and career:...
's Night of the Living DeadNight of the Living DeadNight of the Living Dead is a 1968 American independent black-and-white zombie film and cult film directed by George A. Romero, starring Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea and Karl Hardman. It premiered on October 1, 1968, and was completed on a USD$114,000 budget. After decades of cinematic re-releases, it...
Other media
Adaptations from other media (and reprints):- Alan MooreAlan MooreAlan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
:- Another Suburban Romance
- The CourtyardAlan Moore's The CourtyardAlan Moore's The Courtyard is a 2-issue comic book mini-series adaptation of a 1994 prose story written by Alan Moore, published in 2003 by Avatar Press...
- The Courtyard Companion
- Glory
- Hypothetical LizardAlan Moore's Hypothetical LizardAlan Moore's Hypothetical Lizard is a comic book adaptation of the World Fantasy Award-winning short story "A Hypothetical Lizard", written in 1988 by Alan Moore for the third volume of the Liavek shared world fantasy series. The story was later reprinted in "Words Without Pictures", a 1990 book of...
- Light of Thy Countenance
- Magic WordsAlan Moore's Magic WordsAlan Moore's Magic Words is a graphic novel containing some of comic creator Alan Moore's songs, poems and writings turned into comics or with added art. All the adaptations are made by writer Art Brooks. The art was created by various European artists: Fred Torres, Ailantd, Sergio Bleda, Juan...
- Nightjar
- A Small KillingA Small KillingA Small Killing is a graphic novel by Alan Moore, published in 1991. It was illustrated by Oscar Zarate. The book has been published by a number of companies and in 2003 it was reprinted by Avatar Press.-Publication history:...
- Writing for ComicsAlan Moore's Writing for ComicsAlan Moore's Writing for Comics is a book published in 2003 by Avatar Press. It reprints a 1985 essay by Alan Moore on how to write comics successfully that originally appeared in the British magazine Fantasy Advertiser .The book consists of four main chapters, it also includes an additional essay...
- Yuggoth Cultures and Other GrowthsAlan Moore's Yuggoth Cultures and Other GrowthsAlan Moore's Yuggoth Cultures and Other Growths is a collection of some of Alan Moore's previously unpublished work, as well as adaptations of his performance work by Antony Johnston. It was released in three parts by Avatar Press.-Publication:...
- Joe R. LansdaleJoe R. LansdaleJoe R. Lansdale is an American author and martial-arts expert. He has written novels and stories in many genres, including Western, horror, science fiction, mystery, and suspense...
:- The Drive-in
- By Bizarre Hands
- George R. R. MartinGeorge R. R. MartinGeorge Raymond Richard Martin , sometimes referred to as GRRM, is an American author and screenwriter of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is best known for A Song of Ice and Fire, his bestselling series of epic fantasy novels that HBO adapted for their dramatic pay-cable series Game of...
:- Fevre Dream
- The Skin Trade
Original works
Avatar also publishes original works by comic creators:- Jamie DelanoJamie DelanoJamie Delano is a British comics writer. He was part of the first post-Alan Moore "British Invasion" of writers. Best known as the first writer of the comic book series Hellblazer, starring John Constantine.- Biography :...
:- Narcopolis
- Rawbone
- Warren EllisWarren EllisWarren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...
:- Aetheric MechanicsAetheric MechanicsAetheric Mechanics is a graphic novella created by Eagle Award-winning writer Warren Ellis. It is 48 pages long, illustrated in black and white by Gianluca Pagliarani, and retailing at US$6.99...
- Anna MercuryAnna MercuryAnna Mercury is a comic book limited series created by Warren Ellis, published by Avatar Press, with art by Facundo Percio. Issue 1 was released on 2 April 2008...
- ApparatApparat Singles Group"Apparat Singles Group", aka "Apparat", is a fictional comic book line and a label used to publish four one-shot comic books created by Warren Ellis and published by Avatar Press.-Publication history:...
- Atmospherics
- Bad SignalBad SignalBad Signal is a comic book series created in 2003 by Warren Ellis and Jacen Burrows, and published by Avatar Press.The series is a comic book in name only, as it actually combines Ellis' commentary on bizarre, obscure news articles from around the world with many and various artistic...
- Bad WorldBad WorldBad World is a comic book mini-series published by Avatar Press. It is written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Jacen Burrows. The series consists of three issues and was published from July through October of 2001...
- BlackgasBlackgasWarren Ellis' Blackgas is a two volume comic book mini-series written by Warren Ellis, illustrated by Max Fiumara, and published by Avatar Press from 2006 to 2007....
- Black SummerBlack SummerBlack Summer is a comic book limited series written by Warren Ellis, illustrated by Juan Jose Ryp, and published by Avatar Press starting in June 2007....
- Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island
- CrécyCrécy (comics)Crécy is a graphic novel written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Raulo Cáceres, depicting some of the events surrounding the historical Battle of Crécy. The graphic novel was published in 2007 by Avatar Press, under the Apparat imprint.-External links:...
- Dark Blue
- Doktor SleeplessDoktor SleeplessDoktor Sleepless is a monthly comic book series written by Warren Ellis with art by Ivan Rodriguez that is published by Avatar Press, launched in July 2007...
- Frankenstein's Womb
- FreakAngelsFreakAngelsFreakAngels is a free weekly webcomic created by Eagle Award-winning writer Warren Ellis and artist Paul Duffield. In collected form, it is published in book format by Avatar Press...
- Gravel
- "iliumIlium-Places:* Ilion or, Latinized, Ilium, another name for the legendary city of Troy, hence the title of Homer's Iliad*Ilium , an ancient city in Epirus...
" - Ignition CityIgnition CityIgnition City is a five-issue science fiction comic book limited series, written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Gianluca Pagliarani.-Publication history:...
- No HeroNo Hero (comics)No Hero is a superhero comic book created by writer Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp.-Plot summary:No Hero takes place in a world where superheroes have existed since the 1960s and came about as a reaction to increasingly violent police reactions to the American counter-culture movement as well as...
- Scars
- SupergodSupergodSupergod is a 5-issue comic book limited series created by Warren Ellis, published by Avatar Press, with art by Garrie Gastonny. Issue 1 was released in November 2009.-Premise:From an essay written by Warren Ellis at the time of publication:...
- WolfskinWolfskin (comics)Wolfskin is a three-issue comic book limited series, published 2006 and 2007 by Avatar Press. It is written by Warren Ellis, with art by Juan Jose Ryp....
- Aetheric Mechanics
- Garth EnnisGarth EnnisGarth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...
:- 303303 (comics)303 is a six-issue comic-book mini-series created by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows, and published by Avatar Press. The story targets a mature audience.-Plot summary:...
- Chronicles of WormwoodChronicles of WormwoodChronicles of Wormwood is a six-part comic book limited series written by Garth Ennis, drawn by Jacen Burrows, and colored by Andrew Dalhouse. Avatar Press is publishing the title.-Synopsis:...
- CrossedCrossed (comics)Crossed is a comic book written by Garth Ennis and drawn by Jacen Burrows for the first ten issues, and published by Avatar Press. Follow ups Crossed: Family Values, Crossed 3D, and Crossed: Psychopath were written by David Lapham...
- Dicks
- Streets of GloryStreets of GloryStreets of Glory is a 6-issue western comic book mini-series written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Mike Wolfer. It was published by Avatar Press, and the first issue was released in September 2007.-Collected editions:...
- 303
- Christos GageChristos GageChristos N. "Chris" Gage is an American comic book writer and screenwriter.-Early life:Gage is the son of author and journalist Nicholas Gage. He was born in New York, and grew up in Athens, Greece, and then North Grafton, Massachusetts...
:- AbsolutionAbsolution (comics)Absolution is a 6-issue comic book limited series written and created by Christos Gage with art by Roberto Viacava that is published by Avatar Press, launched in July 2009.-Plot:...
- Absolution
- Kieron GillenKieron GillenKieron Gillen is a British computer games and music journalist, as well as a comic book author. Gillen has worked for many years as a video game journalist and has, more recently, worked on various comics. He is perhaps best known for his creator-owned comic Phonogram, created with artist Jamie...
:- The Heat
- Steven GrantSteven GrantSteven Grant is an American comic-book writer best known for his 1985-1986 Marvel Comics mini-series Punisher, with artist Mike Zeck and for his creator-owned character Whisper.-Biography:...
:- My Flesh is Cool
- Mortal Souls
- Jenni Gregory:
- DreamwalkerDreamwalker"A Dreamwalker" is a person with the ability to enter another persons dreams or even a dream realm known as "regno quietem" or "kingdom of rest", often unkowingly. "Dreamwalking" is the term used when a Dreamwalker is moving from dream to dream...
- Dreamwalker
- Rich JohnstonRich JohnstonRich Johnston is a writer who writes about the comic book industry.-Early life:Johnston grew up in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, studied politics at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and was an advertising copywriter until 2009; he currently lives in Kingston Vale, London, with his wife, Janice...
:- Rich Johnston's Holed Up
- Mark MillarMark MillarMark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
:- The UnfunniesThe UnfunniesThe Unfunnies is a four-issue horror comic book mini-series created by Mark Millar and Anthony Williams and published by Avatar Press.The comic uses cartoon characters drawn in a crude style similar to Hanna-Barbera and photographs to tell the story of a comic world gone wrong...
- The Unfunnies
- Alan MooreAlan MooreAlan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
:- NeonomiconNeonomiconNeonomicon is a four-issue comic book limited series written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Jacen Burrows, published by Avatar Press in 2010...
- Neonomicon
- Eric PowellEric Powell (comics)Eric Powell is a comic book writer and self-taught artist living in Lebanon, Tennessee who is best known as the creator of The Goon.-Biography:...
:- The GoonThe GoonThe Goon is a comic book series by Eric Powell. The series has a paranormal slant, with the average story concerning ghosts, ghouls, skunk-apes with an unnatural hunger for pies, extra-dimensional aliens, and mad scientists.-Publication history:...
- The Goon
- John A. RussoJohn A. RussoJohn A. Russo , sometimes credited as Jack Russo or John Russo, is an American screenwriter and film director most commonly associated with the 1968 horror classic Night of the Living Dead. As a screenwriter, his credits include Night of the Living Dead, The Majorettes, Midnight, and Santa Claws....
:- Escape of the Living DeadEscape of the Living DeadEscape of the Living Dead is a five-issue zombie comic book limited series published by Avatar Press, published in 2005. It is written by John A...
- Escape of the Living Dead
- Tim VigilTim VigilTimothy B. Vigil is a comic book artist, mostly working in the horror/adult genre. His main graphic novel Faust was adapted by Brian Yuzna as the 2001 movie Faust: Love of the Damned. The followup Faust: Book of M, was nominated for the 1999 Bram Stoker Award for Best Illustrated Narrative...
:- FaustFaust (graphic novel)Faust is the collective name of several series of comic books by Tim Vigil and David Quinn , published by Rebel Studios and Avatar Press. Writer David Quinn wrote that his work's tone and anti-hero main character may have been inspirations for Spawn.The series are known for their strong graphic...
- Cuda: An Age of Metal and Magic
- Webwitch
- Faust
External links
- Avatar Press at FlickrFlickrFlickr is an image hosting and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community that was created by Ludicorp in 2004 and acquired by Yahoo! in 2005. In addition to being a popular website for users to share and embed personal photographs, the service is widely used by bloggers to...