Brian Azzarello
Encyclopedia
Brian Azzarello is an American
comic book writer. He came to prominence with the hardboiled
crime series 100 Bullets
, published by DC Comics
' mature-audience imprint Vertigo.
, Azzarello has written for Batman
("Broken City
"; "Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire"; "Joker
"), Hellblazer
and Superman
("For Tomorrow and Lex Luthor: Man of Steel
"). In 2003, upon being assigned to write both the Batman and Superman titles, Azzarello told the Chicago Tribune
, "DC is giving me the keys to both cars in the garage, the Mazerati and the Ferrari,...Somebody told me, `Don't drive drunk.'" Prior to his rise to prominence as a writer, he was best known as the line editor
for Andrew Rev's incarnation of Comico
.
In 2005, Azzarello began a new creator-owned series, the western Loveless
, with artist Marcelo Frusin
. Also at Vertigo, his Filthy Rich
original graphic novel was one of the two titles that launched the Vertigo Crime line.
He also designed First Wave
, a new fictional universe for DC Comics, separate from the main DC Universe
/DC Multiverse. It starts with a Batman/Doc Savage
one-shot, followed by the First Wave limited series
.
and David Goodis
among his influences.
creator Jill Thompson
. The couple reside in Chicago.
, with whom Azzarello first worked on Jonny Double
, won the 2001 Eisner Award
for Best Serialized Story for 100 Bullets #15–18: "Hang Up on the Hang Low".
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
comic book writer. He came to prominence with the hardboiled
Hardboiled
Hardboiled crime fiction is a literary style, most commonly associated with detective stories, distinguished by the unsentimental portrayal of violence and sex. The style was pioneered by Carroll John Daly in the mid-1920s, popularized by Dashiell Hammett over the course of the decade, and refined...
crime series 100 Bullets
100 Bullets
100 Bullets is an Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic book written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Eduardo Risso. It was published in the USA by DC Comics under its Vertigo imprint and initially ran for one hundred issues...
, published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
' mature-audience imprint Vertigo.
Career
Aside from 100 Bullets100 Bullets
100 Bullets is an Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic book written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Eduardo Risso. It was published in the USA by DC Comics under its Vertigo imprint and initially ran for one hundred issues...
, Azzarello has written for Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
("Broken City
Broken City
"Broken City" is a DC Comics storyline that appeared in Batman #620-625, written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Eduardo Risso. It features the characters Batman, Killer Croc, The Penguin and the Ventriloquist.-Storyline:...
"; "Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire"; "Joker
Joker (graphic novel)
Joker is an original graphic novel written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Lee Bermejo. It was published in 2008 by DC Comics. It is based on characters from DC's Batman series, focusing primarily on the title character...
"), Hellblazer
Hellblazer
Hellblazer is a contemporary horror comic book series, originally published by DC Comics, and subsequently by the Vertigo imprint since March 1993, the month the imprint was introduced, where it remains to this day...
and Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
("For Tomorrow and Lex Luthor: Man of Steel
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel was a five-issue monthly American comic book limited series written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Lee Bermejo, which features Superman's nemesis Lex Luthor as the main protagonist.It explores Luthor's motivations behind being a constant foe to the Man of Steel...
"). In 2003, upon being assigned to write both the Batman and Superman titles, Azzarello told the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, "DC is giving me the keys to both cars in the garage, the Mazerati and the Ferrari,...Somebody told me, `Don't drive drunk.'" Prior to his rise to prominence as a writer, he was best known as the line editor
Editor
The term editor may refer to:As a person who does editing:* Editor in chief, having final responsibility for a publication's operations and policies* Copy editing, making formatting changes and other improvements to text...
for Andrew Rev's incarnation of Comico
Comicó
Comicó is a village and municipality in Río Negro Province in Argentina....
.
In 2005, Azzarello began a new creator-owned series, the western Loveless
Loveless (comic book)
Loveless was an American Western comic book series for mature readers published by DC Comics as a part of that company's Vertigo imprint. It is written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Marcelo Frusin, Danijel Zezelj and Werther Dell'Edera.-Plot:...
, with artist Marcelo Frusin
Marcelo Frusin
Marcelo Frusin is an Argentine artist who works for the US comic book market.-Biography:Frusin's style resembles his fellow Argentine artist Eduardo Risso...
. Also at Vertigo, his Filthy Rich
Filthy Rich (comics)
Filthy Rich is a 2009 original graphic novel written by Brian Azzarello. It was one of two books to launch Vertigo's Vertigo Crime line along with Ian Rankin's Dark Entries...
original graphic novel was one of the two titles that launched the Vertigo Crime line.
He also designed First Wave
First Wave (comics)
First Wave is a 2010 six-issue comic book limited series written by Brian Azzarello drawn by Rags Morales and published by DC Comics.It is also the name of a separate DC Comics fictional universe, crossing pulp fiction characters over with versions of established DC heroes.-Publication history:The...
, a new fictional universe for DC Comics, separate from the main DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
/DC Multiverse. It starts with a Batman/Doc Savage
Doc Savage
Doc Savage is a fictional character originally published in American pulp magazines during the 1930s and 1940s. He was created by publisher Henry W. Ralston and editor John L...
one-shot, followed by the First Wave limited 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....
.
Influences
Azzarello cites Jim ThompsonJim Thompson (writer)
James Myers Thompson was an American author and screenwriter, known for his pulp crime fiction....
and David Goodis
David Goodis
David Loeb Goodis was an American noir fiction writer.Born to a respectable Jewish family in Philadelphia, Goodis had two younger brothers, but one died of meningitis at the age of three...
among his influences.
Personal life
Azzarello is married to fellow comic bookComic 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...
creator Jill Thompson
Jill Thompson
Jill Thompson is an American comic book writer and illustrator. Probably better known for her work on Neil Gaiman's The Sandman characters and her own Scary Godmother series, she has also worked on The Invisibles, Swamp Thing, and Wonder Woman.-Career:Jill Thompson illustrated The Sandman story...
. The couple reside in Chicago.
Short stories
- Weird War TalesWeird War TalesWeird War Tales was a war comic book title with supernatural overtones published by DC Comics which ran from September 1971 to June 1983.-Background:...
#1 (1997), "Ares", Vertigo; with James RombergerJames RombergerJames Romberger is an American fine artist and cartoonist known for his depictions of New York City's Lower East Side.Romberger's pastel drawings of the ravaged landscape of the Lower East Side and its citizens are in many public and private collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art... - Gangland, #1 (1998), "Clean House", Vertigo; with Tim BradstreetTim BradstreetTimothy "Tim" Bradstreet , is an artist and illustrator, best known for his work on comic books , book covers, movie posters, roleplaying games and trading cards.-Career:...
- Heartthrobs #2 (1999), "The Other Side of Town", Vertigo; with Tim Bradstreet
- Strange AdventuresStrange AdventuresStrange Adventures was the title of several American comic books published by DC Comics, most notably a long-running science fiction anthology that began in 1950.-Original series:...
#4 (1999), "Native Tongue", Vertigo; with Essad Ribic - Batman: Gotham KnightsBatman: Gotham KnightsBatman: Gotham Knights was a monthly, fictional comic book series published by DC Comics. The original intent of this book was to feature the exploits of Batman and his extended family - Alfred Pennyworth, Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin, Oracle, Catwoman, etc...
#8 (2000), "Batman Black & White", DC Comics; with Eduardo RissoEduardo RissoEduardo Risso is an Argentine comic book artist. In the United States he is probably best known for his work with writer Brian Azzarello on the Vertigo title 100 Bullets, while in Argentina and Europe he is noted for his collaborations with Ricardo Barreiro and Carlos Trillo... - Vertigo Secret Files: Hellblazer #1 (2000), one story, Vertigo; with Dave Taylor
- Flinch #2, 10 & 13 (2000) "Food Chain", "Last Call", and "The Shaft", Vertigo; with Eduardo Risso, Daniel Zezelj & Javier Pulido
- Winter's Edge #3 (2000) "100 Bullets: Silencer Night", Vertigo; with Eduardo Risso
- Wildstorm Summer Special (2001), "Zealot: Apple Read"; Wildstorm; with Brian StelfreezeBrian StelfreezeBrian Stelfreeze is an American comic book artist. Stelfreeze, an accomplished painter, penciller, inker and colorist, has worked for nearly every major American comic book publisher and is one of the original members of Atlanta's Gaijin Studios, a prominent breeding ground for some of comics' most...
- 9-119-11 (comics)9-11 comics emerged following the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, and cartoonists turned to art to express their grief and support...
- The World's Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember #2 (2002), "America's Pastime", DC Comics; with Eduardo Risso - JSAJustice Society of AmericaThe Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
All-Stars #6 (2003), Golden AgeGolden Age of Comic BooksThe Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
Dr. Mid-Nite story, DC Comics; with Eduardo RissoEduardo RissoEduardo Risso is an Argentine comic book artist. In the United States he is probably best known for his work with writer Brian Azzarello on the Vertigo title 100 Bullets, while in Argentina and Europe he is noted for his collaborations with Ricardo Barreiro and Carlos Trillo... - DC Comics PresentsDC Comics PresentsDC Comics Presents was a comic book published by DC Comics from 1978 to 1986 featuring team-ups between Superman and a wide variety of other characters of the DC Universe...
: Green LanternGreen LanternThe Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
#1 (2004), "Penny for Your Thoughts, Dollar For Your Destiny", DC ComicsDC ComicsDC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
; with Norm BreyfogleNorm BreyfogleNorman Keith "Norm" Breyfogle is an American comic book artist, fine artist, illustrator, and writer. He was involved with the character of Batman consistently from 1987-1995. Breyfogle has worked on many different characters for most comic book publishers at one time or another... - Solo #1 & 6 (2005) "Low Card in the Hole" and "Poison", DC Comics; with Tim Sale and Jordi BernetJordi BernetJordi Bernet Cussó is a Spanish comics artist, best known for the gangster comics series Torpedo and Jonah Hex.-Career:He was born in Barcelona, the son of a Spanish comic book artist, Miguel Bernet....
- The SpiritThe SpiritThe Spirit is a crime-fighting fictional character created by writer-artist Will Eisner. He first appeared June 2, 1940 in "The Spirit Section", the colloquial name given to a 16-page Sunday supplement, distributed to 20 newspapers by the Register and Tribune Syndicate and reaching five million...
#6 (2010) "The Man I Love", DC Comics; with Eduardo RissoEduardo RissoEduardo Risso is an Argentine comic book artist. In the United States he is probably best known for his work with writer Brian Azzarello on the Vertigo title 100 Bullets, while in Argentina and Europe he is noted for his collaborations with Ricardo Barreiro and Carlos Trillo...
Awards
Azzarello and Argentine artist Eduardo RissoEduardo Risso
Eduardo Risso is an Argentine comic book artist. In the United States he is probably best known for his work with writer Brian Azzarello on the Vertigo title 100 Bullets, while in Argentina and Europe he is noted for his collaborations with Ricardo Barreiro and Carlos Trillo...
, with whom Azzarello first worked on Jonny Double
Jonny Double (Vertigo)
Jonny Double is a comic series written by Brian Azzarello and published by the Vertigo imprint of DC Comics. The series was based on the Jonny Double character created in 1968 by Len Wein and Marv Wolfman...
, won the 2001 Eisner Award
Eisner Award
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
for Best Serialized Story for 100 Bullets #15–18: "Hang Up on the Hang Low".