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David Collier (cartoonist)
Encyclopedia
David Collier is a Canadian
alternative
cartoonist
best known for his fact-based "comic strip essays."
, whose work has been a significant influence. (Collier's cross-hatching style is particularly reminiscent of Crumb's work.) Before breaking into comics, Collier served in the Canadian Army, where (among other activities) he drew comic strips for the army newspapers. His Army training also introduced him to long-distance running and the biathlon
, in which he has competed nationally.
His first comic strip was published in 1986 in the R. Crumb-edited magazine Weirdo, and his work has been published in numerous other comics anthologies, including Duplex Planet Illustrated, Drawn and Quarterly
, The Comics Journal
, and Zero Zero
; as well as Harvey Pekar
's American Splendor
, most notably the three-issue American Splendor: Unsung Hero. Since 1990, Collier has also done comics and illustrations for Canadian newspapers such as The Globe and Mail
and the Saskatoon StarPhoenix
.
Fantagraphics published four issues of the aptly titled series Collier's in the early 1990s. Most of the material from his anthology submissions as well as Collier's was collected in Just The Facts (Drawn and Quarterly, 1998), a comprehensive look back at a decade's-worth of his "comic strip essays". In 2002, Drawn and Quarterly began publishing volume two of Collier's solo comic book title Collier's.
Collier's Surviving Saskatoon (D&Q, 2000) documents the true story of David Milgaard
, a man who spent nearly 25 years in prison after he was wrongfully accused of the brutal rape and murder of a nurse in 1969.
Collier lives with his wife, Ontario artist Jennifer Hambleton, and son James (born in 1999), in Hamilton
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
alternative
Alternative comics
Alternative comics defines a range of American comics that have appeared since the 1980s, following the underground comix movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Alternative comics present an alternative to "mainstream" superhero comics which in the past have dominated the US comic book industry...
cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
best known for his fact-based "comic strip essays."
Biography
As a child, Collier was introduced to the work of Robert CrumbRobert Crumb
Robert Dennis Crumb —known as Robert Crumb and R. Crumb—is an American artist, illustrator, and musician recognized for the distinctive style of his drawings and his critical, satirical, subversive view of the American mainstream.Crumb was a founder of the underground comix movement and is regarded...
, whose work has been a significant influence. (Collier's cross-hatching style is particularly reminiscent of Crumb's work.) Before breaking into comics, Collier served in the Canadian Army, where (among other activities) he drew comic strips for the army newspapers. His Army training also introduced him to long-distance running and the biathlon
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
, in which he has competed nationally.
His first comic strip was published in 1986 in the R. Crumb-edited magazine Weirdo, and his work has been published in numerous other comics anthologies, including Duplex Planet Illustrated, Drawn and Quarterly
Drawn and Quarterly
Drawn and Quarterly is a Canadian comic book publishing company, headed by Chris Oliveros, and based in Montreal, Quebec. Its focus is on graphic novels and underground or alternative comics. Drawn and Quarterly was also the title of the company's flagship quarterly anthology during the 1990s...
, The Comics Journal
The Comics Journal
The Comics Journal, often abbreviated TCJ, is an American magazine of news and criticism pertaining to comic books, comic strips and graphic novels...
, and Zero Zero
Zero Zero
Zero Zero is a synth band, formed out of the New Jersey punk band Lifetime by Lifetime members Dave Palaitis-guitar & vocals , Ari Katz-vocals & drums, and Katz's wife Tannis Kristjanson -vocals & keyboards...
; as well as Harvey Pekar
Harvey Pekar
Harvey Lawrence Pekar was an American underground comic book writer, music critic and media personality, best known for his autobiographical American Splendor comic series. In 2003, the series inspired a critically acclaimed film adaptation of the same name.Pekar described American Splendor as "an...
's American Splendor
American Splendor
American Splendor is a series of autobiographical comic books written by the late Harvey Pekar and drawn by a variety of artists. The first issue was published in 1976 and the most recent in September 2008, with publication occurring at irregular intervals...
, most notably the three-issue American Splendor: Unsung Hero. Since 1990, Collier has also done comics and illustrations for Canadian newspapers such as The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail is a nationally distributed Canadian newspaper, based in Toronto and printed in six cities across the country. With a weekly readership of approximately 1 million, it is Canada's largest-circulation national newspaper and second-largest daily newspaper after the Toronto Star...
and the Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
The StarPhoenix is a daily newspaper that serves Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and is a part of Postmedia Network.The StarPhoenix was first published as The Saskatoon Phenix on October 17, 1902 . In 1909, it became a daily paper and, in 1910, was renamed the Saskatoon Capital...
.
Fantagraphics published four issues of the aptly titled series Collier's in the early 1990s. Most of the material from his anthology submissions as well as Collier's was collected in Just The Facts (Drawn and Quarterly, 1998), a comprehensive look back at a decade's-worth of his "comic strip essays". In 2002, Drawn and Quarterly began publishing volume two of Collier's solo comic book title Collier's.
Collier's Surviving Saskatoon (D&Q, 2000) documents the true story of David Milgaard
David Milgaard
David Milgaard is a Canadian who was wrongfully convicted for the murder and rape of nursing assistant Gail Miller.- Arrest and trial :...
, a man who spent nearly 25 years in prison after he was wrongfully accused of the brutal rape and murder of a nurse in 1969.
Collier lives with his wife, Ontario artist Jennifer Hambleton, and son James (born in 1999), in Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
.