Mark Bagley
Encyclopedia
Mark Bagley is an American
comic book
artist. He has worked for Marvel Comics
and DC Comics
on such titles as The Amazing Spider-Man
, Thunderbolts
, New Warriors
, and Ultimate Spider-Man
.
, Germany
. He had always wanted to break into the comic book business. At age 18, he joined the military so that he could qualify for the GI Bill and go to art school
.
After his work in the military and art school (at Ringling College of Art and Design), Bagley continued trying to break into the comic industry but ended up working for Lockheed Martin
making technical drawings.
Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter
created the Marvel Try-out Book
to draw new talent into the comic book industry. The contest involved a deconstructed comic book which contestants could complete and submit to Marvel. The winner would be awarded a professional assignment with Marvel.
At 27 years old, while living in Marietta, Georgia
, Bagley entered the contest and won first place for penciling, beating out thousands of other hopefuls. This led to a series of low-profile penciling jobs, including Visionaries, a comic book based on a 1980s toy line, books in New Universe
line, and backup stories in Captain America
. A majority of Bagley's work during this time was for the first series of Marvel Universe trading cards.
and Ron Frenz
created a team of teenage superheroes called the New Warriors
. Given the positive fan reaction, Marvel created a new series based on these heroes and assigned Bagley and Fabian Nicieza
to the title. Bagley stayed on the title until #25, at which point he left to transition directly onto Amazing Spider-Man.
became responsible for the Spider-Man
line of titles. At the same time, Erik Larsen
vacated his spot as penciler on Spider-Man’s flagship title The Amazing Spider-Man
. Fingeroth decided to take a chance on Bagley, who was a relatively inexperienced artist to be assigned to what was arguably Marvel’s flagship title. After a rough start, Bagley hit his stride on The Amazing Spider-Man and eventually grew to be considered the definitive Spider-Man
artist of the mid-1990s — his artwork was used extensively for licensed material, appearing on everything from plates and cups to credit cards.
Bagley also holds the distinction of being the artist on Marvel’s first web-based comic book, featuring Spider-Man, which appeared on Marvel’s official website.
on a new team of superheroes, the Thunderbolts
. The title enjoyed modest success and though its sales declined over time, the decline was so slow — and the fan base was so dedicated — that the title continued to be published even after Bagley left the title in 2001 (with issue #50).
In 2000, Marvel's then-publisher Bill Jemas
was looking to relaunch Marvel’s primary franchises in a way that would make them accessible to newer readers. Designed as a six-issue mini series, Ultimate Spider-Man
would be a title that began the Spider-Man mythos from the beginning set in modern times. Marvel wanted Bagley on the title from the beginning, but he resisted, still being burnt out from his earlier run with the character.
Eventually, he (reluctantly) agreed and was assigned Ultimate Spider-Man with writer Brian Michael Bendis
. The title was an instant hit and soon turned from a limited series to an ongoing series by Bendis and Bagley. They went on to enjoy the longest continuous run of any creative team on a mainstream Marvel superhero comic, beating the record set by Stan Lee
and Jack Kirby
with Ultimate Spider-Man #103 (published in December 2006). During this period, Bagley also collaborated with Bendis on The Pulse
. Bagley left Ultimate Spider-Man with issue #111 in July 2007. His next project was a four-issue arc on Bendis' Mighty Avengers
, which became his last work for Marvel before signing an exclusive contract with DC Comics
.
Bagley's long and successful run on Ultimate Spider-Man earned Bagley recognition in Wizard Magazines top ten artists of the 00's in Wizard #219. Ranked #2 on the list, article writer Mark Allen Haverty noted of Bagley, "no other artist came close to the number of comics Bagley sold {in the 2000's}, nor the number of Top 20 comics he was a part of."
. His first assignment as a DC exclusive, the weekly comic Trinity
written by Kurt Busiek
, completed in mid-2009 and was, as Bagley described it, one of the most exhausting assignments he has ever undertaken.
, written by Judd Winick
. This was in the post-Battle for the Cowl
world, with Dick Grayson
having taken over as the Dark Knight. He was succeeded by former Batman artist Tony Daniel.
. He drew the eventful "Death of Spider-Man" arc in issues #155-160. The arc reunited him with his original Ultimate Spider-Man collaborator, Brian Michael Bendis
), for the first time since Bagley's departure from Marvel.
that Bagley and Brian Michael Bendis would re-team again for a creator-owned series, Brilliant. The series is published through Marvel's Icon
Imprint. It has similarities to Mark Millar
's own Icon comic, Kick-Ass, as it explores the idea of superheroes existing in the real world, however unlike Kick-Ass the characters have actual super-powers and are college-aged instead of in high school.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
artist. He has worked for Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
and 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...
on such titles as The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the adventures of the fictional superhero Spider-Man. Being the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a monthly periodical and was published continuously until it was...
, Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
, New Warriors
New Warriors
The New Warriors is a Marvel Comics superhero team, traditionally consisting of young adult heroes. They first appeared in The Mighty Thor #411 .-General publication history:...
, and Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man was a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
.
Early life and career
Mark Bagley was born to a military family in FrankfurtFrankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He had always wanted to break into the comic book business. At age 18, he joined the military so that he could qualify for the GI Bill and go to art school
Art school
Art school is a general term for any educational institution with a primary focus on the visual arts, especially illustration, painting, photography, sculpture, and graphic design. The term applies to institutions with elementary, secondary, post-secondary or undergraduate, or graduate or...
.
After his work in the military and art school (at Ringling College of Art and Design), Bagley continued trying to break into the comic industry but ended up working for Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
making technical drawings.
Marvel Try-out contest
In 1983, Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter
Jim Shooter
James Shooter is an American writer, occasional fill-in artist, editor, and publisher for various comic books. Although he started professionally in the medium at the extraordinarily young age of 14, he is most notable for his successful and controversial run as Marvel Comics' ninth...
created the Marvel Try-out Book
Marvel Try-out Book
The Official Marvel Comics Try-Out Book is an oversize book originally published by Marvel Comics in 1983. Conceived by then-Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, the book was in the form of a contest encouraging up-and-coming comics creators to try their hand at getting a job with the company...
to draw new talent into the comic book industry. The contest involved a deconstructed comic book which contestants could complete and submit to Marvel. The winner would be awarded a professional assignment with Marvel.
At 27 years old, while living in Marietta, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs...
, Bagley entered the contest and won first place for penciling, beating out thousands of other hopefuls. This led to a series of low-profile penciling jobs, including Visionaries, a comic book based on a 1980s toy line, books in New Universe
New Universe
The New Universe is a comic book imprint from Marvel Comics that was published in its original incarnation from 1986 to 1989. It was created by Jim Shooter, Archie Goodwin, Eliot R. Brown, John Morelli, Mark Gruenwald, Tom DeFalco and edited by Michael Higgins.In 1986, in honor of Marvel Comics'...
line, and backup stories in Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
. A majority of Bagley's work during this time was for the first series of Marvel Universe trading cards.
The New Warriors
In 1990, Tom DeFalcoTom DeFalco
Tom DeFalco is an American comics writer and editor, well known for his association with Marvel Comics and in particular for his work with Spider-Man.-Career:...
and Ron Frenz
Ron Frenz
Ronald Wade Frenz is an American comic book artist known for his work for Marvel Comics. He is well-known for his 1980s work on Amazing Spider-Man, and more recently, for his work on Spider-Girl...
created a team of teenage superheroes called the New Warriors
New Warriors
The New Warriors is a Marvel Comics superhero team, traditionally consisting of young adult heroes. They first appeared in The Mighty Thor #411 .-General publication history:...
. Given the positive fan reaction, Marvel created a new series based on these heroes and assigned Bagley and Fabian Nicieza
Fabian Nicieza
Fabian Nicieza is an American comic book writer and editor who is best known for his work on Marvel titles such as X-Men, X-Force, New Warriors, Cable and Deadpool, and Thunderbolts, for all of which he helped create numerous characters.-Early life:The son of Omar and Irma Riguetti Nicieza, Fabian...
to the title. Bagley stayed on the title until #25, at which point he left to transition directly onto Amazing Spider-Man.
The Amazing Spider-Man
A couple of years into the New Warriors run, New Warriors editor Danny FingerothDanny Fingeroth
Daniel "Danny" Fingeroth is an American comic book writer and editor, better known for a long stint as group editor of the Spider-Man books at Marvel Comics.-Career:...
became responsible for the Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
line of titles. At the same time, Erik Larsen
Erik Larsen
Erik J. Larsen is an American comic book writer, artist and publisher. He is best known for his work on Savage Dragon, as one of the founders of Image Comics, and for his work on Spider-Man for Marvel Comics.-Early life:...
vacated his spot as penciler on Spider-Man’s flagship title The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the adventures of the fictional superhero Spider-Man. Being the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a monthly periodical and was published continuously until it was...
. Fingeroth decided to take a chance on Bagley, who was a relatively inexperienced artist to be assigned to what was arguably Marvel’s flagship title. After a rough start, Bagley hit his stride on The Amazing Spider-Man and eventually grew to be considered the definitive Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
artist of the mid-1990s — his artwork was used extensively for licensed material, appearing on everything from plates and cups to credit cards.
Bagley also holds the distinction of being the artist on Marvel’s first web-based comic book, featuring Spider-Man, which appeared on Marvel’s official website.
Thunderbolts
After working on Spider-Man for several years, Bagley began to feel burnt out. Needing a change, he next collaborated with writer Kurt BusiekKurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.-Early life:...
on a new team of superheroes, the Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
. The title enjoyed modest success and though its sales declined over time, the decline was so slow — and the fan base was so dedicated — that the title continued to be published even after Bagley left the title in 2001 (with issue #50).
Ultimate Spider-Man
Bill Jemas
Bill Jemas is an American media entrepreneur, writer and editor. He is a former vice president of Marvel Comics, and a founding partner at 360ep, a media management firm.-Early life:...
was looking to relaunch Marvel’s primary franchises in a way that would make them accessible to newer readers. Designed as a six-issue mini series, Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man was a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
would be a title that began the Spider-Man mythos from the beginning set in modern times. Marvel wanted Bagley on the title from the beginning, but he resisted, still being burnt out from his earlier run with the character.
Eventually, he (reluctantly) agreed and was assigned Ultimate Spider-Man with writer Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis is an American comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim for his self-published, Image Comics and Marvel Comics work, and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics, with his books selling consistently highly for over a...
. The title was an instant hit and soon turned from a limited series to an ongoing series by Bendis and Bagley. They went on to enjoy the longest continuous run of any creative team on a mainstream Marvel superhero comic, beating the record set by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
with Ultimate Spider-Man #103 (published in December 2006). During this period, Bagley also collaborated with Bendis on The Pulse
The Pulse (comics)
The Pulse is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics, written by Brian Michael Bendis, about the people who work on "The Pulse", a weekly section in the fictional Daily Bugle newspaper, focusing on superheroes....
. Bagley left Ultimate Spider-Man with issue #111 in July 2007. His next project was a four-issue arc on Bendis' Mighty Avengers
Mighty Avengers
The Mighty Avengers is a comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics. Originally written by Brian Michael Bendis, also the writer of New Avengers, the title first featured an officially sanctioned Avengers team of registered superheroes, residing in New York as part of the Fifty State...
, which became his last work for Marvel before signing an exclusive contract with 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...
.
Bagley's long and successful run on Ultimate Spider-Man earned Bagley recognition in Wizard Magazines top ten artists of the 00's in Wizard #219. Ranked #2 on the list, article writer Mark Allen Haverty noted of Bagley, "no other artist came close to the number of comics Bagley sold {in the 2000's}, nor the number of Top 20 comics he was a part of."
Trinity
In 2008, Bagley signed an exclusive contract with DC ComicsDC 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...
. His first assignment as a DC exclusive, the weekly comic Trinity
Trinity (comic book)
Trinity is the title of an American weekly comic book limited series published by DC Comics that debuted during the first week of June, 2008. It ran for 52 issues.-Conception and production:...
written by Kurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.-Early life:...
, completed in mid-2009 and was, as Bagley described it, one of the most exhausting assignments he has ever undertaken.
Batman
Bagley's first assignment at DC post-Trinity was four issues of BatmanBatman (comic book)
Batman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27, published in May 1939. Batman proved to be so popular that a self-titled ongoing comic book series began publication in the spring of 1940...
, written by Judd Winick
Judd Winick
Judd Winick is an American comic book, comic strip and television writer/artist and former reality television personality...
. This was in the post-Battle for the Cowl
Batman: Battle for the Cowl
Batman: Battle for the Cowl is a 2009 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, three issue miniseries written and penciled by Tony Daniel, as well as a number of tie-in books. The central story details the chaos in Gotham City following the "Batman R.I.P." and "Final...
world, with Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
having taken over as the Dark Knight. He was succeeded by former Batman artist Tony Daniel.
Justice League of America
Following Batman, Bagley was paired with writer James Robinson on Justice League of America following the departure of previous writer Dwayne McDuffie. Bagley drew most of issues #38-53.Return to Ultimate Spider-Man
In 2011, Bagley ended his collaboration with DC and returned to Marvel and Ultimate Spider-Man, by then known as Ultimate Comics: Spider-ManUltimate Comics: Spider-Man
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics that debuted in August 2009 as part of the relaunch of Ultimate Marvel under the new "Ultimate Comics" imprint. It serves as a continuation of Ultimate Spider-Man, as well as an all-new series...
. He drew the eventful "Death of Spider-Man" arc in issues #155-160. The arc reunited him with his original Ultimate Spider-Man collaborator, Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis is an American comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim for his self-published, Image Comics and Marvel Comics work, and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics, with his books selling consistently highly for over a...
), for the first time since Bagley's departure from Marvel.
Brilliant
It was revealed at the 2011 Chicago Comic & Entertainment ExpoChicago Comic & Entertainment Expo
The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo is a Chicago fan convention dedicated to comics, pop culture, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television...
that Bagley and Brian Michael Bendis would re-team again for a creator-owned series, Brilliant. The series is published through Marvel's Icon
Icon Comics
Icon Comics is an imprint of Marvel Comics for creator-owned titles, designed to keep select "A-list" creators producing for Marvel rather than seeing them take creator-owned work to other publishers.-History:...
Imprint. It has similarities to Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark 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...
's own Icon comic, Kick-Ass, as it explores the idea of superheroes existing in the real world, however unlike Kick-Ass the characters have actual super-powers and are college-aged instead of in high school.
Avengers Assemble
Recently announced is Avengers Assemble, an Avengers title that Brian Michael Bendis and Bagley will be working on concurrently with Brilliant. To differentiate between other Avengers books, Assemble will consist of the Avengers roster present in the upcoming Avengers film, but the book will be set in present Marvel continuity.Personal life
Bagley and his wife Pattie have a daughter, Angie. He also has two grandchildren.Selected works
- The Amazing Spider-ManThe Amazing Spider-ManThe Amazing Spider-Man is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the adventures of the fictional superhero Spider-Man. Being the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a monthly periodical and was published continuously until it was...
vol. 1 #345, 351-415 - BatmanBatmanBatman 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...
#688-691 - BrilliantBrilliant-Entertainment:*Brilliant!, the name The Fast Show was given when it was shown on BBC America*Brilliant , a British pop/rock group active in the 1980s*Brilliant, a 1950s cartoon character in the Dick Tracy comic strip...
#1-current - Justice League of AmericaJustice LeagueThe Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
#38-53 - Mighty AvengersMighty AvengersThe Mighty Avengers is a comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics. Originally written by Brian Michael Bendis, also the writer of New Avengers, the title first featured an officially sanctioned Avengers team of registered superheroes, residing in New York as part of the Fifty State...
#7-11 - New MutantsNew MutantsThe New Mutants are a group of teenaged mutant superheroes-in-training published by Marvel Comics. They have been the main characters of three successive comic book series, which were spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise....
Annual #5 - The New Warriors (1990) #1-25
- The PulseThe Pulse (comics)The Pulse is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics, written by Brian Michael Bendis, about the people who work on "The Pulse", a weekly section in the fictional Daily Bugle newspaper, focusing on superheroes....
#1-5 - ThunderboltsThunderbolts (comics)The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
#1-50 - TrinityTrinity (comic book)Trinity is the title of an American weekly comic book limited series published by DC Comics that debuted during the first week of June, 2008. It ran for 52 issues.-Conception and production:...
#1-52 - Ultimate Spider-ManUltimate Spider-ManUltimate Spider-Man was a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
#1-111, 156-160 - Ultimate Comics FalloutUltimate FalloutUltimate Comics: Fallout is a comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics that debuted in July 2011 as part of the second re-launch of the Ultimate Universe...
#1, 6
External links
- The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
- Mark Bagley's Resources at Howtomakecomics.net
- Mark Bagley Interview at Newsarama
- Mark Bagley credits on Spider-Man
- Mark Bagley on Marvel.com
- Mark Bagley Image Gallery at Comic Art Community
- Mark Bagley interview on Straight Talk
- Interview on Comic Geek Speak Podcast (October 2006)