Matt Wagner

Matt Wagner (born October 9, 1961)[1] is an American comics artist and writer who is best known as the creator of the series Mage and Grendel.

Early life, family and education

Matt Wagner's childhood was spent in central Pennsylvania[2] (near State College, Pennsylvania)[3] and in Front Royal, Virginia.[4] His mother was an English teacher, and his father, a World War II veteran, worked for a "synthetic fibers corporation".[3]

Even during his grade school years, Wagner knew he wanted to create comic books.[3] He was in the Class of 1979[5] at Warren County High School in Front Royal, Virginia.[4] For two years he attended college in Virginia at James Madison University, but he transferred to art school[2] at Philadelphia College of Art.[3][4]

Career

Matt Wagner's first published comic book work was Comico Primer #2 (1982), which was the first appearance of Grendel.[6] In addition to his creator-owned series Mage and Grendel,[7] he has worked on comics featuring the Demon and Batman[8] as well as such titles as Sandman Mystery Theatre.[9] In 1991, he illustrated part of the "Season of Mists" story arc in Neil Gaiman's The Sandman series.[10][11] He wrote and drew Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity a limited series featuring DC's three major heroes in 2003.[12] He followed it with Batman and the Monster Men[13] and Batman and the Mad Monk[14] in 2006.[15]

His other projects include Madame Xanadu for Vertigo, with artist Amy Reeder Hadley.[16][17] He has produced numerous comics covers, including painted ones for Green Arrow[8] and has written several Green Hornet limited series for Dynamite Entertainment.[18]

Outside comics, Wagner provided art for the 1984 Villains & Vigilantes adventure Battle Above the Earth written by Steven Crow.

In April 2022, Wagner contributed to Operation USA's benefit anthology book, Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds, a project spearheaded by IDW Publishing Special Projects Editor Scott Dunbier. Its profits were donated to relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees resulting from the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[19][20] Wagner produced a new Grendel story featuring Hunter Rose for the anthology.[20]

Wagner prefers to use Faber-Castell's Pitt Artist Pens.[3]

Personal life

Wagner is married to Barbara Schutz, the sister of his editor, Diana Schutz.[3] They have resided in the Portland, Oregon metro area,[2] including in West Linn, Oregon.[4] Barbara Wagner has worked as an English teacher, like Matt Wagner's mother was.[3] He has mentioned that he has a son.[3]

Awards and nominations

• 1988:
• Nominated for "Best Writer" Eisner Award, for Grendel[21]
• Received an Inkpot Award[22]
• 1993:
• Won "Best Finite Series/Limited Series" Eisner Award, for Grendel: War Child[23]
• Nominated for "Best Writer/Artist" Eisner Award, for Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight: "Faces"[23]
• Nominated for "Best Cover Artist" Eisner Award, for Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight: "Faces"[23]
• Nominated for "Best Inker" Eisner Award, for Grendel: War Child[23]
• 1995: Nominated for "Best Writer" Eisner Award, for Sandman Mystery Theatre[24]
• 1999:
• Won "Best Anthology" Eisner Award, for Grendel: Black, White, and Red[25]
• Won "Best Short Story" Eisner Award, for "Devil's Advocate" in Grendel: Black, White, and Red #1[25]
• Nominated for "Best Writer" Eisner Award, for Grendel: Black, White, and Red[25]

Bibliography

External links

• Matt Wagner at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
• Matt Wagner at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
• Matt and Brennan Wagner on the Super Hero Speak podcast from New York Comic Con (NYCC)