Wikipedia

Bob Layton

This article is about the comic book creator. For the Canadian newscaster, seeBob Layton (newscaster).For the Canadian politician, seeRobert Layton.

Bob Layton(born September 25, 1953) is an American comic book artist, writer, and editor. He is best known for his work onMarvel Comicstitles such asIron ManandHercules,and for co-foundingValiant ComicswithJim Shooter.

Bob Layton
Bob Layton at the 2014New York Comic Con
Born1953 (age 70–71)
NationalityAmerican
Area(s)Writer,Penciller,Inker,Editor
Notable works
Iron Man,Hercules
AwardsInkwell Awards Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame(2020)
http://www.boblayton.com

Early life

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Bob Layton was born on September 25, 1953.[1]He learned to read comics from the age of four, explaining that his "older sister Sue became bored with reading the same comic to me about fifty times. (It was aShowcasefeaturing theChallengers of the Unknown.) "[2]

After leaving high school, Layton began "playing comics dealer... selling them out of his apartment inIndianapolis,"[3]through which he metRoger Sternin 1973, while the latter was working for a radio station in Indianapolis.

Career

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CPL

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Layton and Stern began publishing afanzinecalledCPL(Contemporary Pictorial Literature) out of Layton's apartment.[4]

Stern recalls that, "CPLstarted out as Bob's sale catalog. Bob was drawing the covers and including little reviews written by some of his customers. By issue #5, it turned into a small 'zine with a catalog insert, and I started writing short articles for it. I eventually became an editor of sorts. "[3]

CPLrapidly became a popular fan publication, and led to the two forming an alliance withCharlton Comicsto produce and publish "the now-famousCharlton Bullseyemagazine. "[4]During the mid-1970s, both Marvel and DC were publishing in-house "fan" publications (F.O.O.M.andThe Amazing World of DC Comicsrespectively), and Charlton wished to make inroads into the superhero market, as well as "establish a fan presence", leading to the alliance with CPL to produce theCharlton Bullseye.[4]This led to Charlton giving Layton and Stern "access to unpublished material from their vaults by the likes ofSteve Ditko,Jeff Jonesand a host of others. "[4]This association with Charlton (and Bill Pearson, production manager) in turn led to Layton becoming acquainted with the legendaryWally Wood,with whom he apprenticed.[5]This apprenticeship led to work for Charlton on anthology titles, but not working from the Charlton offices,Marvel ComicsandDC Comics,while still publishing fanzines.[4]

Marvel Comics and DC Comics

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Layton's first, albeit uncredited, work for Marvel Comics was inking a single page in theMarvel UKtitleThe Avengers and the Savage Sword of Conan#135 (April 17, 1976).[6]

Part of Layton's role asWally Wood's apprentice included him occasionally delivering artwork to "NYC from Connecticut." Layton recalls that:

One day, I was in theMarveloffices... handing in Woody's pages to the production dept. So, I used the opportunity to show my samples around while I had 'my foot in the door'. When I passed the art director's office, I heardJohn Romitaon the phone, frantically trying to find someone to ink a desperately late issue ofIron Man[byGeorge Tuska]. Like an idiot, I stuck my head in his doorway and said I could get the job done in the four or five days that was left on the schedule. It was an utter fabrication... but Ireallywanted to work for Marvel Comics! Johnny gave me the pages and said, 'Show me what you can do, kiddo.'[4]

Layton's reaction was one of panic, and his search for help to meet the deadline led him toDick GiordanoandNeal Adams'Continuity Associateswhere his "fledgling contemporaries," theCrusty Bunkers( "Terry Austin,Bob Wiacek,Joe Rubinstein,Bob McLeod,Joe Brozowski,Carl Pottsand a host of others ") were able to lend a hand and help him finish the book.

A month later, Layton received a package containing "an entire issue of pencils on theChampions",and discovered that he was" the new regular inker on the book. "He worked for Marvel" for about a year, then signed an exclusive one-year contract with DC — after they made me 'an offer I couldn't refuse'. "[2][4]

Layton began work for DC Comics in early 1977, taking up regular inking duties onAll Star Comics,as well as inking multiple issues ofSecret Society of Super Villains,DC Super Stars,andDC Special,among others.[7]In Nov./Dec. 1977, he inked the first issue ofDavid Michelinie'sStar Hunters,and after a number of other shorter inking jobs, moved back to Marvel in 1978, to ultimately take up one of his best remembered roles.

In 1978, Layton reunited with Michelinie, to co-writeIron Man.The two would become regular creative partners, and began their collaboration onIron Manwith #116 (November 1978).[8]Micheline and Layton established Tony Stark'salcoholismwith the story "Demon in a Bottle",and introduced several supporting characters, including Stark's bodyguard girlfriendBethany Cabe;[9]Stark's personal pilot and confidant James Rhodes, who later became the superheroWar Machine;[10]and rival industrialistJustin Hammer,[11]who was revealed to be the employer of numerous high-tech armed enemies Iron Man fought over the years. The duo introduced the concept of Stark's specialized armors[12]The two collaborated on the title until #154 and then returned for a second run from #215 (Feb. 1987) to #250 (Dec 1989).

Layton continued to ink and work on covers for titles such asThe Incredible Hulk,Captain America,Power Man and Iron Fist,andMicronauts.[7]In September 1982, he launched one of Marvel's firstlimited series,writing and drawing the four-issueHercules: Prince of Power.[13]Its success spawned a four-issue sequel in 1984[14]and a 1988 graphic novel (#37 in the "Marvel Graphic Novel" series) -Full Circle.Around this time, he designed the highly successfulMarvel Secret Warstoy line forMattel,which formed the impetus behind the 1984Secret Warsevent. Layton was one of the inkers onThe Amazing Spider-ManAnnual#18 (1984) which featured the wedding of Spider-Man supporting charactersJ. Jonah Jamesonand Marla Madison in a story written byStan Lee.[15]

In February 1986, Layton revived the originalX-Mencharacters in the seriesX-Factor,[16]which he wrote andJackson Guicedrew. Layton wrote the first five issues before handing over the series toLouise Simonson.Michelinie and Layton became the creative team onIron Manonce again in issue #215 (Feb. 1987) They crafted the "Armor Wars"storyline which ran from #225 (Dec. 1987)[17]through #231 (June 1988). After Michelinie and Layton finished their secondIron Manrun with issue #250, Layton returned to the title briefly to write and draw #254 and write #256 before leaving Marvel. A year later, he returned to the comics industry to inkJim Shooter'sMagnus, Robot Fighter#1, fromValiant Comics.[7]

Valiant Comics

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Bob Layton was one of the chief architects of theValiant Universe,along withJim Shooter,Barry Windsor-Smith,Steven J. Massarsky,and Jon Hartz. He co-created a number of the core characters includingX-O Manowar,and later became Editor-in-Chief and Senior Vice President, during which time he controlled the company during its most profitable period.[18]

His first Valiant work appeared inMagnus, Robot Fighter#1 (May 1991), in which he inkedArt Nichols' artwork from Jim Shooter's script. He would continue withMagnusfor five issues and produce covers to issue #9, while inking the inaugural issues ofSolar, Man of the Atom,which he edited. In February 1992, he co-created with Shooter andSteve Englehartand penciled the first issue ofX-O Manowar,after which he handed over the core art duties toSal Velluto,but provided inks for #2. The following month he drew the cover to David Michelinie'sRai.

In August 1992, he co-wrote, edited and inkedArcher & Armstrong#1, edited and provided pencilwork onEternal Warrior#1, and inkedBarry Windsor-SmithonUnity#0. Starting in November 1992, he co-edited withDark HorsepublisherMike RichardsonthePredator/Magnus, Robot Fightertwo-issue crossover, and in December was again inking and editing a Michelinie-written comic book series:H.A.R.D. Corps.Layton editedTurok, Dinosaur Hunter,DeathmateandSecret Weaponsbefore writing the first of thirteen issues ofThe Second Life of Doctor Mirage.He was editing a vast array of titles during this time, for which he won the Editor of the Year award in 1993, as voted by the readers of the comics magazine,Wizard.[18]

His workload decreased greatly towards the end of 1994, in large part due to the sale of Valiant (Voyager Communications, Inc.) to video game giantAcclaim Entertainmentfor $65,000,000.00USD,a deal in which Layton played an instrumental part. His story concepts and design work onTurok, Dinosaur Hunterwas utilized to great effect by Acclaim when the video game became the largest selling title in Acclaim's history, with over 1.5 million units sold. He continued to work editorially, largely for the new Acclaim imprint Armada Comics, for which he edited a number ofMagic: The Gatheringcomics during 1995-96. He editedBob Hall's four-issueArmed & Dangerous(April–July 1996), and returned toX-O Manowarfor which he wrote the final three issues.

After a several-year association with Valiant/Acclaim, Layton moved toFloridafor a short retirement. Although he found time to write the first eleven (of twelve) issues of Acclaim'sDoctor Tomorrowbetween 1997 and 1998, inking a couple of issues, notably #6 which was drawn byDick Giordano,who resided in Florida as well and was something of a mentor to Layton.[18]

Return to DC and Marvel

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In 1998, he returned to DC, re-teaming briefly with pencilerSal Vellutoon a story in September 1998'sThe New GodsSecret Files and Origins,before collabotaring with his fellow Floridian and artistic friend/mentorDick Giordanoon several projects. The two-issue prestige formatElseworldstaleBatman: Dark Knight of the Round Tablewas co-drawn and co-inked by the both of them, from a script by Layton and debuted a month after their six-issue mini-seriesThe L.A.W. (Living Assault Weapons),which ran from September 1999 to February 2000, with script and inks by Layton, and full pencils by Giordano.[19]The two wrote a second Batman Elseworlds tale,Batman: Hollywood Knighta three-issue mini-series which told the story of aSerials-actor who became convinced he was The Batman. It was written by Layton with pencils and inks by Giordano.

Between Elseworlds, Layton worked with Marvel Comics on an Iron Man reunion, which saw him produce the four-part limited seriesIron Man: Bad Bloodwith his long-term collaborator David Michelinie. The series ran from September to December 2000, with art by Layton and, as previously, the plot was a joint effort, and the final script by Michelinie. Layton then stayed at Marvel for a short time, teaming withDan Jurgensas inker onCaptain America(#38-50), as well as inking a short run onThe Avengers(#44-47). He inked the Dan Jurgens-drawnThe Power Company: Manhunterand part ofJust Imagine Stan Lee... Secret Files and Originsfor DC in March 2002.

2000s

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Layton in 2013

In December 2000, Layton launchedFuture Comics,withDick Giordano,Allen Berrebbi,andDavid Michelinie.Layton acted as editor-in-chief, Berrebbi was CFO and director of marketing, Michelinie was head writer, Giordano was art director, andSkip Farrellwas the publisher. Between 2000 and 2002, they prepared to revolutionize thedirect marketsystem by bypassing distributors and selling direct to customers and shops through the Internet.

In August 2002,Freemind#0 was released. Edited and inked by Layton, written by Layton and Michelinie, and with pencils by Giordano, it was followed by another title,Metallix,before the company bowed to pressure and signed with distributorDiamond Comics Distributionin an attempt to maximize sales while maintaining their independent approach. Ultimately, after three titles the third wasDeathmask,and seventeen total issues, the company was not making enough money to survive, and it folded, with one announced title —Peacekeeper— unpublished.

Layton's work continues to be collected in multipletrade paperbackcollections. In 2006, he produced a number of variant covers to issues of Superverse Comics'Zoom Suit,written by John Taddeo, and in 2007 his work was featured in issues of Marvel's encyclopedicAll-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z: Update.Layton worked for Marvel as a freelance artist and writer on several projects including the miniseriesIron Man: Legacy of DoomandIron Man: The End.

He continues to enjoy doing commission work, writing:

How often do you, as an artist, get an opportunity to revisit a drawing and correct your mistakes? It's also a lot less work that doing a monthly, 22-page comic. And occasionally, the fans come up with some great concepts fore [sic] me to execute.[2]

Layton has been quoted as saying that he "miss[es] telling stories," and to that end has showcased unpublished issues of Future Comics properties on his website, where he presented his serialized comic "Colony,[20]with art by Giordano, and which "is a project that [Layton has] been developing for [over] 10 years and is currently making the rounds in Hollywood."[2]Other potential film deals for the Future Comics characters are reportedly semi-ongoing.[21]

Selected bibliography

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Comics work includes:

DC Comics

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Marvel Comics

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References

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  1. ^VIAF:"Layton, Bob"
  2. ^abcdMeth, Clifford (2008)."Bob Layton: Man & Iron Man".Comics Bulletin. Archived fromthe originalon July 24, 2008.RetrievedMarch 31,2008.
  3. ^abCooke, Jon B. (March 2001)."Rog-2001: Sterno Speaks! Writer Roger Stern on the CPL/Gang-Charlton Connection".Comic Book Artist.Raleigh, North Carolina:TwoMorrows Publishing.Archived fromthe originalon March 9, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 25,2012.
  4. ^abcdefgVasseur, Richard (May 30, 2006)."Bob Layton Legendary Comic Book Writer and Artist".Jazma Online. Archived fromthe originalon April 8, 2008.RetrievedFebruary 25,2012.
  5. ^"All-Star Comments,"All-Star Comics#66 (May/June 1977).
  6. ^"Baby's First Steps: Bob Layton's First Published Work for Marvel".Back Issue!(106). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 14–18. August 2018.Iron Man#91 is the first US comic you inked. It's dated October 1976. All of your British art predates that.
  7. ^abcBob Laytonat theGrand Comics Database
  8. ^Sanderson, Peter;Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2008). "1970s".Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History.London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley.p. 187.ISBN978-0756641238.{{cite book}}:|first2=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 187: "In December [1978], co-plotters David Michelinie and Bob Layton, and penciler John Romita Jr.... came up with Bethany Cabe, a highly capable professional bodyguard and a different sort of leading lady."
  10. ^Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 188: "Writer David Michelinie and artists John Byrne and Bob Layton introduced James Rhodes Tony Stark's best friend and future super hero War Machine inThe Invincible Iron Man#118. "
  11. ^Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 189: "Tony Stark's billionaire nemesis Justin Hammer made his first appearance inThe Invincible Iron Man#120 by writer David Michelinie and artist John Romita Jr. and Bob Layton. "
  12. ^DeFalco, Tom"1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 202: "InThe Invincible Iron Man#152, Iron Man unveiled his all-black stealth armor. "
  13. ^DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 208: "Written and drawn by Bob Layton,Hercules, Prince of Powerwas a four-issue limited series set in the twenty-fourth century. "
  14. ^DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 216: "The firstHercules: Prince of Powerlimited series (1982) sold so well that writer/artist Bob Layton was commissioned to do another. "
  15. ^Manning, Matthew K.; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2012). "1980s".Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging.London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley.p. 143.ISBN978-0756692360.[Stan] Lee's script was unmistakable and meshed well with drawings by [Ron] Frenz and finishes by artists Bob Layton and Jackson Guice. The occasion for Stan's return was the wedding of J. Jonah Jameson to Doctor Marla Madison.{{cite book}}:|first2=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 227: "Like many older fans, writer/artist Bob Layton longed for the good old days. He missed the original five X-Men and wanted to do a book that featured Cyclops, Angel, Beast, Iceman, and Marvel Girl."
  17. ^DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 233: "Although actually called 'Stark Wars', the story arc that became known as 'Armor Wars began in this issue and ran until June 1988."
  18. ^abcEury, Michael(2003). "Reinventing the Rules: Bob Layton on Giordano".Dick Giordano: Changing Comics, One Day At A Time.Raleigh, North Carolina:TwoMorrows Publishing.pp. 146–147.ISBN978-1893905276.
  19. ^Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1990s".DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle.London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley.p. 289.ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9.{{cite book}}:|first2=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^Layton, Bob;Giordano, Dick(2012).Colony.IDW Publishing.p. 164.ISBN978-1613775219.
  21. ^Layton, Bob (n.d.)."The Days of Future Past".BobLayton.com. Archived fromthe originalon September 29, 2007.RetrievedMarch 30,2008.
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Preceded by All Star Comicsinker
1977–1978 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Iron Manwriter
1978–1981
(with David Michelinie) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
n/a
 X-Factorwriter
1986 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Iron Manwriter
1987–1989
(with David Michelinie) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Captain Americavol. 3 inker
2001–2002 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bob_Layton&oldid=1258554210"