Wikipedia

J. M. DeMatteis

This article is about the American comics writer. For the American statistician, seeJill DeMatteis.

John Marc DeMatteis(/diːməˈteɪəs/;[1]born December 15, 1953)[2]is an American writer ofcomic books,television and novels.

J. M. DeMatteis
DeMatteis seated at a table
DeMatteis at the 2018 Etna Comics convention in Italy, during an interview
BornJohn Marc DeMatteis
(1953-12-15)December 15, 1953(age 71)
Brooklyn,New York,U.S.
Area(s)Writer
Pseudonym(s)Michael Ellis
Wally Lombego
Notable works

Biography

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Early career

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J. M. DeMatteis's earliest aspirations were to be a rock musician and comic book artist. He began playing in bands starting in the sixth grade, generally in the role of lead singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist, and also wrote music reviews for a number of publications.[3]He began drawing at a young age, and was accepted into theSchool of the Visual Arts.DeMatteis recalled, "...for some reason, I think it was financial, I ended up not going. Somewhere after that what little drawing skills I had began to atrophy."[3]He graduated fromMidwood High Schoolin Brooklyn in 1971.[4]

DeMatteis then turned from drawing to writing. He got his start in comic books atDC Comicsin the late 1970s. After a number of rejected submissions, his first accepted story was "The Lady-Killer Craves Blood", but it would not be published until years later[3]inHouse of Mystery#282 (July 1980). His first published story for the company was "The Blood Boat!" inWeird War Tales#70 (Dec. 1978).[5]He contributed to the company's line ofhorror comicsnotably with the creation of theCreature CommandosinWeird War Tales#93 (Nov. 1980)[6]andI…VampireinHouse of Mystery#290 (March 1981).[7]He briefly wrote theAquamanfeature inAdventure Comicsas well.[8]DeMatteis and artistBrian Bollandproduced a backup story titled "Falling Down to Heaven" inMadame Xanadu,DC's first attempt at marketing comics specifically to the "direct market"of fans and collectors.[9]DeMatteis had long been eager to work forMarvel Comics,and following roughly a year in which editor-in-chiefJim Shooterkept him busy with odd jobs and fill-ins,[3]in 1980 he was made the lead writer for Marvel onThe Defenders,[10]and had lengthy runs onCaptain America,paired withpencilerMike Zeck,[5]andMarvel Team-Up.[11]

1980s

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After writing a negative review of theGrateful Dead's 1980 albumGo to Heavenwhich was published inRolling Stone,DeMatteis ended his career as a music critic. He explained, "Grateful Dead fans are like hardcore comic book fans, you know... and I know that when I sit down to write a review that I'm just some shmuck sitting down at a typewriter with an opinion—but then it's in print in something likeRolling Stone.I got all these letters, which I saved, from all these hardcore Grateful Dead fans—wounded.... I said if I'm gonna review at all I'm not gonna write negative reviews anymore... "[3]Around this time he also surrendered his professional career as a rock musician, after years of playing in New York City–based bands.[3]

In 1984, DeMatteis and artistBob Budianskyproduced aPrince Namorlimited series.[12]He saw the series as an opportunity to both delve more into the psychology of the title character than he had been able to inThe Defendersand to continue his collaboration with Budiansky from the recently canceledGhost Rider,later recalling, "We'd get on the phone, start talking, and the stories would come so easily. We had a fantastic rapport, personally and professionally."[13]DeMatteis had mixed feelings about the series itself, and said the one part of which he was unreservedly proud was the look into Namor's years as an amnesiac homeless man.[14]DeMatteis and illustratorJon J. Muthcreated thegraphic novelMoonshadow,for Marvel'sEpicline: the groundbreaking story was the first fully painted series in American comics. DeMatteis followed this with the 1986Doctor Strangegraphic novelInto Shamballadrawn byDan GreenandBlood: A Tale,a hallucinatory vampire story drawn byKent Williams.[5]In 1987, DeMatteis and Zeck re-teamed for the "Kraven's Last Hunt"arc that ran throughout Marvel's then-threeSpider-Mantitles. The arc has been collected in multiple editions and remains one of the most popular, and respected, stories in Spider-Man's history.[15][16]

Moving back to DC, DeMatteis succeededGerry Conwayas writer of the superhero-team titleJustice League of America.He used the pen nameMichael Ellison his first issue of the series.[17]When that title was cancelled[18]in the wake of the company-widecrossoverLegends,DeMatteis stayed through its relaunch asJustice League International,[19]scripting over the plots ofKeith Giffen.

JLItook such lesser-known DC characters asMartian Manhunter,Blue Beetle,Booster Gold,Mister Miracle,Captain Atom,andPower Girland turned the then-current preoccupation with "grim 'n' gritty" superheroes on its head. The lighthearted series emphasized the absurd aspects of people with strange powers, wearing colorful costumes, volunteering to fight evildoers. Although the League had its serious side and often faced world-threateningvillains,the stories included such characters as the lovably ineptG'nort,the worstGreen Lanternin theGreen Lantern Corps,Mr. Nebula, the interplanetary decorator, theInjustice League,a bunch of bumbling losers and a flock of homicidalpenguinswho had been hybridized withpiranhas.The success ofJustice League Internationalled to aspin-offin 1989 titledJustice League Europealso co-written with Giffen and featuring art byBart Sears.[20]

1990s

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The Giffen/DeMatteis team worked onJustice Leaguefor five years and closed out their run with the "Breakdowns" storyline in 1991 and 1992.[21]DeMatteis scriptedJustice Leaguespin-offs such as solo series forMister MiracleandDoctor Fate.[5]

Back at Marvel, DeMatteis again succeeded Conway, this time as writer ofThe Spectacular Spider-Manin 1991, taking the series in a grimmer, more psychologically oriented direction. In collaboration with regular artistSal Buscema,DeMatteis' story arc "The Child Within" (#178–184) featured the return of theHarry OsbornGreen Goblin.[22]Spider-Man's battle with the Goblin continued in "The Osborn Legacy" in #189[23]and came to an end when Harry died in "The Best Of Enemies!" (#200).[24]

In 1994, DeMatteis took over fromDavid Michelinieas writer ofThe Amazing Spider-Man#389–406 for a run that included the apparent death ofPeter Parker'sAunt May[25]and the beginnings of the "Clone Saga"arc. DeMatteis as well worked on such characters asDoctor Strange,Daredevil,Man-Thing,and theSilver Surfer.

DeMatteis helped launch DC's mature-audienceVertigoimprint, writing the graphic novelsMercyandFarewell, Moonshadow(asequelto theEpic Comicsseries), theminiseriesThe Last One,and the 15-issue seriesSeekers Into The Mystery,[5]the story of aHollywoodscreenwriteron a journey ofself-discoveryand the search for universal truths.

DeMatteis wrote anautobiographical,digest-sizedminiseriesBrooklyn Dreams,published by DC'sParadox Pressimprint. DeMatteis' most personal work, it was later collected in one volume under the Vertigo imprint.

21st century

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In the 2000s, DeMatteis redefined theSpectre,through the character ofHal Jordan,as a spirit of redemption rather than of vengeance. DeMatteis co-scripted the "Gods of Gotham" storyline inWonder Woman#164–166 (January to March 2001) withPhil Jimenez.[26]In 2003, with Giffen, he revived the Justice League International for the mini-seriesFormerly Known as the Justice League.[27]The series won Giffen, DeMatteis and artistKevin MaguireanEisner Award.[28]The team followed this with "I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League"arc inJLA Classifiedand, at Marvel, a five-issue run ofThe Defenders.In 2006, DeMatteis and Giffen began work on two original superhero comedy series,Hero SquaredandPlanetary BrigadeforBoom! Studios.[29]DeMatteis teamed with veteran artistMike Ploogto create theCrossGenfantasycomicAbadazad(May 2004). The following year, Ploog and DeMatteis announced they were collaborating on a five-issue miniseries,Stardust Kid,from theImage Comicsimprint Desperado Publishing.[29]The series moved to Boom! Studios in 2006.

The Walt Disney CompanyacquiredAbadazadfor itsHyperion Books for Childrenimprint.[29]The first two books in the series—Abadazad: The Road to Inconceivable[30]andAbadazad: The Dream Thief[31]—were released June 2006. The third book—Abadazad: The Puppet, The Professor and The Prophet[32]—was released in the United Kingdom in 2007.[citation needed]

In June 2010, DeMatteis's children's fantasy novel,Imaginalis,was published byKatherine Tegen Books,an imprint ofHarperCollins.[33]

In 2008, DeMatteis became editor-in-chief of Ardden Entertainment, guiding the launch of a newFlash Gordoncomic book series. In 2009, he wrote a five-issue comic book limited series, illustrated by Mike Cavallaro,The Life and Times of Savior 28,which was released byIDW Publishingin 2009.[34]He also wrote theMetal Menback-up story in the newDoom Patrol[35][36]and returned to Marvel Comics for a number of new Spider-Man stories. In 2010, DeMatteis reunited once again with frequent collaborator Keith Giffen for a run on the comic book seriesBooster Gold.The two teamed on theDC Retroactive: JLA – The '90sone-shotin October 2011.[37]Also in 2011, DeMatteis created the all-ages fantasyThe Adventures of Augusta Windfor IDW Publishing. In 2013, he took over DC Comics'Phantom Strangerand launched the 12-issueLarfleezeseries[38]with Giffen. DeMatteis became the writer ofJustice League Darkin October 2013 and, again with Giffen, launchedJustice League 3000in December.

In 2015, DeMatteis worked withBruce TimmforJustice League: Gods and Monsters,a comic book prequel to the film. In 2016, Giffen and DeMatteis launchedScooby Apocalypsefor DC—a more adult reimagining of the classic cartoon—and IDW published DeMatteis'sAugusta WindsequelThe Adventures of Augusta Wind: The Last Story.2018 saw the release of the IDW seriesImpossible, Incorporated,with another new creator-owned series,The Girl in the Bay,from Berger Books, announced for 2019. In 2021, Marvel announced a new limited series titledBen Reilly:Spider-Manwritten by DeMatteis with art by David Baldeón, released in 2022.[39]The same year, Marvel announced the forthcoming seriesSpider-Man: The Lost Hunt,which ties in to DeMatteis' Spider-Man classic,Kraven's Last Hunt.Also in 2022, DeMatteis, in collaboration with Spellbound Comics, launched The DeMultiverse, four new series written by DeMatteis and illustrated by Shawn McManus, Tom Mandrake, Matthew Dow Smith, and David Baldeon. He also published a novel, the supernatural thriller,The Excavator,followed the next year by another supernatural novel,The Witness.

In 2024, Marvel published a new Spider-Man series,Shadow of the Green Goblin,and DC launched the Batman mini-seriesRobin Lives!DeMatteis and Spellbound Comics also launched Phase II of their DeMultiverse titles on Kickstarter.

Spellbound Comics

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In October 2022, DeMatteis announced the founding of his own publisher named Spellbound Comics. Through a Kickstarter campaign, he presented the DeMultiverse, a collection of four "pilot issues" of comics titledAnyman,Godsend, Layla in the Lands of AfterandWisdom.[40]In November, he presented a fifth series titledThe Edward Gloom Mysteries.[41]The second wave of DeMatteis's Spellbound series launched on Kickstarter in the summer of 2024, offering second chapters of all the DeMultiverse titles, with more planned for the future.

Other media

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DeMatteis has also written for television, having scripted episodes ofthe 1980s incarnation ofThe Twilight Zone,thesyndicatedseriesThe Adventures of SuperboyandEarth: Final Conflict,as well as for theanimated seriesThe Real Ghostbusters,Justice League Unlimited,Legion of Super Heroes,Batman: The Brave and the Bold,Ben 10: Ultimate Alien,Sym-Bionic Titan,ThunderCats,Teen Titans Go!andMarvel's Spider-Man.DeMatteis also wrote the 2015 animated DTV movieBatman vs. Robinand its 2016 sequel,Batman: Bad Blood.The same year, DeMatteis wrote multiple episodes of Cartoon Network'sBe Cool, Scooby-Doo!.In 2017, DeMatteis co-wroteJustice League Darkand, in 2018, he wrote the spin-off animated seriesConstantine: City of Demons.The same year he wrote animated shorts starringAdam Strangeand Neil Gaiman'sSandmancharacter,Death.In 2020 DeMatteis wroteDeathstroke: Knights & Dragons,as well as the animated adaptation of the graphic novelSuperman: Red Son.In 2024, he wrote an episode of Amazon'sBatman: Caped Crusaderseries, which will be part of the show's upcoming second season.

Also a musician, DeMatteis released one album in the late 1990s,How Many Lifetimes?.

Awards

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Bibliography

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Comics

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IDW Publishing

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Dark Horse Comics

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DC Comics

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Paradox Press
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Vertigo
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  • The Last One#1–6 (1993)
  • Mercy(1993)
  • Seekers into the Mystery#1–15 (1996–1997)
WildStorm
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  • Wetworks#10–15 (2007–2008)

Marvel Comics

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Epic Comics
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Filmography

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Direct-to-video movies

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DC Showcase

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Television

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References

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  1. ^"J.M. DeMatteis Returns – Dollar Bin Bandits"
  2. ^Miller, John Jackson(June 10, 2005)."Comics Industry Birthdays".Comics Buyer's Guide.Iola, Wisconsin. Archived fromthe originalon February 18, 2011.
  3. ^abcdefSalicrup, Jim;Higgins, Mike (September 1986). "J. Marc DeMatteis (part 1)".Comics Interview.No. 38.Fictioneer Books.pp.20–35.
  4. ^"Remembering Colan".
  5. ^abcdeJ. M. DeMatteisat theGrand Comics Database
  6. ^Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1980s".DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle.London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley.p. 189.ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9.A battalion of horror icons created by the U.S. government to aid the American war effort made its debut in an off-beat story by writer J. M. DeMatteis and penciler Pat Broderick.{{cite book}}:|first2=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 193 "Writer J. M. DeMatteis unveiled vampire/vampire hunter Andrew Bennett with the help of artist Tom Sutton inThe House of Mystery#290. "
  8. ^Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 187: "With issue #475, fan favorite Aquaman was added to the [Adventure Comics] lineup, and his first installment was written by J. M. DeMatteis and illustrated by Dick Giordano. "
  9. ^Catron, Michael(June 1981). "DC Taps Fan Market forMadame Xanadu".Amazing Heroes(1). Stamford, Connecticut:Fantagraphics Books:25.Madame Xanadu,a 32-page/$1.00 comic that marks DC's first attempt at marketing comics specifically to fans and collectors, went on sale in early April. The book contains a 25-page tale by Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers entitled "Dance for Two Demons" and a seven-page fantasy story by J. Marc DeMatteis and Brian Bolland.
  10. ^DeAngelo, Daniel (July 2013). "The Not-Ready-For-Super-Team Players A History of the Defenders".Back Issue!(65). Raleigh, North Carolina:TwoMorrows Publishing:12–15.
  11. ^Manning, Matthew K.; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2012). "1980s".Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging.London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley.p. 134.ISBN978-0756692360.Writer J. M. Dematteis had become the regular writer ofMarvel Team-Upwith issue #111 (November 1981) and would stay with the title until #133 (September 1983), with only one issue's interruption.{{cite book}}:|first2=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^DeFalco, Tom;Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2008). "1980s".Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History.London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley.p. 219.ISBN978-0756641238.{{cite book}}:|first2=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^Lantz, James Heath (September 2016). "Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner: Scion of the Deep or Royal Pain?".Back Issue!(91). Raleigh, North Carolina:TwoMorrows Publishing:51–52.
  14. ^Salicrup, Jim;Higgins, Mike (October 1986). "J. Marc DeMatteis (part 2)".Comics Interview.No. 39.Fictioneer Books.pp.7–19.
  15. ^DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 231: "The six-issue story arc...ran through all the Spider-Man titles for two months."
  16. ^Johnson, Dan (August 2009). "In Our Sights: Kraven's Last Hunt".Back Issue!(35). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing:3–9.
  17. ^DeMatteis, J. M. (September 18, 2009)."Lives and Times".Creation Point.Archivedfrom the original on March 12, 2012.RetrievedJuly 21,2013.That was me, dialoguingJLA#255 over a Gerry Conway plot. As I recall (and keep in mind it's been a long time), having just finishedMoonshadowandBlood—two very personal and creatively life-changing projects—I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep writing super hero comics and so I was reluctant to use my name.
  18. ^Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 226: "Alongside artist Luke McDonnell, DeMatteis crafted a dramatic four-part finale to the first series of DC's premier team of superheroes."
  19. ^Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 228: "It was clear that the [Justice League] needed a major overhaul. But no one quite expected how drastic the transformation would truly be in the hands of writers Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis and artist Kevin Maguire."
  20. ^Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 239: "Spinning out of the pages ofJustice League International,an offshoot of the Justice League set up camp in Paris. Written by Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis with art by Bart Sears. "
  21. ^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 251: "The lauded Giffen/DeMatteis era of the Justice League came to a dramatic close with" Breakdowns ", a sixteen-part storyline that crossed through the pages of bothJustice League AmericaandJustice League Europe."
  22. ^Cowsill, Alan "1990s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 193: Starting this issue [#178] was 'The Child Within' story arc, another classic tale from writer J. M. DeMatteis exploring the psychology of Spidey, Vermin, and the Green Goblin.
  23. ^Cowsill "1990s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 198: "Writer J. M. DeMatteis and artist Sal Buscema spun a tale in which Harry Osborne again succumbed to the madness of his Green Goblin identity and launched an all-out attack on Spidey."
  24. ^Cowsill "1990s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 203: "This giant-size issue by writer J. M. DeMatteis and artist Sal Buscema brought Spidey's relationship with the Green Goblin to a dramatic conclusion."
  25. ^Cowsill "1990s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 218: "May's death was temporary; November 1998'sThe Spectacular Spider-Man#263 revealed that the woman who died was a genetically modified actress. "
  26. ^Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 298 "The 'Gods of Gotham' storyline marked the start of Phil Jimenez's run on the series as artist and writer (with J. M. DeMatteis on board as co-scripter for the first arc)."
  27. ^Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 311: "In 2003, writers J. M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen and original artist Kevin Maguire worked on a six-part series reuniting [their version of] the team."
  28. ^ab"2004 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards".Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac.Archivedfrom the original on July 12, 2015.
  29. ^abcMoran, David (May 1, 2006)."TalkingAbadazad,Hero Squared,Music and More with J.M DeMatteis ".Comic Book Resources.Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2012.
  30. ^DeMatteis, J. M.; Ploog, Mike (2006).Abadazad The Road to Inconceivable.Hyperion Books for Children.ISBN1-4231-0062-X.
  31. ^DeMatteis, J. M.; Ploog, Mike (2006).Abadazad: The Dream Thief.Hyperion Books for Children.ISBN1-4231-0064-6.
  32. ^DeMatteis, J. M.; Ploog, Mike (2007).Abadazad The Puppet, the Professor and the Prophet.Hyperion Books for Children.ISBN978-0-00-723340-3.
  33. ^DeMatteis, J. M. (2010).Imaginalis.Katherine Tegen Books.ISBN978-0-06-173286-7.
  34. ^Siuntres, John (March 16, 2009)."Word Balloon: J.M. DeMatteis – Savior 28 and More".Newsarama.Archivedfrom the original on September 3, 2015.
  35. ^Renaud, Jeffrey (February 18, 2009)."J. M. DeMatteis Finds His Inner Magnus onDoom Patrol".Comic Book Resources.Archivedfrom the original on October 17, 2014.
  36. ^Rogers, Vaneta (April 8, 2009)."Back to the Shop: J.M. DeMatteis on the Metal Men".Newsarama.Archivedfrom the original on September 3, 2015.
  37. ^Campbell, Josie (April 1, 2011)."WC11: Exclusive – Legendary Creators Speak AboutRetro-Active".Comic Book Resources.Archived fromthe originalon May 14, 2011.RetrievedMarch 31,2012.
  38. ^Lincoln, Ross (March 17, 2014)."DC Quietly CancelsLarfleezeAfter Issue 12- Update ".The Escapist.Archivedfrom the original on April 7, 2014.
  39. ^"Legendary Comic Book Writer J.M. DeMatteis Returns to Marvel with 'Ben Reilly: Spider-Man'".September 15, 2021.{{cite magazine}}:Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help)
  40. ^Holland, Dustin (2022-10-11)."J.M. DeMatteis Introduces Fans to Four New Series".CBR.Retrieved2022-11-08.
  41. ^Holland, Dustin (2022-11-08)."J.M. DeMatteis Adds a Fifth New Series to the DeMultiverse".CBR.Retrieved2022-11-08.
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