Wikipedia

Norm Breyfogle

Norman Keith Breyfogle(/ˈbreɪfoʊɡəl/;February 27, 1960 – September 24, 2018)[1][2]was an American artist, best known for his comic book art onDC Comics'sBatmanfranchise from 1987 to 1995. During this time, he co-created the villainsVentriloquistandRatcatcherwith writersAlan GrantandJohn Wagner,and the charactersAnarky,Jeremiah Arkham,Victor Zsasz,andAmygdalawith Grant alone. He co-created with writersGerard JonesandLen StrazewskitheMalibu ComicsUltraverseflagship heroPrime,and both wrote and drew the Malibu-published series featuring his original character Metaphysique.

Norm Breyfogle
Norm Breyfogle byMichael Netzer
BornNorman Keith Breyfogle
(1960-02-27)February 27, 1960
Iowa City, Iowa,U.S.[1]
DiedSeptember 24, 2018(2018-09-24)(aged 58)
Houghton, Michigan,U.S.
Area(s)Writer,Penciller,Inker
Notable works
Batman
Detective Comics
Prime

Early life

edit

Norman Keith Breyfogle[3]was born on February 27, 1960, inIowa City, Iowa[1]to parents Lois (néeRoberts) and Gerald Breyfogle.[4]He had a brother Kevin and a sister Penny Duncan.[5]

Breyfogle began taking private art lessons at the age of twelve, and won an award at a local art show. His family subsequently moved toHoughton, Michigan,and the local newspaperThe Daily Mining Gazetteprofiled him in 1976 as "Norm Breyfogle: Near Master Cartoonist at 16". While in high school, he producedTech-Team,[6]a comic commissioned by localMichigan Technological University.[6]In 1977, he submitted a design forRobin'scostume, which was published inBatman Family#13.[7]

Breyfogle attendedNorthern Michigan University,studying painting and illustration while working as an illustrator for a local magazine and a graphics company. In 1980, he illustrated a book titledBunyan: Lore's Loggin' Hero,published by Book Concern. He moved to California in 1982. He worked as a draftsman and later as a technical illustrator designing aSpace Shuttletraining manual for the United Space Boosters.[8]

Career

edit

Early comics work

edit

In 1984, Breyfogle penciled a six–page story forDC Comics'sNew Talent Showcase.Mike Friedrich(President ofStar Reach,a talent representative agency) saw Breyfogle's work hanging at the 1985San Diego Comic-ConArt Show and began representing him.[9]This was followed by several issues ofFirst Comics'sAmerican Flagg,penciling a back-up story titled "Bob Violence" in 1985. During this time he drew forTales of Terror,a horror anthology published byEclipse Comics.[10]Following that, Breyfogle wrote, illustrated, and lettered aCaptain Americastory inMarvel Fanfare#29 (Nov. 1986).[11]He then drewWhisperforFirst Comicsin 1986–1987, his first monthly book,[12]before landing onDetective ComicsstarringBatmanpublished by DC Comics.[2]

Batman

edit
Batman and Robin as drawn by Breyfogle. The cover is a modernization ofBatman#9 (Feb.–March 1942), drawn byFred RayandJerry Robinson.

Teamed with writerAlan Grant,Breyfogle worked onDetective Comics.They introduced theVentriloquistin their first Batman story together[13]and theRatcatcherin their third.[14]He drew the Batman for six years (1987–1993), pencilingDetective Comicsfrom 1987 to 1990, then moving toBatmanto introduce the characterTim Drakeas the new Robin[15]from 1990 to 1992, and finally starting a new Batman series for DC titledBatman: Shadow of the Batfrom 1992 to 1993[16]which saw the Grant/Breyfogle team create three new characters,Jeremiah Arkham,Mr. Zsasz,[17]andAmygdala.During his six-year run on the Batman character, he drew a few one-shots, two of them beingBatman: Holy Terror,the first DC comic book to feature theElseworldslogo,[18]andBatman: Birth of the Demon,[19]which he hand painted. He provided pencils to a 10-page short story inSuperman80-Page Giant#1 (Feb. 1999).[20]

Later work

edit

In 2000, Breyfogle drew the Elseworlds three-issue mini-seriesFlashpoint.In 2001, DC offered him the job of pencilingTheSpectremonthly, which he drew for one year.[21]

He spent 2003 penciling and inking the titleBlack Tide,published by Angel Gate Press.[10]

In 2004, Breyfogle began work on an illustrated children's book for the Society of St. John Monastery,[4]finished many commissions for fans, put together a couple printed sketchbooks showcasing his work, and continued writing his novel, getting halfway done, finishing through chapter six. He wrote over forty poems and over 1,300 haikus in a five-month marathon,[21]and a number of short stories.[22]

In February 2005 he accepted an offer to pencil and ink the interiors and covers of the new ongoing monthly titleOf Bitter Soulsfrom studio Relative Comics, originally published bySpeakeasy Comics.[10]It was written by Chuck Satterlee. Shortly before Speakeasy Comics went out of business, Relative Comics joined with Chimaera Studios and moved to publisherMarkosia Comics.Breyfogle produced illustrations for a wide variety of clients outside of the comics industry includingNike, Inc.,Mojo,The Red Bulletin,Time Out,Company,Süddeutsche ZeitungMagazin,and various bands such as 12 Stone Toddler, among many others.

In 2007, he provided art for the main story interiors and the covers for the comic book titleThe Danger's Dozen.He began a professional relationship with the London-based art agency Debut Art.[22]

Starting in 2006, he began a working relationship with Mazz Press, contributing stand-alone illustrations to two novels by Stephen Pytak,The.40 Caliber MousehuntandThe Wild Damned.[23]

In 2008, Breyfogle began drawing Archie's New Look, forArchie's Double Digest,published byArchie Publications.Breyfogle drew two titles forArchie Comics:Archie LovesBettyandArchie LovesVeronica.[10]

He returned to DC to drawDC Retroactive:Batman – The '90s,written by his former Batman collaborator Alan Grant, in October 2011. Breyfogle contributed art to DC'sBatman Beyond Unlimiteddigital comic series from 2012 to 2013; later reprinted as an 18 issue series.[24]

In 2015, DC publishedLegends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle Vol. 1,a hardcover collection of Breyfogle's early Batman stories.[25]A second volume was released in late 2018.[26]

Retirement and death

edit

On December 18, 2014, Breyfogle suffered astrokethat cut off blood flow to part of his brain,[3]causing paralysis on his left side. He was left-handed, and although he regained some use of his left side, he was no longer able to draw professionally.[3][27]

In July 2015 writer/novelistGlenn Haumanand writer/editorBob Greenbergerset up anIndiegogocampaign to raise $10,000 to defray the cost of Breyfogle's therapy, which involved producing a 280-pagetrade paperbackreprinting issues #3–11 ofWhisper,a 1986First Comicsseries created bySteven Grant,which Breyfogle illustrated. The book also featured original contributions by participating creators, and was issued in hardcover to those donating at least $100.[28][29][30]

Breyfogle died ofheart failureon September 24, 2018, inHoughton, Michigan.[3][4][31][32][33]

Bibliography

edit

DC Comics

edit

Eclipse Comics

edit

First Comics

edit

Malibu Comics

edit
  • Firearm#5 (1994)
  • Hardcase#1 (1993)
  • Metaphysique(volume 2) #1-6 (1995)
  • Prime#1–12 (1993–1994)
  • Prime Annual: Gross and Disgusting#1 (1994)

Marvel Comics

edit

Now

edit

Valiant Comics

edit

References

edit
  1. ^abcBreyfogle, Norm (n.d.)."Biography".Normbreyfogle. Archived fromthe originalon October 13, 2010.Norm Breyfogle was born on February 27, 1960 in Iowa City, Iowa.
  2. ^abBetancourt, David (September 27, 2018)."Norm Breyfogle, one of DC Comics' most beloved Batman artists, dies at 58".The Washington Post.Washington, D.C.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
  3. ^abcdHauman, Glenn(September 26, 2018)."Norm Breyfogle: 1960-2018".ComicMix.Archived fromthe originalon May 17, 2019.RetrievedJuly 24,2024.
  4. ^abc"In Memory of Norman Keith Breyfogle: 1960–2018".Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home. Archived fromthe originalon October 8, 2018.RetrievedOctober 8,2018.(Linked from the cited article)
  5. ^Ruch, John (February 2, 2015)."Batman Artist Norm Breyfogle Recovers From a Stroke With a Little Help From His Fans".Paste.Archivedfrom the original on December 15, 2018.
  6. ^abIrving, Christopher (June 2007)."PRO2PRO: Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle".Back Issue!(22). Raleigh, North Carolina:TwoMorrows Publishing:18–20.
  7. ^Greenfield, Dan (October 3, 2013)."Batman's Hot-Line: Norm Breyfogle".13th Dimension.Archivedfrom the original on August 11, 2018.One of the sketches was by a guy named Norm Breyfogle of Houghton, Michigan, printed in #13 of the late, lamentedBatman Familytitle.
  8. ^Garza, Matt (September 27, 2018)."Norm Breyfogle," Batman "Artist, Dead at 58".Multiversity Comics.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
  9. ^Greenberger, Robert(April 2014). "New Talent and Bonus Babies".Back Issue!(71). Raleigh, North Carolina:TwoMorrows Publishing:65–71.
  10. ^abcdNorm Breyfogleat theGrand Comics Database
  11. ^Eury, Michael(June 2017). "Norm Breyfogle's Batman/Captain America Makeover".Back Issue!(96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 51.
  12. ^Friedt, Stephan (February 2017). "TheWhisperInterview:Whisperin the Hands of Steven Grant and Norm Breyfogle ".Back Issue!(94). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 74–78.
  13. ^Cowsill, Alan (2010). "1980s".DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle.London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley.p. 235.ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9.OCLC505422656.In February [1988], the Batman crossed paths with Scarface and the Ventriloquist inDetective Comics#583 by writer John Wagner and Alan Grant and artist Norm Breyfogle.
  14. ^Manning, Matthew K. (2014). "1980s".Batman: A Visual History.London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley.p. 171.ISBN978-1-4654-2456-3.OCLC876351122.Writers John Wagner and Alan Grant and artist Norm Breyfogle introduced the Ratcatcher in this two-part story.
  15. ^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 247:Batman#457 (Dec. 1990) "In this tale by writer Alan Grant and artist Norm Breyfogle, Robin finally got a new uniform...When DC editorial made the decision to modify the classic costume of the iconic Boy Wonder, they called upon several artists to put their own spin on it. It was legendary artist Neal Adams who delivered the winning concept."
  16. ^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 253: "Shadow of the Batlasted ninety-four issues. Handled by the former team onDetective Comics– writer Alan Grant and artist Norm Breyfogle – the first issue was released in both a newsstand and deluxe polybagged format. "
  17. ^Manning "1990s" in Dougall, p. 194: "Shadow of the Batwas writer Alan Grant's newest forum to tell Batman stories on a monthly basis, along with his partner, artists Norm Breyfogle. The pair introduced the new head of Arkham, Jeremiah Arkham, as well as the new villain Mr. Zsasz. "
  18. ^Manning "1990s" in Dougall, p. 193:Batman: Holy Terrorbecame the first Elseworlds special. This tale by writer Alan Brennert and artist Norm Breyfogle featured a Gotham City ruled by the church and Batman as a vigilante man of the cloth. "
  19. ^Manning "1990s" in Dougall, p. 198: "The third and final installment of the Ra's al Ghul hardcover trilogy arrived in this origin volume by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Norm Breyfogle."
  20. ^Gonzalez, Umberto (September 26, 2018)."Norm Breyfogle, Renowned 'Batman' Comic Book Artist, Dies at 58".Yahoo!.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
  21. ^abStaley, Brandon (September 26, 2018)."Artist Norm Breyfogle Passes Away at Age 58".Comic Book Resources.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
  22. ^abCarey, Edward (October 10, 2006)."Catching up with Norm Breyfogle and Chuck Satterlee".Comic Book Resources.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
  23. ^"NOVELS".Mazz Press.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
  24. ^Manning "2010s" in Dougall, p. 326: "This new digital-first ongoing series featured a Batman tale by writer Adam Beechen and artist Norm Breyfogle."
  25. ^Breyfogle, Norm (2015).Tales of the Batman: Norm Breyfogle Vol.1.DC Comics. p. 520.ISBN978-1-4012-5898-6.
  26. ^Breyfogle, Norm (2018).Tales of the Batman: Norm Breyfogle Vol.2.DC Comics. p. 456.ISBN978-1-4012-8512-8.
  27. ^Melrose, Kevin (December 23, 2014)."Fundraiser launches to help Norm Breyfogle following stroke".CBR.Archivedfrom the original on September 7, 2015.A fundraiser has been established online to help cover the medical expenses of veteran Batman artist Norm Breyfogle, who suffered a stroke last week, leaving the left-handed illustrator paralyzed on his left side.
  28. ^MacDonald, Heidi(July 29, 2015)."The Norm BreyfogleWhispercampaign is a can't miss deal ".Comics Beat.Archivedfrom the original on March 28, 2019.
  29. ^Johnston, Rich(July 17, 2015)."Will You Give $50 For Norm Breyfogle'sWhisperCollection? ".Bleeding Cool.Archivedfrom the original on October 9, 2018.
  30. ^Greenberger, Bob(July 2015)."Help artist Norm Breyfogle recover from a stroke!".Indiegogo.Archivedfrom the original on February 22, 2017.
  31. ^Johnston, Rich (September 26, 2018)."Batman Artist Norm Breyfogle Died on Monday, Aged 58".Bleeding Cool.Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2019.
  32. ^Best, Daniel (October 2, 2018)."Norm Breyfogle: 1960–2018".The Comics Journal.Seattle, Washington:Fantagraphics Books.Archivedfrom the original on May 23, 2019.
  33. ^"Obituary: Norman Breyfogle".Keweenaw Report.September 26, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on May 23, 2019.
edit
Preceded by Detective Comicsartist
1987–1990 		Succeeded by
Flint Henry and
Mike McKone
Preceded by Batmanartist
1990–1992 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
n/a
 Batman: Shadow of the Batartist
1992 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
n/a
 Primeartist
1993–1994 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Craig Hamilton
 TheSpectrevol. 4 artist
2002–2003 		Succeeded by
n/a
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Norm_Breyfogle&oldid=1251194047"