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{{short description|American comic book writer}}
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{{Infobox writer
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| occupation = Writer, comic book author
| occupation = Writer, comic book author
| nationality = [[People of the United States|American]]
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'''Lowell Cunningham''' (born c. 1958/1959)<ref name=NYTimes-interview /> is an [[People of the United States|American]] [[Comic book creator|creator and writer]] best known for creating the [[comic-book]] series ''[[The Men in Black (comics)|The Men in Black]]'', which became the basis for a media franchise.<ref name=gcd>{{gcdb|type=writer|search=Lowell+Cunningham|title=Lowell Cunningham}}</ref>
'''Lowell Cunningham''' (born c. 1958/1959)<ref name=NYTimes-interview /> is an American comic book author. He is best known for creating the comic book ''[[The Men in Black (comics)|The Men in Black]]'', which later became the basis for a [[Men in Black (franchise)|media franchise]].<ref name=gcd>{{gcdb|type=writer|search=Lowell+Cunningham|title=Lowell Cunningham}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Lowell Cunningham was raised in [[Franklin, Tennessee]], the son of farmers Ralph and Ruby Cunningham, the latter of whom also an office worker for the state government. A fan of [[science-fiction]] and [[espionage fiction]] spy-fiction TV shows in his youth, he went on to a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the [[University of Tennessee]].<ref name=NYTimes-interview>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/03/garden/men-in-black-come-from-his-galaxy.html|title=Men in Black Come From His Galaxy|first=Rick|last=Bragg|date=July 3, 1997|work=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=June 16, 2019|quote=Mr. Cunningham, 38...}}</ref>
Lowell Cunningham was raised in [[Franklin, Tennessee]], the son of farmers Ralph and Ruby Cunningham, the latter of whom was also an office worker for the state government. A fan of [[science-fiction]] and [[espionage fiction]] spy-fiction TV shows in his youth, he went on to a bachelor's degree in philosophy from [[The University of Tennessee]]<ref name=NYTimes-interview>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/03/garden/men-in-black-come-from-his-galaxy.html|title=Men in Black Come From His Galaxy|first=Rick|last=Bragg|date=July 3, 1997|work=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=June 16, 2019|quote=Mr. Cunningham, 38...}}</ref> in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://alumni.utk.edu/s/1341/alumni/interior_alumni.aspx?pgid=7733&gid=2&cid=11485|title=Notable Alumni|publisher= [[The University of Tennessee]] Knoxville|accessdate=June 16, 2019}}</ref>


==Career--
==Career==
After Cunningham's 1990 [[comic-book]] series ''[[The Men in Black (comics)|The Men in Black]]'' from [[Aircel Comics]] ended after six issues, Cunningham worked as a factory security guard<ref name=NYTimes-interview /> and in the circulation department of the Knox County Library in Knoxville, Tennessee.<ref name=NewsSentinel2008>{{cite news|url= http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/education/men-in-black-creator-says-love-of-reading-preceded-his-success-ep-411594309-359884641.html/|title='Men in Black' creator says love of reading preceded his success|first=Terry|last= Morrow|work=[[Knoxville News Sentinel]]|location=Tennessee|date=May 27, 2008|accessdate=June 16, 2019|archivedate= June 16, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616185039/http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/education/men-in-black-creator-says-love-of-reading-preceded-his-success-ep-411594309-359884641.html/|deadurl=no}}</ref> When the comic book became the basis for the 1997 film ''[[Men in Black (1997 film)|Men in Black]]'', Cunningham earned what he said in an interview that year was an initial "six-figure sum. In the low six figures. I've been living off it for five years."<ref name=NYTimes-interview />
Following college, Cunningham worked for nearly three years in the circulation department of the Knox County Library in Knoxville, Tennessee.<ref name=NewsSentinel2008>{{cite news|url= http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/education/men-in-black-creator-says-love-of-reading-preceded-his-success-ep-411594309-359884641.html/|title='Men in Black' creator says love of reading preceded his success|first=Terry|last= Morrow|work=[[Knoxville News Sentinel]]|location=Tennessee|date=May 27, 2008|accessdate=June 16, 2019|archivedate= June 16, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616185039/http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/education/men-in-black-creator-says-love-of-reading-preceded-his-success-ep-411594309-359884641.html/|url-status=live}}</ref> After his 1990 [[comic-book]] series ''[[The Men in Black (comics)|The Men in Black]]'' from [[Aircel Comics]] finished its run, Cunningham worked as a factory security guard.<ref name=NYTimes-interview /> When his comic became the basis for the 1997 film ''[[Men in Black (1997 film)|Men in Black]]'', Cunningham earned what he said in an interview that year was an initial "six-figure sum. In the low six figures. I've been living off it for five years."<ref name=NYTimes-interview />

This launched a media franchise that has included the sequels ''[[Men in Black II]]'' (2002) and ''[[Men in Black 3]]'' (2012), a 2019 spin-off ''[[Men in Black: International]]'', and an animated television program, ''[[Men in Black: The Series]]'', which ran from October 1997 to June 2001. Cunningham went on to co-write four ''[[Star Wars]]'' parody [[short films]] with director [[John E. Hudgens]], released from 2000 to 2005, and in 2012 returned to comics with [[About Comics]]' ''Jack Ooze'', starring a [[district attorney]] turned semi-liquid superhero.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://newsok.com/article/3792548| title='Men in Black' creator returns with 'Jack Ooze'| first=Matthew|last= Price |date=July 10, 2012|accessdate= May 20, 2016|work=[[The Oklahoman]] | location=[[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=38138 | title=Digital Comics Resources: The End of Comics As We Know It - or Not| first=Brigid |last=Alverson| date= April 13, 2012|accessdate= May 20, 2016| publisher=[[ComicBookResources.com]] | archivedate=September 7, 2015 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907050833/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=38138 | url-status=live}}</ref>


which launched a media franchise that has included the sequels ''[[Men in Black II]]'' (2002) and ''[[Men in Black 3]]'' (2013), a 2019 spin-off ''[[Men in Black: International]]'', and an October 1997 to June 2001 animated television program, ''[[Men in Black: The Series]]''. He went on to co-write four ''[[Star Wars]]'' parody [[short films]] with director [[John E. Hudgens]], released from 2000 to 2005, and in 2012 returned to comics with [[About Comics]]' ''Jack Ooze'', starring a [[district attorney]] turned semi-liquid superhero.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://newsok.com/article/3792548| title=‘Men in Black’ creator returns with ‘Jack Ooze’| first=Matthew|last= Price |date=July 10, 2012|accessdate= May 20, 2016|work=[[The Oklahoman]] | location=[[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=38138 | title=Digital Comics Resources: The End of Comics As We Know It - or Not| first=Brigid |last=Alverson| date= April 13, 2012|accessdate= May 20, 2016| publisher=[[ComicBookResources.com]] | archivedate=September 7, 2015 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907050833/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=38138 | deadurl=no}}</ref>
==Personal life==
==Personal life==
As of 2008, Cunningham lived in [[West Knoxville, Tennessee]].<ref name=NewsSentinel2008 />
As of 2008, Cunningham lived in [[West Knoxville, Tennessee]].<ref name=NewsSentinel2008 />
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*{{IMDb name|0192384}}
*{{IMDb name|0192384}}
*{{Comicbookdb|type=creator|id=1363|title=Lowell Cunningham}}
*{{Comicbookdb|type=creator|id=1363|title=Lowell Cunningham}}
*{{cite news|url=http://jamiecoville.com/blog/blog/tag/lowell-cunningham/|title=Sandy Carruthers Interview [''Men in Black'' comic-book artist]|date=February 2006|first=Jamie|last=Coville|work=Collector Times|accessdate=June 16, 2019|archivedate=June 16, 2019|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190616185505/http://jamiecoville.com/blog/blog/tag/lowell-cunningham/|url-status=live}}

{{Men in Black}}
{{Men in Black}}



Latest revision as of 22:50, 1 March 2024

Lowell Cunningham
Bornc. 1958 or 1959 (age 64–65)
OccupationWriter, comic book author
NationalityAmerican
GenreScience fiction, action
Notable worksThe Men in Black

Lowell Cunningham (born c. 1958/1959)[1] is an American comic book author. He is best known for creating the comic book The Men in Black, which later became the basis for a media franchise.[2]

Early life[edit]

Lowell Cunningham was raised in Franklin, Tennessee, the son of farmers Ralph and Ruby Cunningham, the latter of whom was also an office worker for the state government. A fan of science-fiction and espionage fiction spy-fiction TV shows in his youth, he went on to a bachelor's degree in philosophy from The University of Tennessee[1] in 1985.[3]

Career[edit]

Following college, Cunningham worked for nearly three years in the circulation department of the Knox County Library in Knoxville, Tennessee.[4] After his 1990 comic-book series The Men in Black from Aircel Comics finished its run, Cunningham worked as a factory security guard.[1] When his comic became the basis for the 1997 film Men in Black, Cunningham earned what he said in an interview that year was an initial "six-figure sum. In the low six figures. I've been living off it for five years."[1]

This launched a media franchise that has included the sequels Men in Black II (2002) and Men in Black 3 (2012), a 2019 spin-off Men in Black: International, and an animated television program, Men in Black: The Series, which ran from October 1997 to June 2001. Cunningham went on to co-write four Star Wars parody short films with director John E. Hudgens, released from 2000 to 2005, and in 2012 returned to comics with About Comics' Jack Ooze, starring a district attorney turned semi-liquid superhero.[5][6]

Personal life[edit]

As of 2008, Cunningham lived in West Knoxville, Tennessee.[4]

Bibliography[edit]

Comics[edit]

Comics work includes:

  • The Men in Black (with Sandy Carruthers, three-issue miniseries, Aircel Comics, January–March 1990, trade paperback, June 1990, ISBN 0944735606)
  • Alien Nation: The Skin Trade (with Leonard Kirk, four-issue miniseries, Malibu Comics, March–June 1991)
  • The Men in Black Book II (with Sandy Carruthers & Scott Dutton, three-issue miniseries, Aircel Comics, May–July 1991)
  • Alien Nation: The Public Enemy (with Sandy Carruthers, three-issue miniseries, Malibu Comics, Dec. 1991 - March 1992)
  • Men In Black: Far Cry (with Dietrich Smith, one-shot, Marvel Comics, Aug. 1997)
  • Men in Black: Movie Adaptation (with Rod Whigham, one-shot, Marvel Comics, Oct. 1997)
  • Men In Black: Retribution (with Rod Whigham, one-shot, Marvel Comics, Dec. 1997)
  • Jack Ooze (About Comics, 2012)

Short films[edit]

Star Wars parodies with John Hudgens include:

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Bragg, Rick (July 3, 1997). "Men in Black Come From His Galaxy". The New York Times. Retrieved June 16, 2019. Mr. Cunningham, 38...
  2. ^ Lowell Cunningham at the Grand Comics Database
  3. ^ "Notable Alumni". The University of Tennessee Knoxville. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Morrow, Terry (May 27, 2008). "'Men in Black' creator says love of reading preceded his success". Knoxville News Sentinel. Tennessee. Archived from the original on June 16, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  5. ^ Price, Matthew (July 10, 2012). "'Men in Black' creator returns with 'Jack Ooze'". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  6. ^ Alverson, Brigid (April 13, 2012). "Digital Comics Resources: The End of Comics As We Know It - or Not". ComicBookResources.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2016.

External links[edit]