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Kieron Gillen

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Kieron Gillen
Gillen at the 2011 New York Comic Con
BornKieron Michael Gillen[1]
(1975-09-30) 30 September 1975 (age 48)
NationalityBritish
Area(s)Writer
Notable works
Phonogram
Uncanny X-Men
Young Avengers
The Wicked + The Divine
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra
AwardsInkpot Award (2016)[2]
kierongillen.com

Kieron Michael Gillen (/ˈɡɪlən/; born 30 September 1975)[3] is a British comic book writer and former video game and music journalist. In comics, Gillen is known for Once & Future, Die, Phonogram, and The Wicked + The Divine, the latter two co-created with artist Jamie McKelvie and published by Image, as well as numerous projects for Marvel, such as Journey into Mystery, Uncanny X-Men, Young Avengers, Eternals, and the company-wide crossover storyline A.X.E.: Judgment Day. He has also written projects for Star Wars including Darth Vader, Star Wars, and co-created the character Doctor Aphra who starred in her own ongoing spin-off comic series Star Wars: Doctor Aphra of which Gillen wrote the first 19 issues.

In video game journalism, he created the New Games Journalism manifesto.[4] He also co-founded the website Rock Paper Shotgun.

He has been nominated for a Hugo Award six times, once for The Wicked + The Divine, twice for Once & Future, and three times for Die. He also has been nominated four times for a GLAAD Media Award, winning once for Young Avengers.

Career

Journalism

As a reviewer, Gillen has written for publications such as Amiga Power (under the pseudonym "C-Monster"), PC Gamer UK, The Escapist, Wired, The Guardian, Edge, Game Developer, Develop, MCV/Develop, GamesMaster, Eurogamer and PC Format,[citation needed] as well as the PC gaming-oriented website Rock Paper Shotgun,[5] In 2000, Gillen became the first-ever video game journalist to receive an award from the Periodical Publishers Association, for New Specialist Consumer Journalist.[6] Gillen is a fan of the work of the video game developer Warren Spector, having written positive pieces on several Spector's games, most notably Deus Ex and Thief: Deadly Shadows, both produced by Ion Storm.

In addition to his work as a reviewer, Gillen has acted as a guest speaker at numerous video game industry conferences.[7][8]

In a September 2010 post at Rock Paper Shotgun, Gillen announced he was leaving full-time video game journalism to devote his time to comic book writing.[9]

Comics

Gillen's earliest work in comics was published in various British small-press anthologies and Warhammer Monthly. Between 2003 and 2007, Gillen collaborated with artist Jamie McKelvie on a comic strip for PlayStation Official Magazine – UK, entitled "Save Point", following up with the pop music-themed urban fantasy series Phonogram, which was described by Gillen as his "first real comic".[10] Veteran comics writer Warren Ellis dubbed the series "one of the few truly essential comics of 2006."[11] The first issue, published by Image Comics, went on sale in August 2006, with the first series running for six issues. The sequel, a series of one-shots subtitled The Singles Club, launched in December 2008.[12] Between 2014 and 2019, Gillen and McKelvie collaborated on The Wicked + The Divine,[13] an Image series that has won Gillen multiple awards, including nominations for the Eisner Award for best new series,[14] and for the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story.[15]

Gillen's other creator-owned work includes Three, a mini-series about the helots of Sparta,[16][17] and The Ludocrats, initially announced in 2015 as a collaboration between writers Gillen and Jim Rossignol and artist David Lafuente.[18] The series was eventually published in 2020 with art by Jeff Stokely.[19]

On 14 April 2008, it was announced Gillen would collaborate with artist Greg Scott to expand on Warren Ellis' newuniversal series with "a story about killing the future" set in 1959.[20] That year, he authored Crown of Destruction, a Warhammer Fantasy comic.[21][22] Further Marvel assignments included a Dazzler short story and a Beta Ray Bill one-shot, which was followed by a three-issue mini-series.[23]

Gillen's workload at Marvel increased in late 2009. At HeroesCon, it was announced he would be writing a tie-in to the "Dark Reign" storyline, the mini-series Dark Avengers: Ares,[24] and, during the 2009 Chicago Comic Con, it was announced he would collaborate with Steven Sanders on S.W.O.R.D, an X-Men spin-off series.[25][26] Gillen took over Thor following a run by J. Michael Straczynski, writing issues #604[27] to 614.[28]

In late 2010, Gillen launched another X-Men spin-off Generation Hope that picked up plot threads from the end of the "Second Coming" storyline.[29][30][31][32][33] Gillen wrote the title for twelve issues before passing it to James Asmus.[34] After co-scripting a few issues of Uncanny X-Men with outgoing writer Matt Fraction, Gillen took over the series with issue #534.1.[35] His time on the title saw the book through the 2011 "Fear Itself" storyline, a renumbering to #1 in the wake of the "Schism" storyline, and a tie-in with the "Avengers vs. X-Men" storyline. After finishing his run with issue #20, Gillen penned a five-issue epilogue miniseries AvX: Consequences that dealt with the aftermath of that event.[36]

In 2011, Gillen returned to Marvel's Asgard with a run on Journey into Mystery (the original name of the Thor series, continuing its original numbering), starting with issue #622 and finishing with #645 in October 2012. As part of the Marvel NOW! relaunch, Gillen wrote two books: Iron Man (again taking over from Fraction) with art by his frequent Uncanny X-Men collaborator Greg Land, and Young Avengers with Jamie McKelvie.[36][37]

In June 2020, Marvel announced that Gillen would write Warhammer 40,000: Marneus Calgar, the first series in a line of Warhammer comics published by the company.[38]

In 2021, Gillen began writing the Eternals ongoing series, illustrated by Esad Ribić.[39]

Awards and accolades

Gillen was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts by Staffordshire University in 2019 for his work both as a journalist and a comic book writer.[40]

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2010 Eagle Award Favourite Newcomer Writer Nominated [41]
2014 GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Comic Book Young Avengers Won [42]
2016 GLAAD Media Awards The Wicked + The Divine Nominated [43]
2019 GLAAD Media Awards Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Nominated [44]
2020 GLAAD Media Awards The Wicked + The Divine Nominated [45]
British Fantasy Award Best Comic / Graphic Novel Die Won [46]
Hugo Award Best Graphic Story or Comic The Wicked + The Divine, Volume 9: "Okay" Nominated [47]
Hugo Award Best Graphic Story or Comic Die, Volume 1: Fantasy Heartbreaker Nominated [47]
2021 British Fantasy Award Best Comic / Graphic Novel Die, Volume 2: Split the Party Won [48]
Hugo Award Best Graphic Story or Comic Die, Volume 2: Split the Party Nominated [49]
Hugo Award Best Graphic Story or Comic Once & Future, Volume 1: The King is Undead Nominated [49]
2022 British Fantasy Award Best Comic / Graphic Novel Die, Volume 4: Bleed Nominated [50]
Hugo Award Best Graphic Story or Comic Die, Volume 4: Bleed Nominated [51]
Hugo Award Best Graphic Story or Comic Once & Future, Volume 3: The Parliament of Magpies Nominated [51]
2023 GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Comic Book Immortal X-Men Nominated [52]

Bibliography

Early work

  • Hit (with Brian Laframboise (#1–2), Natalie Sandells (#3), Jeff Coleman (#4) and Andy Dale (#5), webcomic, 2002–2003)
  • Spectators (with Tim Twelves, short 3-page story published online via OPi8, 2002)
  • Panel Bleed (e-zine co-created by Gillen and Charlie Chu, 2002–2004)
  • Everybody Be Cool (column published at Ninth Art, 2002–2003)
  • Webcomics created solely by Gillen and published via Big Robot:
  • Warhammer Monthly (anthology, Black Library):
  • Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine #42–89: "Save Point" (with Jamie McKelvie, half-page strip, Future Publishing, 2003–2007)
  • Variance Anthology: "Something's Wrong" (with Charity Larrison, anthology graphic novel, 105 pages, Variance Press, 2004)
  • Commercial Suicide (self-published anthology — co-edited by Gillen and Alex de Campi):
    • Commercial Suicide: "Minister Drill-cock!" (with Asif Khan, 2004)
    • Commercial Suicide Volume 2: "Chimplants" (with Daniel Heard, 2004)
    • Commercial Suicide Volume 3: "Ultimate Pol Pot" (with William Cogan, 2005)
  • Chaos League (with Thomas Veauclin, free one-shot distributed with various gaming magazines, Digital Jesters, 2004)
  • Homo Depressus (with Mark Nicoll, short 5-page story published online via Always Black, 2005)
  • Busted Wonder (with Charity Larrison, webcomic, 2005–2008)
  • Exterminus (with Charity Larrison, infinite canvas webcomic, 2005)
  • Short stories (drawn by Andy Bloor) in anthology graphic novels published by Accent UK:
    • Zombies: "Zombies" (168 pages, 2007, ISBN 0-9555-7640-7)
    • Robots: "Robot" (204 pages, 2008, ISBN 0-955-57641-5)
    • Western: "The Men Who Built the West" (192 pages, 2009, ISBN 0-95557-642-3)

Image Comics

Marvel Comics

Avatar Press

Other publishers

References

  1. ^ "Kieron Michael GILLEN - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk.
  2. ^ Inkpot Award
  3. ^ "Nine World Schedule For Kieron Gillen (Age 38 3/4)". Another Way To Breathe.
  4. ^ "www.alwaysblack.com home". 19 October 2004. Archived from the original on 19 October 2004.
  5. ^ "The Secret History Of Rock Paper Shotgun - Part One: Matters Of Import". Rock Paper Shotgun. 8 April 2019. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  6. ^ "PPA | PTC New Journalist of the Year Awards". 16 February 2008. Archived from the original on 16 February 2008.
  7. ^ "FREE PLAY 2005". 22 August 2006. Archived from the original on 22 August 2006.
  8. ^ "Animex International Festival of Animation & Computer Games". Archived from the original on 24 August 2006.
  9. ^ Gillen, Kieron. "Half-Life: On Turning 35 And Leaving RPS". Rock, Paper Shotgun, 30 September 2010
  10. ^ "Phonogram". 12 March 2007. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007.
  11. ^ "PREVIEWING TEN PAGES OF IMAGE COMICS' PHONOGRAM #1", Newsarama. Accessed 8 April 2023.
  12. ^ "SINGLES CLUB: Gillen & McKelvie on Phonogram 2". Comic Book Resources. 22 September 2008.
  13. ^ "The Gods Are ReIncarnated in THE WICKED AND THE DIVINE". Image Comics. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  14. ^ "2015 Eisner Award Nominations". Comic-Con International: San Diego. 13 June 2015. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  15. ^ "2020 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  16. ^ Leader, Michael (3 November 2009). "Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie interview". Den of Geek. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  17. ^ Cavicchio, Nick (28 October 2012). "Kieron Gillen Talks Creator-Owned". Comicbooked.com. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  18. ^ Kamen, Matt (8 January 2015). "Exclusive: Image Comics attacks normalcy with 'The Ludocrats'". Wired UK. Archived from the original on 11 January 2015.
  19. ^ Horne, Karama (29 May 2020). "Indie Comics Spotlight: Why the insanity of Ludocrats is exactly what we need right now". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on 1 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Newuniversal 1959". Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  21. ^ "Kieron Gillen on Warhammer: Crown of Destruction". Newsarama.com. 13 October 2008.
  22. ^ "Kieron Gillen: 'Like A Particularly Geeky Grant Morrison Character'". Comics Bulletin. 29 April 2009.
  23. ^ 3 conversations with Kieron Gillen: Phonogram, music and comics, Mindlessones.com. 3 August 2009.
  24. ^ HeroesCon: Kieron Gillen Talks "Dark Avengers: Ares", Comic Book Resources (21 June 2009).
  25. ^ George, Richard; Schedeen, Jesse (10 August 2009). "Taking Control of S.W.O.R.D." IGN. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  26. ^ Strom, Marc (10 August 2009). "Chicago Con '09: S.W.O.R.D. Ongoing". Marvel.com. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  27. ^ Richards, Dave (24 August 2009). "Kieron Gillen Talks Thor". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
  28. ^ Richards, Dave (21 May 2010). "Gillen Sends "Thor" to Hell". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  29. ^ Sims, Chris. "Kieron Gillen On 'Young Avengers': 'It's My Teenage Symphony To God' [NYCC 2012]". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014.
  30. ^ Richards, Dave (23 July 2010). "CCI EXCLUSIVE: Gillen Ushers in "Generation Hope"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  31. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (25 July 2010). "SDCC 10: The Next Gen of X-Men". IGN. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  32. ^ Ching, Albert (29 July 2010). "SDCC 2010: GENERATION HOPE Gets An Ongoing in November". Newsarama. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  33. ^ Ching, Albert (3 November 2010). "Kieron Gillen Introduces the Five Lights of GENERATION HOPE". Newsarama. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  34. ^ Richards, Dave (23 November 2011). "ONE TO: James Asmus Part 1 – "Generation Hope"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  35. ^ Richards, Dave. "Gillen Prepares His 'Uncanny' Solo". Comic Book Resources. 18 January 2011
  36. ^ a b Ching, Albert (4 September 2012). "Leaving UNCANNY X-MEN has CONSEQUENCES for Kieron Gillen". Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  37. ^ Richards, Dave (9 October 2012). "Gillen & McKelvie Assemble New Volume of 'Young Avengers'".
  38. ^ Hoffer, Christian (25 June 2020). "Marvel Announces Warhammer 40,000 Comic by Kieron Gillen, Jacen Burrows". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  39. ^ Lovett, Jamie (24 August 2020). "The Eternals: Kieron Gillen Reveals Plans to Redefine Marvel's Cosmic Mythology". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  40. ^ "Community champions to join Staffordshire University's Class of 2019". Staffordshire University. 6 June 2019. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  41. ^ Johnston, Rich (23 May 2010). "Eagle Awards Nominations Announced". Bleeding Cool. Avatar Press.
  42. ^ "25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Winners Announced". Deadline Hollywood. 12 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  43. ^ Khatchatourian, Maane (27 January 2016). "2016 GLAAD Awards Nominations: Full List of Nominees". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. Archived from the original on 25 February 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  44. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (25 January 2019). "GLAAD Media Awards Nominations: 'Love, Simon', 'Crazy Rich Asians', And 'Pose' Recognized For LGBTQ Inclusion". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  45. ^ Gardner, Chris; Howard, Annie (8 January 2020). "GLAAD Media Awards: 'Booksmart,' 'Bombshell,' 'Rocketman' Among Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. ISSN 0018-3660. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  46. ^ "2020 British Fantasy Awards Winners". Locus Online. 22 February 2021. Awarded in 2021 for 2020 works.
  47. ^ a b "2020 Hugo Awards". Hugo Awards. 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  48. ^ "2020 British Fantasy Awards Winners". Locus Online. 22 February 2021. Awarded in 2021 for 2020 works.
  49. ^ a b "2021 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. January 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  50. ^ "2022 British Fantasy Awards Winners". Locus Online. 19 September 2022.
  51. ^ a b "2022 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. September 2022. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  52. ^ "34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Nominees". GLAAD. June 2023. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  53. ^ Rees, Robert. "Hit". ZUM! Comics. Archived from the original on 15 September 2003.
  54. ^ Gillen, Kieron (31 October 2018). "086: we have cats". TinyLetter. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021.
  55. ^ Gillen, Kieron (23 September 2019). "When it comes to uber, is there any possibility of publishing under a publisher other than avatar?". Tumblr. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021.

External links

Preceded by Thor writer
2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by Journey into Mystery writer
2011–2012
Succeeded by
Preceded by Uncanny X-Men writer
2011–2012
Succeeded by
Preceded by Iron Man writer
2013–2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by Star Wars writer
2018–2019
Succeeded by