Mark Millar

Mark Millar
Mark Millar

Millar at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan, October 2, 2010.
Born 24 December 1969 (1969-12-24) (age 41)
Coatbridge, Scotland
Nationality Scottish
Area(s) Writer
Notable works The Authority
Superman: Red Son
Wanted
Wolverine: Enemy of the State
The Ultimates
Marvel Knights Spider-Man
Civil War
Ultimate Fantastic Four
Kick-Ass
Official website

Mark Millar (born 24 December 1969) is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films. In August 2007, he won the Stan Lee award at Wizardworld in Chicago.

Contents

Early life

Millar was born in Coatbridge.[1] He has a brother, Bobby, who works at a special needs school.[2]

Career

1990s work

Millar was inspired to become a comic writer after meeting Alan Moore at a signing session at AKA Books and Comics when he was a teenager in the late 1980s. However it was not until experiencing financial problems after his parents died that he decided to drop out of university and take up writing professionally.

His first job as a comic book writer came when he was still in high school, writing Trident's Saviour with Daniel Vallely providing art. Saviour combined elements of religion, satire and superhero action Millar later became known for.

During the 1990s, Millar then worked on titles such as 2000 AD, Sonic the Comic and Crisis. In 1993, Millar, Grant Morrison and John Smith created a controversial eight-week run on 2000 AD called The Summer Offensive. It was during this run that Millar and Morrison wrote their first major story together, the highly controversial strip Big Dave.

Millar's British work brought him to the attention of DC Comics, and in 1994 he started working on his first American comic, Swamp Thing. The first four issues of Millar's run were co-written by Grant Morrison, allowing Millar to settle into the title. Although his work brought some critical acclaim to the ailing title, the book's sales were still low enough to warrant cancellation by the publisher. From there, Millar spent time working on various DC titles, often co-writing with or under the patronage of Morrison (as in the cases of his work on JLA, The Flash and Aztek: The Ultimate Man), and working on unsuccessful pitches for the publisher.

2000s work

Millar in 2007

In 2000, Millar received his big break by replacing Warren Ellis on The Authority for DC's Wildstorm imprint. Keeping the so-called "widescreen" aspects of Ellis's title, Millar and artist Frank Quitely added a more polemic style to the story, increasing sales and gathering many awards at home and abroad.

The title was a success for Millar and Wildstorm but suffered from self-censorship from DC, which caused friction between Millar and Warner Bros, especially DC publisher Paul Levitz. After the events of 9/11, DC became more sensitive to violence and scenes of destruction in titles such as The Authority. With shipping delays and artwork alterations, Millar became increasingly frustrated by DC's objections to his over-the-top style and story content on the title. As a result of this and receiving lucrative work from DC's main competitor Marvel Comics, he announced his resignation from DC in 2001. His acclaimed Superman: Red Son story was printed after his departure, and Millar has repeatedly stated his desire to recreate the Superman character both in comic-books and on the big screen. During his sabbatical in late 2005, he mended his fences with Levitz & DC Comics.

In March 2001 Millar sold a vampire horror miniseries he wrote called Sikeside to Channel 4 in the UK. However, the department that bought it had created a program called Metrosexuality that was received so poorly that the department was informed by its superiors that the network would not make any other project commissioned by that department again, thus cancelling Sikeside's development. Millar subsequently sold the movie rights to Sikeside to his friend, movie producer Angus Lamont.[3][4]

During 2001 Millar launched Ultimate X-Men for Marvel Comics' Ultimate Marvel. He later expanded the Ultimate line in 2002 with The Ultimates, the Ultimate version of Marvel's The Avengers title, which was illustrated by Bryan Hitch, and which was later whose storylines were adapted into two animated films.

After 33 issues, Millar left Ultimate X-Men and wrote the number one hit title Marvel Knights Spider-Man in 2004, He also co-wrote the first six issues of Ultimate Fantastic Four with Brian Michael Bendis. He later returned to that title for a 12-issue run throughout 2005-2006, and created the Marvel Zombies spin-off title in his first and final storylines.

In 2006, Millar, joined by artist Steve McNiven, began writing the Marvel miniseries Civil War. In February 2008 he began a run on Fantastic Four, with artist Bryan Hitch.[5] That same year he also wrote the miniseries Marvel 1985,[6] with artist Tommy Lee Edwards,[7] which "is about the real world, the world we live in right now, dealing with the villains of the Marvel Universe finding us."[8] He also wrote the "Old Man Logan" Wolverine storyline, set in an alternate future.[9]

Millar was among a group of writers that included Brian Michael Bendis, Joe Quesada, Tom Brevoort, Axel Alonso and Ralph Macchio, that was enlisted by Iron Man director Jon Favreau to give advice on the script. It was Millar who suggested dropping the Mandarin as the villain, and replacing him with Iron Monger, who was originally intended as a villain for the sequels.[10]

Millar and his Wanted collaborator J.G. Jones at the Big Apple Convention, October 2, 2010.

Millar announced a new British comics magazine anthology in early May 2010 to be launched later September with the name CLiNT, which would feature a sequel to Kick-Ass, as well as work from Jonathan Ross and Frankie Boyle.[11]

Millarworld

In 2004 Millar launched a creator-owned line called Millarworld that published the books Wanted, Chosen, The Unfunnies, Kick-Ass and War Heroes by four different, publishers. Wanted was loosely adapted into a feature film by Universal Pictures, released on June 27, 2008, starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy.[12] Chosen, published by Dark Horse, was described by Millar as a sequel to the Bible and has been optioned by Sony Pictures. A film adaptation of Kick-Ass, directed by Matthew Vaughn, was released in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2010 and the United States on April 16. In September 2008 it was announced that War Heroes had been optioned by Sony, with Michael DeLuca as producer and Millar taking an executive producer role.[13][14]

Millar indicated in 2008 that he would return to Chosen, which he revealed was only the first part in a planned trilogy, American Jesus. Moving the title to Image Comics, he will write two more miniseries to complete the story, and release a collection of the first one with the title American Jesus Volume 1: Chosen.[15]

In 2010 Millar wrote two other creator-owned superhero titles through Marvel Comics' Icon imprint, Nemesis with artist Steve McNiven,[16] and Superior with artist Leinil Yu.

On April 9, 2011 Millar was one of 62 comics creators who appeared at the IGN stage at the Kapow! convenntion in London to set two Guinness World Records, the Fastest Production of a Comic Book, and Most Contributors to a Comic Book. With Guinness officials on hand to monitor their progress, Millar began work at 9am scripting a 20-page black and white Superior comic book, with various artists appearing on stage throughout the day to work on the pencils, inks, and lettering. The artists included Dave Gibbons, Frank Quitely, John Romita Jr., Jock, Adi Granov,[17] Doug Braithwaite, Ian Churchill, Olivier Coipel, Duncan Fegredo, Simon Furman, David Lafuente, John McCrea, Sean Phillips and Liam Sharp,[18] who all drew a panel each, with regular Superior artist Leinil Yu creating the book's front cover. The book was completed in 11 hours, 19 minutes, and 38 seconds, and will be published through Icon on November 23, 2011, with all royalties being donated to Yorkhill Children's Foundation.[17]

Personal life

Millar lives in and Glasgow.[1][2] He is a practicing Catholic.[1]

Bibliography

UK publishers

Titles published by various British publishers include:

Fleetway

Titles published by Fleetway include:

  • 2000 AD:
    • Tharg's Future Shocks:
      • "The Foreign Model" (with Dave D'Antiquis, in #643, 1989)
      • "Self Awareness" (with Keith Page, in #648, 1989)
      • "Nightmare on Ses*me Street " (with Brian Williamson, in #785, 1992)
      • "A Fete Worse Than Death" (with Brian Williamson, in #786, 1992)
    • "Silo" (with Dave D'Antiquis, in #706-711, 1990)
    • Judge Dredd:
      • "Christmas is Cancelled" (with Brett Ewins, in Winter Special '90, 1990)
      • "Happy Birthday Judge Dredd!" (with Carl Critchlow, in #829, 1993)
      • "Great Brain Robbery" (with Ron Smith, in #835-836, 1993)
      • "Tough Justice" (with Mick Austin, in #840, 1993)
      • "Down Among the Dead Men" (with Brett Ewins, in #841, 1993)
      • "War Games" (with Paul Marshall, in #854, 1993)
      • "Judge Tyrannosaur" (with Ron Smith, in #855, 1993)
      • "Book of the Dead" (with Grant Morrison and Dermot Power, in #859-866, 1993)
      • "I Hate Christmas" (with Carlos Ezquerra, in #867, 1993)
      • "Frankenstein Div " (with Carlos Ezquerra, in #868-871, 1994)
      • "Crime Prevention" (with Nick Percival, in #872, 1994)
      • "Top Gun" (with Ron Smith, in #879, 1994)
      • "Under Siege" (with Paul Peart, in #880, 1994)
      • "Mr. Bennet Joins the Judges" (with Peter Doherty, in Sci-Fi Special '94, 1994)
      • "Crusade" (with Grant Morrison and Mick Austin, in #928-937, 1995)
      • "Man Who Broke the Law" (with Steve Yeowell, in #968-969, 1995)
      • "The Big Hit" (with Graham Stoddart, in #1029-1030, 1997)
    • Robo-Hunter:
      • "Sam Slade: Robo-Hunter" (with Jose Casanovas, in #723-734, 1991)
      • "Return of the Puppet Master" (with Simon Jacob, in Sci-Fi Special '91, 1991)
      • "Killer Grannies" (with Graham Higgins, in Yearbook '92, 1991)
      • "Escape from Bisleyland" (with Anthony Williams, in #750-759, 1991)
      • "Return to Verdus" (with Jose Casanovas, in #792-802, 1992)
      • "The Succubus" (with Simon Jacob, in Yearbook '93, 1992)
      • "Aces of Slades" (with Anthony Williams, in #813-816, 1992-1993)
      • "Serial Stunners" (with Jose Casanovas, in #819-822, 1993)
      • "Keith the Killer Robot" (with Ron Smith, in #825-827, 1993)
      • "Revenge of Dr. Robotski" (with Simon Jacob, in #881-884, 1994)
    • Red Razors:
      • Red Razors (tpb, 144 pages, 2004, ISBN 1-9042-6518-9) collects:
        • "Red Razors" (with Steve Yeowell, in Judge Dredd Megazine vol. 1 #8-15, 1991)
        • "The Hunt for Red Razors" (with Nigel Dobbyn, in 2000 AD #908-917, 1994)
      • "The Secret Origin of Comrade Ed" (with Steve Yeowell, in Judge Dredd Mega-Special #5, 1992)
      • "Doctor's Orders" (with Steve Yeowell, in Judge Dredd Yearbook '93, 1992)
      • "Rites of Passage" (with Nigel Dobbyn, in 2000 AD #971, 1995)
    • Tales from Beyond Science:
      • "The Men in Red" (with Rian Hughes, in #774, 1992)
      • "Long Distance Calls" (with Rian Hughes, in #776, 1992)
      • "The Secret Month Under the Stairs" (with Rian Hughes, in Winter Special '92, 1992)
      • "The Man Who Created Space" (with Rian Hughes, in Sci-Fi Special '94, 1994)
    • "The Spider: Vicious Games" (with John Higgins and David Hine, in Action Special, 1992)
    • Rogue Trooper:
      • "House of Pain" (with Brett Ewins and Jim McCarthy, in Sci-Fi Special '92, 1992)
      • "G.I. Blues" (with Chris Weston, in #901-903, 1994)
    • "Purgatory" (with Carlos Ezquerra, in #834-841, 1993)
    • Tharg's Terror Tales:
      • "The Tooth Fairy" (with Greg Staples, in #839, 1993)
      • "The Uncanny Dr. Doctor" (with Shaky Kane, in #860, 1993)
      • "Milk & Honey" (with Kevin Cullen, in #895, 1994)
    • Maniac 5:
      • "Maniac 5" (with Steve Yeowell, in 2000 AD #842-849, 1993)
      • "War Journal" (with David Hine, in Sci-Fi Special '93, 1993)
      • "Maniac 6" (with Richard Elson and Steve Yeowell, in Winter Special '93, #956-963, 1995)
    • Big Dave:
      • "Target Baghdad" (with Grant Morrison and Steve Parkhouse, in #842-845, 1993)
      • "Young Dave" (with Grant Morrison and Steve Parkhouse, in Yearbook '94, 1993)
      • "Monarchy in the UK" (with Grant Morrison and Steve Parkhouse, in #846-849, 1994)
      • "Costa del Chaos" (with Grant Morrison and Anthony Williams, in #869-872, 1994)
      • "Wotta Lotta Balls" (with Grant Morrison and Steve Parkhouse, in #904-907, 1994)
    • "Canon Fodder" (with Chris Weston, in #861-867, 1993)
    • "The Grudge-Father" (with Jim McCarthy, in #878-883, 1994)
    • Babe Race 2000:
      • "Babe Race 2000" (with Anthony Williams, in #883-888, 1994)
      • "Bounty Hunter Mom" (with Anthony Williams, in Yearbook '95, 1995)
    • Janus: Psi-Division:
      • "A New Star" (with Paul Johnson, in #980-984, 1996)
      • "Faustus" (with Grant Morrison and Paul Johnson, in #1024-1031, 1997)
  • Crisis:
  • Revolver Special #1: "Mother's Day" (with Phil Winslade, 1990)
  • Sonic the Comic:
    • Sonic the Hedgehog:
      • "Robofox" (with Woodrow Phoenix, in #2, 1993)
      • "Mayhem in the Marble Hill Zone" (with Jose Casanovas, in #3, 1993)
      • "Lost in the Labyrinth Zone" (with Woodrow Phoenix, in #5, 1993)
      • "Time Racer" (with Ed Hillyer, in #11, 1993)
      • "Hidden Danger!" (with Carl Flint, in #12, 1993)
      • "Double Trouble" (with Mike Hadley, in #13, 1993)
      • "The Green Eater" (with Mike Hadley, in #15, 1993)
      • "Happy Christmas Doctor Robotnik!" (with Brian Williamson, in #16, 1993)
      • "A Day in the Life of Robotnik" (with Mike Hadley, in #42, 1994)
      • "Odour Zone" (with Mike Hadley, in #72, 1994)
      • "The Spinball Wizard" (with Keith Page, in #73, 1994)
    • Streets of Rage:
      • "Streets of Rage" (with Peter Richardson, in #7-12, 1993)
      • "Skates' Story" (with Peter Richardson, in #25-30, 1994)

DC Comics

Titles published by DC Comics include:

Marvel

Titles published by Mavrel include:

Other US publishers

Titles published by various American publishers include:

Awards

References

  1. ^ a b c Tim O'Shea, Markisan Naso, and Jason Brice (204). "Mark Millar: World On A String (Part One of Two)". Comics Bulletin. http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/107419514831683.htm. Retrieved June 5, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b Mark Millar (w), Steve McNiven (a). Nemesis 1: 25 (May 2010), Marvel Comics
  3. ^ Ellis, Warren. "Come In Alone: Issue #12", Comic Book Resources, February 18, 2000
  4. ^ McAllister, Matt. "Mark Millar: Just for Kicks", Total Sci-Fi Online, February 17, 2010
  5. ^ Boyle, Sean. "Mark Millar: Tripping the Light Fantastic", Comics Bulletin, February 12, 2008
  6. ^ Richards, Dave. "World Without Heroes: Millar Talks 'Marvel 1985'", Comic Book Resources, February 29, 2008
  7. ^ Wickliffe, Andrew. "'80s ICON: Edwards talks "Marvel 1985", Comic Book Resources, April 9, 2008
  8. ^ Sean Boyle and Dave Wallace. "Mark Millar Takes Marvel Back To 1985", Comics Bulletin, February 29, 2008
  9. ^ Brady, Matt. Millar On "Old Man Logan", Newsarama, January 25, 2008
  10. ^ Rich Johnston (2008-05-06). "Volume 2 Column 156". Lying in the Gutters. Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16292. Retrieved 2008-05-06. 
  11. ^ "Jonathan Ross and Frankie Boyle sign up for comic strip". BBC News. May 4, 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8660718.stm. Retrieved May 4, 2010. 
  12. ^ Snyder, Gabriel (March 3, 2004). "U nabs 'Wanted' man". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117901153.html. 
  13. ^ "Sony, DeLuca gear up for 'War'". Variety. September 26, 2008
  14. ^ DeLuca pins medal on Millar's 'War Heroes', The Hollywood Reporter, September 26, 2008
  15. ^ Phegley, Kiel. "Millar Resurrects 'Chosen' As 'American Jesus', Comic Book Resources, September 28, 2008
  16. ^ Renaud, Jeffrey (December 4, 2009). ""Nemesis" Asks: What if Batman was The Joker?". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23934. Retrieved December 6, 2009. 
  17. ^ a b "Kapow! '11: Comic History Rewritten On The IGN Stage". IGN. April 14, 2011
  18. ^ "Guinness World Records at Kapow! Comic Con". Guinness World Records. April 9, 2011

External links

Interviews

Preceded by
None
Ultimate X-Men writer
2001–2003
Succeeded by
Brian Michael Bendis
Preceded by
None
The Ultimates writer
2002–2007
Succeeded by
Jeph Loeb
Preceded by
None
Ultimate Fantastic Four writer
2004
with Brian Michael Bendis
Succeeded by
Warren Ellis
Preceded by
Greg Rucka
Wolverine writer
2004–2005
Succeeded by
Daniel Way
Preceded by
Mike Carey
Ultimate Fantastic Four writer
2005–2006
Succeeded by
Mike Carey
Preceded by
Dwayne McDuffie
Fantastic Four writer
2008–2009
with Joe Ahearne (2009)
Succeeded by
Jonathan Hickman
Preceded by
Jason Aaron
Wolverine writer
2008–2009
Succeeded by
Jason Aaron & Daniel Way

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