Mike Norton

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Mike Norton
File:10.16.11MikeNortonByLuigiNovi1.jpg
Norton at the 2011 New York Comic Con.
Nationality American
Area(s) Writer, Penciller
Notable works
Battlepug
Gravity
Runaways
http://www.ihatemike.com/

Mike Norton is an American comic book artist and writer, known for his work on Runaways and Gravity. In February 2007, Norton signed an exclusive contract with DC and has worked on the All New Atom, written by Gail Simone. He took over pencil duties on Green Arrow/Black Canary from issue 7, worked on several issues of Countdown to Final Crisis, illustrated a fill-in issue of Blue Beetle#26 and contributed to the backup stories in DC's weekly series, Trinity.[1] Norton was announced as the artist for the comic book adaptation of the Young Justice animated series.[2] Norton also hosts a weekly podcast called the Crankcast with friend and fellow industry professional Chris Crank, and is a frequent contributor to the Around Comics podcast.

Early life

Mike Norton first discovered comics as a child when his father gave him a copy of The Amazing Spider-Man #163, before he was old enough to read. Norton names that comic and Star Wars as his greatest childhood influences. His biggest childhood artistic influence were John Romita, Sr., John Byrne and John Buscema. During the 1980s and 1990s he also was influenced by independent comics creators such as Bill Reinhold, Matt Wagner, Howard Chaykin and Mike Allred. While in high school, Norton played in a band and considered careers in music and veterinary medicine before deciding on a career in comics.[3]

Career

In 2001, Norton became Art Director for Devil's Due Publishing, and drew that publisher's first Voltron miniseries.[3]

In 2005 Norton became a freelancer and worked on books such as Queen & Country, Gravity, Runaways The All-New Atom and Green Arrow/Black Canary.[3]

In February 2011, Norton launched his web comic, Battlepug. A dark-humored, sword and sorcery revenge story, Battlepug is about the surviving member of the Kinmundian Tribe known simply as "The Warrior", his steed, the Battlepug, and their traveling companion, Scrabbly. The story is narrated by Molly, who recounts the tale to her talking dogs, a Pug named Mingo and a French Bulldog named Colfax. The first year of strips was collected into a hardcover by Dark Horse Comics and released July 4, 2012.

In mid-2012, Mike Norton won the Best Digital Comic Eisner award for Battlepug. He also launched Revival, a new creator owned series with longtime friend and Four Star Studios partner Tim Seeley. The series debuted to strong sales and critical acclaim.

Along with Battlepug and Revival, Mike Norton is providing penciling duties to It-Girl and the Atomics and providing art assists to Jaime McKelvie on Marvel's The Defenders.

Norton shares a studio with fellow comics creator Tim Seeley.[3]

Personal life

Norton is a fan of Rudy Ray Moore movies and hip hop music, include Doomtree and Adam Warrock. He names Ireland as his favorite place to travel.[3] According to a recent edition of his podcast "The Crankcast," he hates birds and finds them "creepy."

References

  1. What's up with Mike?
  2. Rogers, Vaneta. "Art and Franco Ready to say AW YEAH To YOUNG JUSTICE". Newsarama. July 28, 2010
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Brian K. Vaughan (w), Fiona Staples (a). "Chapter Four" Saga 4: Page 28 (June 2012), Image Comics

External links