Joe Staton

Joe Staton
Joe Staton
	Staton at the 2008 New York Comic Con
Born	January 19, 1948 (age 76); North Carolina, U.S.
Area(s)	Writer, Penciller, Inker
Notable works	Dick Tracy; E-Man; Green Lantern Corps; Guy Gardner; Huntress
Awards	Inkpot Award 1983; Eisner Award 1998; Harvey Award 2013, 2014, 2015

Joe Staton (/steɪtən/ born January 19, 1948^[1]) is an American comics artist and writer. He co-created the Bronze Age Huntress (Helena Wayne), as well as the third Huntress (Helena Bertinelli), Kilowog and the Omega Men for DC Comics. He was the artist of the Dick Tracy comic strip from 2011 to October 2021.

Early life

Joe Staton grew up in Tennessee and graduated from Murray State University in 1970.^[2]

Career

Staton started his comics career at Charlton Comics in 1971 and gained notability as the artist of the super-hero series E-Man. Staton produced art for various comics published by Charlton, Marvel Comics, and Warren Publishing during the 1970s.^[2]

Hired initially by Roy Thomas to work for Marvel, Staton was then recruited by Paul Levitz to work on DC Comics' revival of the Justice Society of America in All Star Comics and later Adventure Comics. In these titles he illustrated stories including the origin of the JSA in DC Special #29^[3] and the death of the Earth-Two Batman.^[4] Staton also illustrated the solo adventures of two female JSA members created during the JSA revival – drawing Power Girl in Showcase and the Huntress.^[5] During that time, Staton additionally drew Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, the 1970s revival of the Doom Patrol in Showcase,^[6] and the Metal Men. In 1979, Staton began a two-and-a-half-year run on Green Lantern, during which he co-created the Omega Men with writer Marv Wolfman.^[7]

Staton sketching at the 2011 New York Comic Con

Staton served as art director for First Comics for three years in the 1980s. He returned to DC Comics afterwards for a second run on Green Lantern and with writer Steve Englehart, oversaw the title's name change to Green Lantern Corps.^[8] Staton and Englehart also created the DC weekly crossover series Millennium (Jan.–Feb. 1988).^[9] Staton was one of the contributors to the DC Challenge limited series in 1986.^[10] In addition, he illustrated Guy Gardner, The Huntress,^[11] The New Guardians, and Superman & Bugs Bunny.^[12]

In the early 1990s, Staton provided the artwork on the Mike Danger Sunday comic strip, written by Max Allan Collins. From the late 90s to the late 2000s, Staton drew DC's Scooby-Doo title for younger readers, as well as the more mature-themed Femme Noir for Ape Entertainment. On January 19, 2011, Tribune Media Services announced that Staton and writer Mike Curtis would replace Dick Locher as the creative team of the Dick Tracy comic strip.^[13] The new creative team has worked together on Scooby-Doo, Richie Rich, and Casper the Friendly Ghost and started on March 14, 2011.^[14] He pencilled DC Retroactive: Green Lantern – The '80s #1, written by Len Wein, published the same year. Staton also illustrated Charles Santino's graphic novel adaptation of Ayn Rand's Anthem (2011).^[15]

Awards

Joe Staton received an Inkpot Award in 1983.^[16]

Staton and writer Mike Curtis received the Best Syndicated Strip Harvey Award for Dick Tracy in 2013,^[17] 2014,^[18] and 2015.^[19]

Bibliography

AC Comics

Femforce #121 (Femme Noir) (2003)

Alpha Productions

The Detectives #1 (Michael Mauser, Private Eye) (1993)
E-Man #1 (1993)
E-Man Returns #1 (1994)

Ape Entertainment

Ape Entertainment's Cartoonapalooza #2 (Femme Noir) (2009)
Femme Noir: The Dark City Diaries #1–4 (2008)

Apple Press

ElfQuest: Siege at Blue Mountain #1–5 (inker) (1987–1988)
The New Crime Files of Michael Mauser, Private Eye #1 (1992)

Archie Comics

Archie & Friends Double Digest Magazine #1–5 (2011)
Archie's Super Teens #1 (1994)
Jughead's Double Digest #139–142 (2008)

Bill Spicer

Fantasy Illustrated #2 (1964)

Caliber Press

Dominique: Protect and Serve #1 (1995)
Negative Burn #18, 20, 33, 49 (1995–1997)

Century Comics For Action Hero

Actor Comics Presents #1 (2006)

CFD Productions

Noir #2 (Michael Mauser, Private Eye) (1995)

Charlton Comics

Charlton Bullseye #4 (E-Man) (1976)
E-Man #1–10 (1973–1975)
Ghost Manor #5–6, 10, 13 (1972–1973)
Ghostly Haunts #28, 32, 35–36 (1972–1973)
Ghostly Tales #104, 117 (1973–1975)
Haunted #11–12, 18, 21–22, 26 (1973–1976)
Haunted Love #1–5 (1973)
I Love You #91, 110 (1971–1975)
Love and Romance #6 (1972)
Love Diary #79, 88 (1972–1974)
The Many Ghosts of Dr. Graves #30, 36–37, 41, 43, 47 (1972–1974)
Midnight Tales #1–11, 13–14 (1972–1975)
Monster Hunters #1 (1975)
Primus #1–7 (1972)
Scary Tales #1, 4 (1975–1976)
Secret Romance #21 (1972)
The Six Million Dollar Man #1–6 (1976–1978)
Space 1999 #1–3, 5 (1975–1976)
Sweethearts #133 (1973)
Teen-Age Love #87 (1972)
Teen Confessions #78 (1973)
Vengeance Squad #1–6 (Michael Mauser, Private Eye) (1975–1976)
Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch #1, 4–5 (1975–1976)

Charlton Neo

Paul Kupperberg's Secret Romances #2 (2015)
The Charlton Arrow vol. 2 #1–3 (E-Man) (2017–2018)

Comico

E-Man #1–3 (1989–1990)
Johnny Quest #2 (inker), #11 (penciller) (1986–1987)
Maze Agency #6 (1989)

CPL/GANG Publications

The Charlton Bullseye #4 (E-Man) (1976)

CrossGen

Crossovers #7–9 (2003)

Dark Horse

Michael Chabon Presents: The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist #2 (2004)

DC Comics

9-11: The World's Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember, Vol. 2 (2002)
Action Comics #525–526, 531, 535–536 (1981–1982)
Adventure Comics #445–447 (inker); #456–478 (penciller) (1976–1980)
All-Star Comics #66–74 (1977–1978)
Batman #334 (1981)
Batman 80-Page Giant #3 (2000)
Batman & Superman Adventures: World's Finest #1 (1997)
Batman and Robin Adventures #17, 21, Annual #2 (1997)
Batman and Robin Adventures: Sub-Zero #1 (1998)
Batman Beyond #4–6 (1999)
Batman Chronicles #15 (1999)
Batman Family #18–20 (Huntress) (1978)
Batman: Blackgate #1 (1997)
Batman: Death of Innocents #1 (1996)
Batman: Gotham Adventures #29 (2000)
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #65–68, Annual #4 (1994–1995)
Batman: Penguin Triumphant #1 (1992)
Batman: Shadow of the Bat #14–15, 42, Annual #2 (1993–1995)
Batman: Two-Face Strikes Twice #1–2 (1993)
Blackhawk #271 (1984)
Brave & the Bold #148, 197 (1979, 1983)
DC Challenge #7 (1986)
DC Comics Presents #9–11, 15–16, 21, 23, 39, 96 (1979–1981, 1986)
DC Retroactive: Green Lantern – The '80s #1 (2011)
DC Special #29 (1977)
DC Special Series #10 (Doctor Fate) (1978)
DC Super Friends #2 (2008)
DC Super Stars #17 (Huntress) (1977)
DCU Holiday Bash #3 (1998)
Doctor Fate #21 (1990)
Family Man #1–3 (1995)
Green Lantern vol. 2 #123–155, 188–205 (1979–1982, 1985–1986)
Green Lantern vol. 3 #9–13, 18–19, 25 (1991–1992)
Green Lantern Corps #206–217, 221–222 (1986–1988)
Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #1 (1992)
Green Lantern Secret Files #2 (1999)
Gross Point #2, 4–7, 9–12 (1997–1998)
Guy Gardner #1–14, 44, Annual #2 (1992–1993, 1996)
Guy Gardner Reborn #1–3 (1992)
Heroes Against Hunger #1 (inker) (1986)
House of Mystery #300 (1982)
Huntress #1–19 (1989–1990)
Karate Kid #1–9 (inker) (1976–1977)
Justice League Adventures #7 (2002)
Justice League of America #244 (1985)
Justice League International Special #2 (1991)
Legion of Superheroes #259–260 (1980)
The Life Story of the Flash HC (with Gil Kane) (1998)
Looney Tunes #140 (2006)
Metal Men #50–56 (1977–1978)
Millennium #1–8 (1988)
Mystery in Space #113 (1980)
New Guardians #1–9 (1988–1989)
Outsiders #4 (Metamorpho story) (1986)
Power Company: Skyrocket #1 (2002)
Power of Shazam #19 (1996)
Secret Origins #36, 50 (1989–1990)
Scooby-Doo #3, 5, 10–14, 16–23, 26–39, 41–48, 50, 52–67, 69, 71, 73–75, 77–78, 80–89, 91, 93, 95–100, 102–107, 109, 111–112, 119, 125–126, 143, 158 (#16 also writer) (1997–2010)
Showcase #94–96 (Doom Patrol); #97–99 (Power Girl); #100 (1977–1978)
Showcase '95 #10 (1995)
Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes #227, 243–249, 252–258 (1976, 1978–1979)
Superman & Bugs Bunny #1–4 (2000)
Superman Adventures #41, Annual #1 (1997, 2000)
Superman Adventures: Dimension of the Dark Shadows #1 (promo) (1998)
Superman Family #191–194 (Superboy) (1978–1979)
Super Friends #43, 45 (Plastic Man) (1981)
Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #1–3 (1981)
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #3–4, 7 (1985)
Wonder Woman #241; #271–287, 289–290, 294–299 (Huntress feature) (1978, 1980–1983)
World's Finest Comics #262, 273 (1980–1981)

Digital Webbing

E-Man Recharged #1 (2006)
E-Man: Course of the Idol oneshot (2009)
E-Man: Dolly #1 (2007)
Digital Webbing Jam 2007 oneshot (E-Man) (2007)

Disney

Disney Adventures #4 (1997)

EC

Mad #340 (1995)

Eclipse Comics

Destroyer Duck #1 (1982)

First Comics

American Flagg! #28–32, 39–40 (1986–1987)
Badger Goes Berserk #3 (1989)
Crossroads #3 (1988)
E-Man #1–25 (#9, 11–23 also writer) (1983–1985)
Gift #1 (1990)
Grimjack #5, 33 (1984, 1987)
Meta-4 #3 (inker) (1991)
P.I.'s: Michael Mauser and Ms. Tree #1–3 (1984–1985)
Warp #1 (inker) (1983)

Hamilton Comics

Captain Cosmos, The Last Starveyer #0 (1997)
Grave Tales #1–3 (1991–1992)
Maggots #1, 3 (1991–1992)

Innovation Comics

Maze Agency Special #1 (1990)

IPC

2000 AD and Tornado #133 (1979)

Kitchen Sink Press

The Spirit #30 (penciller, two pages) (1981)

Malibu Comics

Dinosaurs for Hire #8 (1993)
Prime #21 (1995)

Marvel Comics

Amazing Spider-Man #150 (layouts, with Gil Kane) (1975)
Avengers #127–134 (1974–1975)
Avengers: Celestial Quest #7 (2002)
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #28, 31–32 (1976–1977)
Fallen Angels #5–6, 8 (1987)
Fred Hembeck Destroys the Marvel Universe #1 (inker, with Vince Colletta) (1989)
Incredible Hulk #187–189, 191–209 (inker) (1974–1977)
Justice #4 (1987)
Marvel Comics Presents #74 (1991)
Marvel Fanfare #39, 50 (1988, 1990)
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #11, 13–14, Annual #1 (1988)
Toxic Crusaders #2, 4 (1992)
Vampire Tales #8 (1974)
What The--?! #21–22 (1992)

Ni-Cola Productions

Captain Cosmos, The Last Starveyer #2, 4 (2001–2006)

Penguin (New American Library)

Anthem GN (2011)

Star*Reach

Star*Reach #5–7 (1976–1977)

Topps Comics

Exosquad #0 (1994)
Return to Jurassic Park #1–4 (1995)

Warren Publishing

Creepy #42, 136 (1971, 1982)

Wonderful Publishing Company

Witzend #10 (1976)

Ybor City Publishers

Captain Cosmos, The Last Starveyer #1 (1998)

References

^ Miller, John Jackson (June 10, 2005). "Comics Industry Birthdays". Comics Buyer's Guide. Iola, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011.
^ ^a ^b Nigro, Rocco (March 2001). "Joe Staton, Man of Energy! The prolific cartoonist on E-Man, Mauser & Charlton Comics". Comic Book Artist (12). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011.
^ McAvennie, Michael; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1970s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 175. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. The genesis of comics' first superhero team...had been a mystery since the JSA's debut...Writer Paul Levitz and artist Joe Staton decided to present the definitive origin story. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Manning, Matthew K.; Dougall, Alastair, ed. (2014). "1970s". Batman: A Visual History. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 130. ISBN 978-1465424563. Writer Paul Levitz and artist Joe Staton forever altered the world of Earth-Two by killing off the original Batman. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 175: "DC Super-Stars #17 (December 1977) While writer Paul Levitz and artist Joe Staton introduced the Huntress to the JSA in this month's All Star Comics #69, they concurrently shaped her origin in DC Super-Stars."
^ McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 175: "Showcase #94 (Aug.–Sept. 1977) Writer Paul Kupperberg and artist Joe Staton revived DC's "try-out" series from its seven-year slumber by resurrecting the super-hero team, Doom Patrol."
^ Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 193: "DC's newest science-fiction franchise, a band of over one hundred aliens called the Omega Men...They gave Green Lantern a run for his money in this issue written by Marv Wolfman, with art by Joe Staton, and the Omega Men went on to gain their own ongoing series in 1983."
^ Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 219: "The adventures of everyone's favorite space cops were given a new title thanks to writer Steve Englehart and artist Joe Staton. Now focusing not just on Green Lantern Hal Jordan, The Green Lantern Corps gave an equal spotlight to all the defenders of Space Sector 2814."
^ Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 232: "Millennium an eight-part miniseries, written by Steve Englehart and drawn by Joe Staton [was] delivered in weekly installments."
^ Greenberger, Robert (August 2017). "It Sounded Like a Good Idea at the Time: A Look at the DC Challenge!". Back Issue! (98). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 40.
^ Manning "1980s" in Dougall, p. 177: "Writer Joey Cavalieri and artist Joe Staton reintroduced Huntress in the pages of her first ongoing series."
^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019). DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 280. ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
^ Rosenthal, Phil (January 19, 2011). "Dick Locher passes TMS' 'Dick Tracy' to new artist, writer". Tower Ticker. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
^ Harvey, R. C. (February 7, 2011). "Dick Locher Hangs Up His Fedora". The Comics Journal. Seattle, Washington: Fantagraphics Books. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019.
^ Randle, Robert (February 1, 2011). "Anthem: A Graphic Novel". New York Journal of Books. Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
^ "Inkpot Award Winners". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.
^ Gardner, Alan (September 9, 2013). "Harvey Award winners announced". The Daily Cartoonist. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014.
^ "Congratulations Team Tracy on 2014 Harvey Award!". Dick Tracy Depot. September 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016.
^ "Congratulations Team Tracy on 2015 Harvey Award!". Dick Tracy Depot. September 27, 2015. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016.

External links

Joe Staton at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
Joe Staton at the Grand Comics Database
"DC Profiles #51: Joe Staton" at the Grand Comics Database
Joe Staton at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
Joe Staton at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
Biography on Steve Englehart.com

Preceded by Wally Wood	All Star Comics penciller 1977–1978	Succeeded by n/a
Preceded by Don Heck	Green Lantern penciller 1979–1982	Succeeded by Gil Kane
Preceded by Bill Willingham	Green Lantern/Green Lantern Corps penciller 1985–1988	Succeeded by Gil Kane