News
AP-Stan Lee’s legacy of representation in comics
Shawn joins writer Alex Simmons in reflecting on Stan Lee’s legacy of representation in comics for the Associated Press.
The Washington Post
Shawn was interviewed by the Washington Post on the topic of kids dressing up as the “Black Panther” for Halloween. Joining fellow artists and writers who have depicted the iconic Marvel Comics character, Shawn discussed the virtues of children and families of all ethnicities reveling in the world of Wakanda.
Prométhée 13:13
French publisher Delcourt and leading digital comics distributor Comixology (an Amazon company) announce “Prométhée 13:13”, a prequel to celebrated writer/artist Christophe Bec’s beloved sci-fi bande dessinée, with the all-new creative team of writer Andy Diggle, artist Shawn Martinbrough, and cover artist Jock. The team appeared at the New York Comic Con, signing exclusive, limited edition prints and giving interviews to promote the series which will debut in 2019.
USA TODAY
“Shawn Martinbrough’s work on iconic characters such as Batman, Captain America, Luke Cage, the Black Panther and Hellboy has been seen across the globe. From his work on the “Thief of Thieves” to helping create characters seen on movies such as “Deadpool” and “Justice League,” there’s no way you haven’t seen his work in some capacity.”
USA TODAY caught up with Shawn to talk about everything from Comic Con and James T. Kirk to the frustration of not being able to find work and the humbling power of storytelling.
Photo by Dwayne Crawford.
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art / Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair profiles the George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and spotlights Shawn’s headlining the new Lucas Museum Summer Studio, an art educational program for teenagers.
“Hellboy and The B.P.R.D 1955: Secret Nature”
“Despite a quarter-century of professional comic-book illustrating — and having drawn some of the most popular superheroes ever — artist Shawn Martinbrough still had a “bucket list” character who had escaped the lines of his pencils for so many years.
“Hellboy”, the stone-handed, horned creation of Mike Mignola, had always been one of Martinbrough’s favorite characters. Mignola’s early years drawings for Marvel and DC Comics were a heavy influence on Martinbrough as a young artist.”-The Washington Post
Walt Disney Animation Studios
During his Summer Studio program with the George Lucas Foundation and Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Shawn was invited to speak about his career as an artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios.
“Thief of Thieves: Season One” exclusive SDCC poster
Shawn designed the exclusive 2018 San Diego Comic Con poster for the “Thief of Thieves: Season One” video game from Skybound Entertainment and Finnish independent game studio Rival Games. Based on the acclaimed graphic novel series “Thief of Thieves” from Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and Shawn, the video game features the solo adventures of “Celia”, one of its lead characters. Shawn worked closely with CEO of Rival Games Jukka Laakso on the approach to the poster image, opting to focus solely on the female protagonist in the style of a grand feature film one sheet.
The Ed Asner Family Center Benefit Auction
Along with comic industry greats Kevin Nowlan, Alex Ross, Sam Kieth and Bill Sienkiewicz, Shawn contributed original artwork to raise funds for The Ed Asner Family Center. Founded by veteran television actor Ed Asner, best known for his roles on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Lou Grant”, his son Matthew and daughter-in-law, the center supports programs and education for special-needs children and their families. The art sale was held by Heritage Auctions.
School of Visual Arts Alumni Black Panther Panel
As part of their After School Special: The 2018 Film & Animation Festival, the School of Visual Arts presented a special 3D screening of “Black Panther”. Following the film, Shawn joined fellow SVA alums, feature film animator Ruel Smith and visual effects artist Wendi Harris Wu for a Q&A about Black Panther, moderated by Maya Mendonca.
Photos by Hallie Easley and Ayanna Ross-Martinbrough.
Lockheed Martin
Shawn was a featured speaker at the 2018 Lockheed Martin Center for Leadership Excellence Communications Summit.
His presentation explored the importance of representation in media, diversifying ones thinking, creating bold images and campaigns.
“Ricanstruction: Reminiscing and Rebuilding Puerto Rico” Anthology
Shawn contributed original artwork to the benefit anthology “Ricanstruction: Reminiscing and Rebuilding Puerto Rico” featuring the superhero “La Borinqueña”, created and published by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez.
The graphic novel project, in partnership with DC Comics, will raise funds for the citizens and rebuilding of Puerto Rico.
Colors by Christopher Sotomayor.
100 Black Men of America Conference
Shawn joined fellow artist and author, Jerry Craft as featured speakers at the 32nd Annual Conference of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. The two headlined the 2018 Youth Summit Workshop, speaking to students about their unique approaches to art and respective careers as professional artists.
“Shawn Martinbrough: Storyteller” exhibit at The Society of Illustrators
Running May 4th to July 21st, Shawn’s first gallery show opens at the prestigious Society of Illustrators in New York. The exhibition spans Shawn’s career creating and illustrating characters for Marvel, DC Comics, Skybound/ Image, Darkhorse and others. Original artwork from projects such as “Thief of Thieves”, “Black Panther: Man Without Fear”, “Luke Cage Noir”, “Batman: Detective Comics”, “Hellboy”and more will be on display in addition to commercial illustration work and pieces from Shawn’s acclaimed art instruction book, “How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling”.
Photos by Dwayne Crawford.
TEDx MidAtlantic: SUPERPOWERS
Shawn was a featured speaker at TEDx MidAtlantic: SUPERPOWERS. Held at Sydney Harman Hall in Washington, D.C., Shawn’s talk explored his becoming an artist, illustrating iconic characters for Marvel and DC Comics and representation in the media.
BBC World News America
BBC World News America Correspondent Jane O’Brien interviews Shawn in his studio. The two discuss Shawn’s approach to drawing “The Black Panther” for Marvel Comics and his artistic process as a comic book illustrator.
Photos by Joy Asico.
The Pentagon
Shawn was invited to speak to Air Force officers at the Pentagon about his career as an artist, drawing iconic comic book characters and the importance of representation.
Photos by Miranda Drummond and Official Air Force Photographer Andy Morataya.
ABC 7 News
ABC 7 News Adrianna Hopkins and Michelle Marsh interview Shawn about his time drawing the Black Panther for Marvel Comics and the significance of Marvel Studios “The Black Panther” film.
“Black Panther: The Man Without Fear”-The Complete Collection
Marvel collects Shawn’s acclaimed “Black Panther: The Man Without Fear” story arc in a new Complete Collection.
Along with celebrated artists Francesco Francavilla, Palo, Mike Oeming and Simone Bianchi, Shawn illustrated the final chapter of the series written by David Liss.
NBC Universal Panel
Shawn joined fellow comic book creators Jason Scott Jones, Micheline Hess and Kwanza Osajyefo as a featured guest of NBC Universal’s “Defining Moments in the Arts: Celebrating The Superheroes of Our Time” event. The panel was organized by Jason Scott Jones and NBC’s Black Employee Network at 30 Rockefeller Center and moderated by Karama Horne, Contributing Editor/Producer at SYFYWire.
Photos by Milo Stone.
University of Michigan / Stamps School of Art & Design
Shawn was a guest speaker at the 2018 University of Michigan Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium.
In addition to his lecture at the Stamps School of Art & Design, Shawn filmed a segment demonstrating his process of translating script to a comic book layout.
Photos by Stephanie Brown & Jon Clark.
Romics Golden Career Achievement Award
Shawn accepting a Romics Golden Career Achievement Award with legendary artist, Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri and Star Wars/ILM Design Supervisor, Kevin Jenkins in Rome, Italy.
Photos by Andrea Laureani.
Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation : Careers In Entertainment Tour
Shawn joined fellow panelists, actress Regina Hall, Cinematographer Gabriel Beristain, Theater Agent, CAA Kevin Lin, Executive Producer Michael Bederman, SVP of Creative Affairs and Overbrook Entertainment Caleeb Pinkett to launch the Careers In Entertainment Tour (CIE). Held at the Brooklyn Expo Center, Brooklyn, NY., the Careers In Entertainment Tour is an initiative of the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation. The event hosted approximately 600 youth from NYC Public Schools and colleges who gained an insightful perspective of alternative careers within the entertainment industry through panel discussions moderated by actor, author, and activist Hill Harper.
Photos by Andrew Toth/Getty Images
Fox’s “The Gifted” Casts Marvel Mutant “Shatter”
The cast of Fox’s “The Gifted” expands with the addition of actor Jermaine Rivers as the Marvel Comics mutant “Shatter”.
Introduced in 2002 in Marvel’s “Morlocks” mini-series, the mutant known as “Shatter” is a member of the Chicago based Morlocks co-created by Shawn and Geoff Johns, writer, producer and former Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment.
VIDEO: Paris Comic Con Interview
Interview from the Paris Comic Con with artist Shawn Martinbrough and actor Mike Colter on Marvel’s iconic character “Luke Cage”, “Luke Cage Noir” and the hit Netflix series. (Watch the video below)
PARIS COMIC CON PHOTO GALLERY:
Shawn joins the Paris Comic Con “Luke Cage” panel, with actor Mike Colter and costume designer Stephanie Maslansky, to discuss the iconic Marvel character and his acclaimed mini-series “Luke Cage Noir”.
“FEMME MAGNIFIQUE”
Shawn contributes original artwork featuring American icons Ida B. Wells and Mae Jemison to “FEMME MAGNIFIQUE”.
Co-created by former Vertigo Books Editor-In-Chief Shelly Bond, the graphic novel anthology showcases inspirational comic-book stories about powerful women in science, politics, and the arts.
Shawn joins an A-list of writers and artists, including those published by Random House, Marvel, DC Comics, Image & IDW, New York Times best-selling authors and TED speakers to bring “FEMME MAGNIFIQUE” to life.
BET Commentary: “Why Luke Cage Matters”
Shawn reflects on his time drawing the Harlem superhero, “Luke Cage” and the importance of representation in this editorial for BET.com.
“Thief of Thieves” Cover Process
Shawn discusses his ten favorite “Thief of Thieves” covers and the creative process behind each image with journalist Tim O’Shea for CBR.
Society of Illustrators: Will Eisner Scholar Competition
Shawn was invited to serve as a judge on the 2017 Society of Illustrator’s “Will Eisner Scholar” competition.
The Society hosts the event on behalf of the Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation and the scholarship is awarded to students across the country for their outstanding work in illustration and sequential art.
Photos by Breann McGovern
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Still in Love With Comic Books, and Now With Her, Too
The New York Times covers the wedding of Shawn Martinbrough and Ayanna Ross, Esq.
Read the full article at NYTIMES.com
Comic book creators unite for ‘Love Is Love’ to honor victims of Orlando attack
To honor the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Shawn contributes artwork to the graphic novel anthology, “Love is Love”.
Joining industry titans Brian Michael Bendis, Gail Simone, Grant Morrison, Paul Dini, Jim Lee and Mark Millar, Shawn donates artwork to the NYTimes bestseller with all proceeds going to benefit the victims and survivors of the tragedy.
A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King-The Annex in Chicago
In celebration of Martin Luther King Day, Shawn partners with Havas Advertising to showcase his artwork with quotes from the civil right activist.
On display at The Annex in Chicago, Shawn’s black and white artwork creates a bold visual statement underscoring the powerful words of civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King.
“Deadpool”
Actress Gina Carano plays “Angel Dust”, co-created by Shawn and Geoff Johns, writer, producer and former Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment, in the FOX feature film “DEADPOOL”.
The character first appeared in the “X-Men” themed mini-series,”The Morlocks” published by Marvel Comics.
NPR / Facebook Live Interview
NPR’s Tanya Ballard Brown interviews Shawn in his studio about his graphic novel series “Thief of Thieves,” art and comics.
See how Shawn translates the script to page for “Thief of Thieves”.
THE WASHINGTON POST INTERVIEW
Artist Shawn Martinbrough talks about working in the comic book industry — and growing its diversity.
Read the Full Washington Post Interview
VIDEO: Scion/Skybound Overview with The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman & “Thief of Thieves” artist Shawn Martinbrough
In this interview with Scion, Robert Kirkman gives an overview of his company, Skybound Entertainment. Best known as the creator of “The Walking Dead”, the hugely successful comic book and TV show, Kirkman works with creators like Shawn to tell stories in various genres and platforms.
VIDEO: Scion interview with Skybound / “Thief of Thieves” artist Shawn Martinbrough
Check out a behind the scenes look as artist Shawn Martinbrough creates a priceless depiction of the upcoming Scion iA, set in the world of the comic book “Thief of Thieves”.
“How To Draw Noir Comics” Korean Edition
Hans Media acquires the Korean language rights to Shawn’s art instruction book, “How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling” published by Random House.
The Korean publisher has also licensed Stan Lee’s “How to Draw Superheroes” and “Super Scary Mochimochi”.
13th Dimension Interview
13th Dimension interviews Shawn on drawing the Big 25th issue of his acclaimed Skybound/IMAGE series, “Thief of Thieves”.
Comic Book Resources Interview
Comic Book Resources interviews Shawn about illustrating the dramatic 25th issue of his acclaimed series “Thief of Thieves” with writers Robert Kirkman and Andy Diggle.
Naples Comicon nominates “Thief of Thieves” for Best Series
“Thief of Thieves” nominated for “Best Foreign Series” by The Naples Comicon in Italy.
The candidates for this years award have been selected by the editors of some of the most important web portals of comics in Italy such as Fumettologica, MangaForever and White Space.