John Higgins (comics)

John Higgins
Born 1949
Walton, Liverpool, U.K.
Nationality British
Area(s) Writer, Penciller, Inker, Colourist
Notable works
Batman: The Killing Joke
Razorjack
Watchmen

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John Higgins (born 1949) is an English comic book artist and writer. He did significant work for 2000 AD, and he has frequently worked with writer Alan Moore, most notably as colourist for Watchmen.

Biography

John Higgins was born in Walton, Liverpool. After leaving school when he was 15, he joined the army and, on leaving, spent some time in a commune in Wiltshire. He returned to Liverpool and, in 1971, resumed his studies at Wallasey College of Art[1] where in 1974 he qualified in technical illustration, allowing him to get a job as a medical illustrator at the The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.[2]

After getting his first comic book art published in Brainstorm in 1975, he drew the cover for 2000 AD No. 43 in 1977[3] and decided to go freelance in 1978, with an eye on becoming a comic artist. In 1981 he started getting regular work at 2000 AD, one of his early projects being the art for a Tharg's Future Shocks by Alan Moore, as well as doing covers for Marvel UK.

After this he worked steadily at 2000 AD and joined the British Invasion in the mid-eighties, notably doing the colouring on Moore's Watchmen and Batman: The Killing Joke a job he got through colouring Steve Dillon's art on Moore's ABC Warriors story.[4] This led to more work in the American market, although he has kept working on British titles too especially with Judge Dredd over 20 years.

Most recently he has provided the art for Greysuit with Pat Mills, as well as working with Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti on The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning[5] and Jonah Hex No. 28.[6]

Higgins is also a writer. He wrote and drew his first Future Shock at 2000 AD and did the same for Razorjack, a comic book mini-series from Com.x, which was reprinted in 2009.[4][7]

Higgins has worked in a number of different areas providing artwork for animation, film and book covers like The Cabinet of Light and The Morgaine Stories. In 2012, Higgins worked on the Before Watchmen project, drawing the serialised feature "Curse of the Crimson Corsair" which was initially written by Len Wein.[8] Higgins later became the writer of the feature as well.[9]

Bibliography

Comics work includes:

  1. The Castle of Darkness (1984)
  2. The Den of Dragons (1984)
  3. The Gateway of Doom (1984)
  4. Voyage of Terror (1986)
  5. Kingdom of Horror (1986)
  6. Realm of Chaos (1987)
  7. Tomb of Nightmares (1987)
  8. Legion of the Dead (1987)

References

  1. "John Higgins". Lambiek Comiclopedia. 18 May 2007. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012.
  2. Early Artwork: "John Higgins" (The Daredevils No. 4, April 1983)
  3. "2000 AD #43". Barney. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "21 Questions With John Higgins". Mindlessones.com. 9 March 2009. Archived from the original on 6 September 2010.
  5. Auden, Sandy (16 September 2007). "John Higgins on The Hills Have Eyes graphic novel adaptation". UK SF Book News. Archived from the original on 4 November 2007.
  6. Brady, Matt (6 February 2008). "Riding With Jonah Hex: John Higgins". Newsarama. Archived from the original on 25 August 2009.
  7. Arrant, Chris (7 April 2009). "A Very Personal Vision: John Higgins on Razorjack". Newsarama. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014.
  8. Hyde, David (1 February 2012). "DC Entertainment Officially Announces Before Watchmen". DC Comics. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  9. Mullin, Pamela (6 August 2012). "Artist John Higgins to write 'The Curse of the Crimson Corsair'". DC Comics. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014.
  10. "The Thing from Another World and Climate of Fear". Dark Horse Comics. 1993. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012.
  11. "Hellblazer: Son of Man". Vertigo. 2004. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014.
  12. "Hellblazer: Haunted". Vertigo. 2004. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012.
  13. "Pride & Joy". Vertigo. 2004. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014.
  14. "War Stories Vol. 1". Vertigo. 2004. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014.

Further reading

External links