J. H. Williams III

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2014}}

{{Short description|American comics artist and penciller}}

{{Infobox comics creator

| image =

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| birth_name = James H. Williams III

| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1965}}

| birth_place =

| death_date =

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| nationality = American

| area = Writer, penciller, inker, colorist

| alias =

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| notable works = Batwoman
Chase
Desolation Jones
Detective Comics
Promethea
The Sandman: Overture

| awards = Eisner Award, 2001,{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner01.php|title= 2001 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120723015758/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner01.php|archive-date= July 23, 2012|url-status = live|df=mdy-all}} 2010{{cite web |url= http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/07/sdcc-10-winners-announced-for-22nd-annual-eisner-awards/|title= SDCC '10 Winners announced for 22nd annual Eisner Awards|first= Kevin|last= Melrose|date= July 24, 2010|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130624152750/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/07/sdcc-10-winners-announced-for-22nd-annual-eisner-awards/|archive-date= June 24, 2013|url-status = live|df=mdy-all}}
Harvey Award, 2006{{cite web|url=http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2006-harvey-awards/ |title=2006 Harvey Awards |publisher=Harvey Awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827151533/http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2006-harvey-awards/ |archive-date=August 27, 2013 |url-status = dead|df=mdy-all}}
Inkwell Award for The All-in-One Award, 2012

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James H. Williams III (born 1965), usually credited as J. H. Williams III, is an American comics artist and penciller. He is known for his work on titles such as Chase, Promethea, Desolation Jones, Batwoman, and The Sandman: Overture.

Career

Williams' early work includes penciling the four-issue miniseries, Deathwish (1994–1995) from Milestone Media. Deathwish was written by Maddie Blaustein and inked by Jimmy Palmiotti.

He was one of the artists on the Shade limited series which spun off from the Starman series.{{cite book|last1=Manning|first1= Matthew K.|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah, ed.|chapter= 1990s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9|page= 281|quote = The Shade...nabbed his first miniseries in April [1997], courtesy of writer James Robinson and artist Gene Ha, J. H. Williams III, Bret Blevins, and Michael Zulli.}} Williams gained prominence as the artist on the short-lived (ten issues, 1997–1998) Chase title from DC Comics, where he worked with writer Dan Curtis Johnson.{{cite web|url=http://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/williams_jh_iii.htm |title=J. H. Williams III |date=October 29, 2012 |publisher=Lambiek Comiclopedia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054725/http://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/williams_jh_iii.htm |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status = live|df=mdy-all}} The character had been introduced earlier in Batman #550 (Jan. 1998).{{cite book|last1= Manning|first1= Matthew K.|last2=Dougall|first2=Alastair, ed.|chapter= 1990s|title= Batman: A Visual History|publisher= Dorling Kindersley|year= 2014|location= London, United Kingdom|page= 232|isbn= 978-1465424563|quote= A new fixture in the DC Universe debuted in this anniversary special in the person of Cameron Chase.}}

Williams collaborated with inker Mick Gray on two DC Elseworlds graphic novels, Justice Riders, written by Chuck Dixon, and Son of Superman, written by Howard Chaykin and David Tischman. Williams' next major work was for WildStorm's America's Best Comics with writer Alan Moore on Promethea (32 issues, 1999–2005).{{gcdb|type=credit|search=J.+H.+Williams+III}}

In mid–2005, Williams and writer Warren Ellis launched the Desolation Jones series,Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 320: "The first story arc involved a conspiracy theory...in a superbly twisted cyberpunk-style tale illustrated by J. H. Williams III." and Williams illustrated the two "bookend" issues of Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers project. In 2007, he worked with Morrison on another project, a three-part story in Batman #667–669.Manning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 294: "Writer Grant Morrison and artist J. H. Williams III revitalized the 1950s concept of the International Club of Heroes." Williams drew Jonah Hex #35{{cite news|url=http://www.newsarama.com/940-jh-williams-on-drawing-jonah-hex.html |title=J. H. Williams: On Drawing Jonah Hex |first=Matt |last=Brady |date=September 4, 2008 |work=Newsarama |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906010421/http://www.newsarama.com/940-jh-williams-on-drawing-jonah-hex.html |archive-date=September 6, 2013 |url-status = live|df=mdy-all}} and has stated an interest in doing more, saying "I certainly want to do more issues myself or even a graphic novel if the opportunity and schedule presented itself."{{cite web |url= http://www.eyeoncomics.com/?p=317|title= Jonah Hex's Good Luck|first= Don|last= MacPherson|date= August 21, 2008|publisher= Eye on Comics|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130122132947/http://www.eyeoncomics.com/?p=317|archive-date= January 22, 2013|url-status = live|df=mdy-all}} Williams became the regular artist on Detective Comics with writer Greg Rucka in June 2009, with the title focusing on Rucka's Batwoman characterManning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 305: "Batman's flagship title had a new boss - Batwoman. Taking over as the title's protagonist...thanks to her longtime writer Greg Rucka and artist J. H. Williams III." due to the absence of Batman in the aftermath of "Batman R.I.P." and Final Crisis.{{cite web |first= Kevin|last= Melrose|url=http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/02/nycc-a-relieved-rucka-shares-a-little-about-batwoman/|title= NYCC A relieved Rucka shares a little about Batwoman|website= Comic Book Resources|date= February 7, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120415095131/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/02/nycc-a-relieved-rucka-shares-a-little-about-batwoman/|archive-date= April 15, 2012|url-status = live|df=mdy-all}} Williams returned as artist and co-writer of the new Batwoman series, accompanied by co-author W. Haden Blackman.{{cite web |first= Alex |last= Segura|url= http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/04/14/its-official-batwoman-ongoing-series/|title= It's Official: Batwoman Ongoing Series|publisher= DC Comics|date= April 14, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120628100831/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2010/04/14/its-official-batwoman-ongoing-series|archive-date= June 28, 2012|url-status = live|df=mdy-all|access-date= April 14, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/12/the-new-52-interviews-batwoman |title=The New 52 Interviews: Batwoman |first=Joey |last=Esposito |date=September 12, 2011 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906005812/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/12/the-new-52-interviews-batwoman |archive-date=September 6, 2013 |url-status = live|df=mdy-all}} Batwoman received a GLAAD Media Award in the category of "Outstanding Comic Book" at the 23rd GLAAD Media Awards in June 2012.{{cite web |url= http://www.glaad.org/releases/list-award-recipients-23rd-annual-glaad-media-awards-presented-ketel-one-and-wells-fargo-0|title= List of Award Recipients: 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented by Ketel One and Wells Fargo, Marriott Marquis in San Francisco, June 2, 2012|date= June 2, 2012|publisher= GLAAD|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130508230949/http://www.glaad.org/releases/list-award-recipients-23rd-annual-glaad-media-awards-presented-ketel-one-and-wells-fargo-0|archive-date= May 8, 2013|url-status = live|df=mdy-all}}

In July 2012, DC announced that Williams would be the artist for Neil Gaiman's Sandman prequel series, The Sandman: Overture, to be released October 30, 2013.{{cite web |url= http://www.digitalspy.com/comics/news/a393167/neil-gaiman-returns-to-the-sandman-comic-con-2012.html|title= Neil Gaiman returns to The Sandman – Comic Con 2012|first= Hugh|last= Armitage|date= July 13, 2012|website= Digital Spy|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130522015701/http://www.digitalspy.com/comics/news/a393167/neil-gaiman-returns-to-the-sandman-comic-con-2012.html|archive-date= May 22, 2013|url-status = live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/07/neil-gaiman-sandman-overture/ |title=25 Years Later, Neil Gaiman's Sandman Returns With a Prequel |first=Laura |last=Hudson |date=July 25, 2013 |magazine=Wired |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901004735/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/07/neil-gaiman-sandman-overture/ |archive-date=September 1, 2013 |url-status = live|df=mdy-all}} That same month, as part of San Diego Comic-Con, Williams was one of six artists who, along with DC co-publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio, participated in the production of "Heroic Proportions", an episode of the Syfy reality television competition series Face Off, in which special effects artists were tasked to create a new superhero, with Williams and the other DC artists on hand to help them develop their ideas. The winning entry's character, Infernal Core by Anthony Kosar, was featured in Justice League Dark #16 (March 2013),{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/dan-didio-jim-lee-and-dc-artists-to-appear-on-syfys-face-off/|title= Dan DiDio, Jim Lee and DC artists to appear on Syfy's Face Off|first= Kevin|last= Melrose|date= January 16, 2013|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180618152226/https://www.cbr.com/dan-didio-jim-lee-and-dc-artists-to-appear-on-syfys-face-off/|archive-date= June 18, 2018|url-status = live|df= mdy-all}}{{cite web|url= https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/01/16/dan-didio-jim-lee-and-dc-entertainments-stellar-talent-to-guest-star-on-syfys-hit|title= Dan DiDio, Jim Lee and DC Entertainment's Stellar Talent to Guest Star on SYFY's Hit Competition Series Face Off|date= January 16, 2013|publisher= DC Comics|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180618175408/https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/01/16/dan-didio-jim-lee-and-dc-entertainments-stellar-talent-to-guest-star-on-syfys-hit|archive-date= June 18, 2018|url-status = live|df= mdy-all}} which was published January 30, 2013.{{cite web|url= http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2013/02/01/justice-league-dark-16-review/|title= Justice League Dark #16 – Review|first= Minhquan|last= Nguyen|date= February 1, 2013|publisher= Weekly Comic Book Review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130208011338/http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2013/02/01/justice-league-dark-16-review/|archive-date= February 8, 2013|url-status = dead|df= mdy-all}} The episode premiered on January 22, 2013, as the second episode of the fourth season."Heroic Proportions", Face Off, Season 4, Episode 2. Syfy, January 22, 2013.

Both Williams and Blackman resigned from the Batwoman title in September 2013 due to differences with DC's editorial decisions.{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=47715|title= Williams, Blackman Leave Batwoman, Cite Editorial Interference|first= Kevin|last= Melrose|date= September 5, 2013|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130906135725/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=47715|archive-date= September 6, 2013|url-status = live|df= mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://www.newsarama.com/18841-williams-blackman-quit-batwoman-over-editorial-prevention-of-marriage.html |title=Williams & Blackman Quit Batwoman Over 'Eleventh Hour' Editorial Changes |first=Lucas |last=Siegel |date=September 5, 2013 |work=Newsarama |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907235125/http://www.newsarama.com/18841-williams-blackman-quit-batwoman-over-editorial-prevention-of-marriage.html |archive-date=September 7, 2013 |url-status = live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/batwoman-creative-team-quits-dc-175013574.html |title=Batwoman Creative Team Quits After DC Comics Nixes Lesbian Marriage Storyline |first=Melia |last=Robinson |date=September 5, 2013 |work=Yahoo! Finance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908010117/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/batwoman-creative-team-quits-dc-175013574.html |archive-date=September 8, 2013 |url-status = live|df=mdy-all}}

In September 2020, DC Comics announced that Williams would be among the creators of a revived Batman: Black and White anthology series to debut on December 8, 2020.{{cite web|author=Adams, Tim|url=https://www.cbr.com/batman-black-and-white-anthology-december-2020/ |title=DC's Batman: Black and White Anthology Series Returns in Late 2020 |date=September 9, 2020 |website=CBR.com |access-date=September 18, 2020|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918084055/https://www.cbr.com/batman-black-and-white-anthology-december-2020/}} He also provided the variant cover.

In August 2021 Image Comics released Echolands, a series created by Williams and Blackman.{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Rich Johnston {{!}} |date=2024-04-18 |title=JH Williams III Is Teasing Two Brand New Things For Comics |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/jh-williams-iii-is-teasing-two-brand-new-things-for-comics/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}} It ran for six issues up to February 2022.{{Cite web |title=Echolands |url=https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/echolands |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Image Comics |language=en}}

In October 2024 Image Comics published Williams's Dracula: A Storybook Portfolio, an illustrated adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel.{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=2024-10-09 |title="Dracula is Far More Monstrous, Certainly Not a Romantic Figure": J.H. Williams III on Dracula: A Storybook Portfolio |url=https://www.cbr.com/dracula-storybook-portfolio-jh-williams-interview/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=CBR |language=en}}

Bibliography

=Interior work=

=Cover work=

Awards

=Nominations=

  • 2000:
  • "Best Continuing Series" Eisner Award for Promethea with Alan Moore
  • "Best New Series" Eisner Award for Promethea with Alan Moore
  • "Best Penciller/Inker Team" Eisner Award for Promethea with Mick Gray
  • "Best Single Issue" Eisner Award for Promethea #3 with Alan Moore{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner00.php|title= 2000 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120725155944/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner00.php|archive-date= July 25, 2012|url-status = live|df=mdy-all}}
  • "Best New Series" Harvey Award for Promethea with Alan Moore, Mick Gray and Scott Dunbier{{cite web|url=http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2000-harvey-awards/ |title=2000 Harvey Awards |publisher=Harvey Awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827194934/http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2000-harvey-awards/ |archive-date=August 27, 2013 |url-status = dead|df=mdy-all}}
  • 2001:
  • "Best Continuing Series" Eisner Award for Promethea with Alan Moore
  • "Best Penciller/Inker Team" Eisner Award for Promethea with Mick Gray
  • "Best Artist" Harvey Award for Promethea{{cite web|url=http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2001-harvey-awards/ |title=2001 Harvey Awards |publisher=Harvey Awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827122718/http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2001-harvey-awards/ |archive-date=August 27, 2013 |url-status = dead|df=mdy-all}}
  • 2003:
  • "Best Cover Artist" Eisner Award for Promethea{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner03.php|title= 2003 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120725155953/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner03.php|archive-date= July 25, 2012|url-status = live|df=mdy-all}}
  • "Best Penciller/Inker Team" Eisner Award for Promethea with Mick Gray
  • 2004: "Best Continuing or Limited Series" Harvey Award for Promethea with Alan Moore{{cite web|url=http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2004-harvey-awards/ |title=2004 Harvey Awards |publisher=Harvey Awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827124244/http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2004-harvey-awards/ |archive-date=August 27, 2013 |url-status = dead|df=mdy-all}}
  • 2006:
  • "Best New Series" Eisner Award for Desolation Jones with Warren Ellis{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner06.php|title= 2006 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120724215303/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner06.php|archive-date=July 24, 2012|url-status = live|df=mdy-all}}
  • "Best Penciller/Inker" Eisner Award for Promethea, Desolation Jones
  • "Best Publication Design" Eisner Award for Promethea #32 with Todd Klein
  • "Best Serialized Story" Eisner Award for Desolation Jones with Warren Ellis
  • "Best Single Issue or One-Shot" Eisner Award for Promethea #32 with Alan Moore
  • 2010:
  • "Best Artist" Harvey Award for Detective Comics{{cite web|url=http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2010-harvey-awards/ |title=2010 Harvey Awards |publisher=Harvey Awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827120028/http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2010-harvey-awards/ |archive-date=August 27, 2013 |url-status = dead|df=mdy-all}}
  • "Best Cover Artist" Harvey Award for Detective Comics

References

{{reflist|30em}}