Johan Egerkrans

{{Short description|Illustrator and author}}

{{Infobox person/Wikidata|fetchwikidata=ALL}}

Johan Egerkrans (born 1978{{Cite news |last=Harrison |first=Dick | author1-link=Dick Harrison |title=Nordiska gudar – En coffee table-bok som hade glatt Nordens vikingar |url=https://www.svd.se/a/LmrQR/en-coffee-table-bok-som-hade-glatt-nordens-vikingar |work=Svenska Dagbladet |date=27 August 2016 |access-date=2 April 2023}}) is a Swedish illustrator and author.

Egerkrans has described himself as interested in mythology and animals from a young age. His first book as writer and illustrator, Nordiska Väsen, was published in 2013, and describes creatures from Nordic folklore. He has subsequently released other books, including Nordiska gudar, De odöda,{{Cite news |title=Tecknaren Johan Egerkrans har samlat världens odöda i den hiskeliga faktaboken "De odöda" |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/7074840 |work=Kulturnytt |publisher=Sveriges Radio |date=30 October 2018 |access-date=2 April 2023}} and Drakar.{{Cite news |last=Paulsson |first=Johanna |title=Johan Egerkrans tar drakarna på allvar |url=https://www.dn.se/kultur/johan-egerkrans-tar-drakarna-pa-allvar/ |work=Dagens Nyheter |date=20 November 2021 |access-date=2 April 2023}}{{Cite news |last= Mellqvist |first=Gabriel |title=Johan Egerkrans: »Jag dras alltid till det läskiga« |url=https://www.di.se/nyheter/johan-egerkrans-jag-dras-alltid-till-det-laskiga/ |work=Dagens Industri |date=9 December 2021 |access-date=2 April 2023}} He has also illustrated books by J. R. R. Tolkien,{{Cite web |date=2 September 2019 |title=Tolkiens klassiker får nya omslag – Norstedts bokförlag |url=https://www.norstedts.sehttps//www.norstedts.se/189480-tolkiens-klassiker-far-nya-omslag |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=Norstedts.se |language=sv}}{{Cite web |title=Tolkien Collector's Guide, Artist Profile – Johan Egerkrans |url=https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=25708 |access-date=3 April 2023}} Astrid Lindgren,{{Cite news |last=Hallhagen |first=Erika |title=Monstertecknare ger nytt liv åt "Mio min Mio" |url=https://www.svd.se/a/LnA4d1/monstertecknare-ger-nytt-liv-at-mio-min-mio |work=Svenska Dagbladet |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=3 April 2023}} and Isaac Bashevis Singer.

In 2020, Nordiska Väsen was adapted into the table-top roleplaying game Vaesen by Free League Publishing.{{Cite web |title=The Haunting Beauty Of Johan Egerkrans' Art |url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/interviews/haunting-beauty-johan-egerkrans-art/}} Egerkrans won awards for Best Cover Art, Best Interior Art, and Best Monster at the 2021 ENNIE Awards.{{Cite web |title=Congratulations to all of the 2021 ENNIE Award Nominees and Winners! |url=https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2021-nominees-and-winners/ |website=ennie-awards.com |access-date=3 April 2023}} Egerkrans also illustrated the new edition of the Swedish classic roleplaying game Drakar & Demoner/Dragonbane.{{Cite web |title=Free League Announces Dragonbane RPG at Gen Con |url=http://rpgnews.com/?p=260707}}

In 2021, Egerkrans was awarded the Elsa Beskow Plaque for his body of work.{{Cite news |title=Johan Egerkrans får Elsa Beskow-plaketten |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/a/ML64zm/johan-egerkrans-far-elsa-beskow-plaketten}} He has been called "a John Bauer in the 21st century".{{Cite web |last=Zandi |first=Elza |date=2021-09-09 |title=Grattis Johan Egerkrans som tilldelas Elsa Beskow-plaketten |url=https://www.biblioteksforeningen.se/nyheter/elsa-beskow-plaketten-till-johan-egerkrans/ |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=Svensk biblioteksförening |language=sv-SE}}