Mark Evanier

{{Infobox writer

| image = Mark Evanier by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg

| name = Mark Evanier

| caption = Evanier in 2023

| birth_name = Mark Stephen Evanier

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|3|2}}

| birth_place = Santa Monica, California, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| occupation = Author, screenwriter, biographer, comics historian

| years_active = 1969–present

| nationality = American

| genre = Comic books, television sitcoms, cartoons, biographical books

| subject =

| notableworks = Blackhawk
Crossfire
The DNAgents
Garfield and Friends
Kirby: King of Comics
The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show
Richie Rich
Scooby-Doo
The Garfield Show

| awards =

| website = {{URL|http://www.newsfromme.com/}}

}}

Mark Stephen Evanier ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|v|ə|n|ɪər}}; born March 2, 1952){{cite web|last=Miller |first=John Jackson|author-link= John Jackson Miller|url=http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays |title=Comics Industry Birthdays |work=Comics Buyer's Guide |date=June 10, 2005 |location=Iola, Wisconsin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031356/http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays |archive-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} is an American comic book and television writer, known for his work on the animated TV series Garfield and Friends and on the comic book Groo the Wanderer.{{cite web |url= http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/03/09/the-mark-evanier-deposition-for-the-kirby-family-vs-marvel-lawsuit/|title= The Mark Evanier Deposition For The Kirby Family Vs Marvel Lawsuit|first= Rich|last= Johnston|author-link= Rich Johnston|date= March 9, 2011|publisher= Bleeding Cool|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130731084303/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/03/09/the-mark-evanier-deposition-for-the-kirby-family-vs-marvel-lawsuit/|archive-date= July 31, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} He is also known for his columns and blog News from ME, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, such as his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of Comics.{{cite journal|title = Wondercon Special Guests|journal = Comic-Con Magazine|pages = 19|publisher = San Diego Comic-Con International|date = Winter 2010|url = http://issuu.com/comic-con/docs/ccmag_winter2010}}

Early life

Evanier identifies as Jewish. His father was Jewish and his mother was Catholic.{{cite web |url= http://www.newsfromme.com/2013/11/19/tales-childhood-6/|title= Tales of My Childhood #6|first= Mark|last= Evanier|date= November 19, 2013|publisher= News From ME|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140517120457/http://www.newsfromme.com/2013/11/19/tales-childhood-6/|archive-date= May 17, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newsfromme.com/?s=About+ME |title=About ME |first=Mark |last=Evanier |date=December 7, 2011 |publisher=News From ME |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524011924/http://www.newsfromme.com/?s=About%2BME |archive-date=May 24, 2014 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all|quote='Evanier' is not French; it was probably made up by some Immigration Officer at Ellis Island one day who said, 'Hey, here come some more Jews! Let's give them real stupid last names!}} He chose to be a writer after witnessing the misery his father felt from working for the Internal Revenue Service and contrasting that with the portrayal of a writer's life on The Dick Van Dyke Show. He graduated from University High School in 1969. Evanier attended UCLA but left before graduating.{{cite web |last1=Evanier |first1=Mark |title=ASK me: College |url=https://www.newsfromme.com/2019/12/09/ask-me-college/ |website=News from ME |access-date=2021-02-04 |date=December 9, 2019}}

Career

Evanier was president of a Los Angeles comic book club from 1966 to 1969.{{cite news | author = Kraft, David Anthony | author2 = Slifer, Roger | author-link = David Anthony Kraft | author-link2 = Roger Slifer | date = April 1983 | title = Mark Evanier | work = Comics Interview | issue = 2 | pages = 23–34 | publisher = Fictioneer Books}} In 1967, he suggested the titles of the officers of the Merry Marvel Marching Society.{{cite book|last = DeFalco|first = Tom|author-link = Tom DeFalco|editor-last= Gilbert|editor-first= Laura|chapter= 1960s|title = Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History|publisher = Dorling Kindersley|year = 2008|location= London, United Kingdom|page= 120|isbn= 978-0756641238|quote= Mark Evanier...wrote [to Marvel Comics] suggesting that the M.M.M.S have officers: anyone who bought a Marvel comic was entitled to the rank of RFO (Real Frantic One) and a published letter elevated him or her to QNS (Quite 'Nuff Sayer) status.}} He made his first professional sale in 1969;{{cite web |url= http://www.newsfromme.com/2013/06/19/tales-of-my-father-3/|title= Tales of My Father #3|first= Mark|last= Evanier|date= June 19, 2013|publisher= News From ME|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130629051113/http://www.newsfromme.com/2013/06/19/tales-of-my-father-3/|archive-date= June 29, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} that same year, through a mutual association with a Marvel Comics mail-order firm, he was taken on as a production assistant to Jack Kirby. Several years later Evanier began writing foreign comic books for the Walt Disney Studio Program, then from 1972 to 1976 wrote scripts for Gold Key Comics, including "The Greatest of E's", where he revealed that the E in Wile E. Coyote stands for "Ethelbert", and comics for the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate.{{gcdb|type=credit|search= Mark+Evanier|title= Mark Evanier}}

In 1974, he teamed with writer Dennis Palumbo and wrote for a number of television series, including The Nancy Walker Show, The McLean Stevenson Show, and Welcome Back, Kotter, on which he was a story editor.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

File:KirbyPanel11.15.08ByLuigiNovi2.jpg with (from left to right) Roy Thomas, Joe Sinnott and Stan Goldberg, at the Big Apple Con in Manhattan, November 15, 2008]]

After leaving Kotter in 1977 and amicably ending his partnership with Palumbo, Evanier wrote for and eventually ran the Hanna-Barbera comic book division.{{cite web |url= https://www.newsfromme.com/2018/07/13/corrections-corrections/|title=Corrections, Corrections...|first= Mark|last= Evanier|date= July 23, 2018|publisher= News From ME|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180716054006/https://www.newsfromme.com/2018/07/13/corrections-corrections/|archive-date= July 16, 2018|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} He also wrote a number of variety shows and specials, and he began writing for animated cartoon shows, including Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show, Thundarr the Barbarian, The ABC Weekend Special, Yogi Bear's All Star Comedy Christmas Caper, Richie Rich, The Wuzzles, and Dungeons & Dragons. He is most noted in animation for his work on Garfield and Friends, a seven-season series for which Evanier wrote or co-wrote nearly every episode and acted as voice recording director.{{cite web |url= http://www.newsfromme.com/garfield-friends-episode-guide/|title= Garfield and Friends Episode Guide|first= Mark|last= Evanier|date= November 23, 2013|publisher= News From ME|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140524012321/http://www.newsfromme.com/garfield-friends-episode-guide/|archive-date=May 24, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} Since 2008, Evanier has been the co-writer and voice director of The Garfield Show, which won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for June Foray.

Evanier credits himself with convincing Jack Kirby to stop using Vince Colletta as an inker, and he considers himself one of Colletta's "main vilifiers".{{cite web |url= http://www.newsfromme.com/2007/05/05/about-vince-colletta/|title= About Vince Colletta|first= Mark|last= Evanier|date= May 5, 2007|publisher= News From ME|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140524030329/http://www.newsfromme.com/2007/05/05/about-vince-colletta/|archive-date=May 24, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|quote= I don't think I've ever gotten through a major comic convention without someone coming up to me and bestowing thanks for my role in getting Jack Kirby to dump Colletta as his inker around 1971. It could easily be my greatest contribution to the world of comics.}}

He wrote a script and provided "'technical advice' about comic books" for Bob, Bob Newhart's unsuccessful third sitcom for CBS.{{cite web |url= http://www.newsfromme.com/2007/12/01/briefly-noted-88/|title= Briefly Noted…|first= Mark|last= Evanier|date= December 1, 2007|publisher= News From ME|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140524012750/http://www.newsfromme.com/2007/12/01/briefly-noted-88/|archive-date=May 24, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|quote= The show was created, produced and largely written by Bill Steinkellner, Cheri Steinkellner and Phoef Sutton. I merely wrote one episode and, in an unofficial capacity, provided some "technical advice" about comic books and the comic book business.}}

He has produced a number of comic books, including Blackhawk, Crossfire and Hollywood Superstars (with Dan Spiegle), Groo the Wanderer (with Sergio Aragonés),DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 220: "Marvel's Epic Comics imprint also launched their longest running and most successful title, Groo the Wanderer. It was drawn by Sergio Aragonés...and was written by Mark Evanier." and The DNAgents (with Will Meugniot). For the Spiegle comics, Evanier contributed lengthy essays on the entertainment industry. In 1985, he launched the DC Challenge limited series with artist Gene Colan.{{cite book|last=Manning|first= Matthew K.|editor-last=Dolan|editor-first=Hannah|chapter= 1980s|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= 215|quote = A mad experiment, DC Challenge was a fun adventure, starring many DC icons. Its debut issue was penned by Mark Evanier and drawn by Gene Colan.}}{{cite journal|last= Greenberger|first= Robert|author-link= Robert Greenberger|title= It Sounded Like a Good Idea at the Time: A Look at the DC Challenge!|journal= Back Issue!|issue= 98|pages= 34–44|publisher= TwoMorrows Publishing|date= August 2017|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}} He wrote the New Gods series of 1989–1991. Evanier collaborated with Joe Staton on the Superman & Bugs Bunny mini-series in 2000.Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 296: "Writer Mark Evanier and artist Joe Staton produced a cool and wacky adventure that featured many of DC's greatest heroes and their cartoon counterparts."

For many years, Evanier wrote a regular column, "Point of View", for Comics Buyer's Guide.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

Evanier's illustrated Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of Comics, was published in February 2008 by Abrams Books.{{cite web |url= http://www.newsfromme.com/2007/09/15/where-ill-be-12/|title= Where I'll Be|first= Mark|last= Evanier|date= September 15, 2007|publisher= News From ME|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140524013224/http://www.newsfromme.com/2007/09/15/where-ill-be-12/|archive-date=May 24, 2014 |url-status= live|df=mdy-all}} It won the 2009 Eisner Award for Best Comics-Related Book. Evanier collaborated with Aragonés and Thomas Yeates on the Groo vs. Conan crossover for Dark Horse Comics in 2014.{{cite news |url= http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comics/wondercon-sergio-aragones-mark-evanier-talk-new-groo/|title= WonderCon: Sergio Aragonés, Mark Evanier talk new Groo|first= Blake|last= Hennon|date= April 18, 2014|newspaper= Los Angeles Times|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141218101428/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comics/wondercon-sergio-aragones-mark-evanier-talk-new-groo/|archive-date= December 18, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|quote= In the series, Aragonés draws Groo, and Tom Yeates draws Conan.}}

In 1970, Evanier attended the Golden State Comic Con in San Diego, the first annual gathering of what came to be known as San Diego Comic-Con. Evanier is one of a small group of people (estimated at six or fewer) who have attended every year. In 1973, he first hosted a panel at the yearly event and the volume soon escalated to the point where he was hosting as many as fourteen over a four-day convention. They usually include Quick Draw!, which pits fast cartoonists against one another to respond with drawings to challenges Evanier throws at them; the Annual Jack Kirby Tribute Panel, Cover Story (artists discussing the skills involved in creating covers for comic books), and several panels about the art of providing voices for animated cartoons. For years, he hosted the annual Golden Age Panel featuring artists and writers who'd worked in comic books in the 1940s but it ended after 2010 due to a lack of available panelists and was replaced by That 70's Panel, celebrating comic book creators from that era. Evanier also serves as Administrator of the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing. Several of the panels he hosts at Comic-Con also appear at the annual WonderCon in Anaheim, California.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

In April 2022, Evanier was reported among the more than three dozen comics creators who contributed to Operation USA's benefit anthology book, Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds, a project spearheaded by IDW Publishing Special Projects Editor Scott Dunbier, whose profits would be donated to relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees resulting from the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/zoop-launches-benefit-anthology-comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/|author=Kaplan, Rebecca O.|title=ZOOP launches benefit anthology COMICS FOR UKRAINE: SUNFLOWER SEEDS|newspaper=The Beat|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 18, 2022|access-date=April 26, 2022|archivedate=April 18, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418170150/https://www.comicsbeat.com/zoop-launches-benefit-anthology-comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/}}{{cite web|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2022/04/18/comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/|publisher=AIPT|title='Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds' to benefit Ukrainian refugees|author=Brooke, David|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 18, 2022|accessdate=April 26, 2022|archivedate=April 26, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426153140/https://aiptcomics.com/2022/04/18/comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/}}

Personal life

On May 26, 2006, Evanier underwent gastric bypass surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Having peaked at around 344 pounds (156 kg) by then, he subsequently lost nearly 99 pounds (45 kg) by June 2007.{{cite web |url= http://www.newsfromme.com/2007/05/26/a-sense-of-loss/|title= A Sense of Loss|first= Mark|last= Evanier|date= May 26, 2007|publisher= News From ME|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140524013952/http://www.newsfromme.com/2007/05/26/a-sense-of-loss/|archive-date=May 24, 2014 |url-status= live|df=mdy-all|quote= My highest-ever weight was around 365...The lowest I've hit on my scale has been 245, just one maddening pound shy of an even hundred since the operation.}}

Awards

1975: Won Inkpot Award{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/inkpot.php|title= Inkpot Award Winners |publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120709055558/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/inkpot.php|archive-date= July 9, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}
1992: Won "Best Humor Publication" Eisner Award for Groo the Wanderer{{cite web|url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner92.php|title= 1992 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131108062641/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner92.php|archive-date= November 8, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}
1997: Won "Best Humor Publication" Eisner Award for Sergio Aragonés Destroys DC and Sergio Aragonés Massacres Marvel{{cite web|url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner97.php|title= 1997 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140428122412/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner97.php|archive-date= April 28, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}
1999: Won "Best Humor Publication" Eisner Award for Sergio Aragonés Groo{{cite web|url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner99.php|title= 1999 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners |publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140428180703/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner99.php|archive-date= April 28, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}
2001: Won "Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award"{{cite web |url= http://www.comic-con.org/awards/bob-clampett-humanitarian-award|title= The Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award|year= 2014|publisher= San Diego Comicon International|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140329164303/http://comic-con.org/awards/bob-clampett-humanitarian-award|archive-date= March 29, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}
2003: Won Animation Writer's Caucus of the Writers Guild of America, West Lifetime Achievement Award [https://awards.wga.org/awards/awards-recipients/special-achievement/awc/mark-evanier Animation Writers Honor Mark Evanier with Lifetime Achievement Award]
2009: Kirby: King of Comics won "Best Comics-Related Book" Eisner Award;{{cite web |url= http://www.comic-con.org/awards/2000s|title= 2000s Eisner Awards Recipients|year= 2013|publisher= San Diego Comicon International|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130823054350/http://www.comic-con.org/awards/2000s|archive-date= August 23, 2013|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|access-date= October 25, 2013}} "Best Biographical, Historical, or Journalistic Presentation" and "Special Award for Excellence in Presentation" Harvey Award[https://web.archive.org/web/20150812165954/http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2009-harvey-awards/ 2009 Harvey Awards]

Bibliography

=Comic books=

==Archie Comics==

Scooby-Doo #10, 14, 17 (1996–1997)

==Boom! Studios==

Garfield #1–32 (2012–2014)

==Comico Comics==

Space Ghost #1 (1987)

==Dark Horse Comics==

Flaxen #1 (1992)
Groo vs. Conan #1–4 (2014)
Sergio Aragonés Groo: 25th Anniversary Special (2007)
Sergio Aragonés Stomps Star Wars (2000)

==DC Comics==

Blackhawk #251–273 (1982–1984)
Countdown to Mystery #8 (Doctor Fate) (2008)
DC Challenge #1, 12 (1985–1986)
DC Comics Presents #64, 69 (1983–1984)
Fanboy #1–6 (1999)
House of Mystery #214 (1973)
Legends of the DC Universe #14 (1999)
Mister Miracle Special #1 (1987)
New Gods vol. 3 #1, 5–28 (1989–1991)
Secret Origins #12 (Challengers of the Unknown) (1987)
Sergio Aragonés Destroys DC #1 (1996)
Solo #11 (2006)
Spirit #14–25 (2008–2009)
Superman & Bugs Bunny #1–4 (2000)
Superman Adventures #14–15, 42, 53 (1997–2001)
Teen Titans Spotlight #21 (1988)
Welcome Back, Kotter #4 (1977)

==Eclipse Comics==

Destroyer Duck #1 ("Great Moments in Comic Book History" backup story) (1982)
The DNAgents #1–24 (1983–1985)
Crossfire #1–26 (1984–1987)
Groo the Wanderer Special #1 (1984)
The New DNAgents #1–17 (1985–1987)
Three Dimensional DNAgents #1 (1986)

==Gemstone Publishing==

Mickey Mouse and Blotman: Blotman Returns ("Now Museum, Now You Don't.") (2006)

==Gold Key==

Hanna-Barbera Scooby-Doo... Mystery Comics #21–25, 27–30 (1973–1975)

==IDW Publishing==

Rocky and Bullwinkle #1–4 (2014)

==Marvel Comics==

Dynomutt #1–6 (1977–1979)
The Flintstones #1–9 (1977–1979)
The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera #1 ("The Flintstones Christmas Party"); #3 ("The Flintstones Visit the Laff-a-Lympics") (1977–1978)
Hanna-Barbera Spotlight #1–4 (1978–1979)
Laff-A-Lympics #1–13 (1978–1979)
Marvel Premiere #49 (Falcon) (1979)
Marvel Super Special #29 (Tarzan) (1984)
Scooby-Doo #1–9 (1977–1979)
Sergio Aragonés Massacres Marvel #1 (1996)
TV Stars #1–4 (1978–1979)
Yogi Bear #1–9 (1977–1979)

===Epic Comics===

The Death of Groo graphic novel (1988)
Epic Illustrated #27 (1984)
The Groo Chronicles #1–6 (1989)
Hollywood Superstars #1–5 (1990–1991)
The Life of Groo graphic novel (1993)
Sergio Aragonés Groo the Wanderer #1–120 (1985–1995)

==Pacific Comics==

Groo the Wanderer #1–8 (1982–1984)
Starslayer #5 (Groo backup story) (1982)

=Books=

{{cite book|title=Kirby: King of Comics|year= 2008|publisher= Abrams Books|isbn= 978-0810994478|pages= 228|title-link=Kirby: King of Comics}}
Mad Art : A Visual Celebration of the Art of Mad Magazine and the Idiots Who Create It. Watson-Guptill. 2003. 304 p. {{ISBN|978-0823030804|}}.

Television credits

Series head writer denoted in bold.

The Nancy Walker Show (1976)
The McLean Stevenson Show (1976)
Welcome Back, Kotter (1976)
The Love Boat (1977)
Baby, I’m Back (1978)
The Krofft Superstar Hour (1978)
Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (1979–1980)
Pink Lady (1980)
The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show (1980)
The Richie Rich/Scooby-Doo Show (1980–1981)
Thundarr the Barbarian (1980–1981)
Goldie Gold and Action Jack (1981)
Trollkins (1981)
Yogi Bear’s All Star Comedy Christmas Caper (1982)
Dungeons & Dragons (1983)
ABC Weekend Specials (1984)
Pryor's Place (1984)
The Wuzzles (1985)
CBS Storybreak (1985)
Garfield and Friends (1988–1994)
Superboy (1989)
Mother Goose and Grimm (1991)
Bob (1993)
The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat (1996–1997)
Superman: The Animated Series (1997)
Channel Umptee-3 (1997)
The Garfield Show (2009–2012, 2015–2016)

References

External links

[http://www.newsfromme.com/ News From ME] Evanier's official website
Comic Geek Speak [http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/episodes/comic_geek_speak-84.php Podcast Interview] (October 2005)
{{IMDb name|0262494|Mark Evanier}}
{{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=213|title=Mark Evanier}}
[http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/creator.php?creatorid=206 Mark Evanier] at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
[http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/name10.htm#N2040 Mark Evanier] at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators