Stuart Immonen

Stuart Immonen grew up in a Finnish Canadian family in Canada. The first comics he read as a child were Disney comics and Harvey Comics. He would later seek out superhero comics from Marvel Comics. Sporadic distribution in the 1970s and 1980s led to the development of an eclectic sense of taste in titles, as he was often only able to find a few issues available per series. A later increase in self-publishing in Toronto spurred him to pursue a career in comics following his studies at university.{{cite comic|writer=Millar, Mark|artist=Sprouse, Chris|title=Jupiter's Circle|volume=2|issue=3|date=January 2016|publisher=Image Comics}}

In 1988, he self-published a series titled Playground; it was his first published work. From 1990 through 1992, he drew several issues of Rock 'N' Roll Comics for Revolutionary Comics, including issues on Prince, 2 Live Crew and Public Enemy, ZZ Top, Anthrax, and more. He worked at several smaller comic book companies before being hired by DC Comics in 1993.{{cite web |url= http://www.lambiek.net/artists/i/immonen_stuart.htm|title= Stuart Immonen|date= November 16, 2007|publisher= Lambiek Comiclopedia|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121012042743/http://www.lambiek.net/artists/i/immonen_stuart.htm|archive-date= October 12, 2012|url-status= live}} Since then, Immonen has drawn such high-profile characters as Superman, the Hulk, and the X-Men. His work since 2004 includes stints on the titles Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men with writers Warren Ellis and Brian K. Vaughan respectively, as well as a 12-issue run pencilling Nextwave, which again paired him with Warren Ellis.{{gcdb|type=credit|search=Stuart+Immonen|title=Stuart Immonen}}

Stuart Immonen has also done work for Top Cow and Image Comics.

In 1993 and 1994, Immonen drew the Legion of Super-Heroes and with writers Mark Waid and Tom McGraw created a new Legion continuity, beginning with a retelling of the team's origin story starting in Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 4 #0 (Oct. 1994).{{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= 267|quote = The previously uninterrupted adventures of the team from the 30th Century had ended in the chaos of Zero Hour. But in this zero issue written by Tom McCraw and Mark Waid and drawn by Stuart Immonen, a new incarnation's adventures were only just beginning.}} In 1996, writer Karl Kesel and Immonen produced The Final Night limited series.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 274: "In this four-issue miniseries by writer Karl Kesel and artist Stuart Immonen, the heroes of the present united with the Legion of Super-Heroes and the New Gods in an attempt to stop a 'sun-eater'." That same year, Immonen was one of the many creators who contributed to the Superman: The Wedding Album one-shot wherein the title character married Lois Lane.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 275: " The behind-the-scenes talent on the monumental issue appropriately spanned several generations of the Man of Tomorrow's career. Written by Dan Jurgens, Karl Kesel, David Michelinie, Louise Simonson, and Roger Stern, the one-shot featured the pencils of John Byrne, Gil Kane, Stuart Immonen, Paul Ryan, Jon Bogdanove, Kieron Dwyer, Tom Grummett, Dick Giordano, Jim Mooney, Curt Swan, Nick Cardy, Al Plastino, Barry Kitson, Ron Frenz, and Dan Jurgens." Immonen wrote and drew part of the Superman Red/Superman Blue one-shot which launched the storyline of the same name which ran through the various Superman titles.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 283: "The special written by Dan Jurgens, Stuart Immonen, Karl Kesel, and Louise Simonson, with pencils by Stuart Immonen, Ron Frenz, Tom Grummett, Paul Ryan, and Jon Bogdanove." Immonen ended his ongoing involvement with the Superman franchise with the Superman: End of the Century graphic novel in 2000{{cite book|last = Immonen|first = Stuart|title = Superman: End of the Century|publisher = DC Comics|year = 2000|pages = 96|isbn = 978-1563895746}} but returned to the character for the Superman: Secret Identity in 2004.

In 2000, Immonen was one of the founders of Gorilla Comics, a company formed with Mark Waid, Kurt Busiek and several others. Immonen and Busiek collaborated on the Shockrockets limited series and the Superstar: As Seen on TV one-shot but the company folded after a short time.{{cite web|url= http://archives.tcj.com/234/n_gorilla.html|title= The Case of the Disappearing Gorilla: The Banana Trust Explains How Not to Start a Comics Line|first= Michael|last= Dean|date= June 8, 2001|location= Seattle, Washington|work= The Comics Journal #234|publisher= Fantagraphics Books|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120120081000/http://archives.tcj.com/234/n_gorilla.html|archive-date= January 20, 2012|url-status= dead|access-date= March 4, 2012}}

In 2005, Immonen published 50 Reasons to Stop Sketching at Conventions, a series of fifty comics that detail why he no longer does sketches for fans. Besides self-publishing, Immonen also maintains a webcomic called Never as Bad as You Think which is co-authored by his wife, Kathryn.{{cite web |url= http://comicsworthreading.com/2006/08/31/50-reasons-to-stop-sketching-at-conventions/|title= 50 Reasons to Stop Sketching at Conventions|first= Johanna|last= Draper Carlson|date= August 31, 2006|publisher= Comics Worth Reading|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130808040738/http://comicsworthreading.com/2006/08/31/50-reasons-to-stop-sketching-at-conventions/|archive-date= August 8, 2013|url-status= live}} In 2010, Top Shelf Productions released Moving Pictures a graphic novel drawn by Immonen and co-authored by him and his wife

Immonen illustrated Marvel Comics' Ultimate Spider-Man from issue #111{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=11031|title= Ultimate Spider-Man Begins A New Era|date= July 2, 2007|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120829083732/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=11031|archive-date= August 29, 2012|url-status= live|access-date= July 24, 2007}} to issue #133.{{cite web |url= http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/09/a-new-beginning-for-ultimate-spider-man|title= A New Beginning for Ultimate Spider-Man |first1= Richard|last1= George|first2= Jesse|last2= Schedeen|date= February 8, 2009|website= IGN|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131222184425/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/09/a-new-beginning-for-ultimate-spider-man|archive-date= December 22, 2013|url-status= live}} He subsequently worked on The New Avengers from issue #55 to issue #64. He continued to be the series artist when The New Avengers relaunched during the "Heroic Age" storyline and was the regular artist for the first seven issues as well as issue #11.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=29833|title= Marvel T&A: Architecture & Avengers Recruiting|first= Joe|last= Quesada|author-link = Joe Quesada|date= December 10, 2010|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130622230909/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=29833|archive-date= June 22, 2013|url-status= live}}

In 2011 Immonen illustrated Marvel's Fear Itself miniseries which formed the core of a company-wide crossover storyline of the same name.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=29984|title= Marvel Announces Fear Itself|first= Shaun|last= Manning|date= December 21, 2010|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203327/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=29984|archive-date= October 29, 2013|url-status= live}}{{cite news |url= http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-12-21-FearItself_N.htm|title= Be afraid: Marvel's heroes gear up for Fear Itself|first= Brian|last= Truitt|date= December 21, 2010|newspaper= USA Today|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121103151948/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-12-21-FearItself_N.htm|archive-date= November 3, 2012|url-status= live}}{{cite book|last1 = Cowsill|first1 = Alan|last2= Gilbert|first2= Laura, ed.|chapter= 2000s|title = Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|publisher = Dorling Kindersley|year = 2012|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 337|isbn = 978-0756692360|quote= This seven-issue series by writer Matt Fraction and artist Stuart Immonen was Marvel's big blockbuster of the year.}} In November 2012 he and writer Brian Michael Bendis started the series All-New X-Men.{{cite news|url= https://www.newsarama.com/19528-inside-stuart-immonens-all-new-all-new-x-men-costumes.html|title= Inside Stuart Immonen's All-New All-New X-Men Costumes|first= Chris|last= Arrant|date= November 8, 2013|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160630234907/https://www.newsarama.com/19528-inside-stuart-immonens-all-new-all-new-x-men-costumes.html|archive-date= June 30, 2016|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}

In 2014 Immonen drew the six issue miniseries, All-New Captain America, for Marvel's Avengers NOW! relaunch.{{cite web|first=Albert|last=Ching|url=https://www.cbr.com/falcon-picks-up-the-shield-in-remender-immonens-all-new-captain-america/ |title=Falcon Picks Up the Shield in Remender & Immonen's 'All-New Captain America'|date=July 16, 2014 |website=CBR.com |access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024064145/https://www.cbr.com/falcon-picks-up-the-shield-in-remender-immonens-all-new-captain-america/}}

From 2017 to 2018 he drew The Amazing Spider-Man #25 to 31, 789 to 791, 794, 797 to 800, which included long-time series writer Dan Slott's last major storyline, titled "Go Down Swinging".

In 2010, Immonen won the Joe Shuster Award for Outstanding Artist.{{cite web |url= http://joeshusterawards.com/2010/06/22/2010-outstanding-artist-stuart-immonen/|title= 2010 Outstanding Artist – Stuart Immonen|first= Kevin A.|last= Boyd|date= June 22, 2010|publisher= Joe Shuster Awards|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130130000047/http://joeshusterawards.com/2010/06/22/2010-outstanding-artist-stuart-immonen/|archive-date= January 30, 2013|url-status= live}}

Doug Zawisza, reviewing the 2011 Fear Itself miniseries for Comic Book Resources, praised Immonen's art. He consistently singled out Immonen for his simple but detailed storytelling, and his ability to render varied subject matter, from Nazis to sea monsters.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3365|title= Fear Itself #1|first= Doug|last= Zawisza|date= April 4, 2011|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131102101857/http://comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3365|archive-date= November 2, 2013|url-status= live}} Zawisza called his art "incredible" and "gorgeous", and Immonen a "modern master" whose ability to convey a large amount of story in a small portion of a page Zawisza compared to that of George Pérez.{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3465|title= Fear Itself #2|first= Doug|last= Zawisza|date= May 4, 2011|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121015102946/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3465|archive-date= October 15, 2012|url-status= live}} Though Zawisza was not reluctant to note the occasional error,{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3561|title= Fear Itself #3|first= Doug|last= Zawisza|date= June 1, 2011|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121015103023/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3561|archive-date= October 15, 2012|url-status= live}} he praised specific visuals, including Immonen and Laura Martin's depiction of Yggdrasil in issue #1, as well as numerous scenes in issue #4, such as the scenes of global chaos, the Odin-Serpent framing sequence and the shots of British Columbia, which he called "chilling".{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3674|title= Fear Itself #4|first= Doug|last= Zawisza|date= July 6, 2011|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131109020417/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3674|archive-date= November 9, 2013|url-status= live}} Jennifer Margret Smith, reviewing the first issue for Newsarama, while praising the entire creative team, commented, "but it's Immonen who really shines", in reference to Immonen's storytelling and skill at crowd scenes.{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/7401-best-shots-rapid-reviews-fear-itself-brightest-day-more.html|title= Best Shots Rapid Reviews: Fear Itself, Brightest Day, More|first= Jennifer Margret|last= Smith|date= April 7, 2011|work=Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131222191552/http://www.newsarama.com/7401-best-shots-rapid-reviews-fear-itself-brightest-day-more.html|archive-date= December 22, 2013|url-status= live}} Similar reactions was garnered among reviewers at Comics Bulletin,{{cite web |url= http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/130246757624824.htm|title= Sunday Slugfest: Fear Itself #1|first= Thom|last= Young|date= April 10, 2011|publisher= Comics Bulletin|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110817085931/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/130246757624824.htm|archive-date= August 17, 2011|url-status= dead}}{{cite web |url= http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/130471600012183.htm|title= Fear Itself #2|first= Danny|last= Djeljosevic|date= May 6, 2011|publisher= Comics Bulletin|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131222192400/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/130471600012183.htm|archive-date= December 22, 2013|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url= http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/130731590644504.htm|title= Sunday Slugfest: Fear Itself #3|first1= Shawn|last1= Hill|first2= Sam|last2= Salama Cohén|date= June 5, 2011|publisher= Comics Bulletin|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110817090918/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/130731590644504.htm|archive-date= August 17, 2011|url-status= live}} with Danny Djeljosevic echoing Zawisza's comments regarding Immonen's ability to effectively render different subjects, from as sleepy seaside Canadian towns to superhero battles, saying, "Immonen is easily the most versatile artist in comics, who will surely go down as one of the greats with his striking layouts and dynamic, varied panel to panel storytelling. Immonen reminds me of the old-school Marvel Comics artists, who were capable of delivering strong, consistent work every month with little need for fill-ins."{{cite web |url= http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/131015714781214.htm|title= Fear Itself #4|first= Danny|last= Djeljosevic|date= July 8, 2011|publisher= Comics Bulletin|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110711024228/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/131015714781214.htm|archive-date= July 11, 2011|url-status= dead}} Alex Evans and Dean Stell of Weekly Comic Book Review thought the art and colors were vibrant and detailed, and Immonen the perfect choice for the series, though Stell thought it looked a bit rushed in issue #6, and not up to Immonen's usual standards in issue #7.{{cite web |url= http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/04/06/fear-itself-1-review/|title= Fear Itself #1 – Review|first= Alex|last= Evans|date= April 6, 2011|publisher= Weekly Comic Book Review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131021234258/http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/04/06/fear-itself-1-review/|archive-date= October 21, 2013|url-status= live }}{{cite web |url= http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/05/04/fear-itself-2-review/|title= Fear Itself #2 – Review|first= Alex|last= Evans|date= May 4, 2011|publisher= Weekly Comic Book Review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131023124912/http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/05/04/fear-itself-2-review/|archive-date= October 23, 2013|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url= http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/06/02/fear-itself-3-review/|title= Fear Itself #3 – Review|first= Alex|last= Evans|date= June 2, 2013|publisher= Weekly Comic Book Review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131026073754/http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/06/02/fear-itself-3-review/|archive-date= October 26, 2013|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url= http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/07/06/fear-itself-4-review/|title= Fear Itself #4 – Review|first= Alex|last= Evans|date= July 6, 2011|publisher= Weekly Comic Book Review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131026072549/http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/07/06/fear-itself-4-review/|archive-date= October 26, 2013|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url= http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/08/12/fear-itself-5-review/|title= Fear Itself #5 – Review|first= Alex|last= Evans|date= August 12, 2011|publisher= Weekly Comic Book Review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131019235012/http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/08/12/fear-itself-5-review/|archive-date= October 19, 2013|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url= http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/09/14/fear-itself-6-review/|title= Fear Itself #6 – Review|first= Alex|last= Evans|date= September 14, 2011|publisher= Weekly Comic Book Review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131020025454/http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/09/14/fear-itself-6-review/|archive-date= October 20, 2013|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url= http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/10/19/fear-itself-7-review/|title= Fear Itself #7 – Review|first= Dean|last= Stell|date= October 19, 2011|publisher= Weekly Comic Book Review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131021214903/http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/10/19/fear-itself-7-review/|archive-date= October 21, 2013|url-status= live}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Action Comics #738–748, 750–755, 758 (1997-1999)
• Adventures of Superman #520–525, 527–535, 537–538, 541, 543–544, 546–550, 576–577 (1995–2000)
• The Final Night miniseries #1–4 (1996)
• Inferno miniseries #1–4 (1997)
• Legends of the DC Universe 80-Page Giant (Legion of Super-Heroes) #2 (2000)
• Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 4 #39–50, 52–56, 58–61, 0, 94, Annual #6 (full art); #94, Annual #4–5 (among other artists) (1993–1997)
• Legionnaires #10 (among other artists) (1994)
• Plunge #1-6 (2020)
• Secret Files President Luthor #1 (2001)
• Showcase '93 (Martian Manhunter) #10 (1993)
• Showcase '95 (Supergirl) #1–2 (1995)
• Showcase '96 (King Faraday) #12 (1996)
• Starman vol. 2 #14 (among other artists) (1995)
• Superman vol. 2 #87–88 (1994)
• Superman and Batman: World's Funnest (among other artists) (2001)
• Superman: End of the Century (2000)
• Superman Forever #1 (1998)
• Superman Metropolis Secret Files (among other artists) (2000)
• Superman Red/Superman Blue (among other artists) (1998)
• Superman Secret Files #2 (1999)
• Superman: Secret Identity, miniseries, #1–4 (2004)
• Superman: The Wedding Album (among other artists) (1996)
• Superman/Toyman (1994)
• Superman Villains Secret Files (1998)

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• All-New Captain America #1–6 (2014–2015)
• All-New X-Men #1–5, 9–14, 16–18, 22–24, 26–29 (2012–2014)
• The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 4 #25–31, 789–791, 794, 797–800 (2017–2018)
• The Avengers vol. 3 #0, #26 (1999–2000)
• Captain America vol. 3 #50 (2002)
• Empress (2016) (Icon Comics imprint)
• Fantastic Four vol. 3 #42, 55–56, 569 (2001–2009)
• Fear Itself miniseries #1–7 (2011)
• Hero Initiative: Mike Wieringo Book ("Fantastic Four" feature) (among other artists, 2008)
• The Incredible Hulk Annual #20 (1994)
• The Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #44–49 (2002–2003)
• Marvel Comics Presents vol. 2 (Hellcat) #1–4 (2007–208)
• The Mighty Thor vol. 2 #33, 38–42, 44 (2001–2002)
• The New Avengers #55–60 (full art); #61–62 (with Daniel Acuña) (2009–2010)
• The New Avengers vol. 2 #1–7 (2010–2011)
• Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. #1–12 (2006–2007)
• Secret Avengers #21 (2012)
• Spider-Man/Gen 13 (1996)
• Spider-Man Unlimited #6 (2005)
• Star Wars vol. 2 #8–12 (2015)
• Ultimate Fantastic Four #7–12, Annual #2 (2004–2006)
• Ultimate Spider-Man #111–133 (2007–2009)
• Ultimate X-Men #54–57, 59–65 (2005–2006)
• What If vol. 2 (Spider-Man) #76 (1995)
• Wonder Man Annual #1 (1992)
• X-Men vol. 2 Annual #1 (among other artists) (1992)

{{div col end}}

• The Beatles Experience #1–8 (Revolutionary Comics, 1991)
• Superstar: As Seen on TV! (Image Comics/Gorilla Comics, 2001)
• Shockrockets #1–6 (Image Comics/Gorilla Comics, 2000)
• Sojourn #7 (CrossGen, 2002)

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.immonen.ca}}
• {{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=325|title=Stuart Immonen}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311024848/http://marvel.com/catalog/?artist=Stuart%20Immonen Stuart Immonen] at Marvel.com
• [http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/creator.php?creatorid=1726 Stuart Immonen] at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
• [http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/nami2.htm#N1110 Stuart Immonen] at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators

{{S-start}}

{{succession box|title= Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 4 artist|before= Jason Pearson|after= Lee Moder|years=1993–1994}}

{{succession box|title= The Adventures of Superman artist|before= Barry Kitson|after= Tom Grummett|years=1995–1997}}

{{succession box|title= Action Comics artist|before= Tom Grummett|after= Ron Frenz|years=1997–1999}}

{{succession box|title= The Adventures of Superman writer
(with Mark Millar)|before= Randall Frenz|after= J. M. DeMatteis|years=1999–2000}}

{{succession box|title= Ultimate Spider-Man artist|before= Mark Bagley|after= David Lafuente|years=2007–2009}}

{{S-end}}

{{Canadian cartoonists|state=collapsed}}

{{Inkpot Award 2010s}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Immonen, Stuart}}

Category:20th-century Canadian artists

Category:21st-century Canadian artists

Category:Canadian comics artists

Category:Canadian comics writers

Category:Canadian people of Finnish descent

Category:Canadian webcomic creators

Category:Comics colorists

Category:Comics inkers

Category:DC Comics people

Category:Joe Shuster Award winners for Outstanding Artist

Category:Living people

Category:Marvel Comics people

Category:York University alumni

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)