Al Gordon
Gordon in 2007
Born	Alan Gordon (1953-06-22) June 22, 1953 (age 70) San Francisco, California
Area(s)	Writer, Inker
Notable works	Fantastic Four, Justice League of America, Legion of Super Heroes, WildStar
Awards	Eisner Award, 2000

Alan Gordon (born June 22, 1953)^[1] is an American comic book creator primarily known as an inker and writer. He is best known for his 1990s work on DC Comics' Legion of Super Heroes and the Justice League of America, Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, and Image Comics' creator-owned WildStar. He is not to be confused with another Al Gordon who illustrated comics in the 1950s.^[2]

Biography

Early life

Gordon was born in San Francisco, California.^[3]

Early career

Gordon's career began in the mid-1970s as inker of the story "A Christmas Carol", starring Michael T. Gilbert's talking animal detective the Wraith, in Quack #6 (Dec. 1977), from the early independent comics publisher Star Reach. The following year, Gordon began freelance inking for Marvel Comics, working with pencilers Bob Budiansky and Steve Leialoha, respectively, on a backup story each in Captain America #220-221 (April–May 1978). He was the regular inker on Spider-Woman, with penciler Carmine Infantino from #7-16 (Oct. 1978 - July 1979), and worked as well on at least one issue each of The Avengers, Ghost Rider, Iron Man, Marvel Premiere, Marvel Team-Up, Marvel Two-in-One, Master of Kung Fu, Power Man and Iron Fist, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Thor Annual and "What If..." through 1982.^[4]

1980-1990s

In 1982, Gordon left Marvel for DC Comics to ink writer-penciler-co-creator Scott Shaw and fill-in penciler Stan Goldberg on the series Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew. In 1983, Gordon did a year-and-a-half run at the independent Eclipse Comics, inking Will Meugniot on Will and Mark Evanier's The DNAgents, as well as inking Rick Hoberg for the company's spin-off series Surge and its anthology Eclipse Monthly.^[4]

Afterward, he returned to Marvel to become the regular inker on the company's flagship series Fantastic Four, and on the science-fiction adventure limited series Rocket Raccoon (with Mike Mignola penciling). Other work around this time includes issues of The Eternals and Power Pack, and Marvel's licensed series Thundercats and Transformers.^[4]

Freelancing once again for DC, Gordon in 1987 began inking Kevin Maguire while working with plotter/thumbnail artist Keith Giffen on Justice League International. Two years later, Gordon, this time inking Giffen, also began cowriting with Giffen and Tom and Mary Bierbaum for DC's revamped Legion of Super Heroes. Gordon took over the complete writing and scripting chores for issues #21 though 24 (Aug. 1991), while continuing to ink Giffen.^[4]

In 1992 he began WildStar with Jerry Ordway for Image Comics. The WildStar: Sky Zero miniseries was written, inked, edited (with the help of Billy "Bud" Shakespeare) and produced by Gordon with pencils by Jerry Ordway. A continuing WildStar series followed with penciler Chris Marrinan.^[4]

Other late 1980s and 1990s work includes issues of Marvel's Sensational She-Hulk and Silver Surfer and a run over penciler Erik Larsen on The Amazing Spider-Man; DC's Valor and Timber Wolf (the latter of which he also wrote and thumbnailed); Hero Comics' Champions; Awesome Entertainment's "Supreme" series and Judgment Day Alpha both written by Alan Moore; Tom Strong written by Alan Moore for DC's imprint America's Best Comics; Image Comics' Freak Force and others.^[4]

2000s-2010s

He continued his working relationship with Ordway, inking Marvel's The Avengers vol. 2. Other 2000s work for Marvel includes Captain Marvel #25 (Sept. 2004) and Marvel Holiday Special #1 (Jan. 2006).^[4]

Other media

Outside of comics, Gordon has also done commercial and advertising art, fashion illustration, advertising and commercial voice overs including audiobooks, and played in rock bands.^[3]

Awards

Gordon has received two Eisner Awards and several Eisner Award and Harvey Award nominations:

Awards

• Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story 2000 - Tom Strong #4–7 (ABC Comics), by Alan Moore, Chris Sprouse, Al Gordon, and guest artists^[5]
• Eisner Award for Best Single Issue 2000 - Tom Strong #1 (ABC Comics): "How Tom Strong Got Started," by Alan Moore, Chris Sprouse, and Al Gordon^[5]

Nominations

• Harvey Award for Best Inker 1988 - Justice League International #1, DC Comics^[6]
• Harvey Award for Best New Series 1988 - Justice League International, by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, Kevin Maguire and Al Gordon, DC Comics^[6]
• Eisner Award for Best Art Team 1988 - Kevin Maguire and Al Gordon, for Justice League International #1, DC Comics
• Harvey Award for Best Inker 2000 - Tom Strong, ABC Comics (Tom Strong also nominated for Best New Series 2000 and Best Continuing or Limited Series 2000)^[7]
• Harvey Award for Best Inker 2001 - Tom Strong, ABC Comics^[8]