Darren G. Davis
Encyclopedia
Darren G. Davis is an American independent comic book
publisher and writer. He is currently the head of Bluewater Productions
, based in Vancouver, Washington
.
, and with Lion's Gate Entertainment, Davis entered comics publishing with a position at Wildstorm
under Jim Lee
. Shortly after, Wildstorm became an imprint of DC Comics
. At WildStorm Davis worked as an agent with some of the top artists in the field including Joe Madureira, Randy Green, Andy Park
, Chris Bachelo, Ale Garza
, Adam Hughes
, Howard Porter
, Mike Miller, Travis Charest
, and Roger Cruz
. Davis also served as president of Joe Madureira's Beyond Entertainment.
After several years with Wildstorm, Davis founded Bluewater Productions
in 2007. Original titles created by Davis include 10th Muse, Legend of Isis, Orion the Hunter
, Judo Girl, The Blackbeard Legacy, Victoria's Secret Service, and most recently The Mis-Adventures of Adam West
. Isis and Victoria's Secret Service have both been optioned for feature films, and 10th Muse was optioned for a television show.
Davis has also created a line of superhero children's books based on self-created character Atlas called ABC's for Superheroes, 123's for Superheroes and Superheroes Guide to the Planets. In addition, Davis has written two YA graphic novels, 10th Muse: Maze of the Minotaur and Lost Raven. Written by Daren Davis, illustrated by Kue Cha and published by Bluewater Productions, Lost Raven features one of the first HIV-positive protagonists in a YA graphic novel. The story follows attorney Zak Raven after he receives his diagnosis of HIV and is shipwrecked on a mysterious island. The novel received praise for its balance of real world problems and adventure storytelling. While Zak’s diagnosis is an important part of the character, Davis denies that the novel doesn’t intend to be overly pedantic. As Davis told the Bellingham Business Journal in a 2006 interview, “It’s not the touchy feely stuff. It’s just a good story.” Proceeds from the sales go to the Evergreen AIDS Foundation. Following the publication of Lost Raven, Davis was invited to speak at Yale University
.
and comic books. Many of his original characters are heavily influenced by classical mythology including Emma Sonnet, the eponymous heroine of 10th Muse.
Davis was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1999. Davis has used his platform as a comic book creator to educate and reduce stigma about the disease, speaking to high schools about people living with HIV. Davis worked with the Evergreen AIDS Foundation in Bellingham, Washington
as a client services coordinator and events manager, and donated the proceeds from the publication of ‘’Lost Raven’’ to the foundation. In an interview with HIVPlusMag.com, Davis highlights his efforts to spread understanding about HIV
and AIDS
, “I want people to know that they do have options and choices--because at first you’re just trying to comprehend it all.”
He currently resides in Vancouver. Davis and his company played hosts to the Bellingham community's first comic convention, Bell Con, on October 13, 2007. The event featured such comics talents as Tom Peyer
and Mike Grell
.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
publisher and writer. He is currently the head of Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions, Inc. is an independent production studio of comic books and graphic novels. Based in Vancouver, Washington, Bluewater publishes biographical comics, adaptations from films and original titles with self-created characters, most notably of publisher Darren G...
, based in Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Incorporated in 1857, it is the fourth largest city in the state with a 2010 census population of 161,791 as of April 1, 2010...
.
Career
After marketing the entertainment industry at E! Entertainment Television, USA NetworkUSA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
, and with Lion's Gate Entertainment, Davis entered comics publishing with a position at Wildstorm
Wildstorm
WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...
under Jim Lee
Jim Lee
Jim Lee is a Korean-American comic book artist, writer, editor and publisher. He first broke into the industry in 1987 as an artist for Marvel Comics, illustrating titles such as Alpha Flight and Punisher War Journal, before gaining a great deal of popularity on The Uncanny X-Men...
. Shortly after, Wildstorm became an imprint of DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. At WildStorm Davis worked as an agent with some of the top artists in the field including Joe Madureira, Randy Green, Andy Park
Andy Park
Andy Park is an American comic book artist, illustrator, and concept artist.-Biography:Park has illustrated several comic book series including Tomb Raider , published by Top Cow Productions, Alias: Agent Bristow based on the Emmy award winning television series, and Uncanny X-Men...
, Chris Bachelo, Ale Garza
Ale Garza
Alé Garza is a penciler and comics artist. At the age of 18, he started working for Wildstorm, and quickly moved on to working with writers like Chris Claremont and Judd Winick, lending his art to titles like Gen¹³, Zero, EVE Protomecha, Batgirl and Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day...
, Adam Hughes
Adam Hughes
Adam Hughes is an American comic book artist who has worked for companies such as DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros...
, Howard Porter
Howard Porter
Howard Porter is an American comic book artist from southern Connecticut.-Biography:Porter graduated from Paier College of Art in Connecticut where he majored in illustration. One of his teachers there was Frank McLaughlin...
, Mike Miller, Travis Charest
Travis Charest
Travis Charest is a Canadian comic book penciller, inker and painter, known for his work on such books as Darkstars, WildC.A.T.s, Grifter/Shi, WildC.A.T.s/X-Men: The Golden Age and The Metabarons...
, and Roger Cruz
Roger Cruz
Roger Cruz is a Brazilian comic book artist.- Biography :Cruz started his professional career as a letterer for Editora Abril, the Brazilian publishing house, for whom he lettered many Portuguese translations of American comics; then worked as a writer and art assistant for Mil Perigos, a...
. Davis also served as president of Joe Madureira's Beyond Entertainment.
After several years with Wildstorm, Davis founded Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions, Inc. is an independent production studio of comic books and graphic novels. Based in Vancouver, Washington, Bluewater publishes biographical comics, adaptations from films and original titles with self-created characters, most notably of publisher Darren G...
in 2007. Original titles created by Davis include 10th Muse, Legend of Isis, Orion the Hunter
Orion the Hunter
Orion the Hunter may refer to:*Orion *Orion , a constellation representing the mythological Orion*Orion the Hunter **Orion the Hunter , the eponymous debut album by Orion the Hunter...
, Judo Girl, The Blackbeard Legacy, Victoria's Secret Service, and most recently The Mis-Adventures of Adam West
Adam West
William West Anderson , better known by the stage name Adam West, is an American actor best known for his lead role in the Batman TV series and the film of the same name...
. Isis and Victoria's Secret Service have both been optioned for feature films, and 10th Muse was optioned for a television show.
Davis has also created a line of superhero children's books based on self-created character Atlas called ABC's for Superheroes, 123's for Superheroes and Superheroes Guide to the Planets. In addition, Davis has written two YA graphic novels, 10th Muse: Maze of the Minotaur and Lost Raven. Written by Daren Davis, illustrated by Kue Cha and published by Bluewater Productions, Lost Raven features one of the first HIV-positive protagonists in a YA graphic novel. The story follows attorney Zak Raven after he receives his diagnosis of HIV and is shipwrecked on a mysterious island. The novel received praise for its balance of real world problems and adventure storytelling. While Zak’s diagnosis is an important part of the character, Davis denies that the novel doesn’t intend to be overly pedantic. As Davis told the Bellingham Business Journal in a 2006 interview, “It’s not the touchy feely stuff. It’s just a good story.” Proceeds from the sales go to the Evergreen AIDS Foundation. Following the publication of Lost Raven, Davis was invited to speak at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
.
Personal life
Davis was raised in southern California where he developed an appreciation for Greek mythologyGreek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
and comic books. Many of his original characters are heavily influenced by classical mythology including Emma Sonnet, the eponymous heroine of 10th Muse.
Davis was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1999. Davis has used his platform as a comic book creator to educate and reduce stigma about the disease, speaking to high schools about people living with HIV. Davis worked with the Evergreen AIDS Foundation in Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
as a client services coordinator and events manager, and donated the proceeds from the publication of ‘’Lost Raven’’ to the foundation. In an interview with HIVPlusMag.com, Davis highlights his efforts to spread understanding about HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
and AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, “I want people to know that they do have options and choices--because at first you’re just trying to comprehend it all.”
He currently resides in Vancouver. Davis and his company played hosts to the Bellingham community's first comic convention, Bell Con, on October 13, 2007. The event featured such comics talents as Tom Peyer
Tom Peyer
Tom Peyer is an American comic book creator and editor.He is probably best known for his 1999 revisioning of Golden Age super-hero Hourman, as well as his work on the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 1990s. An editor at DC Comics/Vertigo from 1987 to 1993, he served as assistant editor on Neil...
and Mike Grell
Mike Grell
Mike Grell is a comic book writer and artist, known for his work on books such as Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Jon Sable Freelance.-Early life:...
.