Jim McCarthy (comics)
Encyclopedia
Jim McCarthy is a British comics creator. He became well known for working on Bad Company
in 2000 AD before going on to write a number of graphic novels based on musicians, as well as becoming a music journalist.
He is the brother of Brendan McCarthy
.
He started at 2000 AD in 1977 and 1978 on Tharg's Future Shocks, sharing art duties with Brett Ewins
, a partnership that would continue on his return in 1986 for their long run on Bad Company
with Peter Milligan
. He would work solo with Milligan, again, on their occult detective
series Bix Barton
, and McCarthy would work steadily at 2000 AD throughout this period until 1996, briefly returning in 2001 and 2002 to draw more Future Shocks.
McCarthy would return to comics full-time in 2003 writing the first of a number of biographical graphic novel
s, including Godspeed: The Kurt Cobain Graphic, that was re-released in digest form in 2011, and Sex Pistols: The Graphic Novel. The NME
reported that the former "had proved both controversial and commercially successful. Beaumont [the artist] received death threats from irate fans before Godspeed was even published".
He also writes about music, his first piece was about Jah Wobble
who he met when they were both in rehab
, and he has since gone on to write a book on Latin rock.
McCarthy is currently based in Sussex.
Bad Company (comics)
Bad Company is a comic book team created for 2000 AD by Alan Grant and John Wagner but their initial story remained unpublished for over 16 years . Peter Milligan, along with regular collaborators Brett Ewins and Jim McCarthy, reworked the concept into the form that was finally seen in the magazine...
in 2000 AD before going on to write a number of graphic novels based on musicians, as well as becoming a music journalist.
He is the brother of Brendan McCarthy
Brendan McCarthy
Brendan McCarthy is a British artist and designer best known for his work in comic books, film and television.- Biography :Brendan McCarthy, of Irish descent, was born in London. Brendan soon began painting and drawing his own home-made comics....
.
Biography
Jim McCarthy studied art at Ealing College, leaving in 1975 and working as an artist in Europe for three years.He started at 2000 AD in 1977 and 1978 on Tharg's Future Shocks, sharing art duties with Brett Ewins
Brett Ewins
Brett Ewins is a British comic book artist best known for his work on Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper in the weekly comic book 2000 AD.-Biography:...
, a partnership that would continue on his return in 1986 for their long run on Bad Company
Bad Company (comics)
Bad Company is a comic book team created for 2000 AD by Alan Grant and John Wagner but their initial story remained unpublished for over 16 years . Peter Milligan, along with regular collaborators Brett Ewins and Jim McCarthy, reworked the concept into the form that was finally seen in the magazine...
with Peter Milligan
Peter Milligan
Peter Milligan born in London, a British writer, best known for his comic book, film and television work.-Early career:Milligan started his comic career with short stories for 2000 AD in the early 1980s. By 1986, Milligan had his first ongoing strip in 2000AD called Bad Company, with artists Brett...
. He would work solo with Milligan, again, on their occult detective
Occult detective
Occult detective stories combine the tropes of the detective story with those of supernatural horror fiction. Unlike the traditional detective the occult detective is employed in cases involving ghosts, curses, and other supernatural elements...
series Bix Barton
Bix Barton
Bix Barton, Master of the Rum and Uncanny is a fictional comic book character featured in the British science fiction anthology magazine 2000 AD...
, and McCarthy would work steadily at 2000 AD throughout this period until 1996, briefly returning in 2001 and 2002 to draw more Future Shocks.
McCarthy would return to comics full-time in 2003 writing the first of a number of biographical graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
s, including Godspeed: The Kurt Cobain Graphic, that was re-released in digest form in 2011, and Sex Pistols: The Graphic Novel. The NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
reported that the former "had proved both controversial and commercially successful. Beaumont [the artist] received death threats from irate fans before Godspeed was even published".
He also writes about music, his first piece was about Jah Wobble
Jah Wobble
Jah Wobble is an English bass guitarist, singer, poet and composer. He became known to a wider audience as the original bass player in Public Image Ltd in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but left the band after two albums...
who he met when they were both in rehab
Drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a term for the processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines...
, and he has since gone on to write a book on Latin rock.
McCarthy is currently based in Sussex.
Comics
- Tharg's Future Shocks:
- "Robot Repairs" (with writer Robert Flynn and artist Brett EwinsBrett EwinsBrett Ewins is a British comic book artist best known for his work on Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper in the weekly comic book 2000 AD.-Biography:...
, in 2000 AD #37-38, November 1977) - "Stasis" (with writer Charles Swift and artist Brett Ewins, in 2000 AD #54, March 1978)
- "Casualty" (with Hilary Robinson, in 2000 AD #590, September 1988)
- "Cultural Exchange" (with Hilary Robinson, in 2000 AD #593, September 1988)
- "The Birthday" (with Frances LynnFrances Lynn-Biography:Lynn was born in St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington in London, and was educated at Malvern Girls' College.In 1977, Lynn started her journalistic career when she became the film editor and gossip columnist for the now defunct Ritz Newspaper, published by David Bailey. Interview subjects...
, in 2000 AD #918, December 1994) - "Headhunter" (with Kek-W, in 2000 AD #1242, May 2001)
- "His Master's Voice" (with Jamie Woolley, in 2000 AD #1310, September 2002)
- "Robot Repairs" (with writer Robert Flynn and artist Brett Ewins
- Bad CompanyBad Company (comics)Bad Company is a comic book team created for 2000 AD by Alan Grant and John Wagner but their initial story remained unpublished for over 16 years . Peter Milligan, along with regular collaborators Brett Ewins and Jim McCarthy, reworked the concept into the form that was finally seen in the magazine...
(with writer Peter MilliganPeter MilliganPeter Milligan born in London, a British writer, best known for his comic book, film and television work.-Early career:Milligan started his comic career with short stories for 2000 AD in the early 1980s. By 1986, Milligan had his first ongoing strip in 2000AD called Bad Company, with artists Brett...
and artist Brett Ewins):- Goodbye, Krool World (Rebellion, 256 pages, February 2005, ISBN 1-904265-27-8) collects:
- "Bad Company" (inks, in 2000 AD #500-519, 1986–1987)
- "The Bewilderness" (in 2000 AD #548-557, 1987–1988)
- "The Krool Heart" (in 2000 AD #576-585, 1988)
- Judge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd MegazineJudge Dredd: The Megazine is a monthly British comic magazine, launched in October 1990. It is a sister publication to 2000 AD. Its name is a play on words, formed from "magazine" and Dredd's locale Mega-City One.-Content:...
vol. 4 #15 (September 2002) reprints:- "Young Men Marching" (in 2000AD Annual 1989, 1988)
- "Ararat" (in 2000AD Annual 1990, 1989)
- Kano (Rebellion, 96 pages, October 2007, ISBN 1-905437-46-3) collects:
- "Kano" (in 2000 AD #828-837, 1993)
- "Down Among the Dead Men" (in 2000AD Annual 2001, 2000)
- "Bad Company 2002" (in 2000 AD Prog 2002 and #1273-1277, 2001–2002)
- Goodbye, Krool World (Rebellion, 256 pages, February 2005, ISBN 1-904265-27-8) collects:
- HellblazerHellblazerHellblazer is a contemporary horror comic book series, originally published by DC Comics, and subsequently by the Vertigo imprint since March 1993, the month the imprint was introduced, where it remains to this day...
#7 (with writer Jamie DelanoJamie DelanoJamie Delano is a British comics writer. He was part of the first post-Alan Moore "British Invasion" of writers. Best known as the first writer of the comic book series Hellblazer, starring John Constantine.- Biography :...
and artist Brett Ewins, DC ComicsDC ComicsDC 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...
, June 1988) - "The Geek" (with Malachy ConeyMalachy ConeyMalachy Coney is a comics writer and cartoonist from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He grew up in Ardoyne in the north of the city.-Biography:Coney's first notable comics work was a two-episode installment of Third World War, "A Symphony of Splintered Wood", co-written with Pat Mills and painted by...
, in Crisis #22, July 1989) - ZenithZenith (comics)Zenith is a British superhero, who appeared in the science fiction comic 2000 AD. Created by writer Grant Morrison and artist Steve Yeowell, with original character designs by Brendan McCarthy, he first appeared in 2000 AD #536 .Shallow and sarcastic, Zenith was a distinctly Generation X superhero...
: "Mandala: Shadows & Reflections" (with Grant MorrisonGrant MorrisonGrant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, in 2000AD Annual 1990, October 1989)
- Bix BartonBix BartonBix Barton, Master of the Rum and Uncanny is a fictional comic book character featured in the British science fiction anthology magazine 2000 AD...
(by Peter Milligan):- "Barton's Beasts" (in 2000 AD #663-668, 1990)
- "The Indigestible Case of the Haunted Full English" (in 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special 1990)
- "The Disproportionate Man" (in 2000 AD Winter Special 1990)
- "Carry On Barton" (in 2000 AD #723-728, 1991)
- "Lovesick World" (in 2000 AD #737-741, 1991)
- "Bloated Case of the Fatted Keef" (in 2000 AD #761-766, 1991)
- "The Mouth Thief" (in 2000 AD Yearbook 1993, 1992)
- "The Crying Scotsman" (in 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special 1993)
- "Nigel the Napolean of East Finchley" (in 2000 AD #912-917, 1994)
- Animal ManAnimal Man (comic book)Animal Man was a comic book ongoing series published by DC Comics and starring the superhero Animal Man. The series is best known for the run by writer Grant Morrison from issue #1 to #26 with penciller Chas Truog who stayed on the series until #32...
#44 (inks, with writer Tom VeitchTom VeitchTom Veitch is an American writer, best known for his contributions to the Dark Horse Comics line of Star Wars comic books, primarily Dark Empire and Tales of the Jedi. For DC Comics Veitch wrote Animal Man, along with two Elseworlds series featuring Kamandi and an elder Superman...
, and pencils by Brett Ewins, DC Comics, February 1992) - Rogue TrooperRogue TrooperRogue Trooper is a science fiction strip in the British comic 2000 AD, created by Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons. It follows the adventures of Rogue, a G.I. and his three comrades' search for the Traitor General...
(with Mark MillarMark MillarMark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
, in 2000AD Sci-Fi Special 1992, June 1992)
- The Grudge-Father:
- "The Grudgefather" (with Mark Millar, in 2000 AD #878-883, 1994)
- "Skin Games" (with Kek-W, in 2000 AD #940-945, May–June 1995)
- Kid Cyborg (with Kek-W, in 2000 AD #972-979, December 1995 - February 1996)
- Godspeed: The Kurt CobainKurt CobainKurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
Graphic (writer, with co-author Barnaby Legg and art by Flameboy, graphic novelGraphic novelA graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
, Omnibus Press, October 2003, 76 pages, ISBN 0711997632, March 2011, 96 pages, ISBN 1849386994) - EminemEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
: In My Skin (writer, with co-author Barnaby Legg and art by Flameboy, graphic novel, 96 pages, Omnibus Press, October 2004, ISBN 1844494888) - Death Rap: Tupac ShakurTupac ShakurTupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
- A Life (writer, with co-author Barnaby Legg and art by Flameboy, graphic novel, 96 pages, Omnibus Press, October 2005, ISBN 1844497275) - Sex PistolsSex PistolsThe Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
: The Graphic Novel (writer, with art by Steve ParkhouseSteve ParkhouseSteve Parkhouse is a writer, artist and letterer who has worked for many British comics, especially 2000 AD and Doctor Who Magazine.-Biography:...
, graphic novel, 96 pages, Omnibus Press, June 2008, ISBN 1846095085) - Bob MarleyBob MarleyRobert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
: A Trenchtown Graphic Novel (forthcoming) - Neverland: The Life and Death of Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
(forthcoming)
Books
- Voices of Latin Rock: The People and Events That Created This Sound (with co-author Ron Sansoe, 316 pages, Hal Leonard Corporation, June 2005, ISBN 063408061X)