John Ostrander
Encyclopedia
John Ostrander is an American
writer of comic book
s. He is best known for his work on Suicide Squad
, Grimjack
and Star Wars: Legacy
, series he helped create.
with the intent of becoming a Catholic priest
, but now describes himself as an agnostic.
Originally an actor in a Chicago theatre company, Ostrander moved into writing comics in 1983. His first published works were stories about the character "Sargon, Mistress of War", who appeared the First Comics
series Warp!
, based on a series of plays by that same Chicago theatre company. He is co-creator of the character Grimjack
with Timothy Truman
, who originally appeared in a backup story in the First Comics
title, Starslayer
, before going on to appear in his own book, again published by First Comics
in the mid 1980s. First Comics ceased publication in 1991, by which time Ostrander was already doing work for other comics companies (his first scripts for DC Comics
were published in 1986). Prior to being a writer, he actually appeared as a supporting character in the Supergirl
comic. His friend Paul Kupperberg
was the writer and incorporated him into the Supergirl titles relaunch in 1982.
Ostrander in-depth explorations of morality were later used in his work writing The Spectre
, a DC Comics
series about the manifestation of the wrath of God. His focus on the character's human aspect, a dead police detective from the 1930s named Jim Corrigan, and his exploration of moral and theological themes. Other books he has written for DC include Firestorm
, Justice League
, Martian Manhunter
, Manhunter
, Wasteland
, and an acclaimed run on Suicide Squad
, for which he was responsible for developing various characters.
From the mid-1980s until her death from breast cancer
in 1997, Ostrander frequently co-wrote with his wife Kim Yale
. It was while working with her that he recast Barbara Gordon, the former Batgirl
, into the information and computer specialist Oracle
. He is also responsible for the creation of characters like Amanda Waller
, Shango, the Soyuz and Pozhar.
At Marvel Comics
, Ostrander has also worked on X-Men
, Bishop
, Quicksilver
, Heroes for Hire
and the Punisher
, as well as the Western
mini-series
Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes.
Ostrander has also written for other comics companies: The Elfquest character Jink for Warp Graphics, Hotspur for Eclipse Comics
; Lady Death
for Chaos! Comics
; Magnus, Robot Fighter
, Rai and the Future Force
and Eternal Warrior
for Valiant Comics
.
Ostrander was one of the main writers on Star Wars: Republic
for Dark Horse Comics
, and many of his story arcs, such as "Twilight", "Darkness", and "The Clone Wars" stories are available in trade paperbacks. He is also the writer of an ongoing Star Wars comic series, Star Wars: Legacy
.
Ostrander has also written a Doctor Who
audio drama for Big Finish Productions
. Titled Deadman's Hand, the story was originally announced for release in March 2004; it has since been resheduled twice, but no longer appears on Big Finish's pages as a Future Releases and now seems unlikely to ever be released. As announced, the story was to feature the Seventh Doctor
, Ace
and Hex
.
Ostrander was nominated for the Comics Buyer's Guide
Award for Favorite Writer in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.
In December 2006, DC Comics
published a new Batman
story-arc titled "Grotesk" written by Ostrander that ran through Batman
issues 659-662 with Tom Mandrake drawing.
In 2010, Ostrander co-wrote Secret Six
14 - 18 with writer Gail Simone
.
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
writer of comic book
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...
s. He is best known for his work on Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X , is a name for two fictional organizations in the DC Comics Universe. The first version debuted in The Brave and the Bold #25 , and the second in Legends #3...
, Grimjack
GrimJack
Grimjack is the main character of a comic book originally published by First Comics. John Ostrander and Timothy Truman are credited as co-creators of the character, although Ostrander had been developing Grimjack with artist Lenin Delsol before Truman's arrival on the project...
and Star Wars: Legacy
Star Wars: Legacy
Star Wars: Legacy is an American comic book series set in the Star Wars universe. The series, published by Dark Horse Comics, is written by John Ostrander and Jan Duursema, and illustrated by Duursema and others, with inks by Dan Parsons and color by Brad Anderson...
, series he helped create.
Career
Ostrander studied theologyTheology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
with the intent of becoming a Catholic priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, but now describes himself as an agnostic.
Originally an actor in a Chicago theatre company, Ostrander moved into writing comics in 1983. His first published works were stories about the character "Sargon, Mistress of War", who appeared the First Comics
First Comics
First Comics was an American comic-book publisher that was active from 1983–1991, known for titles like American Flagg!, Grimjack, Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, and Jon Sable...
series Warp!
Warp!
Warp!, also spelled Warp, was an American science-fiction play created at Chicago, Illinois' Organic Theatre Company in 1971 by co-authors Stuart Gordon and Lenny Kleinfeld, the latter under the pseudonym Bury St. Edmund. The play moved to Broadway for a short run in February 1973...
, based on a series of plays by that same Chicago theatre company. He is co-creator of the character Grimjack
GrimJack
Grimjack is the main character of a comic book originally published by First Comics. John Ostrander and Timothy Truman are credited as co-creators of the character, although Ostrander had been developing Grimjack with artist Lenin Delsol before Truman's arrival on the project...
with Timothy Truman
Timothy Truman
Timothy Truman is an American writer, artist and musician. He is best known for his stories and Wild West-style comic book art, and in particular, for his work on Grimjack , Scout, and the reinvention of Jonah Hex, with Joe R. Lansdale...
, who originally appeared in a backup story in the First Comics
First Comics
First Comics was an American comic-book publisher that was active from 1983–1991, known for titles like American Flagg!, Grimjack, Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, and Jon Sable...
title, Starslayer
Starslayer
Starslayer: The Log of the Jolly Roger was an American comic book series created by Mike Grell.-Publication history:Grell originally created Starslayer for DC Comics, but plans to publish it were halted after the mass cancellation of titles known as the DC Implosion. Instead, he offered it to...
, before going on to appear in his own book, again published by First Comics
First Comics
First Comics was an American comic-book publisher that was active from 1983–1991, known for titles like American Flagg!, Grimjack, Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, and Jon Sable...
in the mid 1980s. First Comics ceased publication in 1991, by which time Ostrander was already doing work for other comics companies (his first scripts for 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...
were published in 1986). Prior to being a writer, he actually appeared as a supporting character in the Supergirl
Supergirl
Supergirl is a female counterpart to the DC Comics Superman. As his cousin, she shares his super powers and vulnerability to Kryptonite. She was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959. She first appeared in the Action Comics comic book series and later branched out...
comic. His friend Paul Kupperberg
Paul Kupperberg
Paul Kupperberg is a former editor for DC Comics, and a prolific writer of comic books and newspaper strips.-Biography:Kupperberg entered the comics field from comics fandom, as had his brother, writer/artist Alan Kupperberg...
was the writer and incorporated him into the Supergirl titles relaunch in 1982.
Ostrander in-depth explorations of morality were later used in his work writing The Spectre
Spectre (comics)
The Spectre is a fictional character and superhero who has appeared in numerous comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in a next issue ad in More Fun Comics #51 and received his first story the following month, #52...
, a 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...
series about the manifestation of the wrath of God. His focus on the character's human aspect, a dead police detective from the 1930s named Jim Corrigan, and his exploration of moral and theological themes. Other books he has written for DC include Firestorm
Firestorm (comics)
Firestorm is the name of several comic book superheroes published by DC Comics. Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein, the first Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #1 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom. Martin Stein, by himself as Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm the Nuclear...
, Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
, Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
, Manhunter
Manhunter (comics)
-Golden Age:The first of DC's Manhunters was a non-costumed independent investigator, Paul Kirk, who helped police solve crimes during the early 1940s. Though the series was titled "Paul Kirk, Manhunter", Kirk didn't use the Manhunter name as an alias...
, Wasteland
Wasteland (DC Comics)
Wasteland was an American anthology-style horror comic book published by DC Comics in 1987-1989 and intended for adult readers. The series lasted 18 issues....
, and an acclaimed run on Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X , is a name for two fictional organizations in the DC Comics Universe. The first version debuted in The Brave and the Bold #25 , and the second in Legends #3...
, for which he was responsible for developing various characters.
From the mid-1980s until her death from breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
in 1997, Ostrander frequently co-wrote with his wife Kim Yale
Kim Yale
Kim Yale was an American writer and editor of comic books for multiple comic book companies, including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, First Comics and Warp Graphics....
. It was while working with her that he recast Barbara Gordon, the former Batgirl
Batgirl
Batgirl is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, frequently depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman...
, into the information and computer specialist Oracle
Oracle (comics)
Oracle, in comics, may refer to:*Oracle, an alias used by DC Comics character Barbara Gordon*Oracle. the original alias of the DC Comics character who would be reimagined as Aurakles...
. He is also responsible for the creation of characters like Amanda Waller
Amanda Waller
Dr. Amanda Blake Waller is a character published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Legends #1 in 1986, and was created by John Ostrander, Len Wein, and John Byrne...
, Shango, the Soyuz and Pozhar.
At Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, Ostrander has also worked on X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
, Bishop
Bishop (comics)
Bishop is a fictional comic book superhero, appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular the X-Men family of books...
, Quicksilver
Quicksilver (comics)
Quicksilver is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
, Heroes for Hire
Heroes For Hire
Heroes for Hire is a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics. The team first appeared in Power Man and Iron Fist #54 , and was created by Ed Hannigan and Lee Elias.-Publication history and original concept:...
and the Punisher
Punisher
The Punisher is a fictional character, an anti-hero appearing in comic books based in the . Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr., and Ross Andru, the character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 .The Punisher is a vigilante who employs murder,...
, as well as the Western
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
mini-series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes.
Ostrander has also written for other comics companies: The Elfquest character Jink for Warp Graphics, Hotspur for Eclipse Comics
Eclipse Comics
Eclipse Comics was an American comic book publisher, one of several independent publishers during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1978, it published the first graphic novel intended for the newly created comic book specialty store market...
; Lady Death
Lady Death
Lady Death is a fictional character, a comic book goddess created by Brian Pulido and Steven Hughes. Lady Death first appeared in Evil Ernie #1 by Eternity Comics in December 1991. Lady Death then reappeared in the Evil Ernie: The Resurrection mini-series published by Pulido under his now defunct...
for Chaos! Comics
Chaos! Comics
Chaos! Comics was a comic book publisher that operated from 1994 until 2002.-Overview:Their titles included Lady Death, Purgatori, Evil Ernie, Chastity, Jade, Omen, Bad Kitty, Cremator, Lady Demon, and Smiley The Psychotic Button.They also published licensed comics for the World Wrestling...
; Magnus, Robot Fighter
Magnus, Robot Fighter
Magnus, Robot Fighter is a fictional comic book superhero created by writer/artist Russ Manning in 1963, based primarily on Tarzan. Magnus first appeared in Magnus Robot Fighter 4000 A.D. #1, published by Gold Key Comics in February 1963...
, Rai and the Future Force
Rai (comics)
Rai is a fictional superhero that appeared in books published by Valiant Comics. Rai was the first original hero created by Valiant and had its beginning as a flipbook back-up feature in Magnus Robot Fighter issues #5-8. The popularity of the flipbook back-up story later led to an ongoing series...
and Eternal Warrior
Eternal Warrior
Gilad Anni-Padda aka the Eternal Warrior is the title character of a 50-issue comic book series by Valiant Comics that ran from 1992 to 1996. Eternal Warrior was relaunched with the other Valiant characters under the banner of Acclaim Comics in 1996 . Valiant Entertainment, Inc...
for Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics is a comic book imprint published by various publishers since its inception with Voyager Communications, Inc. in 1989, later Acclaim Comics, Inc. Its assets were purchased from the bankruptcy of the Acclaim Entertaintment by Valiant Entertainment, Inc. in 2007.-Voyager...
.
Ostrander was one of the main writers on Star Wars: Republic
Star Wars: Republic
Star Wars: Republic is an American comic book series is set in the fictional Star Wars universe. The series was published by Dark Horse Comics from 1998 to February 2006. The series was originally titled simply Star Wars, but acquired its Republic title at issue 46. The entire series comprises...
for Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
, and many of his story arcs, such as "Twilight", "Darkness", and "The Clone Wars" stories are available in trade paperbacks. He is also the writer of an ongoing Star Wars comic series, Star Wars: Legacy
Star Wars: Legacy
Star Wars: Legacy is an American comic book series set in the Star Wars universe. The series, published by Dark Horse Comics, is written by John Ostrander and Jan Duursema, and illustrated by Duursema and others, with inks by Dan Parsons and color by Brad Anderson...
.
Ostrander has also written a Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
audio drama for Big Finish Productions
Big Finish Productions
Big Finish Productions is a British company that produces books and audio plays based, primarily, on cult British science fiction properties...
. Titled Deadman's Hand, the story was originally announced for release in March 2004; it has since been resheduled twice, but no longer appears on Big Finish's pages as a Future Releases and now seems unlikely to ever be released. As announced, the story was to feature the Seventh Doctor
Seventh Doctor
The Seventh Doctor is the seventh incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by the actor Sylvester McCoy....
, Ace
Ace (Doctor Who)
Dorothy Gale McShane, better known by her nickname Ace, is a fictional character played by Sophie Aldred in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
and Hex
Hex (Doctor Who)
Thomas Hector Schofield, nicknamed Hex, is a fictional character played by Philip Olivier in a series of audio plays produced by Big Finish Productions based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. A staff nurse working for St. Gart's Hospital in London in the year...
.
Ostrander was nominated for the Comics Buyer's Guide
Comics Buyer's Guide
Comics Buyer's Guide , established in 1971, is the longest-running English-language periodical reporting on the American comic book industry...
Award for Favorite Writer in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.
In December 2006, 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...
published a new Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
story-arc titled "Grotesk" written by Ostrander that ran through Batman
Batman (comic book)
Batman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27, published in May 1939. Batman proved to be so popular that a self-titled ongoing comic book series began publication in the spring of 1940...
issues 659-662 with Tom Mandrake drawing.
In 2010, Ostrander co-wrote Secret Six
Secret Six (comics)
The Secret Six is the name of three different fictional comic book teams in the , plus an alternate universe's fourth team. Each team has had six members, led by a mysterious figure named Mockingbird, whom the characters assume to be one of the other five members.-Original Secret Six:The Secret Six...
14 - 18 with writer Gail Simone
Gail Simone
Gail Simone is an American writer of comic books. Best known for penning DC's Birds of Prey, her other notable works include Secret Six, Welcome to Tranquility, The All-New Atom, and Deadpool. In 2007, she took over Wonder Woman...
.
Personal life
Ostrander suffers from glaucoma, and is facing significant bills in treatment. To help cover his costs, a benefit auction was organized for the 2009 Chicago Comic Con.Partial Bibliography
- Star Wars #19-22, 32-45 (Dark Horse Comics, 2000-2002)
- Star Wars: Agent of the Empire: Iron Eclipse #1-5 (Dark Horse Comics, 2011-2012)
- Star Wars: Boba Fett: Agent of Doom (Dark Horse Comics, 2000)
- Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi #0-5 (Dark Horse Comics, 2012)
- Star Wars: Jedi: Aayla Secura #1 (Dark Horse Comics, 2003)
- Star Wars: Jedi: Count Dooku #1 (Dark Horse Comics, 2003)
- Star Wars: Jedi: Mace Windu #1 (Dark Horse Comics, 2003)
- Star Wars: Jedi: Shaak Ti #1 (Dark Horse Comics, 2003)
- Star Wars: LegacyStar Wars: LegacyStar Wars: Legacy is an American comic book series set in the Star Wars universe. The series, published by Dark Horse Comics, is written by John Ostrander and Jan Duursema, and illustrated by Duursema and others, with inks by Dan Parsons and color by Brad Anderson...
#0-50, 0 1/2 (Dark Hose Comics, 2006-2010) - Star Wars: LegacyStar Wars: LegacyStar Wars: Legacy is an American comic book series set in the Star Wars universe. The series, published by Dark Horse Comics, is written by John Ostrander and Jan Duursema, and illustrated by Duursema and others, with inks by Dan Parsons and color by Brad Anderson...
: War #1-6 (Dark Horse Comics, 2010-2011) - Star Wars: Purge #1 (Dark Horse Comics, 2005)
- Star Wars: Purge: Seconds to Die #1 (Dark Horse Comics, 2009
- Star Wars: RepublicStar Wars: RepublicStar Wars: Republic is an American comic book series is set in the fictional Star Wars universe. The series was published by Dark Horse Comics from 1998 to February 2006. The series was originally titled simply Star Wars, but acquired its Republic title at issue 46. The entire series comprises...
#46-50, 54, 59, 61-66, 68-78, 81-83 (Dark Horse Comics, 2002-2006) - Star Wars: Tales #3,8 (Dark Horse Comics, 2000-2001)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Volume 3: The Wind Raiders of Taloraan (Dark Horse Comics, 2009)