Rags Morales
Encyclopedia
Ralph "Rags" Morales is an American
comic book
artist known for his work on DC Comics
' Identity Crisis, Countdown to Infinite Crisis
, Batman Confidential
, and Hawkman
, Turok Dinosaur Hunter for Valiant Comics
and Magic the Gathering: Dakkon Blackblade #1
from Armada/Acclaim Comics.
Morales is the co-creator, along with Brian Augustyn
, of the 1990s version of Black Condor
.
. After losing that job, he went to New York City, where he met writer Barbara Kesel
, who got Morales his first professional work, pencilling 19 issues of Forgotten Realms
with writer Jeff Grubb
as part of the TSR line of books. Following Forgotten Realms, Morales co-created and pencilled Black Condor
.
Morales left DC Comics to do work for Valiant Comics
, including Turok
, Archer & Armstrong
and Geomancer
. He also did some licensed work on a Sliders
comic book, and work for Wizards of the Coast
. After Valiant closed, Morales was unemployed for about a year and a half. He returned to his TSR roots, doing work for Dungeons and Dragons magazines and novella work for Harper Collins, such as Isaac Asimov
's Robotics and pen and ink work for Margaret Weis'
Testament of the Dragon. He also taught anatomical illustration at a vo-tech school.
Morales eventually called his friend, and fellow Valiant alumnus, writer Tony Bedard
, who was now Dan Raspler
's assistant editor at DC Comics. Raspler had wanted to work with Morales when Morales was exclusive with Valiant, and after a short while, Morales was given work on DC's on Hourman
, and then on Hawkman
with writer Geoff Johns
as part of a year-long exclusivity deal with DC. As the end of that year loomed while on Hawkman, Morales, who enjoyed working at DC, lobbied for it to be renewed with a multi-year exclusivity deal in order to secure his medical insurance for his family's sake, and received a three-year exclusivity deal. It was also on Hawkman that he first worked with inker Michael Bair
and they have worked together on most of their projects since. At the time Morales said "when I saw the magic that Michael Bair added to my work, I knew I had to stick with this dude".
After Hawkman, DC and writer Brad Meltzer
, who were impressed with the quality of his work, offered Morales the limited series Identity Crisis
, which was the first time Morales felt he had been offered a project of that level of prestige. Because of the importance of Identity Crisis to DC's ongoing company-wide storyline, and because of the number of characters in it, including minor ones that had barely been seen in years, Morales used copious amounts of reference materials for character studies, including the use of famous actors' faces to give the characters unique facial features, and sometimes updating their costumes in the process. The series was eventually selected by The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)'s 2007 recommended list of Great Graphic Novels For Teens.
Morales is worked, with Bair on Nightwing
during Peter Tomasi
's run as writer on that title. He is also working on Superman/Batman
from issue #53 for at least four issues.
In 2009 he contributed to the "Blackest Night" storyline with the three issues miniseries, Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps.
In June 2011, as part of DC Comics' massive relaunch of their entire superhero line, Morales was announced as the artist on the new Action Comics
#1, teaming with writer Grant Morrison
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
artist known for his work on 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...
' Identity Crisis, Countdown to Infinite Crisis
Countdown to Infinite Crisis
DC Countdown, commonly referred to as Countdown to Infinite Crisis, is a one-shot publication and the official start of the Infinite Crisis storyline. It was released 30 March 2005, sold out, and quickly went to a second printing. When this comic was first published, the cover showed Batman holding...
, Batman Confidential
Batman Confidential
Batman Confidential was an American monthly comic book series from DC Comics which debuted on December 6, 2006 and concluded on March 2, 2011....
, and Hawkman
Hawkman
Hawkman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published by All-American Publications in 1940....
, Turok Dinosaur Hunter 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...
and Magic the Gathering: Dakkon Blackblade #1
Magic: The Gathering storylines
Although Magic: The Gathering is essentially a strategy game that uses decks of cards, an intricate storyline underlies the cards released in each expansion. This storyline is shown in the game in the card art and through quotations and descriptions on the bottom of most cards...
from Armada/Acclaim Comics.
Morales is the co-creator, along with Brian Augustyn
Brian Augustyn
Brian Augustyn is an award-winning comic book editor and writer. He has often worked, as both an editor and writer, with writer Mark Waid.-Biography:...
, of the 1990s version of Black Condor
Black Condor
Black Condor is the name of three fictional characters, DC Comics superheroes who have all been members of the Freedom Fighters. The first Black Condor, Richard Grey Jr., was originally a Quality Comics character.-Quality Comics:...
.
Education and career
Morales attended a number of vocational art classes, and is a 1988 graduate of The Kubert School. After graduating, he worked for a silkscreen company in Linden, New JerseyLinden, New Jersey
- Local government :, the Mayor of Linden is . The former longtime Mayor of Linden is 82-year-old John T. Gregorio, who served as mayor of Linden for 30, nonconsecutive years and was repeatedly tagged with scandal during his mayoral career, including one felony conviction, later pardoned, which...
. After losing that job, he went to New York City, where he met writer Barbara Kesel
Barbara Kesel
Barbara Randall Kesel is an American writer and editor of comic books; her bibliography includes work for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Crossgen, Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics.-Biography:...
, who got Morales his first professional work, pencilling 19 issues of Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms (comic)
Forgotten Realms is a fantasy based comic book set in Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms campaign setting, written by Jeff Grubb and illustrated by Rags Morales and Dave Simons-Plot:The Hand of Vaprak #1 - #4Dragonreach #5 - #8Minder's Story #9...
with writer Jeff Grubb
Jeff Grubb
Jeff Grubb is an author and game designer. He has worked on a number of computer and role-playing games and has written a number of successful novels, short stories and comics...
as part of the TSR line of books. Following Forgotten Realms, Morales co-created and pencilled Black Condor
Black Condor
Black Condor is the name of three fictional characters, DC Comics superheroes who have all been members of the Freedom Fighters. The first Black Condor, Richard Grey Jr., was originally a Quality Comics character.-Quality Comics:...
.
Morales left DC Comics to do work 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...
, including Turok
Turok
Turok is a fictional American comic book character initially in comics from Western Publishing published through licensee Dell Comics. He first appeared in Four Color Comics #596 , then graduated to his own title, Turok, Son of Stone...
, Archer & Armstrong
Archer & Armstrong
Archer & Armstrong are the title characters of the popular comic book series published by Valiant Comics. Among the most commercially and critically acclaimed buddy comedies in comics, Archer & Armstrong features writing and art by comic legend Barry Windsor-Smith...
and Geomancer
Geomancers (comics)
Geomancers are a group of fictional comic book characters that appeared in every major title published by Valiant Comics. The Earth has only one Geomancer at a time. When the line was rebooted by Acclaim Entertainment, they, unlike many other characters, didn't reappear in any...
. He also did some licensed work on a Sliders
Sliders
Sliders is an American science fiction television series. It was broadcast for five seasons, beginning in 1995 and ending in 2000. The series follows a group of travelers as they use a wormhole to "slide" between different parallel universes. The show was created by Robert K. Weiss and Tracy Tormé...
comic book, and work for Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
. After Valiant closed, Morales was unemployed for about a year and a half. He returned to his TSR roots, doing work for Dungeons and Dragons magazines and novella work for Harper Collins, such as Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
's Robotics and pen and ink work for Margaret Weis'
Margaret Weis
Margaret Edith Weis is a fantasy novelist who, along with Tracy Hickman, is one of the original creators of the Dragonlance game world and has written numerous novels and short stories set in fantastic worlds.-Early life:Margaret Weis was born in 1948 in Independence, Missouri, and later attended...
Testament of the Dragon. He also taught anatomical illustration at a vo-tech school.
Morales eventually called his friend, and fellow Valiant alumnus, writer Tony Bedard
Tony Bedard
Antony "Tony" J. L. Bedard is a writer and editor who has worked in the comic book industry from the early '90s through the present. He is best known for his work at CrossGen Comics, where he was under exclusive contract, and for his run writing Marvel Comics X-Men spin-off Exiles.-Career:Tony...
, who was now Dan Raspler
Dan Raspler
Dan Raspler is an editor and writer of comic books for DC Comics. In the late 1990s, he created the series Young Heroes in Love.-Awards:...
's assistant editor at DC Comics. Raspler had wanted to work with Morales when Morales was exclusive with Valiant, and after a short while, Morales was given work on DC's on Hourman
Hourman
Hourman is the name of three different fictional DC Comics superheroes, the first of whom was created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily in Adventure Comics #48 , during the Golden Age of Comic Books.-Rex Tyler:Scientist Rex Tyler, raised in upstate...
, and then on Hawkman
Hawkman
Hawkman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published by All-American Publications in 1940....
with writer Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
as part of a year-long exclusivity deal with DC. As the end of that year loomed while on Hawkman, Morales, who enjoyed working at DC, lobbied for it to be renewed with a multi-year exclusivity deal in order to secure his medical insurance for his family's sake, and received a three-year exclusivity deal. It was also on Hawkman that he first worked with inker Michael Bair
Michael Bair
Michael A. Hernandez is an American comic book artist , best known for his work as an inker. His work includes Marvel Comics' Alpha Flight, and DC Comics' Hawkman...
and they have worked together on most of their projects since. At the time Morales said "when I saw the magic that Michael Bair added to my work, I knew I had to stick with this dude".
After Hawkman, DC and writer Brad Meltzer
Brad Meltzer
Brad Meltzer is a bestselling American political thriller novelist, non-fiction writer, TV show creator and award-winning comic book author.-Early life:...
, who were impressed with the quality of his work, offered Morales the limited series Identity Crisis
Identity crisis
Identity crisis is an internal conflict of and search for identity.Identity crisis may also refer to:In comics:* Identity Crisis , DC Comics seven-issue limited series...
, which was the first time Morales felt he had been offered a project of that level of prestige. Because of the importance of Identity Crisis to DC's ongoing company-wide storyline, and because of the number of characters in it, including minor ones that had barely been seen in years, Morales used copious amounts of reference materials for character studies, including the use of famous actors' faces to give the characters unique facial features, and sometimes updating their costumes in the process. The series was eventually selected by The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)'s 2007 recommended list of Great Graphic Novels For Teens.
Morales is worked, with Bair on Nightwing
Nightwing
Nightwing is a name that has been used by several fictional characters in the DC Comics Universe. It was conceived as a Kryptonian analogue to the character of Batman, with Nightwing's frequent partner Flamebird based on Robin...
during Peter Tomasi
Peter Tomasi
Peter J. Tomasi is an American comic book editor and writer, best known for his work for DC Comics. As an editor, he oversaw numerous books featuring the Justice League, including books starring various members of that team, such as Batman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern and the Flash...
's run as writer on that title. He is also working on Superman/Batman
Superman/Batman
Superman/Batman was a monthly comic book series published by DC Comics that features the publisher's two most popular characters: Batman and Superman...
from issue #53 for at least four issues.
In 2009 he contributed to the "Blackest Night" storyline with the three issues miniseries, Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps.
In June 2011, as part of DC Comics' massive relaunch of their entire superhero line, Morales was announced as the artist on the new Action Comics
Action Comics
Action Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined...
#1, teaming with writer Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant 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...
.
Art style
Regarding his figure work, Morales finds stock, poster-like standing poses difficult, preferring the more communicative movement seen among characters in narrative sequences, a forte he feels helped him attain the Identity Crisis assignment.Acclaim
- Archer & ArmstrongArcher & ArmstrongArcher & Armstrong are the title characters of the popular comic book series published by Valiant Comics. Among the most commercially and critically acclaimed buddy comedies in comics, Archer & Armstrong features writing and art by comic legend Barry Windsor-Smith...
#13 (1993) - BloodshotBloodshot (comics)Bloodshot is the title character of the American comic book series published by Valiant Comics.-Publication history:Bloodshot was launched in the mid 1990s on the back of a wave of popularity for the Valiant Universe. Bloodshot became an immediate hit with readers, as the first issue has sold...
#9 (1998) - Eternal WarriorsEternal WarriorGilad 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...
: Mog #1 (1998) - GeomancerGeomancers (comics)Geomancers are a group of fictional comic book characters that appeared in every major title published by Valiant Comics. The Earth has only one Geomancer at a time. When the line was rebooted by Acclaim Entertainment, they, unlike many other characters, didn't reappear in any...
#1-3, 5-6 (1994-95) - Sliders Special #2 (along with Dean Zachary) (1997)
- Turok, Dinosaur Hunter #4-6, 10-13, 24-27, 37-38, 47 (1993-96)
DC
- Action ComicsAction ComicsAction Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined...
, vol. 2, #1- (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...
, 2011) - Batman ConfidentialBatman ConfidentialBatman Confidential was an American monthly comic book series from DC Comics which debuted on December 6, 2006 and concluded on March 2, 2011....
#13-16 (2008) - Black CondorBlack CondorBlack Condor is the name of three fictional characters, DC Comics superheroes who have all been members of the Freedom Fighters. The first Black Condor, Richard Grey Jr., was originally a Quality Comics character.-Quality Comics:...
#1-6, 9-12 (1992-93) - Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps, miniseries, #1 (with writer Geoff JohnsGeoff JohnsGeoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
, 2009) - First WaveFirst Wave (comics)First Wave is a 2010 six-issue comic book limited series written by Brian Azzarello drawn by Rags Morales and published by DC Comics.It is also the name of a separate DC Comics fictional universe, crossing pulp fiction characters over with versions of established DC heroes.-Publication history:The...
, miniseries, #1-6 (with writer Brian AzzarelloBrian AzzarelloBrian Azzarello is an American comic book writer. He came to prominence with the hardboiled crime series 100 Bullets, published by DC Comics' mature-audience imprint Vertigo.-Career:...
, 2010) - Forgotten Realms
- HawkmanHawkmanHawkman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published by All-American Publications in 1940....
, vol. 4, #1-12, 15-17, 20-25 (with writers Geoff JohnsGeoff JohnsGeoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
/James Robinson, 2003–04) - HourmanHourmanHourman is the name of three different fictional DC Comics superheroes, the first of whom was created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily in Adventure Comics #48 , during the Golden Age of Comic Books.-Rex Tyler:Scientist Rex Tyler, raised in upstate...
#1-11, 14-16, 18-19, 21, 23-25 (1999–2001) - Identity Crisis, miniseries, #1-7 (with writer Brad MeltzerBrad MeltzerBrad Meltzer is a bestselling American political thriller novelist, non-fiction writer, TV show creator and award-winning comic book author.-Early life:...
, 2004–05) - JSAJustice Society of AmericaThe Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
, vol. 2, #26-27 (2001); #83-85 (along with Luke Ross, 2006) - JSA: Classified #19-20 (with writer Scott BeattyScott BeattyScott Beatty is an American author who has written comic books and encyclopaedias based on DC Comics characters.-Biography:Beatty has worked extensively for the popular comic book publisher DC Comics since the mid '90s...
, 2007) - NightwingNightwingNightwing is a name that has been used by several fictional characters in the DC Comics Universe. It was conceived as a Kryptonian analogue to the character of Batman, with Nightwing's frequent partner Flamebird based on Robin...
#140-142, 145, 148 (with writer Peter TomasiPeter TomasiPeter J. Tomasi is an American comic book editor and writer, best known for his work for DC Comics. As an editor, he oversaw numerous books featuring the Justice League, including books starring various members of that team, such as Batman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern and the Flash...
) - Wonder WomanWonder WomanWonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, vol. 2, #215-217, 219, 221, 223 (with writer Greg RuckaGreg RuckaGregory "Greg" Rucka is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.-Career:Rucka's writing career...
, 2005–06)