ALAN GRANT (WRITER)

'Alan Grant' is a Scottish comic book writer born in 1949. He lives with his wife Sue in Moniaive in Scotland and is best known for writing ''Judge Dredd'' in ''2000 AD''

Contents

Biography

Early career

''2000AD''

American work in the 1980s

1990s

2000s

Bibliography

Comics

2000 AD

Eagle

DC Comics

Other

Novels

References

External links

Biography

Early career

Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thompson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines.
After going back to college and having a series of jobs which he failed to hold down, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on social security. It was here that Grant met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor. Wagner was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC (this was ''2000AD'') and was unable to complete his other work because of this. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the ''Tarzan'' comic he was working on and this was the start of the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.

''2000AD''

Grant was asked by Wagner to try to write a strip for ''Starlord'', a ''2000AD'' spin off title. This got Grant noticed within IPC and on a trip to London, Grant was introduced to Kelvin Gosnell, the then editor of ''2000AD'', who offered Grant an editorial position on the comic. One of Grant's first jobs was to oversee the merger of ''2000AD'' and ''Tornado'', an unsuccessful boys adventure comic. Grant also featured as a character in the comic in the form of ALN-1, Tharg's Scottish Robot assistant. However Grant found himself in conflict with IPC and resigned to become a freelance writer and moved on to write the occasional ''Future Shock'' and ''Blackhawk'', the tale of a Roman soldier kidnapped by aliens.
Grant then formed his partnership with Wagner after the pair lived and worked together, with Grant contributing ideas at first before eventually co-writing ''Judge Dredd'' together. The pair would work on other popular strips for the comic including ''Robo-Hunter'' and ''Strontium Dog'' using the pseudonym T.B.Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories changing and adding dialogue, most notably ''Harry Twenty on the High Rock'' which was written by Gerry Finley-Day.
It was ''Judge Dredd'' which would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in ''2000AD'' as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as ''The Apocalypse War'' which would bring major change for the world of Judge Dredd.
Grant was hugely prolific at this time in the 1980s. He was not only writing for ''2000AD'', but other IPC comics such as the revamped ''Eagle''.

American work in the 1980s

By the late 1980s Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market, their first title was a 12 issue mini series called ''Outcasts'' for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman in ''Detective Comics'' from issue 583. After a dozen issues Wagner left (due to Judge Dredd being optioned for a film) to leave Grant as sole writer and this left Grant to become one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s (in fact, Grant has long stated that Wagner left after five issues, because the title did not sell well enough to give them royalties, and that Wagner's name was kept in the credits for the remaining seven issues because Grant was afraid DC would fire him). Notable Batman adversaries created by Grant in the 1980s include Anarky and the Ventriloquist.
The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called ''The Last American''. It is this series, as well as the ''Chopper'' storyline in ''Judge Dredd'', which is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. However the split didn't mean the pair never worked again, they continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover ''Judgement on Gotham''.

1990s

Grant remained highly prolific, his projects at the start of this decade included writing ''Detective Comics'' and ''Strontium Dog'', but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is ''The Bogie Man'', a series co-written by John Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is ''Lobo'', a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in ''The Omega Men''.
''Lobo'' gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other mini series (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing ''L.E.G.I.O.N.'' (a ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' spin-off) and ''The Demon'' (a revival of Jack Kirby's character) for DC Comics. Grant also wrote the first issues of the new Batman title, '', which also saw him create three new characters, Jeremiah Arkham, Mr. Zsasz and Amygdala. This story arc, , was later accompanied by his role as one of the main writers during the ''Knightfall'' crossover.
Grant was also part of the creative team for the short lived weekly title ''Toxic!'' and was a consultant on the ''Judge Dredd Megazine''. Due to the sheer volume of work he was doing, Grant let a new generation of writers try their hand on strips like Judge Dredd and Robo-Hunter. However this often proved to be unsuccessful and Grant found himself getting more involved again with writing for ''2000AD''.
By the end of the decade Grant had written for virtually every American publisher of comic books, including DC, Marvel Comics and Dark Horse Comics.

2000s

Grant had become involved with writing scripts for animation as well as his comic work, notably working on ''Action Man'' cartoons as well as original anime. He remains the main writer for Judge Anderson and Robo-hunter and has teamed up with John Wagner for a new ''Bogie Man'' story for the ''Judge Dredd Megazine''. He has also formed his own publishing company called Bad Press Ltd, who have so far only released the humour title ''Shit the Dog'' which was written by Grant and drawn by Simon Bisley.
He is one of the few professional comics writers to contribute to fanzines such as ''FutureQuake''. He also partly owns and provides scripts for ''Northern Lightz'', a Scottish underground comic. Along with his wife Sue, they organise the annual Moniaive Comics Festival which attracts many British creators.
Grant has written two comic-based novels, ''The Stone King,'' (2001) featuring Batman and the Justice League of America, and ''Last Sons,'' (2006) featuring Superman, Martian Manhunter and Lobo. Since 1998, Alan has written scripts for Renga Media and now is writing the screenplay for Dominator X.
He has also written ''Kidnapped'', an adaptation of novel ''Kidnapped'' by Robert Louis Stevenson, with art by Cam Kennedy, published by Waverley Books. It is part of a project revolving around Edinburgh being the first UNESCO City of Literature in 2007 and various editions will be produced some of which will be handed out for free. ^[1] A version with text adapted for reluctant readers will be published simultaneously by Barrington Stoke, and a Scots language translation by Matthew Fitt called ''Kidnappit'' is published by Itchy Coo. If things go well more adaptations may be in the works, although a sequel project based on Jekyll and Hyde has already been commissioned due to the relatively high profile and warm reception of the Kidnapped adaptation. ^[2]

Bibliography

Comics

2000 AD

★ Blackhawk (in ''2000 AD'' #127-28 & 130-161, 1979-80 & ''2000 AD 1982 Sci-Fi Special'', 1982)

★ Judge Dredd (in ''2000 AD'' #156-267, 269-499, 1980-85)

★ Tharg the Mighty (in ''2000 AD'' #162, Sci-Fi Special & 176-77, 1980)

★ Strontium Dog

★ Ace Trucking Co. (in ''2000 AD'' #232-36, 239-285, 288-293, 378-390 & 392-400, 428-433 & ''2000AD 1982 Sci-Fi Special'' & ''1986 2000 AD Annual'', 1981-82, 1984-85)

★ Robo-Hunter (in ''2000 AD'' #259-272, 275-281 & 283-288, 292-307, 312-334 & ''1984 2000 AD Annual'' 1982-83)

★ Harry Twenty on the High Rock (uncredited co-writer) (in ''2000 AD'' # 287-307, 1982-83)

★ Tharg's Time Twisters (in ''2000 AD'' #294, 302 & 307, 313, 316, 321, 346 & 348, 1982-83)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' # 416-427 & ''2000 AD 1984 Annual'', ''Judge Dredd 1985 Annual'', ''1986 Judge Dredd Annual'', 1983 - 85)

★ The Helltrekkers (in ''2000 AD'' # 387-415, 1984-85)

★ Mean Team (in ''2000 AD'' # 437-447, 1985)

★ Ace Trucking Co. (in ''2000 AD'' # 451-472, 1986)

★ Ace Trucking Co. (in ''2000 AD'' # 475-483 & 485-498, 1986)

★ Judge Dredd (in ''2000 AD'' # 451-502, 1986)

★ Judge Dredd (in ''2000 AD'' # 503-554, 1987)

★ Judge Dredd (in ''2000 AD'' # 555-574 & 577, 1988)

★ Judge Dredd (in ''2000 AD'' # 587, 598, 600-602 & 607, 1988)

★ Mazeworld: "Book I" (in ''2000 AD'' #1014-1023, 1996)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' # 468-478, 1986)

★ (in ''1987 2000 AD Annual'', 1986)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' # 520-531 & ''1988 Judge Dredd Annual'', 1987)

★ (in ''2000 AD Winter Special'' # 1, 1988)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' # 607-609, 612-622, 635-647, 657-659 & ''1990 2000 AD Annual'', 1989)

★ Bad City Blue (in ''2000 AD'' # 468-477, 1986)

★ Tales from Mega-City One (in ''2000 AD'' # 523, 525-26, 532-34 & 539, 1987)

★ Tales from Mega-City One (in ''2000 AD'' # 605, 1988)

★ Tales from the Doghouse (in ''2000 AD'' # 578-79, 1988)

★ Judge Hershey (in ''Judge Dredd Mega-Special'' # 2, 1989)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' #669-670, 1990)

★ Judge Dredd (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.1 #1-6, 10-20, 1990-92)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' #700-717, 1990-91)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' #758-763, 1991)

★ Durham Red (in ''2000 AD'' #762-773 & ''1993 2000 AD Yearbook'', 1991-92)

★ Middenface McNulty (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.1 #15-20, 1991-92)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Mega-Special'' #5, 1992)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.2 #1-7, 1992)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.2 #8, 1992)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd 1993 Yearbook'', 1992)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.2 #10-11 & 14, 1992)

★ Judge Dredd (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.2 #19-20, 1993)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.2 #22-24, 27-34 & 37, 1993)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.2 #50-60, 1994)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.2 #73-80, 1995)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.3 #1-7, 1995)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' vol.3 #14, 1996)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' #1045-1061, 1997)

★ BLAIR One (in ''2000 AD'' #1071-1074, 1997)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' #1076, 1997)

★ BLAIR One (in ''2000 AD'' #1084, 1998)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' #1087-1090, 1998)

★ BLAIR One (in ''2000 AD'' #1097-98, 1998)

★ Mazeworld: "Book II" (in ''2000 AD'' #1101-1110, 1998)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' #1102-03, 1998)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' #1132-37 & 1140, 1999)

★ Mazeworld: "Book III" (in ''2000 AD'' #1151-1160, 1999)

★ Young Middenface (17 episodes in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' 2001-present)

★ (in ''2000 AD'' #1263-1272, 2001)

★ Juliet November (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #202-204, 2003)

★ Apocalypse Soon (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #204-214, 2003-2004)

★ Robo-Hunter (in ''2000 AD'' prog 2004 & #1371-1373, 2003-04)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #214-217, 2004)

★ Robo-Hunter (in ''2000 AD'' #1406-1411, 2004)

★ (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #221-236, 2004-05)

★ Robo-Hunter (in ''2000 AD'' prog 2005, 2004)

★ The Bogie Man: "Return to Casablanca" (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #227-233, 2005)

★ Whatever Happened to?: "Melda Dreepe" (in ''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #230, 2005)

★ Robo-Hunter: "Stim!" (in ''2000 AD'' from #1450, 2005)

Eagle

★ Doomlord (in ''Eagle'' # 1-13, 20 - 40, 49 - 67, 79 - 93 and continuing, 1982-83)

★ Joe Soap (in ''Eagle'' # 12-22, 41-45, 1982)

★ Manix (in ''Eagle'' # 24-31, 41 - 64, 68-77, 79 to 93 and continuing, 1982-84)

★ The House of Daemon (in ''Eagle'' # 25-47, 1982-83)

★ Gil Hazzard - Codename Scorpio (in ''Eagle'' # 49-67, 1983)

DC Comics

★ ''Batman vs. Judge Dredd: Judgement on Gotham'' (1991)

★ '' (82 issues, DC Comics, 1992-97)

★ ''Lobo''

★ ''L.E.G.I.O.N.''

★ ''Batman / Judge Dredd: Vendetta in Gotham'' (DC / Fleetway, 1993)

★ ''Bob the Galactic Bum'' (with co-author John Wagner and art by Carlos Ezquerra, 4-issue mini-series, DC, 1995)

★ ''Batman / Judge Dredd: The Ultimate Riddle'' (DC / Fleetway, 1995)

★ ''Catwoman'' (vol.1 #26, 1995)

★ ''Tank Girl: Apocalypse'' (#1-4, Vertigo, 1995-1996)

★ ''Anarky (vol.1)'' (#1-4, 1997)

★ ''Batman / Judge Dredd: Die Laughing'' (1998)

★ ''Anarky (vol.2)'' (#1-8, 1999)

★ ''Batman / Scarface'' (DC, 2001)

Other

★ ''Doctor Who'': "Invaders From Gantac" (with pencils by Martin Griffiths and inks by Cam Smith, in ''Doctor Who Magazine'' #148-150, 1989)

★ ''The Last American'' (with co-author John Wagner and art by Mike McMahon, 4-issue mini-series, Epic Comics, 1990-1991)

★ ''The Bogie Man'' (with co-author John Wagner and art by Robin Smith):

★
★ ''The Bogie Man'' (John Brown Publishing, 128 pages, 1991, ISBN 1870870212)

★
★ ''Chinatoon'' (''Toxic!'' #2-9, 1991, started by Cam Kennedy, redrawn and completed by Smith, Atomeka Press, 112 pages, 1993, ISBN 1858090067)

★
★ ''The Manhattan Project'' (''Toxic!'' #11-21, 1991, Tundra Publishing, 52 pages, 1992, ISBN 1858090016)

★
★ ''The Bogie Man'' (collects the first volume and ''Chinatoon'', Pocket Books, 224 pages, 1998, ISBN 0671009230)

★
★ "Return to Casablanca" (''Judge Dredd Megazine'' #227-233, 2005)

★ ''Jeremiah Harm'' (with co-author Keith Giffen and art by Rafael Albuquerque and Rael Lyra, 5-issue mini-series, Boom! Studios, trade paperback, 128 pages, August 2007, ISBN 1427606862) ^[3]

Novels

Novels include

★ ''Batman The Stone King'' (2001)

★ ''DC Universe: Last Sons'' (2006 - featuring Superman, Martian Manhunter and Lobo)

References

External links

★ Alan Grant profile at 2000AD Online

★ 2004 interview by 2000ADReview

★ Moniaive Festival homepage

★ 2004 interview by Andy Diggle for Fusion