Editing Steve Dillon

{{short description|British comic artist (1962–2016)}}
{{other people||Steven Dillon (disambiguation){{!}}Steven Dillon}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox comics creator

| image         = Steve dillon 2015.jpg
| imagesize     = 
| caption       = Steve Dillon in 2015
| birth_name    = 
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1962|3|22|df=y}}
| birth_place   = London, England
| death_date    = {{death date and age|2016|10|22|1962|3|22|df=yes}}
| death_place   = New York City, US
| area          = 
| pencil        = y
| ink           = y
| alias         = 
| notable works = ''[[Hellblazer]]''<br />''[[Preacher (comics)|Preacher]]''<br />''[[Punisher]]''
| awards = [[National Comics Award]] (1998)<br />[[Harvey Award]] (1999)<br />[[Eagle Award (comics)|Eagle Award]] (2000)
}}
'''Steve Dillon''' (22 March 1962 – 22 October 2016) was a British comic book artist, best known for his work with writer [[Garth Ennis]] on ''[[Hellblazer]]'', ''[[Preacher (comics)|Preacher]]'' and ''[[The Punisher]]''.

== Early life ==
Dillon was born in London in 1962 and raised in [[Luton]], [[Bedfordshire]].<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Justin |title=Steve Dillon, Comic Artist Who Helped Create 'Preacher,' Dies at 54 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/24/arts/steve-dillon-comic-artist-who-helped-create-preacher-dies-at-54.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 January 2024 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=23 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128115614/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/24/arts/steve-dillon-comic-artist-who-helped-create-preacher-dies-at-54.html |archive-date=28 November 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jerry Bails |author1-link=Jerry Bails |title=Who's Who Bio: Dillon, Steve |url=http://bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=DILLON%2c+STEVE |website=Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999 |access-date=2 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070412214613/http://bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=DILLON%2c+STEVE |archive-date=2007-04-12 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=CBRObit>{{cite web|last=Melrose|first=Kevin|url=http://www.cbr.com/preacher-co-creator-steve-dillon-passes-away/|title=Preacher Co-Creator Steve Dillon Passes Away|work=[[CBR.com]]| date=22 October 2016 |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> He was the oldest of three siblings, a sister younger by three years, Julie, and a brother younger by nine years who is cartoonist/costume designer [[Glyn Dillon]].<ref name=TCJ-Glyn>{{cite web |url=http://www.tcj.com/the-now-of-glyn-an-interview-with-glyn-dillon/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123519/https://www.tcj.com/the-now-of-glyn-an-interview-with-glyn-dillon/ |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live |title=The Now of Glyn: An Interview with Glyn Dillon |last=Mautner |first=Chris |date=24 October 2012 |website=The Comics Journal |publisher=[[Fantagraphics|Fantagraphics Books]] |access-date=2 May 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

While attending [[Icknield High School]], Dillon first realised his potential as a serious comic book artist during the production of a school comic book called ''Ultimate Sci Fi Adventures'' with school friends Neil Bailey & Paul Mahon in 1975. His first strip in this comic was "The Space Vampire". This was followed by the ''[[Escape from the Planet of the Apes]]'' series.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

== Career ==
Dillon got his first professional work at the age of 16, drawing the title story in the first issue of  ''[[Hulk Weekly]]'' for [[Marvel UK]], later working on the ''[[Nick Fury]]'' strip. In the 1980s he also drew for ''[[Warrior (comics)|Warrior]]'' and ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'', where he created the character of [[Abslom Daak]]. He did a considerable amount of work for the comics ''[[2000 AD (comics)|2000 AD]]'' and ''[[Warrior (comics)|Warrior]]''.{{Citation needed|date=October 2016}}

Along with [[Brett Ewins]], Dillon started the seminal comic magazine ''[[Deadline magazine|Deadline]]'' in 1988, which continued for another seven years and was instrumental in supporting young, underground, comic artists such as Jamie Hewlett<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.phaidon.com/agenda/art/articles/2012/december/05/ten-questions-for-graphic-artist-jamie-hewlett/|title=Ten questions for graphic artist Jamie Hewlett – Art – Agenda – Phaidon|work=phaidon.com|access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> as well as championing and supporting new bands of the period such as The Senseless Things and Blur.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} ''Deadline'' is highly regarded for bringing underground comics and graphic novels into the mainstream during the 1990s.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aMxOPSGZPcwC&q=comics+in+britain+in+the+1990s+tank+girl&pg=PT214|title=British Comics: A Cultural History|first=James|last=Chapman|date=1 December 2011|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=978-1-86189-962-0|access-date=23 October 2016|via=Google Books}}</ref> and can be considered as a precursor for publications such as Loaded and Dazed and Confused, as well as defining and promoting the nascent Britpop movement of the time.

In mid-1989, Dillon met writer [[Garth Ennis]], with whom he eventually had his most notable professional collaborations. During a social gathering about a year later in Dublin, Ennis recalls, "After everyone else had passed out, we sat up 'til dawn and killed off a bottle of [[Jameson Irish Whiskey|Jameson]], talking about what we wanted to do in comics- what we thought could be done with them, what the medium was for. I can recall a sort of mutual 'Oh yes, you. You're the one. You get it.' This was to pay off handsomely in the years to come."<ref name=DownTheTubes>{{cite web | last1=Freeman | first1=John | date=24 October 2016 | url=http://downthetubes.net/?p=34657 | title=Remembering Steve Dillon | first2=Garth | last2=Ennis | author2-link=Garth Ennis | publisher=downthetubes.net}}</ref> With Ennis, Dillon worked on ''[[Hellblazer]]'' and, later, on ''[[Preacher (comics)|Preacher]]'' which concluded in 2000 after 66 issues.<ref>{{Citation  | last = Irvine | first = Alex | author-link = Alexander C. Irvine | contribution = John Constantine Hellblazer | editor-last = Dougall  | editor-first = Alastair  | title = The Vertigo Encyclopedia  | pages = 102–111 | publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]  | place = New York  | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-0-7566-4122-1 | oclc = 213309015}}</ref> Dillon also created the character [[Section 8 (comics)|Dogwelder]], featured in Ennis's series ''[[Hitman (DC Comics)|Hitman]]'', and the aptly named [[Section 8 (comics)|Sixpack and Dogwelder]] comic series, that ran from 2016 to 2017.

''Preacher'' was made into a critically acclaimed<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/preacher/s01/|title=Preacher: Season 1|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> TV show in 2016, starring Dominic Cooper. Dillon is credited as co-executive producer on the series.{{Citation needed|date=October 2016}}

== Death ==
Dillon's younger brother, concept artist Glyn, announced on social media on 22 October 2016 that Dillon had died in New York City.<ref name=CBRObit /><ref name=BBCobit>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37743510|title=Steve Dillon: Judge Dredd, ''Preacher'' and Punisher comic artist dies|date=23 October 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> The cause was complications of a [[ruptured appendix]].<ref name="nyt" /> His death was met with an outpouring of grief and a number of tributes from the comics creator community, as well as the following statement from DC Group editor [[Marie Javins]]:<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/10/22/steve-dillon-dead-preacher-doctor-who-comic-book-artist-dies|title=Steve Dillon, ''Preacher'' comic book artist and co-creator, dies at 54|date=22 October 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Romano|first=Nick|access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref><ref name=DCstatement>{{cite web|url=http://comicbook.com/2016/10/22/dc-comics-issues-statement-on-steve-dillons-death/|title=DC Comics Issues Statement On Steve Dillon's Death|date=22 October 2016|publisher=ComicBook.com|last=Lovett|first=Jamie|access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref>
{{blockquote|To say working with Steve was a pleasure doesn't begin to describe his gentle nature, or his easygoing demeanor. I worked with him from 1991, long before ''Preacher'', up to his most recent covers for ''Sixpack and Dogwelder'', but his impact on the comics industry resonated most through his interpretation of Jesse Custer and company. His name, along with writer Garth Ennis, is practically synonymous with ''Preacher'', but I know him as a lovable wisecracker who enjoyed New York, and could always be depended on to deliver a sly remark. Steve had a great sense of humor; it's fitting his last work for DC was a cover of a tin foil Dogwelder. To the rest of the world, he's a giant among creators and artists. He will be missed by us all here at DC and Vertigo.}}

Dillon's long-time collaborator Garth Ennis paid tribute to Dillon thus:<ref name=DownTheTubes />
{{blockquote|The last time I saw Steve was late last Saturday night in New York, walking down Fifth Avenue to his hotel after saying goodnight outside Foley's. It could have been the end of any one of a thousand nights. It's not a bad last memory to have. Steve was best man at my wedding and my good and dear friend. I think he probably taught me more about what that word means than anyone else.}}

The first episode of season two of the [[Preacher (TV series)|''Preacher'']] TV series is dedicated to Dillon.

== Awards ==
* 1998 [[National Comics Award]] for Best Artist
* 1999 [[Harvey Award]] for Best Continuing Series for ''[[Preacher (comics)|Preacher]]''
* 2000 [[Eagle Award (comics)|Eagle Award]] for Favourite (Colour) Comic for ''Preacher''

== Bibliography ==

=== UK publishers ===

==== Self-published ====
*'''''Sci-Fi Adventures'' ( Dillon/Bailey/Mahon)'''
**Issue #5 Nov 1974 "The Space Vampire"
**Special Issue Feb 1975 " Escape From the Planet of the Apes" Chapter 1
**Issue #9 Apr 1975 "Escape From the Planet of the Apes" Chapters 2 & 3
**Issue #10 May 1975 "Escape From the Planet of the Apes" Chapter 4
**Issue #11 June 1975 "Escape From the Planet of the Apes" Chapter 5
**Issue #12 July 1975 "Escape From the Planet of the Apes" Chapter 6
**Issue #13(final issue) Aug/Sept 1975 "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes" Chapter 1
*'''''Ultimate Science Fiction'''''
**Story in #1–3 (1977–1978)

==== Marvel UK ====

*'''''[[Hulk Comic]] (magazine)'''''
**[[Nick Fury]] stories in #1–19 (1979)
<!-- Story in #1 not credited; attribution open to doubt? -->
**[[Hulk]] story in #2 (1979)
**[[Ant-Man]] story in #48–49 (1980)
*'''''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'''''
**Kroton stories in #5–7 and #23–24 (1979–1980)
**Plutar story in #9-11 (1979)
**Ogron story in #13–14 (1980)
**[[Abslom Daak]] stories in #17–20 and #27–29 (1980)
**Moderator story in #84 and #86–87 (1984)
*'''''[[Blake's 7#Books and magazines|Blake's 7]]'''''
**Stories in #9 and #11–12 (1982)

==== Fleetway ====

*'''''[[2000 AD (comics)|2000 AD]]'''''
**[[Judge Dredd]] stories in Sci-Fi Special 1980, #205, #242–243, #305–307, #322–328, #353, #374–375, #393, #397–399, #404–405, #409, #443, #450, Sci-Fi Special 1986, #505, #511–512, #610,{{efn|Artwork intended for ''2000 AD'' #404; lost, then rediscovered.}} #702–706, #727–732, #783, and Judge Dredd Yearbook 1993 (1980–1981; 1983–1987; 1989–1992)
**[[Ro-Jaws]] story in #189–190 (1980)
**Mean Arena stories in #199–200 and #218–223 (1981)
**[[Ro-Busters]] story in Annual 1982 (1981)
**[[Rogue Trooper]] stories in #379–380, #495–499, #520–531, #535–539, #553–554, #568–572, #574–575, #589, #598–600, #602–603, #624–630, #633–635, Winter Special 1989 (as writer), and Rogue Trooper Annual 1991 (1984; 1986–1990)
**[[ABC Warriors]] story in Annual 1985 (1984)
**[[Tharg's Future Shocks|Future Shocks]] in #442, #479, #572 (as writer), and #588 (as writer) (1985–1986; 1988)
**Hap Hazzard stories in #561, #567, #588, #609–610, and #1164 (1988–1989; 1999)
**[[Tyranny Rex]] stories in #566–568, #582–584, and Sci-Fi Special 1988 (1988)
**[[Bad Company (comics)|Bad Company]] story in #601 (as inker) (1988)
**[[Harlem Heroes]] story in #671–676, #683–699, and #701–702 (1990)
*'''''[[Diceman (comics)|Diceman]]'''''
**ABC Warriors story in #2 (1986)
**Diceman stories in #4–5 (1986)
*''[[Comic Relief|The Comic Relief Comic]]'' One-shot (1991)

==== Quality ====

*'''''[[Warrior (comics)|Warrior]]'''''
**[[Axel Pressbutton|Laser Eraser and Pressbutton]] stories in #1–3, #5–11, and #15 (1982–83)
**[[Miracleman|Marvelman]] story in #4{{efn|Cover has no number; reads "''Warrior'' Summer Special 1982".}} (1982)

==== Deadline ====

*'''''[[Deadline (magazine)|Deadline]]'''''
**Stories in #1–20 (as editor) (1988–1990)
<!-- This list is incomplete! -->

==== Other ====

'''[[TI Media|IPC Magazines]]'''
*''[[Scream! (comics)|Scream!]]'' #8 (1984)
'''Pyramid Books'''
*''[[Spitting Image]]: The Giant Komic Book'' OGN (1988)
'''[[Atomeka Press]]'''
*''[[A1 (comics)|A1]]'' #5 and #6A (1991–1992)
'''[[John Brown Media|John Brown]]'''
*''[[Blast! (comics)|Blast!]]'' #1  (1991)

=== DC Comics ===

'''Main artist'''
*''[[Skreemer]]'' #1–6 (as inker) (1989)
*''[[Animal Man (comic book)|Animal Man]]'' #29, #33–38, #40–41, #43, #45, and #47–50 (1990–1992)
*''[[Hellblazer]]'' #49, #57–58, and #62{{efn|Becomes one of the first Vertigo titles, starting the next issue.}} (1992–1993)
*''[[Atom (comics)|The Atom Special]]'' #1 (1993)
*''[[Legion Lost|Legion Worlds]]'' #5 (2001)

'''Contributor'''
*''[[Who's Who in the DC Universe#Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe|Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe]]'' #19 (1986)
*''Focus'' One-shot{{efn|Character designs meant for ''[[Wanderers (comics)#Post-Crisis|Wanderers]]'', not otherwise used.}} (1987)
*''[[Hitman (DC Comics)|Hitman]]'' #60 (2001)
*''[[Superman]]: American Alien'' #4 (2016)

==== Vertigo ====

'''Main artist'''
*''[[Hellblazer]]'' #63–76, #78–83, #157, #175–176, and #200 (1993–1994; 2001–2002; 2004)
**''Confessional'' One-shot (1993)
**''[[Heartland (comics)|Heartland]]'' One-shot (1997)
*''[[Preacher (comics)|Preacher]]'' #1–66 (1995–2000)
**''Cassidy: Blood and Whiskey'' OGN (1998)
**''Tall in the Saddle'' OGN (1999)

'''Contributor'''
*''Vertigo Jam'' One-shot (1993)
*''The Vertigo Gallery: Dreams and Nightmares'' One-shot (1995)
*''Vertigo: Winter's Edge'' #1 (as interviewee) (1998)
*''[[Transmetropolitan]]: I Hate It Here'' One-shot (2000)
*''Vertigo X Anniversary'' One-shot (as interviewee) (2003)
*''[[Scalped (comics)|Scalped]]'' #50 (2011)

==== Paradox ====

'''Contributor'''
*''[[The Big Book Of#Death|The Big Book of Death]]'' OGN (1995)

==== WildStorm ====

'''Main artist'''
*''[[Wildcats (comics)|Wildcats]]'' #20–21 (2001)
*''[[Global Frequency]]'' #3 (2003)

=== Marvel Comics ===

'''Main artist'''
*''[[Punisher|The Punisher: Countdown]]'' One-shot{{efn|Minicomic packaged with the DVD release of ''[[The Punisher (2004 film)|The Punisher]]''.}} (2004)
*''[[Wolverine: Origins]]'' #1–25 (2006–2008)
*''[[Hope Summers (comics)|X-Men: Hope]]'' One-Shot{{efn|Single story: originally printed across four back-up features.}} (2010), collecting:
**''[[Betsy Braddock|Psylocke]]'' #1 (2010)
**''[[Dark X-Men]]'' #1 (2010)
**''[[X-Men Legacy]]'' #230 (2010)
**''[[X-Force (comic book)|X-Force]]'' #22 (2010)
*''[[Wolverine (comic book)|Wolverine]]'' #304 (2012)
*''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|Incredible Hulk]]'' #8 (2012)
*''[[Avenging Spider-Man]]'' #11 (2012)
*''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]'' #1–6 and #12 (2013)
*''[[Scarlet Witch]]'' #3 (2016)
*''The Punisher'' #1–6 (2016)

'''Contributor'''
*''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil #1/2]]'' One-shot (1999)
*''Scarlet Witch'' #4 (2016)
*''The Punisher'' #7{{efn|''The Punisher'' #7 was unfinished at the time of Dillon's death.}} (2016)

==== Epic ====
'''Main artist'''
*''[[Shadowline (Epic Comics)#Titles|Doctor Zero]]'' #5 (as inker) (1988)
*''[[Car Warriors (comics)|Car Warriors]]'' #1–4 (1991)

==== Marvel Knights ====
'''Main artist'''
*''[[The Punisher (2000 series)|Punisher]]'' #1–12 (2000–2001)
*''[[The Punisher (2001 series)|Punisher]]'' #1–7, #13–14, #18–23, and #32 (2001–2003)
*''[[Bullseye (comics)|Bullseye: Greatest Hits]]'' #1–5 (2005)
*''Punisher vs. Bullseye'' #1–5 (2005–2006)
*''[[Punisher War Zone]]'' #1–6 (2009)

==== Ultimate ====
'''Main artist'''
*''[[Ultimate X-Men]]'' #58 (2005)
*''[[The Ultimates 2]]'' Annual 1 (2005)
*''[[Ultimate Comics: Avengers|Ultimate Avengers]]'' #13–18{{efn|Covers instead read "''Ultimate Avengers 3'' #1–6", respectively.}} (2010–2011)

==== MAX ====
'''Main artist'''
*''[[Nighthawk (Supreme Power)|Supreme Power: Nighthawk]]'' #1–6 (2005–2006)
*''[[Punisher MAX]]'' #1–22 (2010–2012)

=== Image Comics ===

==== WildStorm ====
'''Main artist'''
*''[[Gen¹³|Gen<sup>13</sup>]]'' Annual 1 (1997)
*''Gen<sup>13</sup> Bootleg'' Annual 1 (1998)

=== Other publishers ===

'''[[Eclipse Comics]]'''
*''The Johnny Nemo Magazine'' #3 (as inker) (1986)
*''3-D Laser Eraser and Pressbutton'' One-shot (as writer) (1986)

'''[[Penthouse (magazine)|Penthouse]]'''
*''Penthouse Men's Adventure Comix''
** Kodiak story in #6 (1996)

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
*{{gcdb|type=credit|search=Steve+Dillon|title=Steve Dillon}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=131|title=Steve Dillon}}
*[http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=droid&page=profiles&choice=STEVED Steve Dillon] at 2000 AD online
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929150857/http://marvel.com/catalog/?artist=Steve%20Dillon Steve Dillon] at Marvel.com
*[http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/sept98/ennisdillon.html Drinking With the Boys: An Evening with Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon]
*[https://michaelowencarroll.wordpress.com/2020/10/30/retro-interview-steve-dillon-1990/ Interview (1990), obituary (2016) and gallery of images]

{{Preacher}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dillon, Steve}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:British comics artists]]
[[Category:People educated at Icknield High School]]
[[Category:Deaths from appendicitis]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics people]]
[[Category:DC Comics people]]