Ennis, Garth 1970-

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ENNIS, Garth 1970-

PERSONAL:

Born January 16, 1970, in Holywood, Northern Ireland.

ADDRESSES:

Agent—c/o DC Comics, 1700 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10019-5905.

CAREER:

Comic book writer, c. 1990—; screenwriter, 2004—.

WRITINGS:

"JOHN CONSTANTINE, HELLBLAZER" SERIES; GRAPHIC NOVELS

Hellblazer Special, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1993.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits (originally published in Hellblazer Numbers 41-46, 1991), DC Comics (New York, NY), 1994.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Fear and Loathing (originally published in Hellblazer Numbers 62-67), illustrated by Steve Dillon and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1997.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Tainted Love (originally published in Hellblazer Numbers 68-71, Vertigo Jam Number 1, and Hellblazer Special Number 1), illustrated by Steve Dillon and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1998.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Damnation's Flame (originally published in Hellblazer Numbers 72-77), illustrated by Steve Dillon and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1999.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Rake at the Gates of Hell (originally published in Hellblazer Numbers 78-83 and Heartland Number 1), illustrated by Steve Dillon, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2003.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Son of Man, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2004.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Rare Cuts, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2005.

"PREACHER" SERIES; GRAPHIC NOVELS

Preacher (originally published in Preacher Numbers 1-33, 41-66), illustrated by Steve Dillon and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1996.

Preacher: Gone to Texas, Vertigo, 1996.

Preacher Special: Saint of Killers, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1996.

Preacher Special: The Story of You-Know-Who, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1996.

Preacher: Until the End of the World, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1997.

Preacher Special: The Good Old Boys, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1997.

Preacher: Proud Americans (originally published in Preacher Numbers 18-26), illustrated by Steve Dillon and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1997.

(With Steve Dillon) Preacher Special: Cassidy, Blood & Whiskey, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1998.

Preacher: Dixie Fried, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1998.

Preacher: Ancient History, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1998.

Preacher: War in the Sun, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1999.

Preacher: Salvation, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Steve Dillon and John McCrea) Preacher Special: Tall in the Saddle, Vertigo/DC Comics (New York, NY), 2000.

Preacher: All Hell's A-Comin', DC Comics (New York, NY), 2000.

Preacher: Alamo, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2001.

"THE PUNISHER" SERIES; GRAPHIC NOVELS

The Punisher: Welcome Back, Frank, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2001.

The Punisher: Streets of Laredo, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2003.

Punisher, Volume 2, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2003.

The Punisher: Born, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2004.

Punisher Max: In the Beginning, Marvel Comics, 2004.

The Punisher: Confederacy of Dunces, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2004.

The Punisher: Army of One, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2005.

The Punisher: Business as Usual, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2005.

Punisher Max: Mother Russia, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2005.

The Punisher: Full Auto, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2005.

"HITMAN" SERIES; CREATOR WITH JOHN MCCREA; GRAPHIC NOVELS

Hitman (originally published in Demon Annual Number 2, Batman Chronicles Number 4, and Hitman Numbers 1-3), illustrated by John McCrea and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1997.

Hitman: 10,000 Bullets (originally illustrated in Hitman Numbers 4-8), illustrated by John McCrea and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1998.

Hitman: Local Heroes (originally published in Hitman Numbers 9-14 and Hitman Annual Number 1), illustrated by John McCrea and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1999.

Hitman: Ace of Killers (originally published in Hitman Numbers 15-22), illustrated by John McCrea and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2000.

Hitman: Who Dares Win, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2001.

SCREENPLAYS

(With Mike Breault, Jack Kirby, Frank Miller, and Jimmy Palmiotti) The Punisher, directed by Douglas Carrigan, THQ Inc, 2004.

(With Jamie Delano, Kevin Brodbin, Kevin Brodbin, and Frank A. Cappello) Constantine, directed by Francis Lawrence, Warner Bros., 2005.

OTHER

True Faith, Fleetway Publications, 1990.

(With others) Judge Dredd: Democracy Now!, Arrow/Random House (New York, NY), 1992.

(With others) Judge Dredd: Tales of the Damned, Arrow/Random House (New York, NY), 1993.

(With John Wagner) Judge Dredd: Babes in Arms, Arrow/Random House (New York, NY), 1995.

Bloody Mary, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1996.

Medieval Spawn Witchblade, illustrated by Brandon Peterson, Image Comics, 1997.

Bloody Mary: Lady Liberty, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1997.

Heartland, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1997.

Unknown Soldier (originally published in Unknown Soldier Numbers 1-4), illustrated by Kilian Plunkett and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 1998.

(Author of introduction and commentary) Preacher, Dead or Alive: Covers by Glenn Fabry, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2000.

(With Alan Moore) The Worm: The Longest Comic Strip in the World, Slab-O-Concrete Publications, 2000.

The Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2000.

Enemy Ace: War in Heaven (originally published in Enemy Ace: War in Heaven Numbers 1-2 and in Enemy Ace Number 139, July, 1968), illustrated by Chris Weston and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2001.

Darkness, Volume 1, Image Comics, 2001.

D-Day Dodgers, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2001.

(With Steve Dillon, Ian Gibson, and Anthony Williams) Judge Dredd: Emerald Isle, Titan Books, 2002.

(And creator, with Phil Winslade) Goddess (originally published in Goddess Numbers 1-8), illustrated by Phil Winslade and others, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2002.

Nightingale, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2002.

Screaming Eagles, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2002.

Fury, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2002.

(With others) Spider-Man's Tangled Web, Volume 1, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2002.

(With Carlos Ezquerra) Just a Pilgrim: Garden of Eden, Titan Books, 2003.

(With Dermot Power and John Burns) Judge Dredd: Muzak Killer, Titan Books, 2003.

Garth Ennis' Dicks, Volume 1, Avatar Press, 2003.

(With Alan Moore, Jacen Burrows, and Antony Johnston) Alan Moore's The Courtyard, Avatar Press, 2003.

(With Greg Staples and Gary Erskine) Judge Dredd: Innocents Abroad, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2003.

The Reivers, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2003.

(With Carlos Ezquerra) Judge Dredd: Death Aid, Featuring Return of the King and Christmas with Attitude, Titan Books, 2003.

(With Nick Percival, Sean Phillips, and Greg Staples) Judge Dredd: Goodnight Kiss, Featuring the Marshal and Enter Jonni Kiss, Titan Books, 2003.

(With Bill Willingham) Animal Farm, Sagebrush, 2003.

Star Wars Tales Volume 3, 2003.

Thor: Vikings, Marvel Comics (New York, NY), 2004.

War Stories, Volume 1, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2004.

(With others) Judge Dredd: Judgment Day, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2004.

The Pro, illustrated by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, Image Comics, 2004.

Pride & Joy, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2004.

The Authority: Kev, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2005.

Adventures in the Rifle Brigade, DC Comics (New York, NY), 2005.

Judge Dredd: Helter Skelter, Titan Books, 2005.

Judge Dredd: Justice One, Titan Books, 2005.

ADAPTATIONS:

Constantine was adapted as a movie starring Keanu Reeves, 2005.

SIDELIGHTS:

Writer Garth Ennis is best known for his work in comic books. He is, stated ComicsNexus.com contributor Will Cooling, "one of the premier writers in comics today with a library of work that includes such challenging and moving classics as Preacher, Hitman and War Stories." Ennis now ranks with such classic comic writers as Frank Miller—whose The Dark Knight Returns redefined comics in the mid-1980s—Alan Moore, and Dave Gibbons, who created a graphic epic called The Watchmen at the same time Miller was releasing his groundbreaking work. Like Miller, Ennis "has also worked on some of the most legendary franchise characters in comics," Cooling concluded, "including his current lengthy run on the Punisher, various mini-series involving the likes of Authority, Hulk, Nick Fury and Thor and also a stint in the early nineties as the lead writer of Judge Dredd for 2000 AD." He has helped to move the public perception of the comics genre from the realms of adolescent fantasy to post-modern reality.

Among some of Ennis's first assignments were several Judge Dredd stories for the British comics publisher 2000 AD. Judge Dredd is a futuristic lawman who not only investigates crimes but arrests perpetrators, serves as judge and jury in the trial of the lawbreakers, and convicts them. The comic is not as well known in the United States as it is in its country of origin, where it has seen publication for over a quarter-century. Ennis was approached to write Judge Dredd in the early 1990s, and soon collections of his work began appearing as graphic novels. "[I like] his single-mindedness, his utter dedication to whatever course of action he's chosen." Ennis told Cooling. "I grew up reading Dredd and, so long as John Wagner's writing it, I probably always will."

One of Ennis's earliest—and best-known—work was for the collection John Constantine, Hellblazer, featuring the London-based sorcerer and necromancer John Constantine. The cynical and manipulative Constantine works off and on, not always of his own free will, for members of London's underworld. In Son of Man, Constantine is himself manipulated by a local kingpin into resurrecting his dead son. Years later, the young man "prepares to unleash an unimaginable evil upon the world," explained Gordon Flagg in Booklist, and Constantine has to confront the consequences of his own meddling with necromancy. In Rake at the Gates of Hell Constantine encounters the Devil, who is seeking revenge because Constantine beat him at their last meeting. "Ennis gave Constantine cheeky irreverence…," Flagg concluded in Booklist, "and perfectly captured the character's mordant charm." Although, according to Flagg, Ennis left the series in 2004, he returned to write the screenplay for the film Constantine, starring Keanu Reeves. The film was released in the United States in 2005.

Ennis moved on from John Constantine, Hellblazer to a quite different series: Preacher, a collection of stories centered on a defrocked minister named Jesse Custer and his attempts to come face to face with God. Custer is joined in his exploits by a number of troubled or tortured characters, including a former alcoholic turned vampire and Tulip, Custer's gun-toting lover. "Preacher," stated Ken Tucker in Entertainment Weekly, "features more blood and blasphemy than any mainstream comic in memory." But the stories Ennis pens are not merely attempts to shock comics audiences. "Preacher, while happily dipping into the ersatz mythological/supernatural hinterland that forgivably pretentious comic artists have found so convenient…," declared Nicholas Lezard in the Guardian, "uses them as a means of meditation on more human and timeless themes: friendship masculinity, honour, love." "Although on one hand," Ennis told Steve Johnson in Mania Magazine, "Preacher is about faith and yes it is also about, I suppose, the search for God, the search for faith and the manipulation and the abuse committed by figures in which I suppose people have faith. It's also just as much about the three main characters and about the things I can examine through them like honor and loyalty and friendship and so on."

Pride & Joy, according to a Publishers Weekly contributor, "brings Ennis's talent for dialogue and flair for the grotesque to a decidedly unexpected venue." The story traces events in the life of Jimmy Kavanaugh, a small-time hoodlum who has lost his wife, is in the process of losing touch with his son, and is on the run from another mobster, who is bent on avenging a wrong done to him by Kavanaugh years before. "I suppose [Kavanaugh's] trying to do too much at once, really," Ennis told Johnson. "He's trying to keep his kids safe, and he's trying to keep from ending up in jail because there is this thing from his past that could land him in a lot of trouble if people find out." Pride & Joy sometimes resembles a classic noir detective story from 1940s-era pulp magazines more closely than it does the traditional comic-book fare. "Ennis," concluded Booklist reviewer Ray Olson, "develops every strand in this scary, violent noir [story] surprisingly fully."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, February 1, 2004, Gordon Flagg, review of Rake at the Gates of Hell, p. 961; March 15, 2004, Ray Olson, review of Pride & Joy, p. 1278; May 15, 2004, Gordon Flagg, review of Son of Man, p. 1605; September 1, 2004, Gordon Flagg, review of War Stories, p. 77.

Chronicle, May, 2003, Don D'Ammassa, review of Judge Dredd: Emerald Isle, p. 49.

Entertainment Weekly, June 28, 1996, Ken Tucker, "Extreme Comix," p. 76.

Guardian (London, England), July 22, 2000, Nicholas Lezard, "Pick of the Week," p. 11; July 14, 2001, Nicholas Lezard, "Saturday Review," p. 11.

Mania Magazine (Sydney, Australia), April 18, 1997, Steve Johnson, "Garth Ennis Writes Heroes without Costumes."

Publishers Weekly, February 2, 2004, review of Streets of Laredo, p. 61; April 10, 2004, review of Pride & Joy, p. 42.