Michael Zulli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael Zulli |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | December 20, 1952 |
| Died | July 8, 2024 (aged 71) |
| Area(s) | Writer, Penciller, Artist, Inker |
|
Notable works
|
The Puma Blues, The Sandman |
Michael Zulli (born December 20, 1952 – died July 8, 2024) was an American artist. He was well-known for drawing animals and wildlife. He also became famous as a comic book artist.
Contents
Michael Zulli's Art Journey
Michael Zulli started his career in comics in October 1986. His first big project was a comic called The Puma Blues. He worked on this series with writer Stephen Murphy.
The Puma Blues
The Puma Blues was published every month. It was first released by Dave Sim's company, Aardvark One International. Later, Mirage Studios took over publishing it. Zulli drew all the characters, animals, and natural scenes in the comic. The story was set in a future world that was very polluted.
The comic series warned readers about protecting nature. It showed the dangers of harming and polluting our environment. The Puma Blues ran for 23 issues and a small mini-comic. It finished in 1989.
Drawing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Between 1990 and 1991, Zulli worked on three issues of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics. These were issues #31, #35, and #36. Fans called his work the "Soul's Trilogy."
Zulli's drawings for the Turtles were dark and very realistic. This was a new style for the series. Some fans loved it, while others found it very different. Zulli wrote, drew, and painted the covers for these three comics. Today, many people see this work as a classic. It has even been collected into a book called "Soul's Winter."
Working on The Sandman
Michael Zulli also drew for DC Comics. He worked on a special issue of Swamp Thing. In the 1990s, he started another story called Sweeney Todd. This was written by Neil Gaiman. However, the comic anthology it was part of stopped before it could be finished.
By this time, many writers and artists in the comic world noticed Zulli's talent. In 1990, he drew issue #13 of DC Comics' The Sandman series. This comic was also written by Neil Gaiman. This issue introduced a character named Hob Gadling. Zulli would go on to draw seven Sandman issues in total. This included the very last Sandman story arc, called "The Wake."
In 1994, Zulli and Gaiman worked together again. They created a comic book version of Alice Cooper's album, The Last Temptation. After the Sandman series ended, Zulli had an art show in New York City. It was called "Visions of the Wake." He also drew for other comics, like Winter's Edge and Sandman Presents: Love Street. He was one of the artists for the Shade comic series too.
Awards and Recognition
Michael Zulli was recognized for his amazing work in comics. He was nominated for the Eisner Award several times. This is a very important award in the comic book world.
- 1996 Nominated for Best Serialized Story: This was for his work with Neil Gaiman on "The Wake" (in The Sandman #70–72).
- 1996 Nominated for Best Penciller/Inker: This award was for his drawing and inking on "The Wake."
- 1996 Nominated for Best Comics-Related Item: This was for a poster related to Sandman: The Wake.
His Passing
Michael Zulli passed away on July 8, 2024. He was 71 years old.
