Bryan Hitch (born 22 April 1970) is a British comics artist and writer. Hitch began his career in the United Kingdom for Marvel UK, working on titles such as Action Force and Death's Head, before gaining prominence on American titles such as Wildstorm's Stormwatch and The Authority, DC Comics' JLA, and Marvel Comics' The Ultimates.

Hitch's artwork and designs have appeared in direct-to-video animated films, television, and major feature films, such as the 2009 film Star Trek, for which he has been praised by director J. J. Abrams.

Early life

Bryan Hitch was born 22 April 1970 in what he described as "in the far northern reaches of England." He began reading comics at an early age, likening them to his "underage drug habit" and the newsagent in northern England where he would buy his books from his "dealer". The newsagent was next door to a cinema, and as Hitch explains, he could go straight from enjoying Christopher Reeve Superman films and other genre films to the store to buy Superman comics drawn by artists such as Curt Swan and José Luis García-López.

Hitch spent much time as a child drawing, which included and copying the art from comics. Although he had envisioned drawing them as a career, he would eventually find himself in seminary, studying to be a priest. When he realized he needed to leave that institution, relating during an interview at the 2008 New York Comic Con, "Apart from wanting to do comics, I also have a fundamental lack of belief in God."

Career

1980s — 1990s

Hitch entered the comics industry after submitting "Teeth Like Flint", an Action Force sample story he wrote and drew to Marvel UK, using a style that was fashionable at the time, By the late 1990s that Hitch's pencils were inked primarily by Neary.

Hitch had resolved to leave comics in order to pursue film and commercial work, and when he accepted the assignment of drawing Stormwatch (Vol 2) for Wildstorm, he initially did so specifically to bankroll his transition to a different industry. However, this changed when he met writer Warren Ellis, whose collaboration skills so spurred Hitch's excitement on the book that the artist would later describe his change in attitude as "like a lighting bolt." Hitch would draw issues 3 - 8 and the final two issues, 10 and 11. His work on Stormwatch garnered him greater visibility, and offers from other companies. He remained with Ellis to draw the Stormwatch spinoff book, The Authority, on which Hitch's trademark high level of detail and use of "widescreen" page layouts helped make the book extremely popular, and proved to be highly influential on industry art styles. and garnered critical acclaim. By September 2003, Marvel had renewed Hitch's exclusivity contract through 2006. which premiered in December 2004, and on a 15-issue Fantastic Four run that began in 2009.

By this time Hitch had developed a reputation for slow work and lateness, which began with his work on Ultimates, He was a character design artist for the Ultimate Avengers and Ultimate Avengers 2 animated films. He was a character design artist for the video game Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction. He was brought aboard the project due to his rendition of the Hulk in The Ultimates. He was hired by the BBC as the concept artist for the 2005 relaunch of the Doctor Who television series, providing input into the design of the TARDIS interior set.

Hitch's cover to Fantastic Four #554 (April 2008) is featured in the opening title sequence of the 2010 History Channel television series, Stan Lee's Superhumans. That same year, Impact Books published Bryan Hitch's Ultimate Comics Studio, examination of Hitch's approach and techniques toward his craft, as well as practical tips provided by Hitch on various aspects of the visual storytelling process, and how to develop a career in the comics field. Studio, which features a foreword by Joss Whedon, contains both past artworks of Hitch's, as well as original artwork produced specifically for the book. In 2012, Hitch was one of several artists to illustrate a variant cover for Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead #100, which was released July 11 at San Diego Comic-Con. The following year, Hitch illustrated the Image Comics series America's Got Powers, with writer Jonathan Ross. The following year Hitch and writer Brad Meltzer collaborated on a retelling of Batman's first appearance for Detective Comics vol. 2 #27.

March 2014 saw the debut of Hitch's creator-owned series, Real Heroes, which he wrote and illustrated. Hitch described the concept as "the cast of Avengers does Galaxy Quest."

In 2015, Hitch returned DC to write and draw Justice League of America, although DC canceled the last five issues it had solicited, ending Hitch's run with issue 38. Hitch finished his work on the series with issue #31 in October 2017. In 2018, he and writer Robert Venditti worked together on a Hawkman ongoing series.

Beginning in 2019, he partnered with Warren Ellis for a twelve-issue DC limited series The Batman's Grave. Hitch commented, "I've wanted to do a proper Batman book since childhood so all the tropes from Batmobile, Batcave, to Wayne Manor have been developing in my mind for decades. I've drawn Batman in Justice League which was nice but getting to fully play with his world has been as 'Batmanny' as I could have hoped for."

In 2021, Hitch became the monthly penciler on Marvel's Venom vol. 5, teaming him with writers Al Ewing and Ram V. In December 2022 it was reported that Hitch would be replaced as the interior artist by Carlos Alberto Fernandez Urbano (CAFU) with issue 17, though he would continue to draw the series' covers up to issue 25.

Hitch drew the 2023 miniseries Ultimate Invasion, with Jonathan Hickman writing and the premise revolving around The Maker attempting to bring back the Ultimate Universe, the aftermath of which will lead to a brand new line of Ultimate Marvel comics, which Hickman is helping to spearhead.

Hitch teamed with Mark Waid for a three issue miniseries for DC Black Label called Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor. The first issue was released in July 2023.

On October 12, 2023, Hitch and a group of colleagues announced at the New York Comic Con that they were forming a cooperative media company called Ghost Machine, which would publish creator-owned comics, and allow the participating creators to benefit from the development of their intellectual properties. The company publishes its books through Image Comics, and its other founding creators include Geoff Johns, Brad Meltzer, Jason Fabok, Gary Frank, Francis Manapul, and Peter J. Tomasi, all of whom would produce comics work exclusively through that company. In keeping with this exclusivity, Hitch affirmed that he would no longer work on any project on which he was not an owner or co-owner, and that Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor would be his final work for hire project, stating, "Since Superman was the character who first sparked my passion for comics and movies (and orchestral music), I can't think of anything more fitting that a truly brilliant Superman story is my last WFH project." Hitch's inaugural art for Ghost Machine was on Redcoat, a series written by Johns that centers upon a soldier named Simon Pure who, during the American Revolution, is forced to fight for Britain, and who inadvertently gains the power of immortality after stumbling upon the Founding Fathers' secret mystical organization. Simon grows jaded over the decades, and becomes an irreverent mercenary who makes a living while fleeing from a litany of deadly enemies, ex-lovers, and bill collectors.

Technique and materials

Hitch does not consider himself an artist or comic artist, but a storyteller, explaining that illustration for him is simply a medium to tell a story.

Bibliography

Interior work

DC Comics

  • Adventures of Superman Annual #3 (1991)
  • The Batman's Grave #1-12 (2019–2020)
  • Detective Comics vol. 2 #27 (2014)
  • Exciting X-Patrol (Amalgam Comics) (1997)
  • Green Lantern vol. 3 #1,000,000 (1998)
  • Hawkman vol. 5 #1–12 (2018–2019)
  • Hawkman: Found #1 (2018)
  • JLA #47–50, 52–55, 57–58 (2000–2001)
  • JLA: Heaven's Ladder (2000)
  • Justice League vol. 3 #1–11, 14–21, 25–31 (writer; also artist on #14, 20–21; 2016–2017)
  • Justice League: Rebirth #1 (writer/artist; 2016)
  • Justice League of America, vol. 4, #1–4, 6–9 (writer/artist), #10 (writer only; 2015–2016)
  • Martian Manhunter vol. 2 #11 (1999)
  • Showcase '93 #4–5 (Geo-Force) (1993)
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Killing Shadows #1 (inker) (2000)
  • Team Titans #21 (1994)
  • Transmetropolitan #31 (2000)
  • Young Monsters in Love #1 (Solomon Grundy) (2018)

Image Comics

  • America's Got Powers #1–7 (2012–2013)
  • Real Heroes #1-4 (2014)

WildStorm

  • The Authority #1–12 (1999–2000)
  • Gen-Active #1 (2000)
  • Stormwatch (Vol. 2) #4–11 (1997–1998)
  • Wildcats #5 (1999)

Impact Books

  • Bryan Hitch's Ultimate Comics Studio (2010)

Marvel Comics

  • Age of Ultron #1–5, 10 (2013)
  • Alpha Flight vol. 2 #6 (1998)
  • Avengers vol. 4 #12.1 (2011)
  • Captain America: Reborn #1–6 (2009–2010)
  • Captain Planet and the Planeteers #11–12 (1992)
  • ClanDestine #11 (1995)
  • Colossus #1 (1997)
  • Excalibur #104–105 (1997)
  • Fantastic Four #554–568 (2008–2009)
  • Free Comic Book Day 2021: Spider-Man/Venom #1 (Venom's story) (2021)
  • Gambit Giant-Size #1 (1998)
  • Generation X #28 (1997)
  • Marvel Comics Presents #76 (1991)
  • New Avengers #50 (among other artists) (2009)
  • New Avengers Finale (among other artists) (2010)
  • Sensational She-Hulk #9–11, 13–20, 24–26 (1989–1991)
  • Thing/She-Hulk: The Long Night one-shot (with Ivan Reis) (2002)
  • Ultimate Fallout #2 (Thor) (2011)
  • Ultimate Invasion #1–4 (2023)
  • The Ultimates #1–13 (2002–2004)
  • The Ultimates 2 #1–13 (2004–2007)
  • Uncanny X-Men #323, 331 (1995–1996)
  • Uncanny X-Men '95 #1 (1995)
  • Venom (Vol. 5) #1-16 (2021–2023)
  • What If? #59 (Wolverine) (1994)
  • X-Factor #105, 118 (1994–1996)
  • X-Men Prime #1 (among other artists) (1995)
  • X-Men vs. Brood: Day of Wrath #1–2 (1997)
Marvel UK
  • Hell's Angel, miniseries, #1, 3–5 (with Geoff Senior, 1992)
  • Death's Head #1–5, 7, 10 (1988–1989)
  • Death's Head II #1 (with Liam Sharp, 1992)
  • Doctor Who Magazine #139 (1988)
  • Dragon's Claws #3 (1988)
  • G.I. Joe: European Missions #2, 6 (1988)
  • The Incomplete Death's Head #8–9, 11–12 (1993)
  • Mys-Tech Wars #1–4 (1993)
  • Transformers #151, 172–173 (with Simon Furman, 1988)

Valiant Comics

  • Ninjak: Yearbook #1 (1994)
  • The Visitor vs. the Valiant Universe, miniseries, #1–2 (1995)

Cover work

  • Action Force #47 (Marvel UK, 1988)
  • The Transformers #154–155, 160–161, 279 (Marvel UK, 1988–1990)
  • The Transformers Special #9–10 (Marvel UK, 1988)
  • Death's Head #4–5, 8–9 (Marvel UK, 1989)
  • Marvel Comics Presents #44 (Marvel, 1990)
  • Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #18–19 (Marvel, 1990–1991)
  • Hell's Angel #1, 3 (Marvel UK, 1992)
  • Dark Angel #6–7 (Marvel UK, 1992–1993)
  • Knights of Pendragon #3, 5, 7–8 (Marvel UK, 1992–1993)
  • Codename: Genetix #1–2 (Marvel UK, 1993)
  • Die Cut #3 (Marvel UK, 1994)
  • Mantra #12–14, 23 (Malibu, 1994–1995)
  • Prime #23 (Malibu, 1995)
  • X-O Manowar #43 (Malibu, 1995)
  • X-Men Adventures vol. 3 #7 (Marvel, 1995)
  • The Phoenix Resurrection: Genesis #1 (Malibu, 1995)
  • The Phoenix Resurrection #0 (Malibu, 1996)
  • DCU Heroes Secret Files #1 (DC Comics, 1999)
  • DCU Villains Secret Files #1 (DC Comics, 1999)
  • JLA 80-Page Giant #2 (DC Comics, 1999)
  • JLA Showcase 80-Page Giant #1 (DC Comics, 2000)
  • Superman: The Man of Steel #97 (DC Comics, 2000)
  • The Titans #14 (DC Comics, 2000)
  • Superman: Metropolis Secret Files #1 (DC Comics, 2000)
  • Jenny Sparks: The Secret History of the Authority #1 (Wildstorm, 2000)
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Killing Shadows #1 (Wildstorm, 2000)
  • JLA #51, 56–58 (DC Comics, 2001)
  • Ultimate Fantastic Four #1, 3–5 (Marvel, 2004)
  • Ultimate Iron Man #1 (Marvel, 2005)
  • X-Men: Age of Apocalypse #1 (Marvel, 2005)
  • New Avengers #6 (Marvel, 2005)
  • Serenity #1 (Dark Horse, 2005)
  • The Ultimates 2 Annual #1 (Marvel, 2005)
  • The Amazing Spider-Man #529, 546 (Marvel, 2006–2008)
  • The Incredible Hulk #92 (Marvel, 2006)
  • Fantastic Four #536, 569, 645 (Marvel, 2006–2010)
  • Iron Man #7 (Marvel, 2006)
  • Wolverine: Origins #2 (Marvel, 2006)
  • Annihilation #1 (Marvel, 2006)
  • Giant-Size Avengers #1 (Marvel, 2008)
  • X-Force #1 (Marvel, 2008)
  • Captain Britain and MI13 #1–8 (Marvel, 2008–2009)
  • X-Force Special: Ain't No Dog #1 (Marvel, 2008)
  • Secret Invasion: Dark Reign #1 (Marvel, 2009)
  • Fantastic Force #1–4 (Marvel, 2009)
  • Enter the Heroic Age #1 (Marvel, 2010)
  • Vengeance of the Moon Knight #8 (Marvel, 2010)
  • Captain America: Man Out of Time #1–5 (Marvel, 2011)
  • Ultimate Comics: Avengers vs. New Ultimates #1, 6 (Marvel, 2011)
  • Ultimate Comics: Doom #1–4 (Marvel, 2011)
  • Wolverine: The Best There Is #1–12 (Marvel, 2011–2012)
  • Tomb of Dracula Presents: Throne of Blood #1 (Marvel, 2011)
  • Moon Knight #1 (Marvel, 2011)
  • Ultimate Comics: Fallout #6 (Marvel, 2011)
  • Punisher #1–6, 9, 11 (Marvel, 2011–2012)
  • Daredevil #4 (Marvel, 2011)
  • Kick-Ass 2 #5 (Icon, 2012)
  • Avengers: X-Sanction #1 (Marvel, 2012)
  • Age of Apocalypse #1 (Marvel, 2012)
  • Supercrooks #2 (Icon, 2012)
  • The Secret Service #1 (Icon, 2012)
  • The Walking Dead #100 (Image, 2012)
  • Secret Origins vol. 3 #7–11 (DC Comics, 2014–2015)
  • Wonder Woman vol. 5 #31–37 (cover art) (DC Comics, 2017)

References

Further reading

  • Bryan Hitch at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
  • Bryan Hitch at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators