Michael Layne Turner (April 21, 1971 – June 27, 2008) was an American comics artist known for his work on Witchblade, Fathom, Superman/Batman, Soulfire, and various covers for DC Comics and Marvel Comics. He was also the president of the entertainment company Aspen MLT.

Early life

Michael Turner was born in Crossville, Tennessee on April 21, 1971. He was a student at the University of Tennessee, and graduated from the International Performing Arts Academy after which he moved to San Diego, California, where he developed an interest in comics.

Career

Turner was discovered by Marc Silvestri at a convention His creator-owned title Soulfire began publication in 2004 and Fathom resumed publication in that year as well, though this time with Aspen MLT rather than Top Cow.

On August 6, 2005, Marvel Comics announced the signing of Michael Turner to a work-for-hire deal for a six-issue project and covers. This would turn out to be at least the variant covers for the miniseries Civil War and the Wolverine ongoing series Wolverine: Origins. He is survived by his mother Grace Crick, his brother Jake Turner, and his fiancée Kelly Carmichael. Aspen MLT also published a trade paperback collection of writings from people who knew Turner, titled A Tribute to Michael Turner, which features a cover painted by Alex Ross. Volume #21 of The Boys included a page dedicated to Michael Turner as well.

Bibliography

Interior art

Aspen MLT

  • Soulfire #0–7 (2004–2005)

DC Comics

  • Superman/Batman #8–13 (2004)

Image Comics/Top Cow Productions

  • Ballistic #1–3 (1995)
  • Codename: Strykeforce #14 (among other artists) (1995)
  • Fathom #0–14 (1998–2002)
  • Tomb Raider #25 (2002)
  • Tomb Raider/Witchblade, one-shot, (with Brian Ching) #1 (1997)
  • Witchblade #1–8, 10–23, 25 (1995–1998)
  • Witchblade/Tomb Raider Special #1 (with Keu Cha)(1998)
  • Wolverine/Witchblade #1 (1997)
  • Witchblade/Elektra #1 (1997)

Covers

thumb|Variant incentive cover for [[Justice League of America #12 (October 2007)]]

Aspen MLT

  • Fathom vol. 2, Beginnings, Prelude #0, 1–4, 7–8, 10–11 (2005–2006)
  • Shrugged #0, 1–6 (2006–2007)
  • Soulfire Preview, #0, 1–10 (2004–2009)

DC Comics

  • Action Comics #812–813 (2004)
  • The Adventures of Superman #625–626 (2004)
  • The Flash vol. 2 #207–211 (2004)
  • Identity Crisis #1–7 (2004)
  • Justice League of America vol. 2 #0–12 (2006–2007)
  • Supergirl vol. 5 #1–3, 5, 50 (2005)
  • Superman vol. 2, #202–203, 205 (2004)
  • Superman/Batman #8–13, 19, 26 (2006)
  • Teen Titans vol. 3 #1 (2003)

Dynamite Entertainment

  • Mercenaries #1–3 (2007)

Image Comics / Top Cow Productions

  • Darkness #7, 11 (1997–1998)
  • Tomb Raider #1, 9, 25, 46 (1999–2004)
  • Witchblade #1–25, 27, 50, 86, 100, 103 (1995–2007)

Image Comics / Hurricane Ent.

  • Violent Messiahs: Lamenting Pain #1 (2002)

Marvel Comics

  • Black Panther vol. 4 #18, 23–25 (2006–2007)
  • Civil War #1–7 (2006–2007)
  • Fantastic Four #544–553 (2007)
  • Hulk vol. 2 #1, 6 (2008)
  • The Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #100 (2006)
  • Ms. Marvel vol. 2 #1 (2006)
  • Onslaught: Reborn #1 (2006)
  • Spider-Man/Red Sonja #1–5 (2007)
  • Sub-Mariner vol. 2 #1, 6 (2007–2008)
  • Thor vol. 3 #1 (2007)
  • Ultimate X-Men #75 (2006)
  • Uncanny X-Men #500 (2008)
  • World War Hulk #1 (2007)
  • Wolverine: Origins #1 (2006)
  • Wolverine vol. 3 #66 (2008)

References

Further reading

  • Jim McLauchlin, "Up from the Depths", Wizard #112
  • "Playin' It Cool", interview with Michael Turner, Wizard #115
  • Aspen MLT Inc., official website
  • Michael Turner at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
  • Michael Turner at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators