Matt Wagner

Matt Wagner (born October 9, 1961) is an American comics artist and writer who is best known as the creator of the series Mage and Grendel.

Early life, family and education Matt Wagner's childhood was spent in central Pennsylvania (near State College, Pennsylvania) and in Front Royal, Virginia. His mother was an English teacher, and his father, a World War II veteran, worked for a "synthetic fibers corporation". at Warren County High School in Front Royal, Virginia. In addition to his creator-owned series Mage and Grendel, he has worked on comics featuring the Demon and Batman as well as such titles as Sandman Mystery Theatre. In 1991, he illustrated part of the "Season of Mists" story arc in Neil Gaiman's The Sandman series. He wrote and drew Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity a limited series featuring DC's three major heroes in 2003. He followed it with Batman and the Monster Men and Batman and the Mad Monk in 2006.

His other projects include Madame Xanadu for Vertigo, with artist Amy Reeder Hadley. He has produced numerous comics covers, including painted ones for Green Arrow

Outside comics, Wagner provided art for the 1984 Villains & Vigilantes adventure Battle Above the Earth written by Steven Crow.

In April 2022, Wagner contributed to Operation USA's benefit anthology book, Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds, a project spearheaded by IDW Publishing Special Projects Editor Scott Dunbier. Its profits were donated to relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees resulting from the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Wagner produced a new Grendel story featuring Hunter Rose for the anthology. Received an Inkpot Award 1993: Won "Best Finite Series/Limited Series" Eisner Award, for Grendel: War Child Nominated for "Best Writer/Artist" Eisner Award, for Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight: "Faces" 1999: Won "Best Anthology" Eisner Award, for Grendel: Black, White, and Red Won "Best Short Story" Eisner Award, for "Devil's Advocate" in Grendel: Black, White, and Red #1