Mike Baron (born July 1, 1949)[1] is an American comic book writer and novelist. He is the creator of Badger and the co-creator of Nexus with Steve Rude. He is also well known as the first writer on Marvel Comics' The Punisher ongoing series, and the second volume of DC Comics' The Flash.

Mike Baron
BornMichael A. Baron
(1949-07-01) July 1, 1949 (age 75)
NationalityAmerican
Area(s)Writer
Notable works
Nexus
Badger
The Flash
The Punisher
AwardsInkpot Award 1988
Eisner Award for Best Writer/Artist 1993
https://bloodyredbaron.com/

Biography

edit

Mike Baron entered the comics industry with an illustrated text piece in Weird Trips Magazine #1 (March 1974) published by Kitchen Sink Press.[2] In 1981, he published his first formal comics script with Nexus, the science fiction title he co-created with illustrator Steve Rude; the series garnered numerous honors, including Eisner Awards for both creators. A prolific creator, Baron is responsible for The Badger, Ginger Fox, Spyke, Feud, and many other comic book properties. He and artist Jackson Guice relaunched The Flash in June 1987, when Wally West took on the mantle at DC Comics.[3] Also in 1987, Baron launched and wrote the first ongoing Punisher series at Marvel Comics, remaining on the title for over 5 years. During that acclaimed run, he and Klaus Janson introduced the character Microchip as an ally of The Punisher in The Punisher #4 (November 1987).[4]

In 1988, Baron wrote the "Deadman" feature in Action Comics Weekly which led to two subsequent Deadman limited series.[5] Baron has also written numerous other mainstream characters including Batman and several Star Wars adaptations for Dark Horse Comics. In 2014, Baron published Biker, his first novel, about reformed motorcycle hoodlum Josh Pratt. 'Biker' was the first in his 'Bad Road Rising' series. Liberty Island Press has since released six Josh Pratt novels, along with Baron's Disco, a story about a boy and his dog. In independent comics, Mike Baron has created Florida Man, Thin Blue Line, Private American, Bronze Star - a weird western with Pat Broderick, and Q-Ball, a martial arts comic with Barry McClain Jr.

Influences

edit

Baron has listed Carl Barks[6] and Philip José Farmer as influences on his fiction writing.[7]

Awards

edit

Mike Baron has been nominated for Best Writer in the Kirby, Harvey, and Eisner Awards. He was awarded with an Inkpot Award in 1988,[8] and has won multiple Eisners ("Best Single Issue" and "Best Writer/Artist Team" both with Rude) for his work on Nexus.[9]

Bibliography

edit

Advent Comics

edit
  • Buddy McGill #1-2 (2023)

Alien Books / Valiant Comics

edit
  • Nexus: Scourge #1-2 (2024-2025)

American Mythology Productions

edit
  • Florida Man #1-3 (2022)
  • Florida Man vs. Hogzilla #1-3 (2024)

Antarctic Press

edit
  • Thin Blue Line (One-Shot) (2024)
  • Private American #1-3 (2025)

BIG Comics

edit
  • Florida Man OGN (2021)
  • Thin Blue Line OGN (2022)
  • Private American OGN (2023)
  • Bronze Star OGN (2023)
  • Florida Man vs. Hogzilla OGN (2024)
  • Nexus: Scourge OGN (2024)

Capital Comics

edit
  • Badger #1–4 (1983–1984)
  • Nexus #1–3 (1981–1982)
  • Nexus vol. 2 #1–6 (1983–1984)

Dark Horse Comics

edit
  • Badger: Shattered Mirror #1–4 (1994)
  • Badger: Zen Pop Funny-Animal Version #1–2 (1994)
  • Dark Horse Presents #84 (1994)
  • Dark Horse Presents vol. 3 #12–14, 23–26 (2012–2013)
  • Godzilla vs. Barkley (1993)
  • Nexus #89–98 (1996–1997)
  • Nexus: Alien Justice #1–3 (1992–1993)
  • Nexus: The Origin #1 (1992)
  • Nexus: The Wages of Sin #1–4 (1995)
  • Star Wars: Dark Force Rising #1–6 (1997)
  • Star Wars: Heir to the Empire #1–6 (1995–1996)
  • Star Wars: The Last Command #1–6 (1997–1998)
  • X-wing Rogue Squadron: The Rebel Opposition #1–4 (1995)
  • Nexus: Nefarious OGN (2023)

DC Comics

edit

First Comics

edit
  • Badger #5–70 (1985–1991)
  • Badger Bedlam #1 (1991)
  • Badger Goes Berserk #1–4 (1989)
  • The Chronicles of Corum #1–9 (1987–1988)
  • Crossroads #2, 5 (1988)
  • Hammer of God #1–4 (1990)
  • Hexbreaker: A Badger Graphic Novel (1988)
  • Nexus vol. 2 #7–80 (1985–1991)
  • The Next Nexus #1–4 (1989)

Malibu Comics

edit

Marvel Comics

edit

Rippaverse Comics

edit
  • Goodyng: The Polymath #1 (2024)

Rude Dude Productions

edit
  • Nexus:Space Opera #1–4 (2007–2009)

Valiant Comics

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Miller, John Jackson (June 10, 2005). "Comics Industry Birthdays". Comics Buyer's Guide. Iola, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011.
  2. ^ Mike Baron at the Grand Comics Database
  3. ^ Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1980s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 228. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. Written by Mike Baron, with art by Jackson Guice, the Flash's new adventures began with his twentieth birthday party. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ DeFalco, Tom; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2008). "1980s". Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 232. ISBN 978-0756641238. Linus 'Microchip' Lieberman first appeared in this issue by writer Mike Baron and artist Klaus Janson. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Martin, Brian (August 2017). "Where the Action is...Weekly". Back Issue! (98). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 65–67.
  6. ^ Casey, Joe (2004). "Casey Interviews Baron: Detonation Now!". Newsarama. Archived from the original on November 3, 2004.
  7. ^ Price, Matthew (September 19, 2008). "Mike Baron talks Nexus, Badger and more". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Archived from the original on August 17, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2013. I only claim a couple of antecedents. I've been greatly inspired by the science fiction work of Philip Jose Farmer. And the way a story is constructed by Carl Barks. Though you might not see that in there.
  8. ^ "Inkpot Award Winners". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.
  9. ^ "1993 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
edit
Preceded by
n/a
The Flash vol. 2 writer
1987–1988
Succeeded by
Preceded by
n/a
The Punisher vol. 2 writer
1987–1993
Succeeded by