From The Scoop: In the Spotlight: Shannon Eric Denton

From the January 26 issue of Gemstone Publishing's The Scoop:

Shannon Denton has made an indelible mark upon the comics industry, both as an artist and as a writer. His career has spanned not only comic books, but has delved into the world of animation, lending his considerable talents to area ranging from storyboard art and directing to design and development.

Denton began his career in animation in 1995 working as a designer on such shows a Fox's X-Men series and Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (also in 1995) before moving on to storyboard art for Diabolik in 1997. Aside from his storyboard work on He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Beginning (2002) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003); Denton's most acclaimed storyboard work came from Paramount Picture's Oscar-nominated, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

"I had a great time working on that stuff," recalled Denton. "The job requires you to make the boss happy and early on it was difficult sometimes to go against you artistic instincts. I think a lot of people don't realize how much decision making is done by committee in film. The artists job is really just to give the person paying you the best version of what they ask for. Sometimes that works, sometimes not. But that's the job."

While working with Fox on the Fox Kids animated line, Denton contributed to the design and development of nearly every Marvel animated property from 1995 through 1999, including Spider-Man Unlimited, The Avengers and the Annie-nominated Silver Surfer series. Building a reputation for himself in Hollywood, working with such recognized studios as Warner Brothers, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, NBC, Disney and Nickelodeon, Denton soon turned his talents toward live-action television, contributing to shows like Ally McBeal and Las Vegas.

"A lot of that work is some of the stuff I'm most proud of," explained Denton on his Hollywood experiences. "Not all of it makes it to the screen, but the process is very rewarding. Most people don't realize that being able to visually communication with the crew is just as important as you drawing skills, if not more so. I was lucky to have made some great friendships on those gigs"

In the world of comics, Denton has worked for every major publisher, having had to opportunity to work on characters ranging from Image Comic's Spawn to Dark Horses' Star Wars line. Staring out working on an issue of Supreme, while it was still being published by Image Comics, Denton contributed to the pencils of issue #24. From there, he moved on to do an eight-page story in the first Annual for the series in 1995.

In 2000, Denton, along with Patrick Coyle, formed Komikwerks, an independent comic publisher, whose works include a number of online comics (Femme Noir, Black Mist, Tony Loco, and more). In addition, in 2006, Komikwerks launched their kid-friendly line of book call Actionopolis. Debuting in September of 2006, Actionopolis released The Forest King: Woodlark?s Shadow and What I Did On My Hypergalactic Interstellar Summer Vacation, and have since released The Blackfoot Braves Society, The Anubis Tapestry, Heir to Fire, Spirit of the Samurai, and Zombie Monkey Monster Jamboree.

"The Actionopolis line is very much my dream project," continued Denton. "While all of my other projects were a thrill to work on, there's been nothing as exciting as doing your own projects, getting to do them with creators [who's work] I love and respect and seeing them on the shelves of the local comic shops, libraries and bookstores."

Currently, Denton is promoting the second book in a series called Zapt! from TokyoPop with fan-favorite comic writer, Keith Giffen, set to hit both comic specialty stores and national bookstore chains in March. The story follows the adventures of Armand Jones and his adventures with the Pan-Galactic Order of Police. The book will be illustrated by Armand Villavert, Jr. In addition, the trade paperback collection of the first five issues of Common Foe, a book from Image Comic's Desperado imprint is set to hit stores in March. In addition, issue #3 of Grunts, from Arcana Studios, is scheduled to hit shelves any day now.

To learn more about Shannon Denton and his prolific career, please visit www.shannondenton.com. To find out more about Komikwerks and Actionopolis, visit www.komikwerks.com and www.actionopolis.com. Check out Denton's other comic work at www.meteorcity.net.

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