Alan Gordon (b. June 22, 1953, in San Francisco, California) is a comic book creator primarily known as an inker and writer. He is best known for his 1990s work on DC Comics' Legion of Super Heroes and the Justice League Of America, Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, and Image Comics' creator-owned WildStar.
Gordon's career began in the mid-1970s as penciler and inker of the story "A Christmas Carol", starring Michael T. Gilbert's funny-animal detective the Wraith, in Quack #6 (Dec. 1977), from the early independent comics publisher Star Reach. The following year, Gordon began freelance inking for Marvel Comics, working with pencilers Bob Budiansky and Steve Leialoha, respectively, on a backup story each in Captain America #220-221 (April—May 1978). He was the regular inker on Spider-Woman, with penciler Carmine Infantino from #7-16 (Oct. 1978 - July 1979), and worked as well on at least one issue each of The Avengers, Ghost Rider, Iron Man, Marvel Premiere, Marvel Team-Up, Marvel Two-in-One, Master of Kung Fu, Power Man and Iron Fist, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Thor Annual and "What If..." through 1982.
DC, Eclipse, Marvel, and Image
In 1982 Gordon left Marvel for DC Comics to ink writer-penciler-co-creator Scott Shaw and fill-in penciler Stan Goldberg on the funny-animal superhero series Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew. In 1983, Gordon did a year-and-a-half-long run at the independent Eclipse Comics, inking Will Meugniot on Will and Mark Evanier's The DNAgents, as well as inking Rick Hoberg for the company's spin-off series Surge and its anthology Eclipse Monthly.
Afterward, he returned to Marvel to become the regular inker on the company's flagship series Fantastic Four, and on the science-fiction adventure limited series Rocket Raccoon (with Mike Mignola penciling). Other work around this time includes issues of The Eternals and Power Pack, and Marvel's licensed series Thundercats and Transformers.
Freelancing once again for DC, Gordon in 1987 began inking Kevin Maguire while working with plotter/thumbnail artist Keith Giffen on one of that era's most critically lauded series, Justice League International. Two years later, Gordon, this time inking Giffen, also began cowriting with Giffen and Tom and Mary Bierbaum for DC's revamped Legion of Super Heroes. Gordon took over the complete writing and scripting chores for issues #21 though 24 (Aug. 1991), while continuing to ink Giffen.
In 1992 he began adapting a childhood creation, WildStar, with Jerry Ordway for creator-owned company Image Comics. WildStar: Sky Zero was the title of the miniseries that was written, inked, edited (with the help of Bud Shakespeare) and produced by Gordon, and penciled by Jerry Ordway. There was also a continuing WildStar series started with penciler Chris Marrinan.
Other late 1980s and 1990s work includes Marvel's The Sensational She-Hulk, The Silver Surfer and a run over penciler Erik Larsen on The Amazing Spider-Man; DC's Valor and Timber Wolf (the latter of which he also wrote and thumbnailed); Hero Comics' Champions; Awesome Entertainment's "Supreme" series and Judgment Day Alpha both written by Alan Moore; Tom Strong written by Alan Moore for DC’s imprint America's Best Comics; Image Comics' Freak Force and others.
He continued his working relationship with Ordway, inking Marvel's The Avengers vol. 2. Other 2000s work for Marvel includss Captain Marvel #25 (Sept. 2004) and Marvel Holiday Special #1 (Jan. 2006).
Outside of comics, Gordon has also done commercial and advertising art, fashion illustration, advertising and commercial voice overs including audiobooks, and played in rock bands.
Gordon has accumulated an extensive array of recognition within the comics industry, including two Eisner Awards and several Harvey Award nominations.
Harvey Award for Best Inker 1988 (nominated) - Justice League International #1, DC Comics
Harvey Award for Best New Series 1988 (nominated) - Justice League International, by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, Kevin Maguire and Al Gordon, DC Comics
Eisner Award for Best Art Team 1988 (nominated) - Kevin Maguire and Al Gordon, for Justice League International #1, DC Comics
Eisner Award for Best Single Issue/Single Story 2000 - Tom Strong #1 (ABC Comics): "How Tom Strong Got Started," by Alan Moore, Chris Sprouse, and Al Gordon
Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story 2000 - Tom Strong #4—7 (ABC Comics), by Alan Moore, Chris Sprouse, Al Gordon, and guest artists
Harvey Award for Best Inker 2000 (nominated) - Tom Strong, ABC Comics (Tom Strong also nominated for Best New Series 2000 and Best Continuing or Limited Series 2000)
Harvey Award for Best Inker 2001 (nominated) - Tom Strong, ABC Comics