Steve Orlando Explained

Nationality:American
Area:Writer
Editor
Notable Works:Midnighter
Martian Manhunter
Batman and Robin Eternal

Steve Orlando is an American comic book writer, known for his work for DC Comics writing characters such as Batman, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman, and two series starring Midnighter, which were nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.[1]

Early life

Steve Orlando attended Hamilton College in Clinton, where he studied Russian language and creative writing, obtaining a degree in the latter.[2] [3]

Career

Beginning in 2000, Orlando began attending conventions seeking work in the comics industry. Between 2000 and 2014, with the release of his first longform work, Undertow,[4] he created and revised comics under the mentorship of Man of Action Studios and Vertigo editor Will Dennis, as well as publishing with 215 Ink, Poseur Ink, and working as a submissions editor for Leagues of Talent.

In 2009 and 2014, Orlando was part of the Outlaw Territory Anthology series at Image Comics, Volume 3 of which was nominated for Eisner and Harvey Awards. After releasing shorts for DC/Vertigo's Mystery in Space[5] and CMYK:Yellow[6] Anthologies, he released Undertow at Image Comics in 2014, followed by the original graphic novel Virgil in 2015.[7]

In 2015, Orlando launched Midnighter for DC Comics as part of the DC You publishing initiative, with art by ACO. Midnighter named by io9 as one of the "20 Best Comics of 2015" and "The Best Portrayal of a Gay Superhero in Mainstream Comics."[8] [9] This series was followed by Midnighter and Apollo,[10] celebrated for "...Just [having] the Realest Romantic Relationship in Superhero Comics."[11] Following Midnighter, Orlando was part of the Batman and Robin Eternal weekly event series, before launching both Supergirl and Justice League of America as part of the DC Rebirth initiative.

In 2017 Orlando co-wrote the Batman/Shadow crossover event for DC Comics, followed by writing the sequel Shadow/Batman himself for Dynamite Entertainment. He was part of both the Kamandi Challenge, and Kirby 100 publishing events celebrating the 100th birthday of Jack Kirby.[12] [13] [14] [15]

In 2018, he worked with Gerard Way on the Milk Wars series, a crossover between the DC Universe and the DC Young Animal characters.[16] In June 2018, he and Ryan Sook began writing The Unexpected, as part of the New Age of DC Heroes Publishing initiative.[17] [18]

Also in 2018, Orlando guest-wrote DC's monthly Wonder Woman, Issues 51-55, with Issue 51 named as "one of the best standalone issues of Wonder Woman [the reviewer's] ever read, ever, and it tells a compelling story that speaks directly to the core of a classic and long-tenured character yet is also strikingly-relevant for 2018." and "Wonder Woman #51 is probably one of the best Wonder Woman single issues [the reviewer's] read in a long long time."[19] [20] In June 2019, Orlando returned for Wonder Woman Issue 73. In October 2019, Orlando returned to Wonder Woman, with the departure of G. Willow Wilson.[21] In January 2020, his work with Jesus Merino opened the anniversary 750th issue of Wonder Woman, kicking off the return of classic numbering for the series.[22] [23]

Late 2018 saw the launch of Martian Manhunter, a 12-issue maxiseries and Orlando's third collaboration with Riley Rossmo. Its December-debuting first issue was named as one of 2018's best by Tor Books.[24] Upon release, Forrest Hollingsworth of Adventures in Poor Taste wrote "Martian Manhunter's character redefining debut is a complete and total success - both narratively and artistically it exceeds all expectations and delivers something both alien and welcoming."[25]

Orlando has written for Hello Mr., with a short story illustrated by Sina Grace, in the magazine's first release in comic book format. In 2019, he provided the English Language script for Mirka Andolfo's MERCY live action series trailer.[26]

In September 2022, it was announced Orlando would be writing Scarlet Witch in January 2023, with Sara Pichelli providing the art.[27]

Personal life

Orlando is a bisexual Jew.[28] [29] [30]

Orlando is friends with comic journalist and interviewer Daniel McMahon-Young as noted in multiple interviews.

Selected bibliography

Marvel Comics

DC Comics

TKO Studios

Aftershock Comics

Heavy Metal

215 Ink

Boom Studios

Image Comics

Dynamite Entertainment

IDW Publishing

Hello Mr.

House Spirit Press

Poseur Ink

Awards and nominations

Awards

Nominations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marston. George. BLACK PANTHER, MIDNIGHTER, SAGA Lead GLAAD Outstanding Comic Book Series Award Nominees. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170617154922/https://www.newsarama.com/32954-black-panther-midnighter-saga-lead-glaad-outstanding-comic-book-series-award-nominees.html. June 17, 2017.
  2. Web site: Rogers. Vaneta. JLA Writer STEVE ORLANDO on His 17-Year Journey. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180413105942/https://www.newsarama.com/33092-jla-writer-steve-orlando-on-his-17-year-journey.html. April 13, 2018.
  3. Web site: Avery. Dan. With "Crude," Comics Writer Steve Orlando Delves into Russia, Revenge—And The Closet. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180321065037/http://www.newnownext.com/crude-steve-orlando/03/2018/. March 21, 2018.
  4. Web site: Undertow . 2018-04-08 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180413105942/https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/undertow . April 13, 2018 .
  5. Web site: DC Vertigo . 2018-04-08 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180413105942/https://www.vertigocomics.com/comics/mystery-in-space/mystery-in-space-1 . April 13, 2018 .
  6. Web site: DC Vertigo . 2018-04-08 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180413105942/https://www.vertigocomics.com/graphic-novels/vertigo-cmyk . April 13, 2018 .
  7. Web site: Virgil . 2018-04-08 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161203224735/https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/virgil . December 3, 2016 .
  8. Web site: Whitbrook. James. The 20 Best Comics and Graphic Novels of 2015. December 18, 2015 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170829175640/http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-20-best-comics-and-graphic-novels-of-2015-1748709046. August 29, 2017.
  9. Web site: Whitbrook. James. Midnighter is The Best Portrayal of a Gay Superhero in Mainstream Comics. July 2015 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180222225624/https://io9.gizmodo.com/midnighter-is-the-best-portrayal-of-a-gay-superhero-in-1715225013. February 22, 2018.
  10. Web site: Midnighter and Apollo #1 | DC . 2018-04-08 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064420/http://www.dccomics.com/comics/midnighter-and-apollo-2016/midnighter-and-apollo-1 . February 3, 2018 .
  11. Web site: Narcisse. Evan. Midnighter and Apollo Might Just Have the Realest Romantic Relationship in Superhero Comics. October 12, 2016 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180413105942/https://io9.gizmodo.com/midnighter-and-apollo-might-just-have-the-realest-roman-1787673434. April 13, 2018.
  12. Web site: Batman/The Shadow #1 . January 23, 2017 . 2018-04-08 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171114084431/http://www.dccomics.com/comics/batmanthe-shadow-2017/batmanthe-shadow-1 . November 14, 2017 .
  13. Web site: Dynamite®. www.dynamite.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20180413105942/https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?CAT=DF-Shadow_Batman%2F%2F . April 13, 2018.
  14. Web site: The Kamandi Challenge #6 | DC . 2018-04-08 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180413105944/https://www.dccomics.com/comics/the-kamandi-challenge-2017/the-kamandi-challenge-6 . April 13, 2018 .
  15. Web site: The Sandman Special #1 . May 22, 2017 . 2018-04-08 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180413105944/https://www.dccomics.com/comics/jack-kirby-100-2017/the-sandman-special-1 . April 13, 2018 .
  16. Web site: Milk Wars: Superpowers Get Strange. February 5, 2018. dccomics.com. April 8, 2018. April 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414010810/https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2018/02/05/milk-wars-superpowers-get-strange. live.
  17. Web site: Steve Orlando Reveals Details of New DC Series, the Unexpected . October 8, 2017 . 2018-04-12 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180209061812/https://www.cbr.com/dc-comics-unexpected/ . February 9, 2018 .
  18. Web site: THE UNEXPECTED #1. March 19, 2018. dccomics.com. April 12, 2018. April 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414010616/https://www.dccomics.com/comics/the-unexpected-2018/the-unexpected-1. live.
  19. Web site: Quaintance . Zack . REVIEW: Wonder Woman #51 by Steve Orlando, Laura Braga, & Romulo Fajardo, Jr. . Batman's Bookcase . Batman's Bookcase . 21 March 2019 . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929224528/https://www.comicsbookcase.com/updates/2018/7/24/review-wonder-woman-51-by-steve-orlando-laura-braga-romulo-fajardo-jr . live .
  20. Web site: Swangin . Mary . TRANSFORMATION ISLAND (WONDER WOMAN #51 COMIC BOOK REVIEW) . Shoot the Breeze Comics . On Comics Ground . 21 March 2019 . March 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190321150658/http://on-comics-ground.com/2018/07/26/transformation-island-wonder-woman-51-comic-book-review/ . live .
  21. Web site: G. Willow Wilson Leaves Wonder Woman for Mystery Project as Steve Orlando Takes over. August 22, 2019. October 25, 2019. October 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191025151214/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/08/22/g-willow-wilson-leaves-wonder-woman-for-mystery-project-as-steve-orlando-takes-over/. live.
  22. Web site: Exclusive: WONDER WOMAN #750 Preview with Writer Steve Orlando. Screen Rant. January 20, 2020. January 21, 2020. January 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200121121842/https://screenrant.com/wonder-woman-750-comic-preview-steve-orlando/. live.
  23. Web site: Wonder Woman and the Flash Return to Legacy Numbering in 2020. December 11, 2019. January 21, 2020. February 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200211234259/https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2019/12/11/wonder-woman-and-the-flash-return-to-legacy-numbering-in-2020. live.
  24. Web site: Brown . Alex . Pull List: Best Comics of 2018 . December 12, 2018 . . 21 March 2019 . March 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190321150648/https://www.tor.com/2018/12/12/pull-list-best-comics-of-2018/comment-page-1/ . live .
  25. Web site: Hollingswroth . Forrest . Martian Manhunter #1 Review: Loving the alien . Adventures in Poor Taste . December 5, 2018 . Adventures in Poor Taste . 21 March 2019 . March 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190321151111/http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/2018/12/05/martian-manhunter-1-review-loving-the-alien/ . live .
  26. Web site: Image Comics Debuts Live-Action 'Mercy' Trailer (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. October 3, 2019. October 25, 2019. September 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220929224529/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/image-comics-debuts-live-action-mercy-trailer-1244891/. live.
  27. Web site: Egan . Toussaint . 2022-09-14 . The Scarlet Witch is getting a new comic where she runs a magic shop . 2022-09-30 . Polygon . en-US.
  28. 1575615623593590787. thesteveorlando. Love that my wikipedia has repeatedly changed to "identifies as 'half-jewish'" versus "is Jewish." Such a strange semantic agenda that someone has. But to be clear, the reality is I *am* Jewish now matter what a random says. Odd feeling to have someone edit your life.. Steve Orlando. 2022-09-29. 2022-09-29.
  29. Web site: Polo . Susana . How Steve Orlando transformed Martian Manhunter for a new generation of DC comics . Polygon . Polygon . November 29, 2018 . March 21, 2019 . March 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190321144629/https://www.polygon.com/comics/2018/11/29/18116828/martian-manhunter-series-dc-comics-mars-culture-steve-orlando . live .
  30. Web site: 8 Questions with DC Comics' Bi Mastermind . October 5, 2016 . 2018-04-09 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161008165943/http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2016/10/05/8-questions-dc-comics-bi-mastermind . October 8, 2016 .
  31. Web site: Fantoft. Stine. Insider: Hello Mr. April 25, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161003114556/http://www.stackmagazines.com/queer/insider-hello-mr/. October 3, 2016.
  32. Web site: Yehl . Joshua . WRITER STEVE ORLANDO DEBUTS A DIFFERENT KIND OF COMIC BOOK EXPERIENCE . Ign.com . August 14, 2018 . IGN . 21 March 2019 . March 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190321150648/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/14/writer-steve-orlando-debuts-a-different-kind-of-comic-book-experience . live .
  33. Web site: BF Awards 2015: Best New Series – Midnighter. www.brokenfrontier.com. January 12, 2016 . April 13, 2018. April 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414011236/http://www.brokenfrontier.com/midnighter-dc-steve-orlando-aco-stephen-mooney-broken-frontier-award-best-new-series/. live.
  34. Web site: Brown . Alex . Pull List: Best Comics of 2018 . Tor.Com . December 12, 2018 . Tor Books . 21 March 2019 . March 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190321150648/https://www.tor.com/2018/12/12/pull-list-best-comics-of-2018/comment-page-1/ . live .
  35. Web site: GLAAD Media Awards Announce Shortlist for Outstanding Comic . 2017-02-05 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170206022052/http://comicsalliance.com/glaad-outstanding-comic-nominees-2017/ . February 6, 2017 .
  36. Web site: Best of... 2015 Winners - All-Comic.com. all-comic.com. December 26, 2015. April 13, 2018. April 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414011245/http://all-comic.com/2015/best-of-2015-winners/. live.
  37. Web site: Outlaw Territory Nominated for Eisner and Harvey Awards . July 26, 2014 . 2018-04-08 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160129085557/https://fablehaus.wordpress.com/2014/07/26/outlaw-territory-nominated-for-eisner-and-harvey-awards/ . January 29, 2016 .
  38. Web site: Salamandra. October 10, 2009. wordpress.com. April 8, 2018. September 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220929224530/https://fablehaus.wordpress.com/projects/salamandra/. live.

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