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Ron Frenz
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ronald Wade Frenz is an American comic book artist born in Pittsburgh, Pa in 1960. His work includes such titles as Ka-Zar the Savage, The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Marvel Saga, The Mighty Thor, Thunderstrike and Superman. He is one of a very few artist to hold down a regular stint on both Amazing Spider-Man and Superman. He is well-known for his 1980s work on Amazing Spider-Man, and more recently, for his work on Spider-Girl (which he co-created with writer Tom DeFalco). Frenz also co-created the New Warriors in the pages of The Mighty Thor. Ron is known for his frequent collaborations with writer DeFalco, including the short-lived series A-Next. Several of Frenz's creations/co-creations have gone on to be featured in regular or mini series at both Marvel and DC including Thunderstrike, New Warriors and Strange Visitor. His characters for Marvel's MC2 line have produced series featuring A-Next, J2, Dark Devil, The Buzz and the only female character to reach 100 consecutive issues at Marvel, Spider-Girl.
When DC Comics decided to change Superman's costume and powers, it was Frenz's design that was chosen for Superman's new look.[citation needed] Frenz has a history of working on books when the characters was not in his original costume/identity. Spider-Man wore his black costure. Thor took on a new secret identity and look, Superman changed costumes and powers all while Frenz was the regular artist on their titles.
DeFalco has called Ron one of his favorite collaborators, and the creative team of DeFalco, Frenz and inker Josef Rubinstein produced one of the most acclaimed runs The Amazing Spider-Man. Frenz's lean, quirky rendition of Spider-Man/Peter Parker was closer to the stylings of original Spidey artist Steve Ditko than most of the post-Ditko artists (who followed the Spidey model of John Romita, Sr.). Jim Owsley, editor of the Spider-Man titles at the time, has noted that "Frenz was passionate about Spider-Man, verging on fanatical."[citation needed] Frenz replaced John Romita, Jr. as the regular artist on The Amazing Spider-Man in 1984 and the memorable stories he pencilled (written mainly by Roger Stern and then by DeFalco) included "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man" in issue #248, the first appearance of Spidey's black costume in issue #252, most of the original stories featuring The Hobgoblin, and Spidey's battle with Firelord in issues #269-270. It was Frenz and Defalco that made the "black suit" a symbiote and were indirectly responsible for the character Venom. Frenz and DeFalco were removed from The Amazing Spider-Man in 1986 by Jim Owsley, acting under the orders of Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter.[citation needed] Frenz has returned sporadically since to pencil Spider-Man stories, including the 1996 mini-series Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives, written by Roger Stern.
Frenz currently illustrates the "This Happened to Me" feature in the magazine Outdoor Life.
Frenz sells his original art & does do commission work at http://www.catskillcomics.com/frenz.htm
| Preceded by John Romita, Jr. |
Amazing Spider-Man artist 1984–1987 |
Succeeded by Various artists from 1987-1988, Todd McFarlane was the next regular artist |
| Preceded by Tom DeFalco |
Thor writer 1989–1993 (with Tom DeFalco) |
Succeeded by Ron Marz & Jim Starlin |