John Beatty
Comic Artist
Daytona Beach, FL, USA
Biography:
John Beatty is an American illustrator born in Whitesburg, Kentucky who has worked for Marvel Comics and DC Comics. You can find his work in 350+ issues, including Batman, Captain America, The Punisher, Magneto, Marvel Secret Wars, Action Comics, Detective Comics, Superman, Amazing Spider-Man, and many more.
Beatty was born and lived in Letcher County, Kentucky for less than a year when his family moved to Holly Hill, Florida, a small city located in between Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach.
Beatty and his family remained in Holly Hill, and John graduated from Mainland Senior High School in 1979. It was already clear that Beatty would pursue a career as an artist. Beatty had, at this point, already made his first "professional sell" and begun working as a professional artist. Beatty had been hired by Camelot Publishing to do cartoons for computer instruction manuals when he was just 15 years old. This gig turned into after school employment during Beatty's high school years.
Beatty's goal was to become a comic book artist. He discovered and fell in love with the comic strips Dennis the Menace and Peanuts. It wasn't until later that Beatty discovered superhero comic books when a friend who lived up the street sold Beatty a box of comics for $20.00
Not long after his discovery of the world of fanzines, Beatty wrote and drew a short comic story starring the hero Crime Smasher. In short order, the Crime Smasher story was printed in Tim Corrigan's Super Hero Comics! Jerry Ordway had a story published in the same issue. Ordway was also starting up his own self-published comic book, titled "OK Comics!" Soon Beatty and Ordway began communicating through the mail. Beatty also connected with artist Mike Zeck, through the RBCC (Rocket's Blast Comicollector), a "pro-zine" of sorts. Zeck encouraged Beatty to continue drawing. Zeck even sent xeroxed pencils of his work to Beatty, so Beatty could ink samples for practice and critiques.
Around this time, Beatty had, for a couple of years, been going to OrlandoCon, an annual comic book convention held in Orlando, Florida. Beatty and his long-time friend, Craig Zablo (creator of Stallonezone, a Sylvester Stallone fansite), would go over and make a weekend of it. Beatty and Craig headed over to OrlandoCon and John decided to take some art samples to show the professional artists, such as Pat Broderick and Bob McLeod (who were living on the west coast of Florida in Tampa).
This was also the con where Beatty met AC Comics publisher and artist Bill Black. Beatty showed samples to Black and was offered inking work on the spot. Beatty would get to ink Bill's pencils at a rate of $7.00 per page.
Beatty's destiny seemed to lining up rather quickly... Bob McLeod tagged him to start doing some assistant work, such as filling in blacks and erasing pages. Soon McLeod even let Beatty do some background work from time to time!
It was now 1980. Everything was falling into place and all events were leading up to a big break. Beatty decided to head down to the annual MiamiCon. He knew that Marvel Comics' editor-in-chief Jim Shooter would be there, and Beatty planned to show him new samples of his work. (Shooter had reviewed Beatty's work the previous year and said Beatty was not quite ready.) So Beatty presented Shooter with new samples. Shooter looked over Beatty's art and said: "If you can come up to New York, I'll give you a paid try out to work on." In July 1980, Beatty made the journey, and with the help of Mike Zeck got some gigs from both Marvel and DC.
Beatty is not currently working on a "monthly", though he spent twenty years doing so on titles such as Captain America, The Punisher, Secret Wars, The Nam, The Adventures of Superman, Batman, JLA, and many, many more.
Currently, Beatty works for the DC Comics Licensing Department, where style guide art is created. This art is used for many things, including package design, clothing, and other things which DC needs to supply to its vendors.
Convention Guest Appearances
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2024
- GalaxyCon Columbus 2024 - December 6-8, 2024 in Columbus, OH, USA
- Richmond Comic & Toy Show 2024 - November 2-3, 2024 in Richmond, KY, USA
- Alabama Comic Convention 2024 - September 28-29, 2024 in Birmingham, AL, USA
- Baltimore Comic-Con 2024 - September 20-22, 2024 in Baltimore, MD, USA
- GalaxyCon San Jose 2024 - August 16-18, 2024 in San Jose, CA, USA
- FarleyCon 2024 - August 3-4, 2024 in East Ridge, TN, USA
- Capital City Comic Con 2024 - July 12-14, 2024 in Lansing, MI, USA
- Heroes Convention 2024 - June 14-16, 2024 in Charlotte, NC, USA
- GalaxyCon Oklahoma City 2024 - May 24-26, 2024 in Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2024 - April 26-28, 2024 in Chicago, IL, USA
- Big Lick Comic Con NoVa 2024 - April 13-14, 2024 in Chantilly, VA, USA
- GalaxyCon Richmond 2024 - March 15-17, 2024 in Richmond, VA, USA
- Louisiana Comic Con 2024 - March 9-10, 2024 in Lafayette, LA, USA
- Big Lick Comic Con 2024 - February 10-11, 2024 in Roanoke, VA, USA
- MegaCon Orlando 2024 - February 1-4, 2024 in Orlando, FL, USA
- Original Arts Expo 2024 - January 26-28, 2024 in Orlando, FL, USA 2023
- GalaxyCon Columbus 2023 - December 1-3, 2023 in Columbus, OH, USA
- New York Comic Con 2023 - October 12-15, 2023 in New York, NY, USA
- Daytona Beach Comic Con 2023 - September 9-10, 2023 in DeLand, FL, USA
- GalaxyCon Austin 2023 - September 1-3, 2023 in Austin, TX, USA
- TerrifiCon 2023 - July 28-30, 2023 in Uncasville, CT, USA
- Florida Supercon 2023 - June 30 - July 2, 2023 in Miami Beach, FL, USA
- Washington State Summer Con 2023 - June 23-25, 2023 in Puyallup, WA, USA
- Heroes Convention 2023 - June 16-18, 2023 in Charlotte, NC, USA
- Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2023 - March 31 - April 2, 2023 in Chicago, IL, USA
- Emerald City Comic Con 2023 - March 2-5, 2023 in Seattle, WA, USA 2022
- Super Jersey Comic Expo 2022 - November 5, 2022 in Holmdel, NJ, USA
- Baltimore Comic-Con 2022 - October 28-30, 2022 in Baltimore, MD, USA
- New York Comic Con 2022 - October 6-9, 2022 in New York, NY, USA
- Flower City Comic Con 2022 - September 24-25, 2022 in Rochester, NY, USA
Rose City Comic Con 2022 - September 9-11, 2022 in Portland, OR, USACancelled AppearanceChicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2022 - August 5-7, 2022 in Chicago, IL, USACancelled Appearance- GalaxyCon Raleigh 2022 - July 28-31, 2022 in Raleigh, NC, USA
- Heroes Convention 2022 - June 24-26, 2022 in Charlotte, NC, USA
- Fan Expo Dallas 2022 - June 17-19, 2022 in Dallas, TX, USA
- Alabama Comic Con / Kimetsu Con 2022 - June 4-5, 2022 in Birmingham, AL, USA
- MegaCon Orlando 2022 - May 19-22, 2022 in Orlando, FL, USA
- Grand Rapids Comic-Con 2022 - April 8-10, 2022 in Walker, MI, USA 2021
- Super Jersey Comic Expo 2021 - November 6, 2021 in Holmdel, NJ, USA
- Baltimore Comic-Con 2021 - October 22-24, 2021 in Baltimore, MD, USA
- Alabama Comic Con / My Hero Convention 2021 - October 9-10, 2021 in Birmingham, AL, USA
- Arkansas Comic Con 2021 - September 11-12, 2021 in Little Rock, AR, USA
- NWA Comic Con 2021 - August 7-8, 2021 in Rogers, AR, USA
- Mississippi Comic Con 2021 - June 26-27, 2021 in Jackson, MS, USA 2020
Baltimore Comic-Con 2020 - October 23-25, 2020 in Baltimore, MD, USAConvention CancelledEdmonton Expo 2020 - September 18-20, 2020 in Edmonton, ABConvention CancelledCincinnati Comic Expo 2020 - September 11-13, 2020 in Cincinnati, OH, USAConvention CancelledSuper Jersey Comic Expo 2020 - August 1, 2020 in Holmdel, NJ, USAConvention CancelledDenver Pop Culture Con 2020 - July 3-5, 2020 in Denver, CO, USAConvention PostponedMegaCon Orlando 2020 - April 16-19, 2020 in Orlando, FL, USAConvention PostponedSuper Jersey Comic Expo 2020 - March 21, 2020 in Holmdel, NJ, USAConvention Postponed- Fayetteville AR Comic Show 2020 - February 29 - March 1, 2020 in Fayetteville, AR, USA 2019
- GalaxyCon Louisville 2019 - November 22-24, 2019 in Louisville, KY, USA
- GalaxyCon Minneapolis 2019 - November 8-10, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Con-Fuzion 2019 - November 2-3, 2019 in Muscle Shoals, AL, USA
- Baltimore Comic-Con 2019 - October 18-20, 2019 in Baltimore, MD, USA
- Big Texas Comicon 2019 - September 20-22, 2019 in San Antonio, TX, USA
Edmonton Expo 2019 - September 20-22, 2019 in Edmonton, ABCancelled Appearance- New Mexico Comic Expo 2019 - August 16-18, 2019 in Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Atlanta Comic Con 2019 - July 12-14, 2019 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- Florida Supercon 2019 - July 4-7, 2019 in Miami Beach, FL, USA
- Mississippi Comic Con 2019 - June 29-30, 2019 in Jackson, MS, USA
- Planet Funk Con 2019 - June 21-23, 2019 in Bettendorf, IA, USA
- Heroes Convention 2019 - June 14-16, 2019 in Charlotte, NC, USA
- MCM Comic Con London 2019 - May 24-26, 2019 in London, UK
- FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention 2019 - April 19-20, 2019 in Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Manitoba Comic Con 2019 - April 13-14, 2019 in Winnipeg, MB
- Toronto Comicon 2019 - March 15-17, 2019 in Toronto, ON
- North Texas Comic Book Show 2019 - February 2-3, 2019 in Irving, TX, USA 2018
- SW-FloridaCon 2018 - November 17-18, 2018 in Fort Myers, FL, USA
- Baltimore Comic-Con 2018 - September 28-30, 2018 in Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cincinnati Comic Expo 2018 - September 14-16, 2018 in Cincinnati, OH, USA
- TerrifiCon 2018 - August 17-19, 2018 in Uncasville, CT, USA
- Tampa Bay Comic Con 2018 - August 3-5, 2018 in Tampa, FL, USA
- Florida Supercon 2018 - July 12-15, 2018 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Youngstown Comic Con 2018 - July 7-8, 2018 in Youngstown, OH, USA
- Smallville ComicCon 2018 - June 23-24, 2018 in Hutchinson, KS, USA
- St. Louis Mighty Con 2018 - June 23-24, 2018 in St. Charles, MO, USA
- Fandemic Tour Sacramento 2018 - June 22-24, 2018 in Sacramento, CA, USA
- Denver Comic Con 2018 - June 15-17, 2018 in Denver, CO, USA
- Phoenix Comic Fest 2018 - May 24-27, 2018 in Phoenix, AZ, USA
- East Coast Comicon 2018 - April 27-29, 2018 in Secaucus, NJ, USA
- SC Comicon 2018 - March 24-25, 2018 in Greenville, SC, USA
- River Region Comic Con 2018 - March 17, 2018 in Montgomery, AL, USA
- Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo 2018 - February 24-25, 2018 in Huntsville, AL, USA
- North Texas Comic Book Show 2018 - February 10-11, 2018 in Irving, TX, USA 2017
Wizard World Comic Con Reno 2017 - November 17-19, 2017 in Reno, NV, USAConvention Cancelled- FanExpo Vancouver 2017 - November 10-12, 2017 in Vancouver, BC
- Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con 2017 - October 27-29, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Salt Lake Comic Con 2017 - September 21-23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Louisiana Comic Con Lafayette 2017 - September 16-17, 2017 in Lafayette, LA, USA
Space Coast Comic Con 2017 - September 8-10, 2017 in Cocoa, FL, USAConvention Cancelled- Colorado Springs Comic Con 2017 - August 25-27, 2017 in Colorado Springs, CO, USA
- TerrifiCon 2017 - August 18-20, 2017 in Uncasville, CT, USA
- Florida Supercon 2017 - July 27-30, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Raleigh Supercon 2017 - July 14-16, 2017 in Raleigh, NC, USA
- Heroes Convention 2017 - June 16-18, 2017 in Charlotte, NC, USA
- East Coast Comicon 2017 - April 29-30, 2017 in Secaucus, NJ, USA
- Daytona Beach Comic Convention 2017 - April 23, 2017 in Daytona Beach, FL, USA
- Supercon Retro 2017 - April 14-16, 2017 in Miami, FL, USA
- The Great Philadelphia Comic Con 2017 - April 7-9, 2017 in Oaks, PA, USA
- Collective Con 2017 - March 24-26, 2017 in Jacksonville, FL, USA 2016
- Paradise City Comic Con 2016 - December 9-11, 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Rhode Island Comic Con 2016 - November 11-13, 2016 in Providence, RI, USA
- Central Canada Comic Con 2016 - October 28-30, 2016 in Winnipeg, MB
- Santa Fe Comic Con 2016 - October 21-23, 2016 in Santa Fe, NM, USA
- Louisiana Comic Con 2016 - October 8-9, 2016 in Lafayette, LA, USA
- Wizard World Comic Con Richmond 2016 - September 9-11, 2016 in Richmond, VA, USA
- San Francisco Comic Con 2016 - September 2-4, 2016 in San Francisco, CA, USA
- Florida Supercon 2016 - July 1-4, 2016 in Miami, FL, USA
- River City Comic Expo 2016 - June 11-12, 2016 in Little Rock, AR, USA
- Phoenix Comicon 2016 - June 2-5, 2016 in Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Tidewater Comicon 2016 - May 21-22, 2016 in Virginia Beach, VA, USA
- Toronto Comicon 2016 - March 18-20, 2016 in Toronto, ON
- Middle Georgia Comic Convention 2016 - February 20-21, 2016 in Macon, GA, USA 2015
- Jekyll Comic Con 2015 - December 12, 2015 in Jekyll Island, GA, USA
- Wizard World Comic Con Tulsa 2015 - October 23-25, 2015 in Tulsa, OK, USA
- Baltimore Comic-Con 2015 - September 25-27, 2015 in Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cincinnati Comic Expo 2015 - September 18-20, 2015 in Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Connecticut ComiConn 2015 - August 14-16, 2015 in Uncasville, CT, USA
- Florida Supercon 2015 - June 25-28, 2015 in Miami, FL, USA
- Heroes Convention 2015 - June 19-21, 2015 in Charlotte, NC, USA
- Denver Comic Con 2015 - May 23-25, 2015 in Denver, CO, USA
- Collective Con 2015 - May 8-10, 2015 in Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Indiana Comic Con 2015 - March 13-15, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN, USA 2014
- Jekyll Comic Con 2014 - December 13, 2014 in Jekyll Island, GA, USA
- Amelia Con 2014 - September 5-7, 2014 in Fernandina Beach, FL, USA 2003
- MegaCon 2003 - February 28 - March 2, 2003 in Orlando, FL, USA
116 confirmed guest appearances