Convention - Wondercon 2023 : Spotlight on Jae Lee

By Mulder, Anaheim, Convention Center, 26 march 2023

Jae Lee is a Korean-American comic book artist and illustrator who has worked on numerous titles for major publishers such as Marvel Comics and DC Comics. He is known for his distinctive style, which often features highly detailed and stylized renderings of characters and environments.

Some of Lee's most notable work includes his illustrations for the Marvel series The Inhumans and his cover art for DC's Before Watchmen series. He has also worked on titles such as The Dark Tower for Marvel and Batman/Superman for DC. In addition to his work in comics, Lee has also done concept art and character design work for video games, including Final Fantasy X and The Darkness. He has been recognized for his work with several industry awards, including an Eisner Award for Best Penciller/Inker for his work on The Inhumans.

Jae Lee's interest in comics began at a young age, and he was heavily influenced by the works of artists such as Frank Frazetta and Bernie Wrightson. He began his professional career in the early 1990s, working on titles for Marvel Comics such as Namor, the Sub-Mariner and Hellstorm: Prince of Lies.

In 1998, Lee illustrated the critically acclaimed Marvel series The Inhumans, which showcased his intricate and detailed artwork. He also worked on The Sentry, a character he co-created with writer Paul Jenkins, which was later integrated into the Marvel Universe.

In the early 2000s, Lee moved to DC Comics, where he illustrated several high-profile titles such as Batman: Gotham Knights and Superman/Batman. He also provided cover art for the Before Watchmen series, a prequel to the iconic graphic novel Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

Throughout his career, Lee has been recognized for his exceptional artwork, earning multiple industry awards such as the Eisner Award for Best Penciller/Inker. He has also worked on character design and concept art for video games such as The Darkness and Injustice: Gods Among Us.

Jae Lee continues to work in the comic book industry, producing artwork that is both intricate and distinctive, and cementing his place as one of the most talented and influential artists of his generation.

Jae Lee has worked on several high-profile titles for major publishers, and some of his most famous works include:
-          Inhumans (Marvel Comics): Lee's artwork for this series, which was written by Paul Jenkins, is often cited as one of the definitive interpretations of the Inhumans characters. Lee's detailed linework and use of negative space helped to create a sense of otherworldliness and grandeur.
-          The Dark Tower (Marvel Comics): Lee worked on the comic book adaptations of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series, which were published by Marvel Comics. His artwork for the series helped to capture the dark and foreboding atmosphere of King's original novels.
-          Batman/Superman (DC Comics): Lee worked on the initial arc of this series, which explored the relationship between the two iconic superheroes. His artwork for the series was praised for its moody atmosphere and strong character designs.
-          Before Watchmen: Ozymandias (DC Comics): Lee worked with writer Len Wein on this prequel to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' classic Watchmen series. His artwork for the series emphasized the character's intelligence and ruthless determination.
-          Namor: The First Mutant (Marvel Comics): Lee worked on the initial arc of this series, which focused on Marvel Comics' underwater superhero Namor. His artwork for the series emphasized the character's regal bearing and his connection to the ocean.

Jae Lee has also contributed covers and interior artwork to numerous other titles, including X-Men, Uncanny X-Force, and Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan. His distinct and visually striking artwork has made him one of the most recognizable and influential comic book artists of his generation.

You can discover our photos on our Flickr page

Photos and video: Jeremy Wilson