John Byrne
Description
John Lindley Byrne (/bɜːrn/; born July 6, 1950) is a British-born American writer and artist of superhero comics. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on many major superheroes, with noted work on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four as well as the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics' Superman franchise, the first issue of which featured comics' first variant cover. Coming into the comics profession as penciller, inker, letterer and writer on his earliest work, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also served as penciler and inker). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He scripted the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing. In 2015, Byrne and his X-Men collaborator Chris Claremont were entered into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame. He is the co-creator of such Marvel characters as Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat, Emma Frost, Sabretooth, Shadow King, Scott Lang, Bishop, Omega Red and Rachel Summers.
Books
Nova Scotia
Synopsis: Providing a concise chronicle of its various cultures, this handy reference recounts the broad and complex history of Nova Scotia, Canada. Beginning with an exploration of its indigenous people, the Mi'Kmaq, this overview delves into the stories of the first European settlers before reviewing the dominant English colonists and how they shaped the province. Documenting the different challenges each group faced, this reconstruction illustrates the Mi'Kmaq' battle for survival, the conquering of the Acadiens, and the toil of the working people who came to Nova Scotia in search of a better life. Ranging from its earliest days to the beginning of the 21st century, this illuminating examination paints a clearer picture of the most populous province in Atlantic Canada.
The slab boys
From the fifties to the seventies, through Brylcream and Elvis to fluorescent underpants and hash cookies, the first play in 'The Slab Boys' trilogy (followed by 'Cuttin' a Rug' and 'Still Life') catches the vibrant idiom of a whole generation. Powerful high farce rises out of the tension between Phil and Spanky's youthful wit and exuberance, combining with the dark undercurrent of sheer cruelty in their treatment of the Slab Room wimp, Hector, and other victims. 'The Slab Boys' premiered at Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre in 1978.
Essential X-Men
"Wolverine! Nightcrawler! Storm! Colossus! Endowed with unique abilities, these mutants were summoned by Professor X to rescue the original X-Men, an underground organization sworn to protect those that fear and hate them. Relive their original adventures; discover the human within the hero and the truth behind the legend!"--Back cover.
Cuttin' a rug
The central play in Byrne's 'Slab Boys Trilogy' (bracketed by 'The Slab Boys' and 'Still Life'), one of Scotland's defining 20th century literary works, 'Cuttin' a Rug' is set in Paisley Town Hall on a Friday evening in 1957, and highlights the theme of social inequality as the annual staff dance of A. F. Stobo & Co., Carpet Manufacturers, plays out. Its original version was premiered at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, in 1979.