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Ian McGinty
American comic book writer (1985–2023) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ian McGinty (May 6, 1985 – June 8, 2023) was an American comic book writer, artist, and designer, best known for his work on the Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors comics, and for creating the original series Welcome to Showside. His distinctive art style, which he described as “combining disgustingly cute and disgustingly disgusting,”[1] appeared in licensed comics, original works, and collaborations with musicians such as Dance Gavin Dance and Paul Oakenfold. McGinty also contributed to animation, serving as showrunner and lead voice actor for the Welcome to Showside pilot.[2][3] He was noted for energetic storytelling, appeal to all-ages audiences, and championing creator-owned comics.[2][4]
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Early life and education
McGinty was born in Annapolis, Maryland. He began drawing comics at age six, heavily inspired by Calvin and Hobbes, The Far Side, and Garfield.[4] As a child, he pasted newspaper comic strips into albums and later discovered superhero comics like Spider-Man. He spent part of his youth in Savannah, Georgia, a city he described as “beautiful and weird and gross and amazing and messed up and awesome”—an influence that would later shape Welcome to Showside.[2]
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Career
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Early work and style
McGinty’s early artistic influences included newspaper strips and indie comics with “heavy lines and extreme angles,” such as Johnny the Homicidal Maniac.[1] He broke into professional comics with Boom! Studios, working on all-ages licensed properties.
Licensed comics
McGinty illustrated for Adventure Time, Bravest Warriors, Bee and Puppycat, and Munchkin, contributing both art and original ideas.[1][2][5] His work on Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors solidified his reputation for lively, character-driven humor.
Creator-owned and major collaborations
In 2015, McGinty created Welcome to Showside, a creator-owned series published by Z2 Comics.[2][3] The book was adapted as an animated pilot with McGinty as showrunner and voice of the main character, Kit. The pilot featured Henry Rollins and received hundreds of thousands of views.[4][3] He also worked on Robot’s Tale, a graphic novel collaboration with Eliot Rahal and the band Dance Gavin Dance,[6] and illustrated The Wonderful World of Perfecto, a comic memoir of DJ Paul Oakenfold.[7]
Animation work
McGinty led development on the Welcome to Showside animated pilot, collaborating with Z2 Comics and Modern Prometheus, and featuring a cast including Henry Rollins.[3] The pilot was produced before the comic’s full release and supported by extensive online fan engagement.[4]
Other projects
He contributed to numerous anthologies, variant covers, and graphic novels, including Poppy: Genesis 1 and Perfecto. His Munchkin work for Steve Jackson Games included original card designs based on his own creations.[1]
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Style and reception
McGinty’s style was noted for blending “cute” and “grotesque” elements, “Looney Tunes” energy, and broad all-ages appeal.[1][2] Reviewers and interviewers praised Welcome to Showside for combining horror, humor, and inclusivity, and for its encouragement of fan creativity.[2] McGinty described his approach as focusing on community and giving other artists the freedom to add to his worlds.[2][4]
Personal life and death
McGinty lived in Los Angeles and Savannah during his career.[4][2] He died in Annapolis, Maryland, on June 8, 2023, at age 38.[8]
Bibliography
Boom! Studios
- Adventure Time (various issues)
- Adventure Time: Candy Capers (with Yuko Ota and Ananth Panagariya, illustrations)
- Bravest Warriors (#21–36, with Kate Leth)
- Bee and PuppyCat (#3, with Madeleine Flores, Anissa Espinosa, and Tait Howard)
- Munchkin (#3, writer: Tom Siddell & Jim Zub; artist: Ian McGinty)
- Munchkin Guest Artist Edition (Steve Jackson Games, card/game artist)
Oni Press
- Invader Zim (#15, co-writer and artist)
Z2 Comics
- Welcome to Showside (2015–2016, story and art)
- Robot’s Tale (with Eliot Rahal, 2020)
- Poppy: Genesis 1 (illustrator)
- The Wonderful World of Perfecto (with Paul Oakenfold, 2017)
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Legacy
McGinty was recognized for his influence in expanding all-ages comics, his encouragement of fan participation, and his cross-media collaborations bridging comics, music, and animation.[2][7][6]
References
External links
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