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Chip Zdarsky
Chip Zdarsky
Chip Zdarsky
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Steven Murray (born December 21, 1975[1]), known by the pen-name Chip Zdarsky (/zəˈdɑːrski/[2]), is a Canadian comic book artist and writer, journalist, illustrator, and designer. Murray worked for National Post for over a decade, until 2014, as an illustrator and humorist, writing and illustrating the "Extremely Bad Advice" column as well as The Ampersand, the online edition of the newspaper's pop culture section.

Key Information

He uses the Zdarsky pseudonym for comics-related work, including Prison Funnies, Monster Cops, and as artist and co-creator of Sex Criminals with writer Matt Fraction.[1] He has written comics such as Howard the Duck, Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man, Daredevil, Spider-Man: Life Story, and Spider-Man: Spider's Shadow for Marvel Comics, Batman for DC Comics, and Jughead for Archie Comics.

He has also used the pseudonym Todd Diamond.[3]

Early life

[edit]

Steve Murray was born in Edmonton, Alberta and raised in Barrie, Ontario.[citation needed]

Career

[edit]

Murray has illustrated for such clients as The Globe and Mail, New York magazine, CBC and Canadian Business.[citation needed]

In 2000, Murray created Chip Zdarsky as a pseudonym and alter ego for his persona as a comic book writer and illustrator, developing his own independent projects, such as Prison Funnies[4] and Monster Cops (which can be read online or in print) as well as collaborating on a variety of projects, including Dark Horse Comics titles Fierce and Rumble Royale. About his alter ego, Murray said "I wanted to have a sad-sack cartoonist persona that lives in his mom's basement, paints figurines for money, has restraining orders against him. And that became a character." He describes the character as "an idiot who doesn't know what I'm doing. I've had no success in my life. No matter what, I'm going to mess things up." Murray initially attempted to keep the identities separate and secret.[1]

From 2008 to 2014, Murray penned and illustrated a weekly advice column for the National Post called "Extremely Bad Advice".[5] He also wrote another column in that paper, Tear Jerk, in which he reviewed films to see if they could actually make him "weep like a baby".

Along with Kagan McLeod, Ben Shannon, and Cameron Stewart, he is a co-founder of the studio The Royal Academy of Illustration and Design, which produced Rumble Royale.

In 2010, he also launched a mock campaign for mayor of Toronto. He was not an officially registered candidate, launching his satirical "campaign" through social networking platforms after the deadline had passed to register as a candidate in the real campaign.[6]

Chip Zdarsky (with Flash-costume) and Matt Fraction

In June 2013, Image Comics announced that Chip Zdarsky had teamed up with Invincible Iron Man and Hawkeye writer, Matt Fraction, on a new creator-owned series titled Sex Criminals. The first issue was released on September 23, 2013. Sex Criminals was declared number 1 on Time magazine's list of "Top 10 Comics and Graphic Novels" of 2013.[7]

In 2014, Murray won a Will Eisner Award for Best New Series for Sex Criminals.[8]

Zdarsky wrote the first series arc of the relaunched Jughead comic for the 2015 New Riverdale relaunch.

On February 15, 2017, it was announced that beginning that June, Zdarsky would be writing a brand new "back-to-basics" Spider-Man series Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man that would run alongside writer Dan Slott's run on The Amazing Spider-Man.[9] Zdarsky later wrote the two Spider-Man miniseries Spider-Man: Life Story and Spider-Man: Spider's Shadow.

In November 2018, it was announced that Zdarsky would serve as the writer on Daredevil, with Marco Checchetto serving as artist. The series began publication in February 2019 and lasted until November 2021 with issue 36.[10] This lead into the event Devil's Reign, also by Zdarsky and Checchetto.[11] A new Daredevil #1 launched in July 2022, with Zdarsky and Checchetto returning from the previous volume. The series explored the fallout of Devil's Reign and the effect it had on both Matt and Elektra, as both were operating as Daredevil.[12] August 2023 marked the end of his Daredevil.[13]

In 2020, DC Comics announced that Zdarsky would be among the creators of a revived Batman: Black and White anthology series which debuted on December 8, 2020.[14]

In 2021, it was announced that Zdarsky had signed a deal with Substack to develop exclusive comics for the service, such as Public Domain and volume two of Kaptara with Kagan McLeod.[15]

In February 2022, it was announced that Zdarsky would serve as the new writer for the mainline Batman book, starting with issue 125 on July 5, with Jorge Jiménez serving as the artist.[16] He concluded his run on February 5th, 2025 with the release of Batman #157 with Jiménez and Tony S. Daniel providing the art.

In March 2022, it was announced that Public Domain would be heading to print via Image Comics in June 2022.[17]

In July 2024, Zdarsky announced that he would be releasing a monthly physical newsletter in comic shops called Zdarsky Comic News. The newsletter included content such as interviews, news on upcoming comic releases, games, humorous columns, and promos of his upcoming work. In the first month, Zdarsky released 50,000 copies of the newsletter to comic ships distributed through Diamond Comic Distributors.[18]

In February 2025, it was announced that Zdarsky would be writing a new volume of Captain America for Marvel. The opening arc of the series follows Steve shortly after he is freed from the ice and tells the untold first encounter between him and Doctor Doom. Valerio Schiti serves as the main artist for the book. The first issue debuted in July 2025.[19]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Awards

[edit]
  • 2014 Eisner Award – Best New Series (Sex Criminals, with author Matt Fraction)
  • 2014 Harvey Award – Most Promising New Talent
  • 2014 Harvey Award – Best New Series (Sex Criminals)
  • 2015 Harvey Award – Special Award For Humor (Sex Criminals; rejected by winner)
  • 2016 Harvey Award – Special Award For Humor (Howard the Duck)
  • 2017 Eisner Award – Best Humor Publication (Jughead, with Ryan North, Erica Henderson and Derek Charm)
  • 2017 War Rocket Ajax Intercontinental Championship
  • 2019 Eisner Award – Best Single Issue/One-Shot (Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #310)
  • 2019 Shuster Award – Best Writer (Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man, Marvel Two-in-One)
  • 2020 Eisner Award – Best Digital Comic (Afterlift, with artist Jason Loo)
  • 2021 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book — Empyre, Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling / Empyre: Aftermath Avengers (with Al Ewing, Dan Slott and Anthony Oliveira)
  • 2023 Eisner Award – Best New Series (Public Domain)
  • 2025 Tripwire Award – Best Comic-Related Publication (Zdarsky Comic News)

Nominations

[edit]
  • 2014 Eisner Award nominee – Best Series (Sex Criminals, with author Matt Fraction)
  • 2017 Eisner Award nominee – Best Publication for Teens (ages 13–17) (Jughead, with Ryan North, Erica Henderson and Derek Charm)
  • 2019 Eisner Award nominee – Best Writer (Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man, Marvel Two-in-One)
  • 2020 Eisner Award nominee – Best Writer (White Trees, Daredevil, Spider-Man: Life Story, Afterlift), Best Continuing Series (Daredevil with Marco Checchetto)
  • 2021 Eisner Award nominee – Best Writer (Stillwater, Daredevil, Fantastic Four/X-Men)
  • 2021 Eisner Award nominee – Best Continuing Series (Daredevil)
  • 2021 Eisner Award nominee – Best Continuing Series (Stillwater)
  • 2023 Eisner Award nominee – Best Continuing Series (Daredevil with Marco Checchetto and Rafael de Latorre)
  • 2023 Eisner Award nominee – Best Writer (Stillwater, Daredevil)
  • 2023 Harvey Award nominee – Book of the Year (Public Domain)
  • 2025 Eisner Award nominee – Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism (Zdarsky Comic News)

Bibliography

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chip Zdarsky

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Chip Zdarsky, born Steven Murray in Edmonton, Alberta, is a Canadian comic book writer, artist, and former journalist renowned for his humorous yet insightful contributions to the medium, including the Eisner Award-winning series Sex Criminals and acclaimed runs on Marvel's Daredevil and DC's Batman. After studying illustration at , Zdarsky began his professional career as a graphic artist and columnist at the National Post newspaper in , where he contributed for nearly 14 years before fully transitioning to in the early 2010s. His breakthrough came in 2013 with , a satirical series co-created and illustrated alongside writer , which explored themes of intimacy and crime through a lens of absurd humor and became a New York Times bestseller while earning multiple , including for Best New Series. Zdarsky's versatility as both writer and artist has led to diverse projects across major publishers. At Marvel, he penned notable runs on Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man (2017–2018), (2015–2016), and Daredevil (2019–2024), the latter of which revitalized the character with introspective storytelling and earned widespread critical acclaim for its exploration of heroism and morality. He also wrote the self-contained Spider-Man: Life Story (2019), reimagining the web-slinger's life in real-time aging, and contributed to Jughead for (2015–2017), blending humor with social commentary. At Image Comics, beyond Sex Criminals, Zdarsky created and illustrated the science-fiction adventure Kaptara (2015–2016) and launched ongoing series like Newburn (2021–present), a noir detective story, and Public Domain (2023–present), a character study of aspiring creators. In 2021, he took on DC's Batman, writing a run that delved into the Dark Knight's psychological depths and family dynamics until concluding it in early 2025, after which he shifted focus to Marvel's Captain America (2025–present), introducing new elements like S.H.I.E.L.D.'s return and international Captain variants amid a storyline involving Doctor Doom. Based in Toronto, Zdarsky continues to influence the industry through his blend of wit, emotional depth, and genre subversion, with projects such as the ongoing series White House Robot Romance (2025–present) for DSTLRY Comics.

Early life and education

Childhood and upbringing

Steven Murray, who later adopted the pen name Chip Zdarsky, was born on December 21, 1975, in , , . His family relocated to , , where he spent his formative years. From a young age, Murray displayed a strong interest in drawing and humor, influenced by his exposure to comics and cartoons. He particularly enjoyed , with a fondness for the character , as well as Marvel's Howard the Duck and the Star Wars franchise, which sparked his affinity for illustrated storytelling. These early encounters with visual narratives and satirical elements laid the groundwork for his future creative pursuits in illustration and . In his early professional life, Murray adopted the pseudonym Chip Zdarsky to create distance from certain journalistic work, establishing it as an . The name's origin stems from personal anecdotes: "Chip" was a nod to Peanuts creator , while "Zdarsky" came from the last name of a close friend's ex-girlfriend.

Formal education

Zdarsky attended in , , for a year of studies in the early , following high . His relocation to as a child from facilitated access to local institutions like . During this time, he focused on coursework that introduced foundational skills in and layout, though he often expanded assignments creatively by incorporating elaborate drawings and backgrounds, which sometimes diverged from the program's expectations for more structured design outputs. This experience highlighted his inclination toward illustrative storytelling over purely commercial applications. After a brief and unsuccessful attempt at Sheridan's Media Arts program, Zdarsky enrolled in the one-year Art Fundamentals course at around 1994, before transitioning into the program, from which he graduated in 1996. The program at Sheridan emphasized , training students in editorial illustrations for newspapers and magazines, storybook visuals, and technical drawings to prepare them for professional freelance work. Key coursework included portfolio development and practical projects that built skills in and narrative visuals, directly informing his later abilities in and journalistic illustration. College experiences at Sheridan, including rigorous portfolio reviews and guest lectures from established illustrators, played a significant role in shaping Zdarsky's artistic approach. These sessions often featured candid, humorous anecdotes about the industry's challenges, such as tales of excess and pragmatic advice like partnering with non-artists for stability, fostering his self-deprecating and witty style. Faculty and visiting professionals served as informal mentors, encouraging adaptability in a competitive field where only a small percentage of graduates secured art-related careers. Such interactions reinforced the blend of technical proficiency and humor that became hallmarks of his illustrative work.

Professional career

Journalism and illustration

Under the pseudonym Steve Murray, Chip Zdarsky launched his career in journalism and illustration following his 1996 graduation from Sheridan College's illustration program. He joined the National Post in 2000 as a graphic designer and illustrator, later taking on columnist duties, and held these positions for nearly 14 years until 2014. A key part of his work involved creating the weekly humor column "Extremely Bad Advice," which ran from 2008 to 2014 and featured self-illustrated satirical responses to readers' personal dilemmas, emphasizing absurd and impractical suggestions delivered through witty, cartoon-infused commentary. Zdarsky also penned "Tear Jerk," another column for the paper that humorously evaluated films based on their ability to provoke tears, combining lighthearted reviews with personal reflections on emotional impact. Alongside his staff roles, Zdarsky pursued early freelance illustration assignments for various publications and clients, honing his design skills in editorial and advertising contexts.

Transition to comics

Zdarsky's entry into the comics industry began with self-published and small-press projects in the early 2000s, marking his shift from illustration and journalism toward sequential storytelling. His first notable comic work was Prison Funnies, a series of humorous strips created between 2000 and 2001 that satirized prison life through absurd, cartoonish scenarios. These strips initially appeared in publications like the Independent Weekly and Too Much Coffee Man Magazine, serving as his debut in professional comics venues before being collected in a 2003 edition by Legion of Evil Press. In 2003, Zdarsky contributed to the Canadian Rumble Royale, published by the Toronto-based Royal Academy of Illustration and Design (), where he wrote and illustrated the "Monster Cops: Once a ." This piece introduced his Monster Cops concept, featuring classic monsters reimagined as bumbling police officers combating crime, and represented an early milestone in blending his illustrative style with narrative . The story's inclusion in the highlighted his growing involvement in the mid-2000s Toronto scene, a vibrant hub for independent creators through organizations like , which facilitated networking and collaborative opportunities among local artists. Zdarsky later expanded Monster Cops into a self-published one-shot in 2003, which he wrote, drew, and produced independently before its republication as a collected edition by Legion of Evil Press in 2006, including additional stories like "" and crossovers such as a encounter. Transitioning from illustration—where his satirical columns under the name Steve Murray imposed strict content limits—Zdarsky faced challenges in adapting to the longer-form demands of , such as pacing and emotional depth, but found the medium offered greater creative freedom. These early gigs, including contributions and small-press releases, built his portfolio and connections in Canada's indie scene, paving the way for more established projects while his humor-infused tone carried over from journalistic work.

Creator-owned projects

Zdarsky's creator-owned work gained prominence with , a series co-created with writer and published by from 2013 to 2020. The story centers on Suzie, a who discovers she can stop time during , and Jon, a banker who shares the same ability; together, they use their power to rob banks in a bid to save Suzie's local library from closure, navigating a secret society of others with similar gifts amid themes of intimacy, vulnerability, and rebellion against societal norms. The series blends humor, explicit content, and emotional depth in exploring relationships, earning widespread acclaim for its innovative storytelling and character-driven narrative. It won the 2014 Eisner Award for Best New Series and the Harvey Award for Best New Series, alongside topping the bestseller list for literary graphic novels; critics from Time magazine named it the best comic of the year upon launch, while included it in its "Must List" and ranked it among the 50 best non-superhero graphic novels. In 2021, Zdarsky launched Public Domain at Image Comics, where he served as both writer and artist on the ongoing series that satirizes the superhero industry through the lens of creative ownership and family legacy. The narrative follows aging creator Syd Dallas, who co-founded a major comics company and originated the iconic hero "The Domain," now adapted into blockbuster films; his estranged sons grapple with their father's regrets, corporate exploitation, and the tension between artistic integrity and commercial success, weaving in meta-commentary on real-world issues like intellectual property rights and Hollywood adaptations. Themes of heroism as mythology versus profit-driven cynicism underscore the story, with Zdarsky's artwork shifting styles to reflect generational perspectives and historical flashbacks. The series received the 2023 Eisner Award for Best New Series and has been lauded for its sincere emotional core amid sharp industry critique, earning a 9/10 rating from AIPT Comics for its satirical edge on creators' rights. Zdarsky also created the ongoing noir series Newburn (2021–present) at , where he writes and provides covers; the story follows a former working as a for two competing families in a corrupt city, exploring themes of loyalty, morality, and institutional failure. Zdarsky explored in Kaptara (, ), co-created with artist Kagan McLeod, where reluctant astronaut Keith Kanga crash-lands on the bizarre planet Kaptara amid a crew mutiny, encountering grotesque aliens, motivational cults, and an impending invasion of Earth in a humorous of space adventure tropes. Shifting to supernatural vigilante tales, The All-Nighter (2021, Originals) features Zdarsky as writer alongside artist Jason Loo; it follows bored teenage vampire Alex, who flips burgers at a diner by night but dons a cape to fight , inspired by films, while building an unlikely found with other undead allies. In July 2024, Zdarsky debuted Zdarsky Comic News, a self-published, four-page monthly distributed exclusively to comic shops, where he handled writing, illustration, and design to deliver satirical industry updates, interviews, and games in a print format emphasizing tactile, internet-free engagement. The project, blending with comic elements, earned a 2025 Eisner Award nomination for Best Comics-Related Periodical/ before concluding after 21 issues in December 2025. In September 2025, Zdarsky launched White House Robot Romance at DSTLRY Comics, co-created with artist Rachael Stott, following two robots who fall in love amid escalating tensions between the United States and Canada, blending political satire, romance, and science fiction.

Marvel Comics contributions

Chip Zdarsky began his contributions to Marvel Comics in 2015 as the writer of the Howard the Duck series, which ran from 2015 to 2016 and revived the character through a blend of satirical humor and absurd adventures in the Marvel Universe. The series featured Howard navigating bizarre team-ups and everyday frustrations, drawing on the character's origins as a cynical outsider while incorporating sharp commentary on superhero tropes. From 2017 to 2018, Zdarsky wrote Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man, revitalizing the series with stories focusing on Peter's personal life, scientific pursuits, and street-level heroics as he balances college and crime-fighting. Zdarsky's most prominent Marvel work came with his tenure on Daredevil, where he wrote volume 6 from 2019 to 2021, emphasizing street-level crime and Matt Murdock's internal struggles with faith and vigilantism. He continued with volume 7 from 2023 to 2023, taking on both writing and art duties to explore deeper psychological layers, including Murdock's time in and evolving moral dilemmas. Key arcs highlighted the tension between personal redemption and societal justice, often portraying Daredevil's actions as fraught with ethical ambiguity. In 2019, Zdarsky wrote the limited series : Life Story, which chronicled Peter Parker's life in real-time across decades, blending personal growth with challenges. He also contributed to major events like from 2021 to 2022, a crossover where Kingpin targeted New York's masked heroes, forcing Daredevil into a citywide confrontation that amplified themes of moral complexity in heroism. Zdarsky's influence from his creator-owned humor subtly lightened tones in these works, adding wit to explorations of heroism's burdens. In July 2025, he launched a new Captain America series with artist Valerio Schiti, focusing on Steve Rogers' early encounters with and the hero's role in a shifting world. Across these projects, Zdarsky consistently delved into the moral ambiguities of Marvel's street-level and iconic heroes, portraying their decisions as nuanced responses to personal and systemic failures.

DC Comics contributions

Chip Zdarsky began his tenure on the main Batman series in 2022, writing issues #125 through #157, which spanned from July 2022 to February 2025 and encompassed 32 issues. His run introduced key arcs such as "," where confronts an AI contingency created by Wayne himself to counter his potential failures, forcing a reckoning with his own vulnerabilities. This storyline evolved into explorations of the Zur-En-Arrh persona, an alternate personality developed as a mental safeguard, delving into themes of trauma as grapples with past mistakes like the death of . Zdarsky's narratives emphasized Batman's psychological depth, portraying Bruce Wayne's internal conflicts through introspective dialogues with figures like and Jim Gordon, highlighting his struggle to balance humanity with role. Family elements were central, particularly in arcs involving potential relatives like William Pureford, a figure tied to Wayne family secrets, and reflections on Thomas Wayne's legacy, which prompted Bruce to redirect toward community support rather than isolation. These themes of legacy and trauma culminated in the final arc, "The Dying City," addressing global threats from the and culminating in a poignant conversation between Bruce and Gordon that echoed the character's origins. In addition to the ongoing series, Zdarsky wrote the 10-issue limited series Batman: The Knight in 2022, illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico, which chronicled Bruce Wayne's early training abroad and his evolution into the detective archetype through encounters with allies and adversaries. Zdarsky announced in October 2024 that Batman #157 would conclude his run, a decision made earlier that year to wrap the Zur-En-Arrh storyline amid editorial changes and his expanding workload, allowing him to prioritize other projects while remaining open to future DC collaborations. His approach to DC's Gotham drew from prior ensemble dynamics at Marvel, adapting them to a more introspective, solitary tone suited to Batman's lore.

Awards and honors

Major awards

Chip Zdarsky has received multiple , recognizing his contributions to comics as both writer and artist. In 2014, he shared the for Best New Series with writer for Sex Criminals, an title that blended humor and drama to explore themes of sexuality and escapism, marking an early critical success in his transition from illustration to storytelling. Zdarsky's work continued to earn acclaim, with the 2017 Eisner Award for Best Humor Publication going to Jughead (Archie Comics, with Ryan North, Erica Henderson, and Derek Charm) for its witty narrative and visual style, which solidified his reputation for innovative genre-blending. In 2019, Zdarsky won the Eisner Award for Best Single Issue/One-Shot for Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #310, praised for its emotional depth in depicting Spider-Man's personal struggles, enhancing his profile within Marvel's superhero lineup. That same year, he won the Joe Shuster Award for Outstanding Writer for Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man and Marvel Two-in-One (Marvel Comics). In 2020, Zdarsky won the Eisner Award for Best Digital Comic for Afterlift (with Jason Loo, Originals). His creator-owned series earned the 2023 Eisner Award for Best New Series, lauded for its satirical take on and history through an alternate-universe lens, further establishing Zdarsky as a versatile indie creator. Among , Zdarsky received the 2014 honor for Most Promising New Talent, acknowledging his rapid rise in the industry following . In 2015, he won but declined the Special Award for Humor in Comics for , citing concerns over the nomination process that excluded . He also won the 2016 Special Award for Humor for , highlighting his ability to revitalize obscure characters with sharp, contemporary wit. These accolades, spanning both major publishers and independent projects, have significantly elevated Zdarsky's career, leading to high-profile runs on titles like Daredevil and Batman, and underscoring his impact on modern comics storytelling.

Nominations

Zdarsky's work has earned multiple nominations from prestigious comic book industry awards, recognizing his contributions as both writer and artist across various titles. These nominations span creator-owned series and mainstream superhero books, underscoring his versatility and consistent critical attention without securing wins in these instances. Notable nominations include the 2016 Joe Shuster Award for Outstanding Writer, where Zdarsky was recognized for his scripts on Jughead (Archie Comics), Kaptara (Image Comics), and Howard the Duck (Marvel Comics), highlighting his early forays into humor-driven and sci-fi narratives. In 2020, his run on Daredevil (Marvel Comics) received a Harvey Award nomination in the Book of the Year category, acknowledging the series' blend of character depth and action storytelling. That same year, Daredevil also garnered Eisner Award nominations for Best Continuing Series (with artist Marco Checchetto) and Best Writer, reflecting acclaim for Zdarsky's reinvention of the character's internal conflicts. In 2024, Zdarsky's (Marvel Comics, with artist Luca Maresca) was nominated for the Eisner Award in Best Limited Series, emphasizing his ability to craft high-stakes, self-contained superhero tales. These selections demonstrate a pattern of nominations that frequently highlight Zdarsky's writing prowess in ongoing series and limited runs, particularly within the superhero genre, while also touching on his independent projects, signaling sustained industry recognition for his narrative innovation and artistic style.
YearAwardCategoryWorkNotes
2016Outstanding WriterJughead, Kaptara, Nominated for works published in 2015; no win.
2020HarveyBook of the YearDaredevilNominated; winner was Dragon Hoops by .
2020EisnerBest Continuing SeriesDaredevil (with Marco Checchetto)Nominated; no win.
2020EisnerBest WriterDaredevil, Spider-Man: Life Story, The White Trees, AfterliftNominated; no win.
2024EisnerBest Limited Series: Weapons of Armageddon (with Luca Maresca)Nominated; no win.

Bibliography

Image Comics

Sex Criminals (2013–2020) is a creator-owned series co-created by and Chip Zdarsky, with Zdarsky serving as the artist; the main run consists of 30 issues, supplemented by specials including Sex Criminals #0 (2014), Bad Bits (2016), and Big Hard Sex Criminals #1–2 (2018–2020). Kaptara (2015–2016) is a limited series written by Chip Zdarsky with art by Kagan McLeod, comprising 8 issues across two volumes: Fear Not, Tiny Alien (#1–4) and Universal Truths (#5–8). Newburn (2021–present) is an ongoing noir detective series written by Chip Zdarsky with art by ; as of November 2025, it comprises at least 20 issues across multiple volumes. Public Domain (2022–present) is an ongoing creator-owned series written and illustrated by Chip Zdarsky; as of November 2025, it includes 10 issues, with collected editions Volume 1 (#1–4, 2023) and Volume 2 (#5–10, 2024).

Marvel Comics

Zdarsky began his tenure at with the revival of Howard the Duck volume 4, serving as writer for the full 11-issue run from 2015 to 2016, illustrated primarily by Joe Quinones. Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man (vol. 3, 2017–2018), where Zdarsky wrote and drew issues #1–20. Spider-Man: Life Story (2019) is a 6-issue limited series written by Zdarsky with art by , reimagining 's life aging in real-time. His most prominent ongoing series at Marvel came with Daredevil volume 6 (2019–2021), where he wrote the first 28 issues, collaborating with artists including Marco Checchetto and Mike Hawthorne. Zdarsky continued on Daredevil with volume 7 (2023–2024), taking on both writing and art duties for all 14 issues. From 2020 to 2021, Zdarsky contributed to Spider-Man stories, writing select arcs such as Spider-Man: Spider's Shadow, a 5-issue limited series exploring alternate scenarios for the character. In 2025, Zdarsky launched a new volume of Captain America, announced for a July start and ongoing as writer, with Valerio Schiti on art, focusing on Steve Rogers' early post-reawakening adventures. Zdarsky also penned major crossovers, including Devil's Reign (2021–2022), a 6-issue event miniseries illustrated by Marco Checchetto that intersected his Daredevil run with broader Marvel Universe elements.

DC Comics

Chip Zdarsky's work with DC Comics primarily centers on the Batman franchise, where he has established himself as a key writer since 2022, delivering extended runs and limited series that explore Bruce Wayne's psyche, Gotham's underworld, and the Dark Knight's evolution. His tenure on the flagship Batman title marked a significant chapter in the character's ongoing narrative, blending psychological depth with high-stakes action. Zdarsky assumed writing duties for Batman (vol. 3) beginning with issue #125 in August 2022, succeeding , and continued through issue #157 in February 2025, authoring a total of 33 issues. This run, illustrated by artists including Jorge Jiménez and Tony S. Daniel, featured major arcs such as "," "The Joker: Year One," and "The Knightfall," while incorporating tie-ins to events like (issues #137–138) and Absolute Power (issues #150–152). The storyline delved into Batman's vulnerabilities, including a paralyzing injury and confrontations with the , culminating in a transformative finale that reshaped his alliances and legacy. Complementing his main series, Zdarsky wrote the 10-issue limited series Batman: The Knight (2022), illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico, which served as a chronicling Wayne's formative year abroad training to become Batman, emphasizing themes of isolation and moral compromise. This series provided backstory context for elements in his Batman run, such as Wayne's early encounters with future allies and adversaries. Zdarsky's DC output also includes contributions to limited series and anthologies. He wrote the 7-issue digital-first miniseries Justice League: Last Ride (2021–2022), illustrated by Miguel Mendonça, an alternate-universe tale examining the disbandment of the Justice League amid internal strife and a cosmic threat. In anthologies, he penned the lead story for Batman: Urban Legends #1 (2021), focusing on a Gotham mystery, and a Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy tale in Harley Quinn: Black + White + Redder #1 (2023), illustrated by Kevin Maguire, involving a heist at the Fortress of Solitude. Additionally, he contributed a segment to the Absolute Power: Ground Zero one-shot (2024), tying into the broader event's narrative on metahuman power dynamics.

Other publishers

Zdarsky began his comics career with self-published works under the , focusing on humorous, autobiographical strips. His series Prison Funnies, a collection of strips inspired by everyday absurdities and personal anecdotes, was initially self-published through the (RAID) around 2000–2001, with a collected edition later released in 2011. In 2003, Zdarsky created Monster Cops, a one-shot where he served as both writer and artist, depicting classic monsters like , the Wolf Man, and reimagined as law enforcement officers combating supernatural crime. The issue was republished by Legion of Evil Press in 2006, featuring a crossover cameo with and emphasizing Zdarsky's early blend of horror tropes with comedic . Zdarsky's contributions extended to Archie Comics in 2015, where he wrote the relaunched Jughead series (2015–2017), reimagining the character as a clever, burger-obsessed teen navigating Riverdale's social dynamics with a modern, irreverent tone. Co-created with artist Erica Henderson, the 11-issue run earned praise for its sharp humor and character depth, revitalizing the classic property while exploring themes of friendship and mischief. In the digital space, Zdarsky wrote The All-Nighter for Originals starting in 2021, collaborating with artist Jason Loo on a series about a group of night-shift workers who moonlight as vigilantes. The ongoing title, which spanned three seasons and 15 issues before concluding in 2024, combined supernatural elements with themes of found family and , later collected by . Zdarsky has also contributed short stories to miscellaneous anthologies, including the 2016 collection Pros and (Comic) Cons from Bedside Press and , where his piece highlighted his satirical take on industry tropes.

References

  1. https://www.cbc.ca/books/chip-zdarsky-on-the-life-of-a-comic-book-writer-and-why-everyone-loves-spider-man-1.4883719
  2. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/blog/what-happens-when-your-childhood-dream-of-writing-for-spider-man-comes-true-1.4193153
  3. https://imagecomics.com/creators/chip-zdarsky
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10894861/
  5. https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Chip-Zdarsky/216783346
  6. https://aiptcomics.com/2025/11/07/s-h-i-e-l-d-chip-zdarsky-captain-america/
  7. https://bleedingcool.com/tag/chip-zdarsky/
  8. https://dstlry.co/blogs/news/zdarsky-stott-s-white-house-robot-romance-1-hits-shelves-this-september
  9. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books/article-master-of-the-multiverse-canadian-comic-book-hero-chip-zdarsky-takes/
  10. https://macleans.ca/culture/meet-the-canadian-bringing-batman-into-a-new-era/
  11. https://canadianaci.ca/Encyclopedia/murray-steve/
  12. https://www.durhamregion.com/things-to-do/canadian-steve-murray-on-rising-comic-book-fame/article_4847d137-c35d-597a-8aa2-62a53c9e47e7.html
  13. https://feathertale.com/egregious-interviews/interview-steve-murray/
  14. https://www.sheridancollege.ca/newsroom/news-releases/2019/05/alumni-up-for-will-eisner-awards
  15. https://zdarsky.substack.com/p/chipclass-addendum
  16. http://www.zdars.co/bio-1
  17. https://chipzdarsky.livejournal.com/47777.html
  18. https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-chip-zdarsky-is-living-the-dream-with-howard-the-duck/
  19. https://imagecomics.com/comics/interviews/insiders/chip-zdarsky
  20. https://www.cbr.com/zdarsky-organizes-an-unforgettable-sex-criminals-launch-party/
  21. http://staple-austin.blogspot.com/2014/01/an-interview-with-chip-zdarsky.html
  22. https://comics.lib.msu.edu/rri/rrri/roya.htm
  23. https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=63233186
  24. https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/sex-criminals
  25. https://imagecomics.com/news/eisner-award-winning-nyt-bestselling-series-sex-criminals-returns-in-january-2020-from-image-comics
  26. https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Criminals-One-Weird-Trick/dp/1607069466
  27. https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/new-series-the-domain-spins-out-of-chip-zdarskys-eisner-award-winning-public-domain-this-july
  28. https://www.comicsbeat.com/trade-rating-a-creator-rights-drama-in-public-domain-vol-1/
  29. https://aiptcomics.com/2023/01/17/public-domain-vol-1-past-mistakes-review/
  30. https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/newburn
  31. https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/kaptara
  32. https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3009-422/The-All-Nighter-TPB
  33. https://zdarsky.substack.com/p/zdarsky-comic-news
  34. https://www.comicsbeat.com/defeated-zdarsky-folds-zdarsky-comic-news/
  35. https://dstlry.co/products/white-house-robot-romance-1-stott-cover-a
  36. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/20471/howard_the_duck_2015_2016
  37. https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Duck-Vol-Hunt/dp/0785199381
  38. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/23082/peter_parker_the_spectacular_spider-man_2017_2018
  39. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/26080/daredevil_2019_2021
  40. https://aiptcomics.com/2019/02/05/daredevil-1-review-the-devils-in-the-details/
  41. https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/74803/spider-man_life_story_2019_1
  42. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/32952/devils_reign_2021_-_2022
  43. https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/123356/captain_america_2025_1
  44. https://www.comicbookherald.com/daredevil-by-chip-zdarsky-cast-out-the-devil-inside/
  45. https://www.dc.com/blog/2025/02/26/how-chip-zdarsky-s-run-changed-batman
  46. https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/batman-2016/batman-vol-1-failsafe
  47. https://www.dc.com/blog/2024/03/27/batman-always-has-a-plan-which-may-be-his-biggest-mistake
  48. https://www.dc.com/comics/batman-the-knight-2021/batman-the-knight-1
  49. https://zdarsky.substack.com/p/batman-rip
  50. https://comicsalliance.com/2014-eisner-awards-full-list-of-winners-and-nominees/
  51. https://aiptcomics.com/2017/07/22/complete-list-of-2017-eisner-award-winners-saga-wins-big/
  52. https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-win-at-the-2019-eisner-awards
  53. https://www.comicsbeat.com/2019-joe-shuster-awards-winners-including-zdarsky-kerschl-carroll-and-variant-edition/
  54. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/2020-eisner-award-winners-announced-1304547/
  55. https://www.ign.com/articles/comic-con-2023-eisner-award-winners-nightwing-batman
  56. https://imagecomics.com/news/image-comics-congratulates-creators-on-harvey-awards-thanks-fans-for-suppor-1
  57. https://comicsalliance.com/chip-zdarsky-declines-harvey-award/
  58. https://www.harveyawards.com/en-us/winners/previous-winners.html
  59. https://www.harveyawards.com/en-us/about/news/harvey-awards-reveal-2020-nominees.html
  60. https://joeshusterawards.com/2016/08/31/the-2016-joe-shuster-award-nominations-les-nomines-pour-le-prix-joe-shuster-2016/
  61. https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards/
  62. https://www.ign.com/articles/nightwing-transformers-and-more-2024-eisner-award-nominees-revealed
  63. https://www.harveyawards.com/en-us/about/news/announcing-the-2020-harvey-awards-winners.html
  64. https://www.superherohype.com/comics/564571-image-comics-sex-criminals-full-series-compendium-edition-announcement
  65. https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/kaptara-tp-vol-2
  66. https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/public-domain
  67. https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/public-domain-tp-vol-2
  68. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/19241/howard_the_duck_2015
  69. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/23101/peter_parker_the_spectacular_spider-man_2017_-_2018
  70. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/32952/devils_reign_2021_2022
  71. https://www.dc.com/blog/2022/05/12/the-new-chip-on-batmans-shoulder
  72. https://www.dc.com/comics/justice-league-last-ride-2021/justice-league-last-ride-1
  73. https://www.dc.com/comics/batman-urban-legends-2021/batman-urban-legends-1
  74. https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/comics/book/harley-quinn-black-white-redder-2023-1/f5ce865f-745c-48cd-ab01-779e6429e8d6
  75. https://comicbookclublive.com/2024/06/26/absolute-power-ground-zero-1-review-a-surprisingly-emotional-setup/
  76. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/91911-batman-falls-to-earth-pw-talks-with-chip-zdarsky.html
  77. https://www.lulu.com/shop/chip-zdarsky/the-collected-prison-funnies-2000-2001/ebook/product-1pkqzrmv.html
  78. https://www.comics.org/series/20235/
  79. https://archiecomics.com/zdarsky-and-henderson-set-the-table-with-new-jughead-series/
  80. https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=31808822
  81. https://www.comicsbeat.com/chip-zdarsky-and-jason-loo-reteam-for-new-comixology-originals-series-the-all-nighter/
  82. https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3011-857/The-All-Nighter-Volume-2-TPB
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