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Jim Cheung
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Jim Cheung (/tʃʌŋ/ CHUNG; born 1972) is a British[1] comic book artist, known for his work on the series such as Scion, New Avengers: Illuminati, Young Avengers and Avengers: The Children's Crusade.
Key Information
He co-created the Marvel Comics superhero team the Young Avengers, including its members: Kate Bishop, Hulkling, Iron Lad, Patriot (Eli Bradley), Speed, and Wiccan.
Career
[edit]Cheung worked on several Marvel series during the mid- to late 1990s. He also worked on Scion for Crossgen Comics in the early 2000s. He later returned to Marvel, where he illustrated the five-issue New Avengers: Illuminati mini-series for Marvel Comics, and then pencilled two more issues of New Avengers. He was named in August 2005 as one of Marvel's "Young Guns", a group of artists that, according to Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada, have the qualities that make "a future superstar penciller". Other "Young Guns" include Olivier Coipel, David Finch, Trevor Hairsine, Adi Granov and Steve McNiven.[2] Cheung illustrated the 2010-2012 miniseries Avengers: The Children's Crusade.[3] In addition to interior comics work, he has drawn several covers including those of "Avengers vs. X-Men", "Spider-Men" and the Young Avengers.
In 2015, Marvel enlisted Cheung to create an Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. poster for a panel devoted to that TV series at that year's San Diego Comic-Con.[4] He drew the Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy limited series in 2016 with writer Christos Gage and Dan Slott.[5]
In February 2018, Cheung created promo art for a relaunched Marvel Universe, called the Fresh Start.[6] That March, it was announced that Cheung would be the artist on a relaunched Justice League series.[7]
Bibliography
[edit]Marvel Comics
[edit]Interior work
[edit]- Avengers #35 (2014)
- Avengers Finale
- Avengers: The Children's Crusade #1-9
- Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #9 (select pages)
- Black Knight: Exodus #1
- Civil War II Free Comic Book Day
- The Clone Conspiracy #1-5 (2016)
- Elektra: The Hand #1, #5 (select pages)
- Force Works #15-17
- Giant-Sized Avengers Special #1 (2007)
- Infinity #1, #6 (2013)
- Iron Man #325-327, 329-330, 600
- Marvel Comics Presents #170
- Marvel Comics Presents #1-12
- Marvel 2-in-One #1-2, #6
- New Avengers #25, 40, 42, 43
- New Avengers: Illuminati #1-5
- Maverick #1-11
- Original Sin #0 (2014)
- Spider-Man Unlimited #6
- Uncanny X-Men #371
- X-Force #82-84, 86–88, 90, 94–95, 98-100
- X-Men Unlimited #14 (1997)
- Young Avengers #1-6, 9-12
Covers
[edit]- A-Force #1
- Astonishing X-Men #1
- Avengers #82
- Avengers: The Initiative #1-5, Annual #1
- Avengers vs. X-Men #1-12
- Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #1-9
- Cable #73
- Casualties of War: Captain America/Iron Man (one-shot)
- Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways #1-4
- Civil War: Casualties of War: Iron Man/Captain America (one-shot)
- Darth Vader #1-2
- Fantastic Four #525-526
- Fantastic Four: Foes #1-5
- Hulk vs Fin Fang Foom (one-shot)
- New Avengers: Illuminati #1-5
- Iron Fist (vol 6) #1, #2-3 (variants)
- Iron Man #322-324, 327-330
- Iron Man: Director of SHIELD Annual #1
- Marvel 2-in-One #3 (2017)
- New Avengers #4 (variant), Annual #2
- New Avengers/Transformers #1
- Secret Warriors #1-22
- Shang-Chi #1
- Shang-Chi: Master of the Ten Rings (one-shot)
- Spider-Men #1-5
- Ultimate Nightmare #5
- Uncanny X-Men #493 (variant)
- What If...Magneto and Professor X Had Formed the X-Men Together? (one-shot)
- What If... House of M #1
- World War Hulk Aftersmash: Warbound #1-5
- X-Factor (vol 3) #27 (variant)
- X-Force #101
- X-Men #207 (variant)
- Young Avengers #1-12
- Young Avengers Special #1
- Young Avengers Presents #1-6
DC Comics
[edit]- Justice League vol. 4 #1, 7, 14-17 (2018-2019)
- DC's Year Of The Villain #1 (2019)
- Legion Of Super-Heroes: Millenium #2 (2019)
CrossGen Comics
[edit]- Scion #1-6, 8–11, 13–16, 18–21, 23–26, 31–32, 35–36, 38-39
Village Voice
[edit]- Kill Bill (October 1–7, 2003) (vol XLVII NO.40)
Bubble Comics
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Marvel Spotlight: Warren Ellis/Jim Cheung Marvel Comics 2006
- ^ Young Guns Sketchbook at Marvel.com
- ^ Richards, Dave (18 April 2010). "C2E2: Heinberg & Cheung Launch "Children's Crusade"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
- ^ Spiegel, Danny (July 13, 2015). "Fandemonium!", TV Guide. p. 22.
- ^ Comic Book Resources (13 October 2016). "Spidey's Clone Conspiracy Brings Back The Dead, & Maybe New Controversy". cbr.com. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ^ Adams, Tim (20 February 2018). "Marvel's Fresh Start: Who's Who & What to Expect from the New Initiative". CBR.com. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Marston, George. "OFFICIAL: JUSTICE LEAGUE Relaunches With SNYDER, CHEUNG & JIMENEZ". Newsarama. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
References
[edit]- Jim Cheung at the Grand Comics Database
External links
[edit]- Jim Cheung at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Jim Cheung on Marvel.com
- Official website
- Jim Cheung on Instagram
Jim Cheung
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Upbringing and education
Jim Cheung was born in 1972 and raised in England, where he developed an early passion for comic books during the 1980s. Growing up in the United Kingdom, he had access to affordable reprints of American superhero comics in weekly publications, which became a staple of his after-school routine. His first exposure came through Spider-Man stories, which captivated him as a child and sparked his lifelong interest in the medium.[1][8] From a young age, Cheung immersed himself in Marvel and DC titles, with Spider-Man emerging as his favorite character due to its relatable storytelling and dynamic artwork. He cited the abundance of comics in the UK as a key factor in his upbringing, allowing him to explore a wide range of superhero narratives without significant barriers. This environment fostered his creative inclinations, as he began drawing inspired by the heroes he read about.[4][8] Cheung's artistic development was heavily shaped by emulating leading comic artists of the era, including John Byrne and John Romita Jr., whose detailed and expressive styles he copied extensively to hone his skills. These influences emphasized strong narrative structure and character design, principles that guided his self-directed practice during his formative years. While specific details on formal education remain scarce in public records, Cheung's early efforts reflect a hands-on approach rooted in the comics culture of his British childhood.[9][4]Initial artistic influences
Jim Cheung's initial artistic influences stemmed from his childhood exposure to American superhero comics in the United Kingdom, where such titles were widely available through reprints and weeklies. Growing up, he was particularly drawn to Marvel Comics, with Spider-Man emerging as his favorite superhero, inspiring his early interest in dynamic storytelling and character design.[4][8] As a young reader in the 1980s, Cheung closely studied the work of prominent comic artists, learning to identify their distinct styles and emulating them to develop his own drawing skills. He cited John Byrne and John Romita Jr. as key early influences, admiring Byrne's detailed layouts and character expressions in titles like Uncanny X-Men and Romita Jr.'s energetic penciling on The Amazing Spider-Man. These artists shaped his foundational approach, as Cheung would copy their techniques to understand comic book anatomy and composition before evolving toward a more personal style.[4][9] This period of emulation marked Cheung's transition from casual reading to serious artistic practice, fostering a deep appreciation for the structural elements of comics rather than mere surface aesthetics. By analyzing Byrne's and Romita Jr.'s contributions, he built core skills in figure drawing and panel pacing that informed his professional entry into the industry in the mid-1990s.[9]Career
Early work in the 1990s
Jim Cheung, a British comic book artist born in 1972, began his professional career in the mid-1990s with Marvel Comics' UK imprint. His debut work was a 6-page X-Men mini-comic published by Marvel UK in 1994, featuring a story where Magneto attacks the President, marking his entry into the industry through sample pages that caught the attention of editors.[10] In 1995, Cheung contributed pencils to Force Works #15–17, a Marvel series focusing on a superhero team led by Iron Man, where he illustrated key issues involving time rifts and team dynamics under writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning.[11] His style during this period emphasized dynamic action and detailed character anatomy, aligning with the era's superhero trends. Cheung's first major ongoing series came in 1997 with Maverick #1–12, where he served as the primary penciler, collaborating with inker Andrew Pepoy on stories exploring the titular mercenary's battle against the Legacy Virus and foes like Alpha Flight.[12] This run, written by Jorge Gonzalez, showcased Cheung's evolving ability to handle gritty, introspective narratives amid high-stakes action. By the late 1990s, Cheung expanded to prominent X-Men titles, penciling X-Force #82–90 in 1998–1999, including arcs like "The Gryphon Agenda" that introduced new mutants such as Bedlam and delved into Hellfire Club intrigue under writer John Francis Moore. He concluded the decade with Uncanny X-Men #371 in August 1999, contributing to the "Rage Against the Machine" storyline involving Project: Deathlok, plotted by Alan Davis and scripted by Terry Kavanagh.[13] These assignments solidified his reputation for rendering complex team interactions and explosive battles within Marvel's mutant universe.Mid-2000s breakthrough with Marvel
In 2005, Jim Cheung made a significant return to Marvel Comics as the penciler and cover artist for Young Avengers, a 12-issue series written by Allan Heinberg that launched in the wake of the Avengers Disassembled storyline. The book introduced a team of young heroes—including legacy characters like Wiccan (Billy Kaplan), Hulkling (Teddy Altman), and Patriot (Eli Bradley)—whom Cheung co-created alongside Heinberg, emphasizing themes of identity, legacy, and teamwork through his expressive, cinematic illustrations.[14] The series quickly gained acclaim for its fresh take on superhero dynamics, becoming Marvel's "sleeper hit of 2005" and a critical favorite that showcased Cheung's ability to handle ensemble casts with fluid action and emotional depth.[15] This project propelled Cheung to prominence within the industry, earning him selection as one of Marvel's "Young Guns"—a prestigious group of emerging talents handpicked by editor-in-chief Joe Quesada in August 2005 to represent the future of comic art.[16] Despite nearly a decade in the field, including earlier stints at Marvel and CrossGen, the recognition underscored Cheung's evolution into a versatile artist capable of elevating high-profile launches, with promotional materials highlighting his contributions as pivotal to the series' innovative appeal.[17] Cheung's mid-2000s momentum continued with his penciling duties on the 2006 miniseries New Avengers: Illuminati, co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and Brian Reed, which retroactively detailed the formation of a covert alliance among Marvel's most powerful heroes like Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, and Black Bolt.[18] Across its five issues, Cheung's artwork brought gravitas to the narrative's exploration of moral dilemmas and global threats, further establishing him as Marvel's go-to illustrator for interconnected universe-spanning stories. He also provided covers for select issues of New Avengers and Avengers: The Initiative during this era, blending his signature style with the publisher's evolving event-driven landscape.[19]Work with other publishers
Cheung began his professional career outside Marvel with the independent publisher CrossGen Comics, where he served as the primary penciler and cover artist for the fantasy series Scion from 2000 to 2003. Written by Ron Marz, the series followed a young protagonist's journey in a richly detailed world, allowing Cheung to showcase his evolving style in epic fantasy illustrations across 26 issues.[20] In 1995, Cheung contributed to DC Comics as a penciler on Justice League Task Force #26, marking his early entry into the DC Universe with interior artwork for a storyline involving the team's confrontation with villains.[21] His collaboration with DC expanded significantly in the late 2010s, primarily through high-profile cover art. For the 2018 Justice League relaunch by writer Scott Snyder, Cheung provided the main cover for issue #1, depicting the core team against a cosmic threat, and subsequent variant covers for issues #7, #14, #15, #16, and #17, emphasizing dramatic team dynamics and large-scale action.[22] He also illustrated the cover for Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 in 2021, celebrating the character's legacy with a dynamic pose.[23] These contributions highlighted Cheung's ability to capture iconic DC heroes in photorealistic yet heroic compositions, often inking his own pencils for a polished finish.[24] Cheung's work extended to Dynamite Entertainment in 2019, where he created a series of covers for the James Bond ongoing series (Volume 3), including the main cover for issue #1 and black-and-white variants for issues #1 and #2. These pieces portrayed Daniel Craig's likeness as Bond in sleek, espionage-themed scenes, blending realism with cinematic flair.[25] He further contributed a rare 1:150 virgin foil variant cover for Red Sonja #1 in 2023, depicting the sword-and-sorcery heroine in a fierce, detailed battle stance.[26] As of 2025, Cheung continues to engage with DC through variant covers, such as the Wonder Woman/Captain America variant for the DC/Marvel crossover Batman/Deadpool #1, released in November, which mashes up heroes from both universes in a collaborative spirit. Additionally, DC announced ongoing Batman projects featuring Cheung's artwork earlier in the year, though specifics remain forthcoming.[27][28]Recent projects and conventions (2018–present)
Since 2018, Jim Cheung has primarily contributed as a cover artist for major publishers, focusing on high-profile Marvel and DC titles while occasionally providing interior artwork or promotional pieces. In 2018, he illustrated the main cover for Marvel Two-in-One #1, featuring Reed and Ben Grimm in a post-Secret Wars storyline.[29] That same year, Cheung provided a variant cover for Uncanny X-Men #1, depicting the team's resurrection and return under Jonathan Hickman's run.[30] Cheung continued his Marvel collaborations into the 2020s, delivering covers for ongoing series such as The Amazing Spider-Man (issues from 2018–2022) and Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2022–2023), emphasizing dynamic action sequences with web-slingers.[31] He also contributed a cover to Image Comics' Fire Power by Kirkman & Samnee #20 in May 2022, showcasing his versatility beyond superhero genres in this martial arts epic.[32] More recently, in 2019, Cheung created artwork for Marvel Comics #1000, a milestone anthology celebrating the publisher's history, and provided an interior illustration of Diana and Steven for the DC/Marvel crossover Batman/Deadpool #1.[33][34] As of 2025, he remains active on various cover assignments for both Marvel and DC, including promotional art like a Bone-themed piece for the Baltimore Comic Con yearbook.[5][35] Throughout this period, Cheung has maintained a strong presence at comic conventions worldwide, engaging with fans through sketches, signings, and panels. He appeared at the Fairfax Comic Con in Chantilly, Virginia, in August 2018, and was scheduled for the Amazing Las Vegas Comic Convention that year, though it faced cancellations.[36] In 2022, he attended the Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con, highlighting his Young Avengers co-creation in artist alley discussions.[37] Cheung has been a recurring guest at the Baltimore Comic-Con, participating annually from 2018 onward, including in 2025 where he contributed to the event's yearbook and manned booth 2213 for commissions.[5][38] Internationally, he debuted at Heroes Dutch Comic Con in Spring 2025, discussing his Infinity and Avengers vs. X-Men work, and is slated for the Winter edition of Heroes Comic Con Stockholm in October–November 2025.[39][36] Other 2025 appearances include Tidewater Comicon in Virginia Beach, Hawaii Pop Con, and Roster Con events, underscoring his ongoing fan interaction amid a cover-heavy workload.[40][41]Notable contributions
Co-creation of Young Avengers
Jim Cheung co-created the Young Avengers superhero team with writer Allan Heinberg under the editorial guidance of Tom Brevoort at Marvel Comics. The series debuted in Young Avengers #1 on April 6, 2005, introducing a group of teenage heroes with ties to the original Avengers, including Hulkling (Teddy Altman), Wiccan (Billy Kaplan), Patriot (Eli Bradley), Stature (Cassie Lang), Iron Lad (Nathaniel Richards), Speed (Tommy Shepherd), and Kate Bishop as Hawkeye.[42][5] The concept faced significant internal resistance at Marvel prior to launch, with Brevoort describing it as a "dopey idea" amid broader skepticism about reviving an Avengers-style team so soon after the disbandment of the adult roster in Avengers Disassembled. Heinberg, transitioning from television writing on shows like The O.C., collaborated with Cheung to craft a fresh narrative focusing on legacy heroes navigating identity and heroism, while marketing efforts emphasized the tagline "They’re Not What You Think" to counter preconceptions of a derivative teen book. Despite these challenges, the series quickly proved its viability through strong sales and critical acclaim.[43] As the penciller and cover artist, Cheung played a pivotal role in visualizing the team, designing costumes that blended modern, street-level aesthetics with nods to classic Avengers icons to appeal to a younger audience. His dynamic, cinematic style—characterized by expressive poses and detailed environments—helped establish the characters' personalities and relationships from the outset, contributing to the book's immediate popularity and its recognition as an award-winning title. The collaboration extended to later projects, including Cheung's artwork on Avengers: The Children's Crusade (2010–2012), which reunited the original creative team to explore the Young Avengers' role in larger Marvel events.[44][5]Key Marvel series illustrations
Jim Cheung's illustrations for Marvel Comics have been instrumental in defining several landmark series, particularly those involving ensemble superhero teams and cosmic-scale narratives. His debut on the main Young Avengers series (2005–2006) marked a significant collaboration with writer Allan Heinberg, where Cheung served as the primary penciler and co-creator of the team, introducing young heroes like Wiccan, Hulkling, Patriot, and Stature. His dynamic artwork, characterized by expressive character designs and intricate action sequences, helped establish the series as a fresh take on legacy characters, earning praise for blending youthful energy with mature storytelling. The series' success led to collected editions and influenced subsequent Marvel adaptations, including explorations of team dynamics in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[45][6] Following this, Cheung illustrated the New Avengers: Illuminati miniseries (2006–2007), written by Brian Michael Bendis and Brian Reed, where he provided pencils and covers for all five issues. This work delved into the secretive alliance of Marvel's most powerful heroes—Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt, Professor X, Doctor Strange, and Namor—revealing behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped major events like Civil War and Secret Invasion. Cheung's detailed depictions of high-stakes confrontations and group compositions emphasized the Illuminati's moral complexities, contributing to the series' role in expanding Marvel's interconnected universe. The miniseries was later republished in omnibus formats, underscoring its enduring impact on crossover lore.[46][47] Cheung reunited with Heinberg for Avengers: The Children's Crusade (2010–2012), a nine-issue maxi-series where he handled penciling and cover art. The story followed the Young Avengers on a quest to resurrect Scarlet Witch, clashing with the adult Avengers and introducing elements like the villainous Doom. His illustrations excelled in emotional depth, particularly in family-themed panels and epic battles, while his covers became iconic for their vibrant, team-focused compositions. This series served as a narrative bridge for Young Avengers lore, influencing later titles and reinforcing Cheung's reputation for character-driven visuals in large-scale events.[48][6] In the 2010s, Cheung contributed to major events like Avengers vs. X-Men (2012), providing cover art that captured the ideological conflict between the two teams over the Phoenix Force, and Infinity (2013), where he penciled key issues alongside writer Jonathan Hickman and artists like Jerome Opeña. For Infinity, his work on the opening chapters depicted Thanos's invasion of Earth and the Avengers' interstellar response, with sweeping cosmic vistas and intense hero-villain clashes that heightened the event's scale. These illustrations not only advanced plotlines involving the Black Order but also inspired the 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War. Cheung's versatility in handling both intimate team interactions and galaxy-spanning threats solidified his status as a go-to artist for Marvel's blockbuster narratives.[49][39]DC Comics collaborations
Jim Cheung's primary collaborations with DC Comics occurred during the late 2010s and early 2020s, beginning with his contributions to the 2018 relaunch of Justice League. Partnering with writer Scott Snyder, Cheung provided penciling for the debut issue (#1), delivering intricate depictions of the team's core members—Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg—in a storyline exploring multiversal threats and the concept of the Totality. His artwork emphasized heroic scale and emotional depth, setting a visual tone for the series' cosmic adventures. Jorge Jiménez joined as the primary artist on subsequent issues.[50] Cheung rejoined Snyder for additional interiors in Justice League #7 (2018), where his panels vividly portrayed high-stakes battles against the Legion of Doom, including Hawkgirl's confrontation with Lex Luthor. He also illustrated the one-shot Justice League: The Totality (2018), a pivotal tie-in that expanded the series' mythology with sweeping, otherworldly sequences. These efforts highlighted Cheung's versatility in handling ensemble dynamics and large-scale action, distinct from his Marvel-focused portfolio.[24] Beyond Justice League, Cheung contributed a short story to Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (2020), penciling pages that celebrated Diana Prince's legacy through introspective and action-oriented vignettes. His work on this anthology underscored his affinity for strong female leads, blending classical heroism with modern flair. Additionally, Cheung has provided variant covers for numerous DC titles, such as Detective Comics #1027 (2021), DC's Year of the Villain #1 (2019), and Wonder Woman #794 (2022), often featuring striking compositions of Batman, Wonder Woman, and other icons to boost issue appeal. In subsequent years, Cheung continued providing variant covers for DC titles, including Batman: The Brave and the Bold #1 (2023) and contributions to omnibus editions as of 2025.[22][31]Bibliography
Marvel Comics
Jim Cheung's contributions to Marvel Comics span a wide range of titles, primarily as a penciler and cover artist, beginning in the mid-1990s and continuing into the 2020s. His work often features dynamic superhero illustrations in series involving the Avengers, X-Men, and related teams, with a focus on high-profile events and team books. The following is a selected bibliography of his key Marvel credits, drawn from verified comic databases and official publisher listings.| Title | Issues | Year(s) | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Man (vol. 1) | #327–328 | 1996 | Penciler |
| X-Force (vol. 1) | #95 | 1998 | Penciler |
| Uncanny X-Men (vol. 1) | #371 | 1999 | Penciler |
| X-Men Unlimited (vol. 1) | #14 | 1999 | Penciler |
| Young Avengers (vol. 1) | #1–6, 9–12 | 2005–2006 | Penciler, Cover Artist |
| Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways | #1–4 | 2006 | Cover Artist |
| New Avengers: Illuminati (2006 limited series) | #1–5 | 2006–2007 | Penciler, Cover Artist |
| Avengers: The Initiative | #1–5, Annual #1 | 2007–2008 | Cover Artist |
| Mighty Avengers (vol. 1) | #13, 18 | 2008 | Cover Artist |
| Avengers: The Children's Crusade (limited series) | #1–9 | 2010–2012 | Penciler, Cover Artist |
| Avengers vs. X-Men | #0, 9, 12 | 2012 | Cover Artist |
| Infinity | #1 | 2013 | Penciler, Cover Artist |
| Avengers (vol. 5) | #35 | 2014 | Cover Artist |
| A-Force (vol. 1) | #1 | 2015 | Cover Artist |
| Astonishing X-Men (vol. 4) | #1 | 2017 | Penciler, Cover Artist |
| Spider-Man: The Clone Conspiracy | #1–5 | 2016–2017 | Cover Artist |
| Uncanny X-Men (vol. 5) | #1 | 2018 | Cover Artist (variant) |
| House of X / Powers of X | #1–6 | 2019 | Cover Artist |
| Scream: Curse of Carnage (limited series) | #1 | 2020 | Cover Artist |
| Devil's Reign (limited series) | #3 | 2022 | Cover Artist (variant) |
| Moon Knight (vol. 9) | #25 | 2023 | Cover Artist (variant) |