Gerry Kissell

Comic book artist, creator of Code Word: Geronimo for IDW Publishing (class of 1982)

What is Gerry Kissell known for?

Gerry Kissell, born May 19, 1964, in Granite City, Illinois, United States, is a well-known American comic book artist, graduating from the James Monroe High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1982. Over time, Gerry has mastered several areas of his artistry, including penciling, inking, and coloring.

Known for his significant contributions to IDW Publishing, Gerry has brought to life several graphic novels, including the much-loved 'Code Word: Geronimo', 'The A-Team', and 'Iron Sky'. Gerry, who served as a U.S. Army combat medic, often infuses military themes into his creative works. He has done book covers for authors such as Dale Dye and John M Del Vecchio, and also designed logos for Dale Dye's companies, Warriors Inc., and Warrior Publishing Group.

In 2011, Blind Spot Pictures released a digital comic prequel to the 'Iron Sky' film, 'Iron Sky: Bad Moon Rising', written by Mikko Rautalahti and beautifully illustrated by Gerry Kissell. IDW Publishing later printed these comics in a softcover graphic novel collection in March 2013.

Moreover, the famous horror game 'Alan Wake' released a special collector's edition in December 2013, featuring a 44-page digital comic book. The alluring art by Gerry Kissell and Amin Amat accompanied the narrative written by Remedy Entertainment's Mikko Rautalahti.

In 2012, Gerry, together with a creative team of military veterans and film actor Kurt Yaeger, started developing Vindicated Inc., a military-themed graphic novel series that claims to be the 'First-Ever Disabled Veteran Action Hero Comic'. Influential film and television actors, including Dale Dye, Erik Audé, Aaron Douglas, Chance Kelly, and author Shane Moore, participated in this engaging project which addresses the perception of disabilities and PTSD.

On the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, October 14, 2016, a historical 124-page Graphic Novel, 'Bayeux', was released commemorating the monumentally historical event. Gerry Kissell, with his inker Amin Amat, brought history to life in this beautifully illustrated book written by history teacher Tyler Button.

With a persistent focus on military-themed projects, Gerry Kissell's work reflects not only his artistic skills but also his life's experiences providing an insightful look into themes of heroism, history, and healing.

You can find more about Gerry Kissell and his artwork on his personal website.