Mike Baron Explained

Mike Baron should not be confused with Mike Barone.

Mike Baron (born July 1, 1949)^[1] is an American comic book writer and novelist. He is the creator of Badger and the co-creator of Nexus with Steve Rude. He is also well known as the first writer on Marvel Comics' The Punisher ongoing series, and the second volume of DC Comics' The Flash.

Biography

Mike Baron entered the comics industry with an illustrated text piece in Weird Trips Magazine #1 (March 1974) published by Kitchen Sink Press. In 1981, he published his first formal comics script with Nexus, the science fiction title he co-created with illustrator Steve Rude; the series garnered numerous honors, including Eisner Awards for both creators. A prolific creator, Baron is responsible for The Badger, Ginger Fox, Spyke, Feud, and many other comic book properties. He and artist Jackson Guice relaunched The Flash in June 1987, when Wally West took on the mantle at DC Comics.^[2] Also in 1987, Baron launched and wrote the first ongoing Punisher series at Marvel Comics, remaining on the title for over 5 years. During that acclaimed run, he and Klaus Janson introduced the character Microchip as an ally of The Punisher in The Punisher #4 (November 1987).^[3]

In 1988, Baron wrote the "Deadman" feature in Action Comics Weekly which led to two subsequent Deadman limited series.^[4] Baron has also written numerous other mainstream characters including Batman and several Star Wars adaptations for Dark Horse Comics. In 2014, Baron published Biker, his first novel, about reformed motorcycle hoodlum Josh Pratt. 'Biker' was the first in his 'Bad Road Rising' series. Liberty Island Press has since released six Josh Pratt novels, along with Baron's Disco, a story about a boy and his dog. In independent comics, Mike Baron has created Florida Man, Thin Blue Line, Private American, Bronze Star - a weird western with Pat Broderick, and Q-Ball, a martial arts comic with Barry McClain Jr.

Influences

Baron has listed Carl Barks^[5] and Philip José Farmer as influences on his fiction writing.^[6]

Awards

Mike Baron has been nominated for Best Writer in the Kirby, Harvey, and Eisner Awards. He was awarded with an Inkpot Award in 1988,^[7] and has won multiple Eisners ("Best Single Issue" and "Best Writer/Artist Team" both with Rude) for his work on Nexus.^[8]

Bibliography

Advent Comics

• Buddy McGill #1-2 (2023)

Alien Books / Valiant Comics

• Nexus: Scourge #1-2 (2024-2025)

American Mythology Productions

• Florida Man #1-3 (2022)
• Florida Man vs. Hogzilla #1-3 (2024)

Antarctic Press

• Thin Blue Line (One-Shot) (2024)
• Private American #1-3 (2025)

BIG Comics

• Florida Man OGN (2021)
• Thin Blue Line OGN (2022)
• Private American OGN (2023)
• Bronze Star OGN (2023)
• Florida Man vs. Hogzilla OGN (2024)
• Nexus: Scourge OGN (2024)

Capital Comics

• Badger #1–4 (1983–1984)
• Nexus #1–3 (1981–1982)
• Nexus vol. 2 #1–6 (1983–1984)

Dark Horse Comics

• Badger: Shattered Mirror #1–4 (1994)
• Badger: Zen Pop Funny-Animal Version #1–2 (1994)
• Dark Horse Presents #84 (1994)
• Dark Horse Presents vol. 3 #12–14, 23–26 (2012–2013)
• Godzilla vs. Barkley (1993)
• Nexus #89–98 (1996–1997)
• Nexus: Alien Justice #1–3 (1992–1993)
• Nexus: The Origin #1 (1992)
• Nexus: The Wages of Sin #1–4 (1995)
• Star Wars: Dark Force Rising #1–6 (1997)
• Star Wars: Heir to the Empire #1–6 (1995–1996)
• Star Wars: The Last Command #1–6 (1997–1998)
• #1–4 (1995)
• Nexus: Nefarious OGN (2023)

DC Comics

• Action Comics Weekly #601–612, 618–621, 623–626 (1988)
• All-Star Squadron #43 (1985)
• Atari Force #14–20 (1985)
• Batman Annual #12 (1988)
• #154–155 (2002)
• The Brave and the Bold vol. 2 #1–6 (1991–1992)
• The Butcher #1–5 (1990)
• Deadman: Exorcism #1–2 (1992–1993)
• Deadman: Love After Death #1–2 (1989–1990)
• Elvira's House of Mystery #8 (1986)
• The Flash vol. 2 #1–14, Annual #1 (1987–1988)
• Green Lantern vol. 2 #187 (1985)
• Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #6 (1993)
• Hawk and Dove vol. 4 #1–5 (1997–1998)
• Justice League Unlimited #30 (2007)
• Ms. Tree Quarterly #2–3 (1990–1991)
• Question Quarterly #5 (1992)
• Showcase '93 #6–11 (1993)
• Sonic Disruptors #1–7 (1987–1988)
• Teen Titans Spotlight #7–8 (1987)

First Comics

• Badger #5–70 (1985–1991)
• Badger Bedlam #1 (1991)
• Badger Goes Berserk #1–4 (1989)
• The Chronicles of Corum #1–9 (1987–1988)
• Crossroads #2, 5 (1988)
• Hammer of God #1–4 (1990)
• Hexbreaker: A Badger Graphic Novel (1988)
• Nexus vol. 2 #7–80 (1985–1991)
• The Next Nexus #1–4 (1989)

Malibu Comics

• Bruce Lee #1–6 (1995–1996)

Marvel Comics

• Amazing High Adventure #3, 5 (1986)
• Conan the Savage #8 (1996)
• Epic Illustrated #33 (1985)
• Feud #1–4 (1993)
• Heavy Hitters Annual #1 (1993)
• Heroes for Hope starring the X-Men #1 (1985)
• Marvel Graphic Novel: The Punisher: Intruder (1989)
• The Punisher #1–44, 46–48, 50–62, 76, Annual #1–4 (1987–1993)
• The Punisher: Empty Quarter #1 (1994)
• The Punisher War Journal #16, 25–37 (1990–1991)
• The Punisher: G-Force #1 (1992)
• The Punisher: Origin of Micro Chip #1–2 (1993)
• Spyke #1–4 (1993)
• Strange Tales: Dark Corners #1 (1998)
• Tales of the Marvels: Blockbuster #1 (1995)
• What If...? #83 (1996)

Rippaverse Comics

• Goodyng: The Polymath #1 (2024)

Rude Dude Productions

• Nexus:Space Opera #1–4 (2007–2009)

Valiant Comics

• Archer & Armstrong #13–15, 17–25 (1993–1994)
• Eternal Warrior #25–26 (1994)
• H.A.R.D. Corps #25–30 (1995)
• Magnus, Robot Fighter Yearbook #1 (1994)
• Magnus Robot Fighter/Nexus #1–2 (1994)
• Ninjak #10, Yearbook #1 (1994)
• Shadowman #35–36 (1995)
• Turok, Dinosaur Hunter #10–12, 16, 28, Yearbook #1 (1994–1995)

External links

• • • Mike Baron at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
• Mike Baron at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators

Notes and References

1. Web site: Miller. John Jackson. John Jackson Miller. Comics Industry Birthdays. Comics Buyer's Guide. June 10, 2005. Iola, Wisconsin. https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031356/http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays. February 18, 2011. dead. mdy-all.
2. Book: Manning, Matthew K.. Dolan. Hannah, ed.. 1980s. DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. 2010. London, United Kingdom. 978-0-7566-6742-9 . 228 . Written by Mike Baron, with art by Jackson Guice, the Flash's new adventures began with his twentieth birthday party..
3. Book: DeFalco, Tom. Tom DeFalco. Gilbert. Laura, ed.. 1980s. Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History. Dorling Kindersley. 2008. London, United Kingdom. 232. 978-0756641238. Linus 'Microchip' Lieberman first appeared in this issue by writer Mike Baron and artist Klaus Janson..
4. Martin. Brian. Where the Action is...Weekly. Back Issue!. 98. 65–67. TwoMorrows Publishing. August 2017. Raleigh, North Carolina.
5. Web site: Casey Interviews Baron: Detonation Now!. Joe. Casey. Joe Casey. 2004. Newsarama. https://web.archive.org/web/20041103014505/http://www.newsarama.com/pages/CaseyRama/Casey_Baron.htm. November 3, 2004. dead. mdy-all.
6. Web site: Mike Baron talks Nexus, Badger and more . Matthew . Price . September 19, 2008 . . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma . https://web.archive.org/web/20130817050445/http://newsok.com/mike-baron-talks-nexus-badger-and-more/article/3793585 . August 17, 2013. live. mdy-all. August 17, 2013 . I only claim a couple of antecedents. I’ve been greatly inspired by the science fiction work of Philip Jose Farmer. And the way a story is constructed by Carl Barks. Though you might not see that in there..
7. Web site: Inkpot Award Winners . Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. https://web.archive.org/web/20120709055558/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/inkpot.php. July 9, 2012. live. mdy-all.
8. Web site: 1993 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners. Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. https://web.archive.org/web/20120723015324/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner93.php. July 23, 2012. dead. mdy-all. August 17, 2013.