Paul Ryan (1949 - 2016) and Al Williamson (1931 - 2010) - Squadron Supreme: Death Of A Universe Cover Promotional, 1989, Pen and Ink / Whiteout / Pencil, 14 x 18 1/8 Inches, Signed On Verso. Copyright Paul Ryan Estate.
A native New Englander, Paul Charles Ryan (b. 9/23/1949) began his career in comics at the not-so-tender age of 35. His first attempt at producing a comic book story brought him to the attention of Bob Layton, who hired Paul on as an assistant. One year later, Paul was getting his own assignments at Marvel Comics. These included inking chores on two issues of The Thing, pencils on the Squadron Supreme Mini Series and Graphic Novel, a Thor Graphic Novel, D.P.7, Quasar, Avengers, Avengers West Coast, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, Ravage 2099, and a three year stint on the Spider-Man Sunday Strip.
In 1996, Paul moved over to DC Comics, where he had the opportunity to work on such titles as Superman, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, Flash, Legion Science Police, Legends of the DCU: Crisis on Infinite Earths, Batman: No Man's Land, Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Aquaman, Batman: Gotham City Secret Files, Superboy, and Green Lantern. Paul was also a contributing artist on the Celebrate the Century Stamp Book DC produced with the United States Postal Service and the NASCAR/Superman custom comic.
In 1999, Ryan returned to his old stomping grounds to collaborate with Tom DeFalco on the Fantastic Five for Marvel Comics. He lent his talents to such titles as Maximun Security and the Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Comics Magazine. Paul later contributed pencil art to Pantheon (Lone Star Press), Tribulation Force (from the Left Behind Series), and several Crossgen titles including Ruse, Crux, Mystic, and Solus. For four years he produced finished art and covers for Egmont Sweden's publication of Lee Falk's The Phantom. In January of 2005, he also took on the art chores for The Phantom Daily Newspaper Strip.
Paul has the unique distinction of being the only person to have worked on both the Spider-Man Wedding Issue for Marvel and the Superman Wedding Album for DC. He was also the penciller and co-plotter for The Fantastic Four for nearly five years, behind only Jack Kirby and John Byrne as the artist with the longest run on the comic.
