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{{Short description|American writer (born 1953)}}
{{about|the American comics writer|the American statistician|Jill DeMatteis}}
{{Infobox comics creator
| image         = J. M. DeMatteis by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| alt = DeMatteis seated at a table
| caption       = DeMatteis in 2025
| birth_name    = John Marc DeMatteis
| birth_date    = {{nowrap|{{Birth date and age|1953|12|15}}}}
| birth_place   = [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| death_place   = 
| cartoonist    = 
| write         = y
| art           = 
| pencil        = 
| ink           = 
| edit          = 
| publish       = 
| letter        = 
| color         = 
| alias         = Michael Ellis<br>Wally Lombego
| notable works = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Justice League International]]''
* ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]''
* ''[[Doctor Fate]]''
* "[[Kraven's Last Hunt]]"
* ''[[Moonshadow (comics)|Moonshadow]]''
* "[[Clone Saga]]"
}}
| awards        = 
| website       = 
}}
{{Lead too short|date=June 2025}}
'''John Marc DeMatteis''' ({{IPAc-en|d|iː|m|ə|ˈ|t|eɪ|ə|s}};<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMGC37eQSfI "J.M. DeMatteis Returns – Dollar Bin Bandits"]<!--at 1:21--></ref> born December 15, 1953)<ref>{{cite web|last=Miller |first=John Jackson|author-link= John Jackson Miller|url=http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays |title=Comics Industry Birthdays |work=[[Comics Buyer's Guide]] |date=June 10, 2005 |location=Iola, Wisconsin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031356/http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays |archive-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> is an American writer of [[comic book]]s, television, film, and novels.

==Biography==

===Early career===
J. M. DeMatteis's earliest aspirations were to be a rock musician and comic book artist. He began playing in bands starting in the sixth grade, generally in the role of lead singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist, and also wrote music reviews for a number of publications.<ref name="DAK38">{{cite news | first1 = Jim | last1 = Salicrup | first2 = Mike | last2 = Higgins | author-link1 = Jim Salicrup | date = September 1986 | title = J. Marc DeMatteis (part 1) | work = [[Comics Interview]] | issue = 38 | pages = 20–35 | publisher = [[Fictioneer Books]]}}</ref> He began drawing at a young age, and was accepted into the [[School of the Visual Arts]]. DeMatteis recalled, "...for some reason, I think it was financial, I ended up not going. Somewhere after that what little drawing skills I had began to atrophy."<ref name="DAK38"/> He graduated from [[Midwood High School]] in Brooklyn in 1971.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jmdematteis.com/2011/06/remembering-colan.html|title = Remembering Colan}}</ref>

DeMatteis then turned from drawing to writing. He got his start in comic books at [[DC Comics]] in the late 1970s. After a number of rejected submissions, his first accepted story was "The Lady-Killer Craves Blood", but it would not be published until years later<ref name="DAK38"/> in ''[[House of Mystery]]'' #282 (July 1980). His first published story for the company was "The Blood Boat!" in ''[[Weird War Tales]]'' #70 (Dec. 1978).<ref name="GCD">{{gcdb|type=writer|search= DeMatteis|title= J. M. DeMatteis}}</ref> He contributed to the company's line of [[horror comics]] notably with the creation of the [[Creature Commandos]] in ''Weird War Tales'' #93 (Nov. 1980)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Manning|first1= Matthew K.|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah, ed.|chapter= 1980s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|location= London, United Kingdom|year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 189 |quote = A battalion of horror icons created by the U.S. government to aid the American war effort made its debut in an off-beat story by writer J. M. DeMatteis and penciler Pat Broderick.}}</ref> and [[I…Vampire]] in ''House of Mystery'' #290 (March 1981).<ref>Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 193 "Writer J. M. DeMatteis unveiled vampire/vampire hunter Andrew Bennett with the help of artist Tom Sutton in ''The House of Mystery'' #290."</ref> He briefly wrote the [[Aquaman]] feature in ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' as well.<ref>Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 187: "With issue #475, fan favorite Aquaman was added to the [''Adventure Comics''] lineup, and his first installment was written by J. M. DeMatteis and illustrated by Dick Giordano."</ref> DeMatteis and artist [[Brian Bolland]] produced a backup story titled "Falling Down to Heaven" in ''[[Madame Xanadu]]'', DC's first attempt at marketing comics specifically to the "[[direct market]]" of fans and collectors.<ref>{{cite journal|author-link=Michael Catron|last=Catron|first=Michael|title=DC Taps Fan Market for ''Madame Xanadu''|journal= [[Amazing Heroes]]|number=1|publisher=[[Fantagraphics Books]]|date=June 1981|location= Stamford, Connecticut<!--location in 1981-->|page= 25|quote= ''Madame Xanadu'', a 32-page/$1.00 comic that marks DC's first attempt at marketing comics specifically to fans and collectors, went on sale in early April. The book contains a 25-page tale by Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers entitled "Dance for Two Demons" and a seven-page fantasy story by J. Marc DeMatteis and Brian Bolland.}}</ref> DeMatteis had long been eager to work for [[Marvel Comics]], and following roughly a year in which editor-in-chief [[Jim Shooter]] kept him busy with odd jobs and fill-ins,<ref name="DAK38"/> in 1980 he was made the lead writer for Marvel on ''[[The Defenders (comic book)|The Defenders]]'',<ref>{{cite journal|last = DeAngelo|first = Daniel|title = The Not-Ready-For-Super-Team Players A History of the Defenders|journal = [[Back Issue!]]|issue = 65|pages = 12–15|publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|date = July 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> and had lengthy runs on ''[[Marvel Team-Up]]''.<ref>{{cite book|last1 = Manning|first1 = Matthew K.|last2= Gilbert|first2= Laura, ed.|chapter= 1980s|title = Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year = 2012|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 134|isbn = 978-0756692360|quote= Writer J. M. Dematteis had become the regular writer of ''Marvel Team-Up'' with issue #111 (November 1981) and would stay with the title until #133 (September 1983), with only one issue's interruption.}}</ref> and ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'', paired with [[penciler]] [[Mike Zeck]],<ref name="GCD" /> with whom in 1982 he created the character [[Arnie Roth (character)|Arnie Roth]], a [[Jews|Jewish]] childhood friend and protector to [[Captain America|Steve Rogers]] and the first openly [[gay]] character to appear in a mainstream superhero comic.<ref>{{Citation |chapter='You're My Best Friend', an interview with writer J.M. DeMatteis |first=Angélique |last=Roché |title=Marvel United #1, A Pride Special |editor1-first=Michelle |editor1-last=Marchese |editor2-first=Lindsey |editor2-last=Cohick |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |date=June 11, 2025 }}</ref><ref name="Appendix">{{cite web |author=Norvo |title=Arnold Roth |url=http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix6/roth_arnoldca.htm |website=The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe |date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Palmer |first1=Joe |title=You're My Best Friend |url=https://gayleague.com/youre-my-best-friend/ |website=Gay League |date=May 27, 2020 |access-date=June 13, 2025 }}</ref>

===1980s===
After writing a negative review of the [[Grateful Dead]]'s 1980 album ''[[Go to Heaven]]'' which was published in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', DeMatteis ended his career as a music critic. He explained, "Grateful Dead fans are like hardcore comic book fans, you know... and I know that when I sit down to write a review that I'm just some shmuck sitting down at a typewriter with an opinion—but then it's in print in something like ''Rolling Stone''. I got all these letters, which I saved, from all these hardcore Grateful Dead fans—wounded. ... I said if I'm gonna review at all I'm not gonna write negative reviews anymore..."<ref name="DAK38"/> Around this time he also surrendered his professional career as a rock musician, after years of playing in New York City–based bands.<ref name="DAK38"/>

In 1984, DeMatteis and artist [[Bob Budiansky]] produced a ''[[Namor|Prince Namor]]'' limited series.<ref>{{cite book|last1 = DeFalco|first1 = Tom|author-link = Tom DeFalco|last2= Gilbert|first2= Laura, ed.|chapter= 1980s|title = Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year = 2008|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 219|isbn =978-0756641238}}</ref> He saw the series as an opportunity to both delve more into the psychology of the title character than he had been able to in ''The Defenders'' and to continue his collaboration with Budiansky from the recently canceled ''Ghost Rider'', later recalling, "We'd get on the phone, start talking, and the stories would come so easily. We had a fantastic rapport, personally and professionally."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Lantz|first=James Heath |title=Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner: Scion of the Deep or Royal Pain?|journal=[[Back Issue!]]|issue=91 |pages=51–52|publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|date=September 2016|location=Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> DeMatteis had mixed feelings about the series itself, and said the one part of which he was unreservedly proud was the look into Namor's years as an amnesiac homeless man.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Jim|last1=Salicrup |first2=Mike|last2=Higgins |author-link1=Jim Salicrup|date=October 1986 |title=J. Marc DeMatteis (part 2)|work=[[Comics Interview]] |issue=39|pages=7–19|publisher=[[Fictioneer Books]]}}</ref> DeMatteis and illustrator [[Jon J. Muth]] created the [[graphic novel]] ''[[Moonshadow (comics)|Moonshadow]]'', for Marvel's [[Epic Comics|Epic]] line: the groundbreaking story was the first fully painted series in American comics. DeMatteis followed this with the 1986 [[Doctor Strange]] graphic novel ''[[Into Shamballa]]'' drawn by [[Dan Green (artist)|Dan Green]] and ''[[Blood: A Tale]]'', a hallucinatory vampire story drawn by [[Kent Williams (artist)|Kent Williams]].<ref name="GCD" /> In 1987, DeMatteis and Zeck re-teamed for the "[[Kraven's Last Hunt]]" arc that ran throughout Marvel's then-three [[Spider-Man]] titles. The arc has been collected in multiple editions and remains one of the most popular, and respected, stories in Spider-Man's history.<ref>DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 231: "The six-issue story arc...ran through all the Spider-Man titles for two months."</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last= Johnson|first= Dan|date= August 2009|title = In Our Sights: Kraven's Last Hunt|journal= Back Issue!|issue = 35|pages = 3–9|publisher= TwoMorrows Publishing|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref>
 
Moving back to DC, DeMatteis succeeded [[Gerry Conway]] as writer of the superhero-team title ''[[Justice League|Justice League of America]]''. He used the pen name '''Michael Ellis''' on his first issue of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmdematteis.com/2009/09/lives-and-times.html |title=Lives and Times |first=J. M. |last=DeMatteis |date=September 18, 2009 |publisher=Creation Point |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312044238/http://www.jmdematteis.com/2009/09/lives-and-times.html |archive-date=March 12, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2013 |quote=That was me, dialoguing ''JLA'' #255 over a Gerry Conway plot. As I recall (and keep in mind it's been a long time), having just finished ''Moonshadow'' and ''Blood''—two very personal and creatively life-changing projects—I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep writing super hero comics and so I was reluctant to use my name.|df=mdy-all}}</ref> When that title was cancelled<ref>Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 226: "Alongside artist Luke McDonnell, DeMatteis crafted a dramatic four-part finale to the first series of DC's premier team of superheroes."</ref> in the wake of the company-wide [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] ''[[Legends (comics)|Legends]]'', DeMatteis stayed through its relaunch as ''[[Justice League International]]'',<ref>Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 228: "It was clear that the [Justice League] needed a major overhaul. But no one quite expected how drastic the transformation would truly be in the hands of writers Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis and artist Kevin Maguire."</ref> scripting over the plots of [[Keith Giffen]].

''JLI'' took such lesser-known DC characters as [[Martian Manhunter]], [[Blue Beetle]], [[Booster Gold]], [[Mister Miracle]], [[Captain Atom]], and [[Power Girl]] and turned the then-current preoccupation with "grim 'n' gritty" superheroes on its head. The lighthearted series emphasized the absurd aspects of people with strange powers, wearing colorful costumes, volunteering to fight evildoers. Although the League had its serious side and often faced world-threatening [[villain]]s, the stories included such characters as the lovably inept [[G'nort]], the worst [[Green Lantern]] in the [[Green Lantern Corps]], Mr. Nebula, the interplanetary decorator, the [[Injustice League]], a bunch of bumbling losers and a flock of homicidal [[penguin]]s who had been hybridized with [[piranha]]s. The success of ''Justice League International'' led to a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] in 1989 titled ''[[Justice League Europe]]'' also co-written with Giffen and featuring art by [[Bart Sears]].<ref>Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 239: "Spinning out of the pages of ''Justice League International'', an offshoot of the Justice League set up camp in Paris. Written by Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis with art by Bart Sears."</ref>

===1990s===
The Giffen/DeMatteis team worked on ''Justice League'' for five years and closed out their run with the "Breakdowns" storyline in 1991 and 1992.<ref>Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 251: "The lauded Giffen/DeMatteis era of the Justice League came to a dramatic close with "Breakdowns", a sixteen-part storyline that crossed through the pages of both ''Justice League America'' and ''Justice League Europe''."</ref> DeMatteis scripted ''Justice League'' spin-offs such as solo series for [[Mister Miracle]] and [[Doctor Fate]].<ref name="GCD" />

Back at Marvel, DeMatteis again succeeded Conway, this time as writer of ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' in 1991, taking the series in a grimmer, more psychologically oriented direction. In collaboration with regular artist [[Sal Buscema]], DeMatteis' story arc "The Child Within" (#178–184) featured the return of the [[Harry Osborn]] [[Green Goblin]].<ref>Cowsill, Alan "1990s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 193: Starting this issue [#178] was 'The Child Within' story arc, another classic tale from writer J. M. DeMatteis exploring the psychology of Spidey, Vermin, and the Green Goblin.</ref> Spider-Man's battle with the Goblin continued in "The Osborn Legacy" in #189<ref>Cowsill "1990s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 198: "Writer J. M. DeMatteis and artist Sal Buscema spun a tale in which Harry Osborne again succumbed to the madness of his Green Goblin identity and launched an all-out attack on Spidey."</ref> and came to an end when Harry died in "The Best Of Enemies!" (#200).<ref>Cowsill "1990s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 203: "This giant-size issue by writer J. M. DeMatteis and artist Sal Buscema brought Spidey's relationship with the Green Goblin to a dramatic conclusion."</ref>

In 1994, DeMatteis took over from [[David Michelinie]] as writer of ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #389–406 for a run that included the apparent death of [[Spider-Man|Peter Parker]]'s [[Aunt May]]<ref>Cowsill "1990s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 218: "May's death was temporary; November 1998's ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #263 revealed that the woman who died was a genetically modified actress."</ref> and the beginnings of the "[[Clone Saga]]" arc. DeMatteis as well worked on such characters as [[Doctor Strange]], [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]], [[Man-Thing]], and the [[Silver Surfer]].

DeMatteis helped launch DC's mature-audience [[Vertigo (DC Comics)|Vertigo]] imprint, writing the graphic novels ''[[Mercy (Vertigo)|Mercy]]'' and ''[[Moonshadow (comics)|Farewell, Moonshadow]]'' (a [[sequel]] to the [[Epic Comics]] series), the [[miniseries]] ''[[The Last One (comics)|The Last One]]'', and the 15-issue series ''[[Seekers Into The Mystery]]'',<ref name="GCD" /> the story of a [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] [[screenwriter]] on a journey of [[self-discovery]] and the search for universal truths.
 
DeMatteis wrote an [[autobiographical]], [[Digest size|digest-sized]] miniseries ''[[Brooklyn Dreams]]'', published by DC's [[Paradox Press]] imprint. DeMatteis' most personal work, it was later collected in one volume under the Vertigo imprint. The book was later collected by IDW and in a 2025 deluxe edition from Dark Horse.

===21st century===
In the 2000s, DeMatteis redefined the [[Spectre (DC Comics character)|Spectre]], through the character of [[Hal Jordan]], as a spirit of redemption rather than of vengeance. DeMatteis co-scripted the "Gods of Gotham" storyline in ''[[Wonder Woman]]'' #164–166 (January to March 2001) with [[Phil Jimenez]].<ref>Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 298 "The 'Gods of Gotham' storyline marked the start of Phil Jimenez's run on the series as artist and writer (with J. M. DeMatteis on board as co-scripter for the first arc)."</ref> In 2003, with Giffen, he revived the Justice League International for the mini-series ''[[Super Buddies|Formerly Known as the Justice League]]''.<ref>Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 311: "In 2003, writers J. M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen and original artist Kevin Maguire worked on a six-part series reuniting [their version of] the team."</ref> The series won Giffen, DeMatteis and artist [[Kevin Maguire (artist)|Kevin Maguire]] an [[Eisner Award]].<ref name=eisner2004>{{cite web |url= http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner04.php|title= 2004 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards|publisher= Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150712031339/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner04.php|archive-date= July 12, 2015|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The team followed this with "[[I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League]]" arc in ''[[JLA Classified]]'' and, at Marvel, a five-issue run of ''The Defenders''. In 2006, DeMatteis and Giffen began work on two original superhero comedy series, ''[[Hero Squared]]'' and ''[[Planetary Brigade]]'' for [[Boom! Studios]].<ref name=cbr>{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=6945|title= Talking ''Abadazad,'' ''Hero Squared,'' Music and More with J.M DeMatteis|first= David|last= Moran|date= May 1, 2006|website= [[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173117/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=6945|archive-date= October 10, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> DeMatteis teamed with veteran artist [[Mike Ploog]] to create the [[CrossGen]] [[fantasy]] comic ''[[Abadazad]]'' (May 2004). The following year, Ploog and DeMatteis announced they were collaborating on a five-issue miniseries, ''Stardust Kid'', from the [[Image Comics]] imprint Desperado Publishing.<ref name=cbr /> The series moved to Boom! Studios in 2006.

[[The Walt Disney Company]] acquired ''Abadazad'' for its [[Hachette Books#Hyperion Books|Hyperion Books for Children]] imprint.<ref name=cbr /> The first two books in the series—''Abadazad: The Road to Inconceivable''<ref>{{cite book|title= Abadazad The Road to Inconceivable|last= DeMatteis|first= J. M.|author2= Ploog, Mike|year= 2006|publisher= Hyperion Books for Children|isbn= 1-4231-0062-X|url= https://archive.org/details/roadtoinconceiva00dema}}</ref> and ''Abadazad: The Dream Thief''<ref>{{cite book |title=Abadazad: The Dream Thief |last= DeMatteis|first= J. M.|author2=Ploog, Mike |year= 2006|publisher= Hyperion Books for Children |isbn= 1-4231-0064-6}}</ref>—were released June 2006. The third book—''Abadazad: The Puppet, The Professor and The Prophet''<ref>{{cite book |title= Abadazad The Puppet, the Professor and the Prophet|last= DeMatteis |first= J. M. |author2=Ploog, Mike |year= 2007|publisher= Hyperion Books for Children |isbn= 978-0-00-723340-3}}</ref>—was released in the United Kingdom in 2007.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}

In June 2010, DeMatteis's children's fantasy novel, ''Imaginalis'', was published by [[Katherine Tegen Books]], an imprint of [[HarperCollins]].<ref>{{cite book|title= Imaginalis|last= DeMatteis|first= J. M.|year= 2010|publisher= Katherine Tegen Books|isbn= 978-0-06-173286-7|url= https://archive.org/details/imaginalis00dema}}</ref>

In 2008, DeMatteis became editor-in-chief of Ardden Entertainment, guiding the launch of a new ''[[Flash Gordon#Comic books|Flash Gordon]]'' comic book series. In 2009, he wrote a five-issue comic book limited series, illustrated by Mike Cavallaro, ''[[The Life and Times of Savior 28]]'', which was released by [[IDW Publishing]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/2451-word-balloon-j-m-dematteis-savior-28-and-more.html|title= Word Balloon: J.M. DeMatteis – Savior 28 and More|first= John|last= Siuntres|date= March 16, 2009|work= [[Newsarama]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150903024146/http://www.newsarama.com/2451-word-balloon-j-m-dematteis-savior-28-and-more.html|archive-date= September 3, 2015|url-status= dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> He also wrote the [[Metal Men]] back-up story in the new ''[[Doom Patrol]]''<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20099|title= J. M. DeMatteis Finds His Inner Magnus on ''Doom Patrol''|first= Jeffrey|last= Renaud|date= February 18, 2009|website= [[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141017063222/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20099|archive-date= October 17, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.newsarama.com/2630-back-to-the-shop-j-m-dematteis-on-the-metal-men.html|title= Back to the Shop: J.M. DeMatteis on the Metal Men|first= Vaneta|last= Rogers|date= April 8, 2009|work= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150903024700/http://www.newsarama.com/2630-back-to-the-shop-j-m-dematteis-on-the-metal-men.html|archive-date= September 3, 2015|url-status= dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and returned to Marvel Comics for a number of new Spider-Man stories. In 2010, DeMatteis reunited once again with frequent collaborator Keith Giffen for a run on the comic book series ''[[Booster Gold]]''. The two teamed on the ''[[DC Retroactive|DC Retroactive: JLA – The '90s]]'' [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] in October 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=31651 |title=WC11: Exclusive – Legendary Creators Speak About ''Retro-Active'' |first=Josie |last=Campbell |date=April 1, 2011 |website=Comic Book Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514141753/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=31651 |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all|access-date=March 31, 2012}}</ref> Also in 2011, DeMatteis created the all-ages fantasy ''The Adventures of Augusta Wind'' for IDW Publishing. In 2013, he took over DC Comics' ''Phantom Stranger'' and launched the 12-issue ''Larfleeze'' series<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/132970-DC-Quietly-Cancels-Larfleeze-After-Issue-12-Update|title= DC Quietly Cancels ''Larfleeze'' After Issue 12- Update|first= Ross|last= Lincoln|date= March 17, 2014|magazine= [[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140407100729/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/132970-DC-Quietly-Cancels-Larfleeze-After-Issue-12-Update|archive-date= April 7, 2014|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> with Giffen. DeMatteis became the writer of ''[[Justice League Dark]]'' in October 2013 and, again with Giffen, launched ''[[Justice League 3000]]'' in December.

In 2015, DeMatteis worked with [[Bruce Timm]] for ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]],'' a comic book prequel to the film. In 2016, Giffen and DeMatteis launched ''Scooby Apocalypse'' for DC—a more adult reimagining of the classic cartoon—and IDW published DeMatteis's ''Augusta Wind'' sequel ''The Adventures of Augusta Wind: The Last Story.'' 2018 saw the release of the IDW series ''Impossible, Incorporated,'' with another new creator-owned series, ''The Girl in the Bay,'' from Berger Books, announced for 2019. In 2021, Marvel announced a new limited series titled ''[[Ben Reilly]]: Spider-Man'' written by DeMatteis with art by David Baldeón, released in 2022.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/jm-dematteis-returns-ben-reilly-spider-man-announcement|title= Legendary Comic Book Writer J.M. DeMatteis Returns to Marvel with 'Ben Reilly: Spider-Man'|date= September 15, 2021}}</ref> The same year, Marvel announced the forthcoming series ''Spider-Man: The Lost Hunt,'' which ties in to DeMatteis' Spider-Man classic, ''Kraven's Last Hunt.'' Also in 2022, DeMatteis, in collaboration with Spellbound Comics, launched The DeMultiverse, four new series written by DeMatteis and illustrated by Shawn McManus, Tom Mandrake, Matthew Dow Smith, and David Baldeon. He also published a novel, the supernatural thriller, ''The Excavator,'' followed the next year by another supernatural novel, ''The Witness.'' 

In 2024, Marvel published a new Spider-Man series, ''Shadow of the Green Goblin,'' and DC launched the Batman mini-series ''Robin Lives!'' DeMatteis and Spellbound Comics also launched Phase II of their DeMultiverse titles on Kickstarter.

In 2025, it was announced DeMatteis would be writing a sequel mini-series to ''Spider-Man: The Animated Series'' for Marvel, finally resolving the show's cliffhanger and reuniting Peter Parker with Mary Jane Watson, and examining how the pair navigate their drastically altered status quo together. DeMatteis also announced a new novel, the metaphysical time travel tale ''Dark Future,'' which will be published by Neotext in 2026.

At the 2025 San Diego Comic Con International, DeMatteis was honored with the Inkpot Award for his contributions to the comic book medium.

==== Spellbound Comics ====
In October 2022, DeMatteis announced the founding of his own publisher named Spellbound Comics. Through a Kickstarter campaign, he presented the DeMultiverse, a collection of four "pilot issues" of comics titled ''Anyman,'' ''Godsend, Layla in the Lands of After'' and ''Wisdom''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=Dustin |date=2022-10-11 |title=J.M. DeMatteis Introduces Fans to Four New Series |url=https://www.cbr.com/demultiverse-jm-dematteis-interview/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> In November, he presented a fifth series titled ''The Edward Gloom Mysteries''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=Dustin |date=2022-11-08 |title=J.M. DeMatteis Adds a Fifth New Series to the DeMultiverse |url=https://www.cbr.com/jm-dematteis-demultiverse-edward-gloom-interview/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> The second wave of DeMatteis's Spellbound series launched on Kickstarter in the summer of 2024, offering second chapters of all the DeMultiverse titles, with more planned for the future.

===Other media===
DeMatteis has also written for television, having scripted episodes of [[The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)|the 1980s incarnation of ''The Twilight Zone'']], the [[TV syndication|syndicated]] series ''[[Superboy (TV series)|The Adventures of Superboy]]'' and ''[[Earth: Final Conflict]]'', as well as for the [[animated series]] ''[[The Real Ghostbusters]]'', ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'', ''[[Legion of Super Heroes (TV series)|Legion of Super Heroes]]'', ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'', ''[[Ben 10: Ultimate Alien]]'', ''[[Sym-Bionic Titan]]'', ''[[ThunderCats (2011 TV series)|ThunderCats]]'', ''[[Teen Titans Go!]]'' and ''[[Spider-Man (2017 TV series)|Marvel's Spider-Man]]''. DeMatteis also wrote the 2015 animated DTV movie ''[[Batman vs. Robin]]'' and its 2016 sequel, ''[[Batman: Bad Blood]]''. The same year, DeMatteis wrote multiple episodes of Cartoon Network's ''[[Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!]]''. In 2017, DeMatteis co-wrote ''[[Justice League Dark (film)|Justice League Dark]]'' and, in 2018, he wrote the spin-off animated series ''[[Constantine: City of Demons]]''. The same year he wrote animated shorts starring [[Adam Strange]] and Neil Gaiman's ''Sandman'' character, [[Death of the Endless|Death]]. In 2020 DeMatteis wrote ''[[Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons]],'' as well as the animated adaptation of the graphic novel ''[[Superman: Red Son]].'' In 2024, he wrote an episode of Amazon's ''[[Batman: Caped Crusader]]'' series, which will be part of the show's upcoming second season.

Also a musician, DeMatteis released one album in the late 1990s, ''How Many Lifetimes?''.

==Awards==
* 2004: Won the "Best Humor Publication" [[Eisner Award]], for ''Formerly Known as the Justice League'', with Keith Giffen, Kevin Maguire, and [[Josef Rubinstein]]<ref name=eisner2004 />

==Bibliography==

===Comics===

====IDW Publishing====
* ''[[The Life and Times of Savior 28]]'' #1–5 (2009)
* ''[[The Adventures of Augusta Wind]]'' #1–5 (2013)
* ''[[The Adventures of Augusta Wind-The Last Story]]'' #1–5 (2016)
* ''[[Impossible Inc.]]'' #1–5 (2019)

====Dark Horse Comics====
* ''[[Dark Horse Presents]]'' #2 (1986)
* ''[[The Girl in the Bay]]'' #1–4 (2019)

====DC Comics====
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* ''[[List of comics about the September 11 attacks|9-11: The World's Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember, Volume Two]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Action Comics]]'' #517–520 (1981)
* ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #475–478 (1980)
* ''[[Adventures of Superman (comic book)|Adventures of Superman]]'' #578–587 (2000–2001)
* ''Adventures of Superman'' vol. 2 #2 (2013)
* ''[[All Out War (comics)|All Out War]]'' #1 (1979)
* ''[[The Authority (comics)|The Authority]]: The Lost Year'' #8–9 (2010)
* ''Batman & Spider-Man: New Age Dawning'' (1997)
* ''Batman: Absolution'' #1 (2003)
* ''[[Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight]]'' #65–68, 149–153 (1994–2002)
* ''Batman: [[Two-Face]] Crime and Punishment'' #1 (1995) 
* ''[[Booster Gold (comic book)|Booster Gold]]'' vol. 2 #32–43 (2010–2011)
* ''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #164 (1980)
* ''[[Convergence (comics)|Convergence]]: Justice League International'' #2 (2015)
* ''[[DC Retroactive]]: Justice League of America – The '90s'' #1 (2011)
* ''[[Detective Comics]]'' #489, 493–495 (1980)
* ''[[Doctor Fate]]'' #1–4 (1987)
* ''Doctor Fate'' vol. 2 #1–24, ''Annual'' #1 (1988–1991)
* ''[[Doom Patrol]]'' vol. 5 #1–7 (2009–2010)
* ''[[Moonshadow (comics)|Farewell, Moonshadow]]'' (graphic novel) (1997) 
* ''[[Forever People]]'' vol. 2 #1–6 (1988)
* ''[[Super Buddies|Formerly Known as the Justice League]]'' #1–6 (2003–2004)
* ''From the DC Vault: Death In The Family – Robin Lives!'' 1-4 (2024)
* ''[[Green Lantern: Willworld]]'' (graphic novel) (2001)
* ''[[Heroes Against Hunger]]'' #1 (1986) 
* ''[[House of Mystery]]'' #270, 272, 274, 282, 284, 287–291, 293, 295, 297–298, 321 (1979–1983)
* ''[[JLA (comic book)|JLA]]'' #35 (1999)
* ''JLA Classified'' #4–9 (2005)
* ''JLA/The Spectre: Soul War'' #1 (2003)
* ''[[Justice League International|Justice League]]'' (a.k.a. ''Justice League International'', ''Justice League America'') #1–60 ''Annual'' #1–5 (1987–1992)
* ''[[Justice League 3000]]'' #1–15 (2014–2015)
* ''Justice League 3001'' #1–12 (2015–2016)
* ''[[Justice League Dark]]'' #24–40, Annual #1–2, ''Futures End'' #1 (2013–2015)
* ''[[Justice League Europe]]'' #1–9, 13, Annual #1 (1989–1990)
* ''[[Justice League|Justice League of America]]'' #256–261 (1986–1987)
* ''[[Justice League Quarterly]]'' #1–2, 4 (1990–1991)
* ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]'' #1–3 (2015)
* ''Justice League: Gods and Monsters – Batman'' #1 (2015)
* ''Justice League: Gods and Monsters – Superman'' #1 (2015)
* ''Justice League: Gods and Monsters -Wonder Woman'' #1 (2015)
* ''Justice League Infinity'' #1–5 (2021)
* ''[[Larfleeze]]'' #1–12 (2013–2014)
* ''Legends of the DC Universe'' #33–36 (2000–2001)
* ''[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]'' vol. 2 #265, 268 (1980)
* ''[[Madame Xanadu]]'' #1 (1981)
* ''[[Martian Manhunter]]'' #1–4 (1988)
* ''[[Mister Miracle]]'' vol. 2 #1–8 (1989)
* ''[[Mystery in Space]]'' #112–113, 116–117 (1980–1981)
* ''[[Phantom Stranger]]'' vol. 4 #4–8 (2013)
* ''Realworlds: Justice League of America'' #1 (2000)
* ''[[Scooby Apocalypse]]'' #1–36 (2016–2019)
* ''[[Secret Origins]]'' vol. 2 #34 (1988)
* ''Secret Origins'' vol. 3 #6 (2014)
* ''[[Secrets of Haunted House]]'' #26 (1980)
* ''[[Spectre (DC Comics character)|Spectre]]'' vol. 4 #1–27 (2001–2003)
* ''[[Supergirl (Matrix)|Supergirl]]: Wings'' (2001)
* ''Superman: Speeding Bullets'' (1993)
* ''Superman: The Kansas Sighting'' #1–2 (2004)
* ''[[Superman: The Man of Tomorrow]]'' #15 (1999)
* ''Superman: Where Is Thy Sting?'' #1 (2001)
* ''[[Time Warp (comics)|Time Warp]]'' #2–4 (1979–1980)
* ''Trinity of Sin'' #1–6 (2014–2015)
* ''Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger'' #9–22, ''Futures End'' #1 (2013–2014)
* ''[[The Unexpected (1968 comic book)|The Unexpected]]'' #199–200, 205 (1980)
* ''[[Weird War Tales]]'' #70, 72, 76, 79, 85, 91, 93–97, 102, 105, 108 (1978–1982)
* ''[[Wonder Woman (comic book)|Wonder Woman]]'' vol. 2 #164–166 (2001)
* ''[[World's Finest Comics]]'' #262, 264–268 (1980–1981)
{{div col end}}

=====Paradox Press=====
* ''[[Brooklyn Dreams]]'' #1–4 (1995)

=====Vertigo=====
* ''The Last One'' #1–6 (1993)
* ''[[Mercy (Vertigo)|Mercy]]'' (1993)
* ''Seekers into the Mystery'' #1–15 (1996–1997)

=====WildStorm=====
* ''Wetworks'' #10–15 (2007–2008)

====Marvel Comics====
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* ''Amazing Adventure'' #1 (1988) 
* ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #293–294, 368–370, 389–406, 634–637, 700, ''Annual'' #24 (1987–2013) 
* ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man Family]]'' #1, 3–4 (2008–2009) 
* ''The Amazing Spider-Man: Soul of the Hunter'' #1 (1992) 
* ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #209, 218, ''Annual'' #11 (1981–1982)
* ''Ben Reilly: Spider-Man'' #1–5 (2022) 
* ''[[Marvel Preview|Bizarre Adventures]]'' #29, 33 (1981–1982) 
* ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' #261–264, 267–270, 272, 275–290, 292–300, ''Annual'' #6 (1981–1984) 
* ''[[Once a Hero|Captain Justice]]'' #1–2 (1988) 
* ''[[Chaos War]]: [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'' #1–2 (2011) 
* ''[[Conan the Barbarian (comics)|Conan the Barbarian]]'' #116, 118–130 (1980–1982) 
* ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' #344–350 (1995–1996) 
* ''Daydreamers'' #1–3 (1997)
* ''[[The Defenders (comic book)|The Defenders]]'' #92–118, 120–131 (1981–1984) 
* ''Defenders'' vol. 3 #1–5 (2005–2006) 
* ''Doctor Strange: Into Shamballa'' (part of [[Marvel Graphic Novel]] series) (1985)
* ''[[Doctor Strange (comic book)|Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme]]'' #84–90 (1995–1996) 
* ''[[Gargoyle (comics)|Gargoyle]]'' #1–4 (1985) 
* ''[[Ghost Rider (comic book)|Ghost Rider]]'' #67, 71, 74–81 (1982–1983)
* ''Greenberg the Vampire'' (part of [[Marvel Graphic Novel]] series) (1985)
* ''[[The Rampaging Hulk|The Hulk!]]'' #26–27 (1981)
* ''[[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]]'' #1–4 (1984–1985)
* ''[[Longshot (Marvel Comics)|Longshot]]'' #1 (1998)
* ''[[Man-Thing]]'' vol. 2 #9 (1981) 
* ''Man-Thing'' #1–8 (1997–1998)
* ''Marc Spector: [[Moon Knight]]'' #26–32 (1991) 
* ''Marvel Adventures Spider-Man'' #19 (2011) 
* ''Marvel Adventures Super Heroes'' #21 (2012) 
* ''[[Marvel Fanfare]]'' #9, 31–32, 39 (1983–1988) 
* ''Marvel Holiday Special'' #4 (1995) 
* ''[[Marvel Comics Super Special|Marvel Super Special]]'' #17 ("[[Xanadu (film)|Xanadu]]"); #37 ("[[2010 (film)|2010]]") (1980–1985)  
* ''[[Marvel Team-Up]]'' #101, 111–112, 114–133 (1981–1983) 
* ''[[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Mighty Thor Annual]]'' #1 (2012)
* ''[[Peter Parker: Spider-Man]] Annual 1999'' #1 (1999) 
* ''Prince [[Namor]], the Sub-Mariner'' #1–4 (1984) 
* ''Pro Action Magazine'' #1 (1994) 
* ''[[Savage Sword of Conan]]'' #65–66 (1981) 
* ''[[The Sensational Spider-Man]] '96'' #1 (1996) 
* ''[[Silver Surfer (comic book)|Silver Surfer]]'' #125–145, #-1 (1997–1998) 
* ''Silver Surfer '97'' (1997) 
* ''Silver Surfer/Thor ’98'' (1998)
* ''[[Solo Avengers]]'' #9 (1988)
* ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' #131–132, 178–203, 217, 223, 241–257, #-1, ''Annual'' #13–14 (1987–1998) 
* ''[[Peter Parker: Spider-Man|Spider-Man]]'' #37–40, 51, 57 (1993–1995) 
* ''[[Spider-Man: The Animated Series#Spider-Man '94|Spider-Man '94]]'' #1–4 (2025) 
* ''Spider-Man: Redemption'' #1–4 (1996) 
* ''Spider-Man: Shadow Of The Green Goblin'' #1–4 (2024)
* ''Spider-Man Team-Up'' #6 (1997)
* ''Spider-Man: The Lost Hunt'' #1–4 (2022)
* ''Spider-Man: The Lost Years'' #1–3 (1995) 
* ''[[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]]'' #33 (1980) 
* ''[[Star Trek (comics)|Star Trek]]'' #18 (1982) 
* ''[[Star Wars (1977 comic book)|Star Wars]]'' #46 (1981) 
* ''[[Strange Tales]]'' vol. 3 #1–2 (1998) 
* ''Strange Tales: Dark Corners'' #1 (1998) 
* ''Tales of the Marvel Universe'' #1 (1997) 
* ''[[Valkyrie (Marvel Comics)|Valkyrie]]'' #1 (1997)
* ''[[Web of Spider-Man]]'' #31–32, 117 (1987–1994)
* ''Web of Spider-Man'' vol. 2 #1, 3, 5 (2009–2010)
* ''[[Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man]]'' #1–3 (1999)
* ''[[X-Factor (comic book)|X-Factor]]'' #92–104, ''Annual'' #9 (1993–1994)
* ''[[X-Men: Legacy|X-Men '95]]'' #1 (1995)
{{div col end}}

=====Epic Comics=====
* ''[[Blood: A Tale]]'' #1–4 (1988)
* ''[[Moonshadow (comics)|Moonshadow]]'' #1–12 (1985–1987)

==Filmography==

===Direct-to-video movies===
* ''[[Deathstroke: Knights and Dragons]]'' (2020)
* [[Superman: Red Son (film)|''Superman: Red Son'']] (2020)
* ''[[Constantine: City of Demons]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Justice League Dark (film)|Justice League Dark]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Batman: Bad Blood]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Batman vs. Robin]]'' (2015)

===DC Showcase ===
* ''[[DC Showcase: Death|Death]]'' (2019) 
* [[DC Showcase: Adam Strange|''Adam Strange'']] (2019)

===Television===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]''
** "Day of the Dark Knight!"
** "Hail the Tornado Tyrant!"
** "Revenge of the Reach!"
** "Scorn of the Star Sapphire!"
** "Shadow of the Bat!"
** "The Eyes of Despero!"
** "The Last Patrol!"
** "Time Out for Vengeance!"
* ''[[Be Cool Scooby-Doo!]]''
** "Me, Myself and A.I."
** "Be Cold, Scooby-Doo"
** "Giant Problems"
** "Worst in Show"
** "Greece is the Word"
* ''[[Ben 10: Ultimate Alien]]'' 
**  "Ultimate Sacrifice"
* ''[[Earth: Final Conflict]]'' 
** "The Sleepers"
** "Moonscape"
* ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]''
** "For the Man Who Has Everything"
** "Shadow of the Hawk"
** "The Return"
** "Clash"
** "The Ties That Bind"
** "Ultimatum"
** "Grudge Match"
* ''[[Legion of Super Heroes (TV series)|Legion of Super Heroes]]''
** "Cry Wolf"
** "Dark Victory"
** "Who Am I?"
* ''[[The Real Ghostbusters]]''
** "The Devil in the Deep"
* ''[[Spider-Man: The Animated Series]]'' 
** "The Mutant Agenda" 
* ''[[Spider-Man (2017 TV series)|Spider-Man]]''
** "Bring on the Bad Guys"
** "The Road to Goblin War"
** "Vengeance of Venom"
* ''[[Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]''
** "Know Thine Enemy"
** "Into the Mystery"
** "To Be Human"
* ''[[Sym-Bionic Titan]]'' 
** "I Am Octus"
* ''[[Teen Titans Go!]]'' 
** "Artful Dodgers"
** "No Power"
** "The Mask"
* ''[[ThunderCats (1985 TV series)|ThunderCats]]'' 
** "Survival of the Fittest"
** "New Alliances"
** "Song of the Petalars"
* ''[[The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'' 
** "[[The Girl I Married]]"
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|25em}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=196|title=J. M. DeMatteis}}
* [https://www.jmdematteis.blogspot.com/ Creation Point] (DeMatteis' blog)
* [http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/creator.php?creatorid=546 J. M. DeMatteis] at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
* {{IMDb name|0218204|J. M. DeMatteis}}
* [http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/namd13.htm#N120 J. M. DeMatteis] at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
* {{LCAuth|n85274964|J. M. DeMatteis|93|}}
* [https://spellboundcomics.com/ Spellbound Comics]

{{s-start}}
{{succession box |title=''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' writer|before=[[Roger Stern]]|after=[[David Anthony Kraft]]|years=1981}}
{{succession box |title=''Captain America'' writer| before=David Anthony Kraft| after=[[Mike Carlin]]|years=1982–1984}}
{{succession box |title=''[[Justice League International]]'' writer| before=n/a| after=[[Dan Jurgens]]|years=1987–1992}}
{{succession box |title=''[[Man-Thing]]'' writer|before=[[Simon Jowett]]|after=[[Hans Rodionoff]]|years=1997–1999}}
{{succession box |title=''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' writer|before=[[David Michelinie]]|after=[[Tom DeFalco]]| years=1994–1995}}
{{succession box |title= ''[[X-Factor (comics)|X-Factor]]'' writer| before=[[Scott Lobdell]]|after=[[Todd Dezago]]|years=1993–1994}}
{{succession box |title=''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' writer|before=[[D. G. Chichester]]|after=[[Karl Kesel]]|years=1995–1996}}
{{end}}

{{Justice League International|state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dematteis, J. M.}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
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