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Phil Jimenez
(July 12, 1970 - living) U.S.A.

Phil Jimenez

Comics writer-artist

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Born Philip Kevin Jimenez, he is an only child and was raised by his mother in Southern California. He first discovered the wonderful world of comics through Marvel Comic's Star Wars. He was also a big fan of the Super-Friends cartoon show and the Wonder Woman TV show.

However becoming a comic artist wasn't Phil's first career choice; at an early age he decided that he wanted to become a paleontologist. Fortunately, Phil discovered that he had a talent for drawing and decided that becoming comic artist would be a better career move as he started making comics for his fellow classmates.

Phil may have gotten into comics through Marvel, but it was The New Teen Titans (#12) and Legion of Super-Heroes (#284)Phil Jimenez that turned Phil's attention to the DC Universe. However it was DC mega epic Crisis on Infinite Earths that really got Phil hooked onto the DCU. Then when George Perez relaunched Wonder Woman the following year, he began to fall in love with the comic version of his favorite TV show.

As his love for Wonder Woman continued to grow, Phil came up with a plan, he would move to New York and attend Manhattan's School of Visual Arts, after he graduates he would get a jog at DC Comics and then maybe one day get the chance to draw his own Wonder Woman adventures. When Phil was finally able to attend SVA, he did so for two year, before lack of money forced him to quit school.

Phil JimenezDuring his time at the SVA, Phil had many different temp jobs from loading boxes in a warehouse to being a waiter at catered events. Still, Phil had friends in SVA and he was still able to learn and improve his techniques. With the talent that Phil was already born with and the techniques that he had learned, Phil began submitting his artwork to DC. Three weeks after dropping out of school, he got the call that would change his life; DC comics wanted him to come work for them.

Life was going great for Phil and it could only get better from now on. He finally mustered up the courage to ask him now former boss, Neal Pozner, out on a date. Pozner was already out in the open with his sexuality as he came out at the age of 22, but he had some hesitation with going out with him. However, that soon gave way and they began dating.

Neal was already an important person in Phil's career, as he helped Phil become a stronger and better artist. Now he was becoming an import person in Phil's personal life, as he showed Phil how to become a proud openly gay man. Sadly Pozner contracted the HIV virus and Jimenez turned into a care partner until he died in 1994.

Phil JimenezIn 1996 Phil but out the Tempest mini-series, a final tribute to his mentor, best friend and lover. Phil dressed Tempest in a new costume, a revised version of the one Pozner once designed for Aquaman. In the final issues' letter page Phil came out to the world as he confessed his life and love with Pozner. Phil would soon find himself as a poster boy for the gay movement. He was nominated for a GLADD media award and was also nominated for an Eisner Award, one of comic's highest honors.

Phil has been a professional comic artist for over 10 years. In those 10 years Phil has worked on the Wonder Woman comic at least 3 times, but all he did was provide a cover or a pin-up. Finally in the year 2000 DC made Phil's dream come true as they gave him the okay to not only draw but also writer Wonder Woman for a year.

Phil was thrilled to get the Wonder assignment and it made him even more happy considering that 2001 was Wonder Woman 60th anniversary. So far his run has proven to be a hit! Phil's name alone brought in new readers who have never read a Wonder Woman title.

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