Bio:J. David Spurlock

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J. David Spurlock (born Jess David Spurlock November 18, 1959 in Memphis, Tennessee) is an author, illustrator, and artist's rights advocate. After many years of work as an illustrator and art instructor at The University of Texas at Arlington, Joe Kubert School and School of Visual Arts, Spurlock became best known as the founder of Vanguard Productions; publishers of art books, graphic novels, prints, science fiction, etc. Vanguard has been referred to as "the world's leading producer of art book biographies on illustrators and cartoonists." Spurlock's work at Vanguard has garnered acclaim from The New York Times, The Village Voice, Time Out New York, The IPPY Awards, Starlog magazine, National Public Radio, Video Watchdog, The Eisner Awards, Entertainment Weekly, Fangoria, The Society of Illustrators, Rue Morgue, Amazon.com, Publishers Weekly, The Locus SF Awards, Variety, Library Journal, The Rondo Awards, and more. Vanguard's biography of Hal Foster, edited and art directed by Spurlock, helped inspire the Society of Illustrators to induct the Prince Valiant creator into their Hall of Fame (practically unheard of for a sequential artist), and inspired Foster's hometown to elect to erect a life-size bronze statue honoring Foster.