- published: 16 May 2016
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Steve Dillon (born c. 1962) is an English comic book artist, from Luton, Bedfordshire, best known for his work with writer Garth Ennis on Hellblazer, Preacher, and The Punisher.
While attending Icknield High School, Dillon first realised his potential as a serious comic book artist during the production of a school comic book called "Ultimate Sci Fi Adventures" with school friends Neil Bailey & Paul Mahon in 1975. His first strip in this comic was "The Space Vampire". This was followed by the "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" series which was drawn to an increasingly high standard well beyond his years.
Dillon got his first professional work at the age of 16, drawing the title story in the first issue of Hulk Weekly for Marvel UK, later working on the Nick Fury strip. In the 1980s he also drew for Warrior and Doctor Who Magazine, where he created the character of Abslom Daak. He did a considerable amount of work for the comics 2000 AD and Warrior.
Along with Brett Ewins, Dillon started the comic magazine Deadline in 1988, which continued for another seven years. Together with author Garth Ennis, Dillon worked on Hellblazer and, later, on the very successful (and critically acclaimed) Preacher which wrapped up in 2000 after 66 issues. Dillon also created the character Dogwelder, featured in Ennis's series Hitman.