✍️ Kieron Gillen

Biography

Kieron Gillen, born on 23 September 1975 in Tamworth, England, is a writer whose narrative intelligence and encyclopaedic knowledge enrich every project he undertakes. Coming from video game journalism, where he earned a reputation as a brilliant essayist, Gillen broke into comics with Phonogram at Image Comics in 2006, a series co-created with Jamie McKelvie that explores the magical power of pop music.

At Marvel, his first major splash came with his run on Thor following J. Michael Straczynski's departure, during which he orchestrated the Siege storyline. But it was his run on Journey into Mystery, beginning with issue 622 in 2011, that established him as a major comics voice. By making Kid Loki the protagonist, Gillen transformed a second-tier title into one of the most acclaimed series of the decade, blending Norse mythology, political intrigue, and irresistible roguish humour.

He followed that with Young Avengers (2013) alongside Jamie McKelvie, a visually experimental series that brought a unique pop graphic design sensibility to the Marvel universe. Then came his run on Darth Vader (2015–2016, 25 issues), widely regarded as the finest Star Wars series at Marvel, laying bare Vader's tortured psychology in the aftermath of the Death Star's destruction. His Uncanny X-Men (#1–20, 2011–2012) explores the fallout from Schism with remarkable political depth.

At Image, Gillen and McKelvie created The Wicked + The Divine in 2014, a forty-five-issue series about gods reincarnated as pop stars — a brilliant concept fusing mythology with contemporary culture. DIE (2018–2022), with Stephanie Hans, deconstructs role-playing games as an existential metaphor. More recently, Immortal X-Men (2022–2023), set during the Krakoa era, and Once and Future at BOOM! Studios have confirmed his versatility.

For collectors, The Wicked + The Divine #1 is a key issue whose variants are highly sought after. Journey into Mystery #622 remains undervalued given Kid Loki's importance in the MCU. Darth Vader #3, featuring the first appearance of Doctor Aphra, has become a modern grail from the Star Wars era. DIE #1 and Phonogram #1 are cult collectibles. Gillen is a writer whose erudition and inventiveness reward demanding readers.

Collecting Impact

The Wicked + The Divine became a cultural phenomenon blending pop culture with mythology. His contributions to the Krakoa era of the X-Men stand among the most accomplished of that chapter.