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G. Willow Wilson

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G. Willow Wilson
Wilson in 2019
BornGwendolyn Willow Wilson
(1982-08-31) August 31, 1982 (age 42)
New Jersey, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Area(s)Writer, Artist
Notable works
Cairo, Air, Alif the Unseen, Ms. Marvel
AwardsHugo Award, World Fantasy Award
Spouse(s)Omar
Children2
gwillowwilson.com

Gwendolyn Willow Wilson (born August 31, 1982) is an American comics writer, prose author, and essayist. Her best-known prose works include the novels Alif the Unseen (2012) and The Bird King (2019). She is best known for relaunching the Ms. Marvel title for Marvel Comics starring a 16-year-old Muslim superhero named Kamala Khan. Her work is most often categorized as magical realism.

Early life

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Wilson was born on August 31, 1982, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and grew up in Morganville.[1][2] Wilson lived in the county until she was 12.[3] However, in an interview with Newsrama in 2013, she erroneously said she was born in Morris County and spent the first ten years of her life there.[4] Her parents were atheists who renounced Protestantism in the late 1960s,[1] hence Wilson was not raised in a religious household. Wilson first encountered comics when she read an anti-smoking pamphlet featuring the X-Men in the fifth grade. The characters fascinated her and she began watching the cartoon X-Men every Saturday.[5] Two years later she and her family moved to Boulder, Colorado, where Wilson continued to pursue her interest in comics and other forms of popular culture such as tabletop role-playing games.

Converting to Islam

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After high school, Wilson attended Boston University to pursue a degree in history. During her sophomore year, Wilson began experiencing adrenal problems[6] and the associated discomfort resulted in her studying a number of religions, including Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. After studying Judaism she focused on Islam, which appealed to her because "to become a Muslim is sort of a deal between you and God."[7] The 9/11 terrorist attack set back her religious studies – fearing she had misjudged the religion – but she later resumed her studies.[5]

In 2003, shortly before her graduation, Wilson agreed to teach English in Cairo. During the plane journey, Wilson converted to Islam; claiming she "made peace with God. I called him Allah." According to Butterfly Mosque, upon arrival in Cairo, Wilson secretly practiced Islam but after becoming engaged to an Egyptian she began to practice it more openly.

Career

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Wilson's writing career began from her work as a freelance music critic for DigBoston.[8] After moving to Cairo, she contributed articles to the Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times Magazine, and the National Post.[9] She was also a regular contributor to the now-defunct Egyptian opposition weekly Cairo Magazine. Wilson was the first Western journalist to be granted a private interview with Ali Gomaa after his promotion to the position of Grand Mufti of Egypt.[10] Additionally, Wilson released a memoir titled The Butterfly Mosque about life in Egypt during the Mubarak regime, which was named a Seattle Times Best Book of 2010.[8]

Her first graphic novel, Cairo, with art by M.K. Perker, was published by Vertigo in 2007,[9] and named one of the best graphic novels of 2007 by Publishers Weekly, The Edmonton Journal/CanWest News, and Comics Worth Reading.[11] The paperback edition of Cairo was named one of Best Graphic Novels for High School Students in 2008 by School Library Journal, and one of 2009's Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teens by the American Library Association.[12]

Her first ongoing comic series, Air, launched by Vertigo in 2008[13][14] reunited her with Perker, and was nominated for an Eisner Award for 'Best New Series' of 2009.[15] NPR named Air one of the top comics of 2009,[16] and it also received acclaim from the Fairfield Weekly, Comic Book Resources,[17] Marie Claire,[18] and Library Journal.[19] Other works for DC include fill-in issues #704 and 706 of Superman, the five-issue mini-series Vixen: Return of the Lion, starring the Justice League member Vixen with art by CAFU,[20][21][22] and The Outsiders.

Wilson then wrote Mystic (2011), a four-issue miniseries for Marvel Comics with art by David Lopez. Although a CrossGen revival, Willow's Mystic bears little resemblance to its previous incarnation.

Her debut novel Alif the Unseen (Grove/Atlantic) won the 2013 World Fantasy Award for best novel.[23][24][25]

In 2014, Marvel debuted a new Ms. Marvel series written by Wilson. The book stars Kamala Khan, a Muslim teenager living in Jersey City, New Jersey, who takes up the mantle after the previous Ms. Marvel, Carol Danvers, took up the name Captain Marvel.

In November 2018, Wilson began writing Wonder Woman from DC Comics. The character battles Ares in an arc entitled "The Just War."[26]

Her March 2019 novel, The Bird King,[27] tells the story of Fatima, a concubine in the royal court of Granada, the last emirate of Muslim Spain, and her dearest friend Hassan, the palace mapmaker. Hassan has a secret: he can draw maps of places he's never seen and bend the shape of reality.

In 2020, she was writing The Dreaming from DC Comics, with art by Nick Robles and starting with issue #19.[28] The series is part of The Sandman Universe.

Creating Kamala Khan

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Wilson had already had a few forays into the comic book industry, having worked on titles such as Superman and Vixen previously.[29][30] She received an email for an interview with David Gabriel, a senior vice-president at Marvel Entertainment.[1] By that point Wilson was almost finished with her second novel, but she took the time to speak with him. Shortly thereafter she was offered the opportunity to co-create a new version of Ms. Marvel named Kamala Khan alongside Sana Amanat, a director and editor at Marvel Entertainment. The process of crafting Kamala was detailed; both artists wished to create a teenage Muslim American girl. Before settling on her Pakistani heritage the two debated the idea of making her a Somali American girl.[31] While creating Kamala as a character the duo expected negativity, not just from people who were anti-Muslim, but also from Muslims who believed Kamala should be portrayed in a certain way.[32] The crafting also focused on smaller details: Wilson did not believe Kamala should wear a hijab due to a majority of teenage Muslim American girls not wearing them.[31] Despite their initial fears, Kamala was received positively. Some sources described her as easy to relate to, even likening her to a modern-day Peter Parker.[33][34] Others even viewed Kamala as a symbol for equality and representation among different religions.[35]

Personal life

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Since 2007, Wilson has lived in Seattle with her husband, Omar. She has two daughters.

Awards

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Award wins

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Nominations

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  • 2009 – Eisner Awards—Best New Series: Air, by G. Willow Wilson and M. K. Perker (Vertigo/DC) (nomination)[43]
  • 2012 – Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize—First Novel (finalist): Alif the Unseen[44]
  • 2013 – Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction—Fiction (Nominee): Alif the Unseen[45]
  • 2013 – John W. Campbell Memorial Award—Novel (Third Place): Alif the Unseen[46]
  • 2013 – Locus Award—First Novel (Nominee): Alif the Unseen[47]
  • 2015 – Eisner Awards: Best New Series: Ms. Marvel, by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona (Marvel) (nomination)[48]
  • 2015 – Eisner Awards: Best Writer (nomination)[48]
  • 2015 – Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity: Ms. Marvel, by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona (Marvel) (nomination)[49]
  • 2015 – Harvey Awards: Best Writer (nomination)[50]
  • 2015 – Harvey Awards: Best New Series: Ms. Marvel (nomination)[50]
  • 2016 – Eisner Awards: Best Writer[51]

Bibliography

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Comics

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AiT/Planet Lar

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  • Negative Burn vol. 2 #7–10, "Aces" (with Shannon Eric Denton and Curtis Square-Briggs) collected in Aces: Curse Of The Red Baron (tpb, 112 pages, 2008 ISBN 1-932051-52-X)

Dark Horse Comics/Berger Books

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  • Invisible Kingdom #1–present (with Christian Ward, October 2019-ongoing)

DC Comics

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Vertigo
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  • Cairo (graphic novel, with M.K. Perker, hc, 160 pages, November 2007 ISBN 1-4012-1140-2)
  • Air (August 2008 – August 2010)
    • Volume 1: Letters from Lost Countries (tpb, 144 pages, 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2153-X) collects:
      • "Letters from Lost Countries" (with M.K. Perker, in #1–3, 2008)
      • "Masks and Other Memories" (with M.K. Perker, in #4, 2008)
      • "The Engine Room" (with M.K. Perker, in #5, 2008)
    • Volume 2: Flying Machine (tpb, 128 pages, 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2483-0) collects:
      • "The Secret Life of Maps" (with M.K. Perker, in #6, 2009)
      • "The Picture of Zayn al Harrani" (with M.K. Perker, in #7, 2009)
      • "Her Own Devices" (with M.K. Perker, in #8, 2009)
      • "Mass Transit" (with M.K. Perker, in #9, 2009)
      • "Place of the Egrets" (with M.K. Perker, in #10, 2009)
    • Volume 3: Pureland (tpb, 168 pages, 2010, ISBN 1-4012-2706-6) collects:
      • "Sweet as the Tongue" (with M.K. Perker, in #11, 2009)
      • "Pureland" (with M.K. Perker, in #12–14, 2009)
      • "Air Heart" (with M.K. Perker, in #15, 2009)
      • "Infinite Shades" (with M.K. Perker, in #16, 2009)
      • "The Picture of Blythe Alice Cameron" (with M.K. Perker, in #17, 2010)
    • Volume 4: A History of the Future (tpb, 168 pages, 2011, ISBN 1-4012-2983-2) collects:
      • "Reveille" (with M.K. Perker, in #18, 2010)
      • "A History of the Future" (with M.K. Perker, in #19–21, 2010)
      • "Wild Blue Yonder" (with M.K. Perker, in #22, 2010)
      • "Dogfight!" (with M.K. Perker, in #23, 2010)
      • "The Last Horizon" (with M.K. Perker, in #24, 2010)
  • The Unexpected, "Dogs" (anthology, with Robbi Rodriguez, October 2011) collected in The Unexpected (tpb, 160 pages, 2013, ISBN 1-4012-4394-0)
  • The Dreaming: Waking Hours #1-12 (with Nick Robles, August 2020 – August 2021) collected in The Dreaming: Waking Hours, tpb, 2021, ISBN 978-1779512734

Marvel Comics

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Novels

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Tolentino, Jia (April 29, 2017). "The Writer Behind a Muslim Marvel Superhero on Her Faith in Comics". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  2. ^ "Jersey City to feature heavily in new Marvel comic book, writer says". nj.com. November 8, 2013. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  3. ^ Wilson, G. Willow (February 27, 2018). "A Jew and a Muslim Walk Into a Comic Book Shop. The Proprietor Hands Them a Sandwich". Orthodox Union (Interview). Interviewed by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "G. Willow Wilson's New MS. MARVEL – Teen, Muslim, Jersey Girl, Fangirl!". Newsarama. November 6, 2013. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  5. ^ a b Wilson, G. Willow (March 25, 2015). "Islam Sci-fi Interview of G. Willow Wilson (Part I)". Islam and Science Fiction (Interview). Interviewed by Rebecca Hankins. Archived from the original on July 11, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  6. ^ "'The Butterfly Mosque' by G. Willow Wilson". The Denver Post. June 3, 2010. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  7. ^ Wilson, G. Willow (June 20, 2010). "Beneath the veil". Boston.com (Interview). Interviewed by Ideas. Seattle. Written by Lisa Wangsness. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "ACRL 2015 keynote speakers announced". American Library Association. September 15, 2014. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Newsarama.com [dead link]
  10. ^ "The Show-Me Sheikh". The Atlantic. November 20, 2015. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  11. ^ "Comicsworthreading.com". January 4, 2008. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  12. ^ "2009 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens". Young Adult Library Services Association. 2009. Archived from the original on March 5, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  13. ^ Newsarama [dead link]
  14. ^ "G. Willow Wilson talks "Air"". Comic Book Resources. July 7, 2008. Archived from the original on January 23, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  15. ^ "2009 Eisner Award Nominees Named". Newsarama. April 7, 2009. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  16. ^ Weldon, Glen (December 30, 2009). "2009: The Comics That Clung : Monkey See". NPR. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  17. ^ "Best 100 Comics of 2008: Master List". Comic Book Resources. January 4, 2009. Archived from the original on January 1, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  18. ^ Sturtz, Rachel (September 8, 2009). "Air by G. Willow Wilson – Graphic Novel Air Review". Marie Claire. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  19. ^ "Libraryjournal.com". November 15, 2009. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  20. ^ "VIXEN: RETURN OF THE LION #1". DC Comics. October 1, 2008. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  21. ^ "Talking to G. Willow Wilson – Air, Vixen and More". Newsarama. August 21, 2008. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  22. ^ "G. Willow Wilson talks "Vixen"". Comic Book Resources. September 10, 2008. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  23. ^ "Wfc2013.org". Archived from the original on August 3, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  24. ^ "Announcing the 2013 World Fantasy Award Winners". Tor.com. November 3, 2013. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  25. ^ "Alif the Unseen". Aliftheunseen.co.uk. Archived from the original on May 16, 2014.
  26. ^ "A New Wonder Woman Wonders Whether War is Ever Worth It". Vogue. November 26, 2018. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  27. ^ The Bird King | Grove Atlantic. Archived from the original on March 8, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  28. ^ "NYCC '19: G. Willow Wilson and Nick Robles take over THE DREAMING". The Beat. October 5, 2019. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  29. ^ "Wilson Gets Grounded on "Superman" #704". CBR. October 19, 2010. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  30. ^ "GCD :: Issue :: Vixen: Return of the Lion #1". Comics.org. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  31. ^ a b Wilson, G. Willow (November 14, 2016). "Interview: G. Willow Wilson on Ms. Marvel and the Muslim-American Experience". Comics Bulletin (Interview). Interviewed by Ardo Omer. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  32. ^ Gustines, George Gene (November 5, 2013). "Marvel Comics Introducing a Muslim Girl Superhero". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  33. ^ Berlatsky, Noah (March 20, 2014). "What Makes the Muslim Ms. Marvel Awesome: She's Just Like Everyone". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  34. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (November 21, 2014). "Between the Panels: Why Ms. Marvel Is the New Spider-Man". IGN. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  35. ^ "This Muslim-American superhero has become a real-world protest icon". Vox. February 2, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  36. ^ "Middle East Book Award Winners Youth Literature". FictionDB. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  37. ^ "2013 Pacific Northwest Book Awards Announced". NW Book Lovers. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  38. ^ "World Fantasy Awards – Complete Listing". World Fantasy Convention. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  39. ^ Hautain, Frederik (December 22, 2014). "Broken Frontier Awards 2014: Announcing the Winners, Women and Image Dominate – Broken Frontier". Broken Frontier. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  40. ^ Dwyer, Colin (August 23, 2015). "Hugo Awards: Amid A Hubbub At The Hugos, 'Puppies' See Little Success : The Two-Way". NPR. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  41. ^ "EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: G. Willow Wilson accepts the second annual Dwayne McDuffie Diversity in Comics Award for MS. MARVEL". Comicsbeat.com (Video). February 21, 2016. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  42. ^ "Wilson and Leon win American Book Award for Ms Marvel Vol 9". Comics Beat. August 21, 2019. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  43. ^ "2009 Eisner Award Nominees Announced". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 8, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  44. ^ "The Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize". Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  45. ^ "WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION ANNOUNCES 2013 LONGLIST". Women's Prize for Fiction. March 13, 2013. Archived from the original on January 23, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  46. ^ "John W. Campbell Memorial Award 2013". science fiction awards database. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  47. ^ "Locus Online News » 2013 Locus Awards Finalists". Locus. May 8, 2013. Archived from the original on January 23, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  48. ^ a b "DC, Marvel & Fantagraphics Top 2014 Eisner Award Nominations". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  49. ^ "'Ms. Marvel,' 'Shaft' among Dwayne McDuffie Diversity Award finalists". Los Angeles Times. February 18, 2015. Archived from the original on December 20, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  50. ^ a b "2015 Harvey Awards Nominees Announced". Comic Book Resources. July 14, 2015. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  51. ^ "2016 Eisner Award Nominees". Comic-con.org. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016.
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