Collection: Chris Bachalo Artist Biography and Art Gallery Collection

Chris Bachalo was born August 23, 1965 in Portage La Prairie, Canada but was raised in Southern California, is a Comic Book illustrator known for his quirky, cartoon like style. As a child, he wanted to be a carpenter until he discovered he was allergic to dust. He attended the California State University at Long Beach, where Chris Bachalo majored in graphic art and where he illustrated a few underground comics. After graduation, he sought work in the mainstream comic book industry. His first published assignment was The Sandman #12 (Jan. 1990), part of the "Doll's House" story arc, for DC Comics. Although before working on that issue, DC had already hired Chris Bachalo as the regular artist for Shade, the Changing Man, an older property revived as an adult oriented series by writer Peter Milligan.

Chris Bachalo's early work shows strong influence from Sam Kieth, Bill Sienkiewicz and Michael Golden. As his style developed, however, his work became more idiosyncratic. His early 1990's style is minimalist with strong, thick lines, quirky characters and little concern for realism. Bachalo did not shy away from detailed landscapes but showed a rare penchant for pages with many small panels. In 1993, writer Neil Gaiman selected him for the Sandman miniseries Death: The High Cost of Living, starring the Sandman’s older sister. At the time, Sandman was one of the most popular and acclaimed series in the industry and the miniseries helped boost Bachalo’s visibility. The creative pair also reunited for Death: The Time of Your Life in 1996. He became well known for stints on DC Comics’ Shade, the Changing Man and Neil Gaiman's two Death series.

In the early 2000's, Chris Bachalo completed occasional work on various X-Men series, including Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate War, Grant Morrison's New X-Men (collected in New X-Men vol. 5: Assault on Weapon Plus) and the sequel to the Age of Apocalypse crossover. Bachalo was also the artist on Captain America for 6 issues (21–26, running December 2003–May 2004 cover dates) pencilling a divisive run written by Robert Morales. In an attempt to humanize Steve Rogers, the pair managed to split fans opinions fairly resoundingly with both leaving the title - Morales 10 issues short of his intended contract for the series. From 2006 to 2008, Bachalo was the artist for the X-Men title along with new writer Mike Carey after completing his final story arc for Uncanny X-Men (#472–474). He was often filled in for by artist Humberto Ramos, however.

Chris Bachalo has also pencilled and colored a number of cards for the Vs. collectible card game. These have been renditions of both Marvel and DC characters. On top of his continuing work for Marvel, Bachalo finished issue #7 of Comicraft's Elephantmen, an issue 4 years in the making. The issue was done entirely in double-page spreads and marks his reunion with Steampunk writer Joe Kelly. The issue's story, “Captain Stoneheart and the Truth Fairy” also represents Bachalo's first work outside Marvel and DC since his fill-in issue of Witchblade. Bachalo has also been one of the four artists who was originally part of the Spider-Man Relaunch. Brand New Day, along with Phil Jimenez, Steve McNiven and Salvador Larroca. Starting with New Avengers #51, Bachalo will provide variant covers for the creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan to bring use the "Who will be the next Sorcerer Supreme?" story line. From 2011-2012, he teamed up for multiple issues with Jason Aaron on his Wolverine and the X-Men. From 2013-2015 he returned to work with Bendis on Volume 3 of Uncanny X-Men.

In 2016, Chris Bachalo teamed up again with Jason Aaaron on Dr. Strange's first solo title in 10 years, Way of the Weird.Chris has also illustrated several of Marvel Comics’ X-Men-related series, including Generation X (which he co-created), X-Men vol 2, Uncanny X-Men, and Ultimate X-Men. Beginning in April, 2000 Chris illustrated his creator-owned series Steampunk. Known for his quirky cartoon like style, he has illustrated issues of X-Men Unlimited and Ghost Rider. He became well known for stints on DC Comics’ Shade, the Changing Man and Neil Gaiman's two Death series. Chris Bachalo has also illustrated several of Marvel Comics’ X-Men-related series, including Generation X, X-Men Volume 2, Uncanny X-Men, and Ultimate X-Men. He illustrated and created owned series Steampunk. He was also the artist for the Sandman miniseries Death: The High Cost of Living. At the time, Sandman was one of the most popular and acclaimed series in the industry. The Artwork of Chris Bachalo is currently credited with the artwork in 623 individual Comic Book issues.