Leonardi's interest in becoming an artist was inspired by the work ofJoe Kubert, which he discovered in the second grade when he readStar Spangled War Stories #139 (July 1968). Leonardi commented in a 2017 interview, "Top of page 8 is still one of the best-designed panels I've ever seen."[3]
He is credited, along with fellow illustratorMike Zeck, of designing the black-and-white costume to whichSpider-Man switched during the 1984Secret Wars miniseries, and later wore for a time. According to writerPeter David, the costume began as a design by Zeck that Leonardi embellished.[6] The plot that developed as a result of Spider-Man's acquisition of the costume led to the creation of the Spider-ManVenom[7] although in a 2007Comic Book Resources story, fan Randy Schueller claims to have devised a version of a black costume for Spider-Man in a story idea that he was paid for.[8] Leonardi and writerTom DeFalco created theRose inThe Amazing Spider-Man #253 (June 1984).[9] ForDC Comics, Leonardi was one of the artists onBatman #400 (Oct. 1986)[10] and he drew theBatgirl story inSecret Origins vol. 2 #20 (Nov. 1987).[11] Back at Marvel,Chris Claremont and Leonardi introduced the fictional country ofGenosha inUncanny X-Men #235 (Oct. 1988).[12] From 1992 to 1994, Leonardi was the regular penciler for the first 25 issues ofSpider-Man 2099 with writerPeter David.[13] Leonardi later launched theFantastic Four 2099 series withKarl Kesel.[14] Leonardi drew the 2000intercompany crossover miniseriesGreen Lantern Versus Aliens.[4] He drew one of the tie-in one-shots for theSentry limited series in 2001.[15]
His subsequent series work includesNightwing,[16] on which he was the regular penciler for issues #71-84 from 2002 to 2003 andBatgirl, of which he drew issues #45–52 from 2003 to 2004. Subsequent miniseries he drew includeStar Wars:General Grievous in 2005, and the 2006 movie tie-in,Superman Returns Prequel #3. He followed up that with other superhero titles such asSuperman #665 and #668 (2007),JLA: Classified #43 (November 2007),Witchblade #112 (January 2008), and the 2008 miniseriesDC Universe: Decisions.[4] Leonardi drew theVigilante series that debuted from DC in December 2008.[17]
Leonardi and inkerAnde Parks are the illustrators on the 2019Batman Beyond arc written byDan Jurgens which debuted with issue #31 in April 2019. Although Leonardi had worked on Batman before, this assignment is his first time working on the future-based Batman Beyond, whose concept is similar toSpider-Man 2099, which Leonardi co-created.[18]
^Ayers, Jeff (w). "Swinging a big ace! Death Wish returns to comics, and brings alongZakk Wylde" Odinforce: Curse of the Yeti, p. 22 (September 2017). Death Wish Coffee.
^DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 218: "Created by writer Tom DeFalco and artist Rick Leonardi, the [Rose] tended his rose garden as he casually ran his various criminal enterprises."
^Manning, Matthew K.; Dougall, Alastair, ed. (2014). "1980s".Batman: A Visual History. London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley. p. 163.ISBN978-1-4654-2456-3.{{cite book}}:|first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 238: "Intended to criticize South Africa's policy of apartheid, Genosha was a fictional island located off the east coast of Africa that first appeared in this issue [#235] by writer Chris Claremont and artist Rick Leonard."
^Manning, Matthew K. "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 260: "Writer Peter David and artist Rick Leonardi'sSpider-Man 2099 character was first glimpsed in a sneak preview in the pages ofThe Amazing Spider-Man #265 in August 1992."
^Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 278: "This eight-issue series was written by Karl Kesel with art by2099 veteran penciller Rick Leonardi."
