After attending theSchool of Visual Arts,[1] Jon Bogdanove's first work forMarvel Comics wasAlpha Flight #32 (March 1986).[2] He then became the regular artist onPower Pack as of #22 (May 1986) and would draw that title for the next three years, followed by three months where he wrote it while guest artists handled the drawing.[2] Bogdanove collaborated with writerChris Claremont on theFantastic Four vs. the X-Men limited series in 1987 and withLouise Simonson onPower Pack in 1986-1987 and on theX-Factor series the following year.[2] In 1991, Bogdanove began drawing forDC Comics. He, Louise Simonson, and editorMike Carlin launched a new Superman title,Superman: The Man of Steel[3] – which Bogdanove would draw for nearly eight years until #85 (Jan. 1999).[2] He contributed to the "Panic in the Sky" storyline in 1992.[4] That same year, Bogdanove and Simonson (along with Carlin,Dan Jurgens,Roger Stern and others) were the architects ofThe Death of Superman storyline, in which Superman died and was resurrected. It was during that storyline, inThe Adventures of Superman #500 (June 1993),[5] that Simonson and Bogdanove introduced their characterSteel, who graduated to his own title in February 1994.[6] The character went on to feature in an eponymous feature film starringShaquille O'Neal in 1997. The Bogdanove-drawnSuperman: The Man of Steel #30 (Feb. 1994) had a variant edition packaged in a polybag. The logo and all cover copy were printed on the bag and vinyl clings (similar toColorforms) were included for a do-it-yourself front and back cover.[7] Bogdanove was one of the many artists who contributed to theSuperman: The Wedding Album one-shot in 1996 wherein the title character marriedLois Lane.[8]
After leaving theSuperman: The Man of Steel title, Bogdanove drew twointercompany crossovers for DC Comics:Superman &Savage Dragon: Metropolis (Nov. 1999) co-published withImage Comics[9] andSuperman / Aliens II: God War (May 2002 – Nov. 2002) co-published withDark Horse Comics.[10] Bogdanove reunited with Louise Simonson for theDC Retroactive: Superman – The '90s one-shot in October 2011.[11] In 2023, he drew two new Steel stories, written by Simonson, forThe Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 andThe Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1.
Bogdanove has participated with his son, Kal-El Bogdanove,[12] on assorted film projects includingHansel & Gretel (2006) and theLady of the Isle television series.[13]
^Due to an editorial mistake, the credits for #45 were also printed in #44, resulting in Jon Bogdanove receiving no credit for #44, which the letters column ofPower Pack #47 confirms he both wrote and drew.
^Manning, Matthew K. (2010). "1990s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.).DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley. p. 250.ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9.DC editorial saw the chance to give their hero a fourth ongoing monthly book,Superman: The Man of Steel was born, with the first issue written by Louise Simonson and with art by Jon Bogdanove, Tom Grummett, Bob McLeod, and Dan Jurgens.
^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 253: "In this seven-part adventure...writers Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Roger Stern, and Louise Simonson, with artists Brett Breeding, Tom Grummett, Jon Bogdanove, and Bob McLeod assembled many of DC's favorite characters to defend the world."
^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 259: "The issue also featured four teaser comics that introduced a group of contenders all vying for the Superman name...Construction worker John Henry Irons found a new purpose in life as the future Steel in a story by Louise Simonson, with art by Jon Bogdanove"
^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 265: "Steel finally stepped out of Superman's shadow in his own ongoing series by writers Jon Bogdanove and Louise Simonson, and artist Chris Batista."
^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 275: " The behind-the-scenes talent on the monumental issue appropriately spanned several generations of the Man of Tomorrow's career. Written by Dan Jurgens, Karl Kesel, David Michelinie, Louise Simonson, and Roger Stern, the one-shot featured the pencils of John Byrne, Gil Kane, Stuart Immonen, Paul Ryan, Jon Bogdanove, Kieron Dwyer, Tom Grummett, Dick Giordano, Jim Mooney, Curt Swan, Nick Cardy, Al Plastino, Barry Kitson, Ron Frenz, and Dan Jurgens."
^Contino, Jennifer M. (December 16, 2008)."Bogdanove's Not Alone With Will Triumph". Comicon.com. Archived fromthe original on December 19, 2008. RetrievedMarch 4, 2012.Kal-El Bogdanove: My father and I are collaborating on a number of features and TV pilots. Most notably,Magik Rat – co-created with a great Spanish artist named Eduardo Alpuente – which is a sword and sorcery fantasy adventure, andLady of the Isle, which is a television series that blends small town drama with fantasy and horror.
^Wilonsky, Robert (March 22, 2024)."It's Doomsday For Superman! The Original Art That Announced the Death of The Man of Steel Makes Its Auction Debut at Heritage in April".Heritage Auctions.Archived from the original on April 15, 2025.It fell to Bogdanove to draw that initial image of Superman tussling with Doomsday, and it became an incredibly personal piece for numerous reasons. He wasn't just heralding the demise of his favorite superhero, but he was paying homage to his grandfather, revered muralist Abraham Jacob Bogdanove — specifically, his painting Wrestlers, which presages Superman's clash with Doomsday.
