View source for Alan Grant (writer)

{{Short description|Scottish comic book writer (1949–2022)}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox comics creator
| name          = Alan Grant
| image         = AlanGrant (cropped).jpeg
| image_size    = 
| caption       = Grant with [[British small press comics|small-press]] title ''[[FutureQuake]]''.
| birth_name    = 
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|df=yes|1949|2|9}}
| birth_place   = [[Bristol]], England
| death_date    = {{death date and age|df=yes|2022|7|20|1949|2|9}}
| death_place   = 
| writer     = y
| alias         = {{Plainlist|
* D Spence
* ALN-1
* TB Grover
}}
| signature     = <!-- very optional -->
| notable works = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Strontium Dog]]''
* ''[[Anarky (comic book)|Anarky]]''
* ''[[Batman: Shadow of the Bat]]''
* ''[[Detective Comics]]''
* ''[[Judge Dredd Megazine]]''
}}
| awards        = [[Inkpot Award]] 1992
| website       = 
| nonUS         = y
}}

'''Alan Grant''' (9 February 1949{{snds}}20 July 2022) was a Scottish [[comic book writer]] known for writing [[Judge Dredd]] in ''[[2000 AD (comics)|2000 AD]]'' as well as various [[Batman]] titles from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. He was the co-creator of the characters [[Anarky]], [[Victor Zsasz]], and the [[Ventriloquist (comics)|Ventriloquist]].

==Biography==
=== Early life ===
Alan Grant was born in [[Bristol]],<ref name="Gazetteer">{{Cite web|url=https://www.scottish-places.info/people/famousfirst3445.html|title=Alan Grant|website=Gazetteer for Scotland|access-date=19 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Shapira|first=Tom|title=Alan Grant, 1949-1922|date=2022-07-28|publisher=[[The Comics Journal]]|url=https://www.tcj.com/alan-grant-1949-2022/|accessdate=2023-10-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Alan Grant 1949-2022 |url=https://2000ad.com/news/alan-grant-1949-2022/ |website=2000AD |access-date=27 June 2024 |date=21 July 2022}}</ref> but moved with his family to [[Newtongrange]], [[Midlothian]], at the age of one.  According to Grant, his grandmother taught him how to read and write by introducing him to material from [[DC Thomson]], which also served as his introduction to comics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alan Grant - My Gran got me into comics|date=2017-06-26|publisher=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dW78sglhyM|accessdate=2023-10-11}}</ref> He attended Newtongrange Primary School and [[Dalkeith High School]], where he was frequently expelled and reinstated. After leaving school, he worked briefly in a bank.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

===Early career and ''2000 AD''===
Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for [[D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd|D.C. Thomson]] before moving to London from [[Dundee]] in 1970 to work for [[IPC Media|IPC]] on various romance magazines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/features/interviews/2005/grant/grant1.shtml |title=Alan Grant Interview by Edward Berridge |first=Edward |last=Berridge |date=12 January 2005 |publisher=2000adreview.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515033021/http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/features/interviews/2005/grant/grant1.shtml |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on [[National Insurance|Social Security]]. He then met [[John Wagner]], another former D.C. Thomson editor, who was helping put together a new [[science fiction]] comic magazine for IPC, ''2000 AD'', and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the ''[[Tarzan in comics|Tarzan]]'' comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.<ref name="Fusion">{{cite web |url=http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=droid&page=interview&choice=6 |title=Alan Grant Interview by Andy Diggle for Fusion |first=Andy |last=Diggle |year=1997 |publisher=2000ad.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213134202/http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=droid&page=interview&choice=6 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Wagner asked Grant to write a strip for ''[[Starlord (comics)|Starlord]]'', a ''2000 AD'' spin off, which eventually got Grant noticed within IPC. On a trip to London, Grant was introduced to [[Kelvin Gosnell]], then editor of ''2000 AD'', who offered Grant an editorial position on the comic. One of Grant's first jobs was to oversee the merger of ''2000 AD'' and ''[[Tornado (comic)|Tornado]]'', an unsuccessful boys adventure comic magazine. Grant featured as a character in the magazine in the form of ALN-1, Tharg's Scottish Robot assistant. Grant found himself in conflict with IPC and resigned to become a freelance writer, writing the occasional issue of ''[[Future Shocks|Future Shock]]'' and ''[[Blackhawk (UK comic)|Blackhawk]]''.

Grant then formed his partnership with Wagner after the pair lived and worked together; the pair eventually co-wrote ''Judge Dredd''. They worked on other popular strips for the magazine, including ''[[Robo-Hunter]]'' and ''[[Strontium Dog]]''<ref name="Fusion" /> using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably ''Harry Twenty on the High Rock'', written by [[Gerry Finley-Day]].

''Judge Dredd'' was Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in ''2000 AD'' as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as ''The Apocalypse War''.

Grant wrote for other IPC comic magazines such as the revamped ''[[Eagle (comic)|Eagle]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Finkelstein |first1=David |last2=McCleery |first2=Alistair |date=2007 |title=Edinburgh History of the Book in Scotland, Volume 4: Professionalism and Diversity 1880–2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gdeqBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA381 |location=Edinburgh, Scotland |publisher=[[Edinburgh University Press]] |page=381 |isbn=978-0-7486-1829-3}}</ref>

===American work in the 1980s===
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was the 12-issue ''[[Outcasts (DC Comics)|Outcasts]]'' [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] (Oct. 1987–Sept. 1988) for [[DC Comics]].<ref name="GCD">{{gcdb|type=writer|search=Alan+Grant|title=Alan Grant}}</ref> Although it was not a success, it paved the way for the pair to write [[Batman]] stories in ''[[Detective Comics]]'' from issue 583 (Feb. 1988), largely with [[Norm Breyfogle]] on art duties across the various Batman titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.graphicnovelreporter.com/content/alan-grant-batman-and-beyond-interview |title=Alan Grant on Batman and Beyond |first=Jeffery |last=Klaehn |date=December 2009 |publisher=Graphicnovelreporter.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116132248/http://graphicnovelreporter.com/content/alan-grant-batman-and-beyond-interview |archive-date=16 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Grant and Wagner introduced the [[Ventriloquist (comics)|Ventriloquist]] in their first Batman story<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Manning |editor-first=Matthew K. |editor2-last=Dolan |editor2-first=Hannah |chapter=1980s |title=DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |location=London, United Kingdom |isbn=978-0-7566-6742-9 |page=235 |quote=In February [1988], the Batman crossed paths with Scarface and the Ventriloquist in ''Detective Comics'' #583 by writer John Wagner and Alan Grant and artist Norm Breyfogle.}}</ref> and the [[Ratcatcher (comics)|Ratcatcher]] in their third.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Manning |editor-first=Matthew K. |editor2-last=Dougall |editor2-first=Alastair |chapter=1980s |title=Batman: A Visual History |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2014 |location=London, United Kingdom |page=171 |isbn=978-1465424563 |quote=Writers John Wagner and Alan Grant and artist Norm Breyfogle introduced the Ratcatcher in this two-part story.}}</ref> After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. He stated that Wagner left after five issues because the title did not sell well enough to give them royalties, and that Wagner's name was kept in the credits for the remaining seven issues because Grant was afraid DC would fire him.<ref name="Best">{{cite web |url=http://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com/2007/01/batman-alan-grant-norm-breyfogle-speak.html |title=Batman: Alan Grant & Norm Breyfogle Speak Out |first=Daniel |last=Best |date=6 January 2007 |publisher=20th Century Danny Boy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610211817/http://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com/2007/01/batman-alan-grant-norm-breyfogle-speak.html |archive-date=10 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The pair created a four issue series for [[Epic Comics]] called ''[[The Last American (comics)|The Last American]]''.<ref name="GCD" /> This series, as well as the ''Chopper'' storyline in ''Judge Dredd'', was blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership.<ref name="Fusion" /> The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping ''Judge Dredd'' and Grant keeping ''Strontium Dog'' and ''[[Judge Anderson]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/books/interview-alan-grant-on-wasted/ |title=Interview: Alan Grant on Wasted |last=Prescott |first=Amanda-Rae |date=21 October 2008 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref> Grant and Wagner continued to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover ''[[Judgement on Gotham]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/batman-dredd |title=2000 AD DIGEST: BATMAN/DREDD: JUDGMENT ON GOTHAM/VENDETTA ON GOTHAM |last=Pierce |first=Robin |date=18 April 2018 |website=[[Starburst (magazine)|Starburst]] |access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref>

During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an [[Anarchism|anarchist]]. The creation of the supervillain [[Anarky]] was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dcleaguers.it/rubriche/interviste/intervista-ad-alan-grant/ |title=Intervista Ad Alan Grant! |first=Elena |last=Pizzi |date=28 August 2011 |publisher=Dcleaguers.it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620110354/http://www.dcleaguers.it/rubriche/interviste/intervista-ad-alan-grant/ |archive-date=20 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the following years, he continued to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved into [[social anarchism]].<ref name="zon-power-comic-book">{{cite web |url=http://gocomics.com/alangrant.htm |title=Alan Grant Interview: Famous Comic Book Writer & Zon "Holy Penis Collapsor Batman! DC Publishes The First Zonpower Comic Book!?!?!" |first=Gary S. |last=Kraft |date=8 April 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980218141349/http://gocomics.com/alangrant.htm |archive-date=18 February 1998|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===1990s===
[[File:Loz 35252.png|thumb|Video still of Grant at a comics convention in the early 1990s.]]
Grant's projects at the start of this decade included writing ''Detective Comics'', ''Strontium Dog'', ''[[The Bogie Man (comic book)|The Bogie Man]]'', a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing, and ''[[Lobo (DC Comics)|Lobo]]'', a character created by [[Keith Giffen]] as a supporting character in ''[[Omega Men]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sacks |first1=Jason |last2=Dallas |first2=Keith |date=2018 |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1990s |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i5x9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA24 |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |page=24 |isbn=978-1-60549-084-7}}</ref>

''Lobo'' gained his own four-issue miniseries in 1990 which was drawn by [[Simon Bisley]].<ref>Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 246: "The anti-hero of ''L.E.G.I.O.N.'' fame, Lobo nabbed his first miniseries with the help of the offbeat plotting and layout skills of Keith Giffen, aided by scripter Alan Grant and artist Simon Bisley."</ref> This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lobobrasil.com.br/port/informacoes/entrevista_alangrant_2005_english.html |title=Lobo Brasil interview: Alan Grant |first=Lucio |last=Luiz |date=7 March 2005 |publisher=Lobobrasil.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610212937/http://www.lobobrasil.com.br/port/informacoes/entrevista_alangrant_2005_english.html |archive-date=10 June 2015 |url-status=dead  |access-date=26 March 2008 }}</ref> In addition, Grant was writing ''[[L.E.G.I.O.N.]]'' (a ''[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]'' spin-off) and ''[[Etrigan the Demon|The Demon]]'' (a revival of [[Jack Kirby]]'s character) for DC Comics.<ref>Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 247: "Etrigan returned for a new series in July [1990] entitled ''The Demon'', by writer Alan Grant and artist Val Semeiks."</ref> Grant wrote the first issues of the new Batman title, ''[[Batman: Shadow of the Bat]]'',<ref>Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 253: "''Shadow of the Bat'' lasted ninety-four issues. Handled by the former team on ''Detective Comics'' – writer Alan Grant and artist Norm Breyfogle – the first issue was released in both a newsstand and deluxe polybagged format."</ref> which saw him create three new characters, [[Jeremiah Arkham]], [[Mr. Zsasz]],<ref>Manning "1990s" in Dougall, p. 194: "''Shadow of the Bat'' was writer Alan Grant's newest forum to tell Batman stories on a monthly basis, along with his partner, artists Norm Breyfogle. The pair introduced the new head of Arkham, Jeremiah Arkham, as well as the new villain Mr. Zsasz."</ref> and [[Amygdala (comics)|Amygdala]]. This story arc, "[[Batman: The Last Arkham]]", was later accompanied by his role as one of the main writers during the ''[[Batman: Knightfall|Knightfall]]'' crossover. In 1994, Grant co-wrote the ''[[Batman-Spawn: War Devil]]'' [[intercompany crossover]] with [[Doug Moench]] and [[Chuck Dixon]].<ref>Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 267: "Fans were also treated to a companion special entitled ''Batman-Spawn''...by writers Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, and Alan Grant, and artist Klaus Janson."</ref> Other Batman storylines which Grant contributed to include "[[Batman: Contagion|Contagion]]",<ref>Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 272: "In the latest crossover to shake up Batman's universe, a manufactured virus nicknamed 'the Clench' was unleashed on the public of Gotham City...by writers Alan Grant, Chuck Dixon, Denny O'Neil, and Doug Moench."</ref> "[[Batman: Legacy|Legacy]]",<ref>Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 274</ref> and "[[Batman: Cataclysm|Cataclysm]]".<ref>Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 283: "The seventeen-part 'Cataclysm' storyline showed a Gotham City devastated by an earthquake. It was written by Alan Grant, Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, Dennis O'Neil, [and others]."</ref>

Grant was part of the creative team for the short-lived weekly title ''[[Toxic!]]'' and was a consultant on the ''[[Judge Dredd Megazine]]''. Due to the sheer volume of work he was doing, Grant let a new generation of writers try their hand on strips like ''Judge Dredd'' and ''Robo-Hunter''. This often proved to be unsuccessful, however, and Grant found himself again writing for ''2000 AD''.

In the mid 1990s, Grant underwent a second philosophical transformation, declaring himself a follower of [[Frank R. Wallace#Neo-Tech philosophy|Neo-Tech]], a philosophy created by [[Frank R. Wallace]]. When he was given the opportunity to create an ''Anarky'' mini-series, he redesigned the character accordingly.<ref name="zon-power-comic-book" /> Following the success of the series, he was hired to create an ongoing monthly series for the character. Initially hesitant, he was persuaded to do so by series illustrator, Anarky co-creator, and personal friend, [[Norm Breyfogle]]. Named after the protagonist, ''[[Anarky (comic book)|Anarky]]'' was mired by what Grant felt was constant editorial interference, became a critical and financial failure, and was canceled after eight issues.<ref name="Best" /> Although he disliked the 1999 series, he considered the original ''Anarky'' mini-series to be among his "career highlights."<ref name="why">{{cite web |first=James |last=Redington |url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/panel/112722984423376.htm |title=The Panel: Why Work In Comics? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522202835/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/panel/112722984423376.htm |archive-date=22 May 2011 |url-status=dead|access-date=15 December 2007 |date=20 September 2005 |publisher=[[Comics Bulletin]]}}</ref>

By the end of the decade Grant had written for virtually every American publisher of comic books, including [[DC Comics|DC]], [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and [[Dark Horse Comics|Dark Horse]].{{sfn|Finkelstein|McCleery|2007|pp=381–382}}

===2000s===
Grant became involved with writing scripts for animation as well as his comic work, notably working on ''[[Action Man]]'' cartoons as well as original [[anime]]. He remained the main writer for ''Judge Anderson'' and ''Robo-hunter'' and teamed up with Wagner for a new ''Bogie Man'' story for the ''Judge Dredd Megazine''. He formed his own publishing company, Bad Press Ltd, which released the humour title ''Shit the Dog'', written by Grant and drawn by Simon Bisley.

Grant was one of the few professional comics writers to contribute to [[fanzine]]s such as ''[[FutureQuake]]''. He provided scripts for the now defunct Scottish underground comic [[Northern Lightz]]. Along with his wife Sue, he organised the annual [[Moniaive]] Comics Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=droid&page=interview&choice=7 |title=A short interview with Alan Grant |year=2008 |publisher=2000ad.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213134156/http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=droid&page=interview&choice=7 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> He wrote two comic-based novels, ''The Stone King,'' (2001) featuring [[Batman]] and the [[Justice League of America]], and ''Last Sons,'' (2006) featuring [[Superman]], [[Martian Manhunter]] and [[Lobo (DC Comics)|Lobo]]. From 1998, he wrote scripts for Renga Media and later wrote the screenplay for ''Dominator X''.

He wrote ''[[Kidnapped (comic)|Kidnapped]]'', an adaptation of the novel [[Kidnapped (novel)|of the same name]] by [[Robert Louis Stevenson]], with art by [[Cam Kennedy]], published by Waverley Books. It was part of a project revolving around [[Edinburgh]] being the first UNESCO [[City of Literature]] in 2007 and various editions will be produced some of which will be handed out for free.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofliterature.com/projects.aspx?sec=6&pid=30&item=325 |title=Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature: Projects |year=2007 |publisher=Cityofliterature.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201215706/http://www.cityofliterature.com/projects.aspx?sec=6&pid=30&item=325 |archive-date=1 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> A version with text adapted for reluctant readers will be published simultaneously by [[Barrington Stoke]], and a Scots language translation by [[Matthew Fitt]] called ''Kidnappit'' was published by [[Itchy Coo]]. If things go well more adaptations may be in the works,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15408 |title=Lying in the Gutters |first=Rich |last=Johnston |date=6 November 2006 |publisher=Comic Book Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927165027/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15408 |archive-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> although a sequel project based on ''[[The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde]]'' was commissioned due to the relatively high profile and warm reception of the ''Kidnapped'' adaptation. It was being promoted as part of the One Book – One Edinburgh 2008 campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofliterature.com/ecol.aspx?sec=6&pid=212&item=448 |title=''The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'' at One Book – One Edinburgh 2008 |year=2008 |publisher=Cityofliterature.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208141024/http://www.cityofliterature.com/ecol.aspx?sec=6&pid=212&item=448 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In November 2008, Grant's Bad Press released the [[comics anthology]], ''Wasted''. A mixture of drug-themed humour and anarchic cartoon action stories, mostly, but not all, written by Grant. ''Wasted'' featured art by many comic artists from the UK underground and mainstream art scene. These included well-known industry figures like [[Frank Quitely]], [[Jamie Grant (comics)|Jamie Grant]], [[Jon Haward]], and [[Mark Stafford]]. The comic showcased many underground artists like Zander, Colin Barr, Tiberius Macgregor, Alan Kerr, and Curt Sibling. ''Wasted'' was seen as the heir to the previous [[Northern Lightz]] comics, but gained mixed reviews upon release.<ref>{{cite web |first=Shaun |last=Manning |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12460 |title=Elegantly ''Wasted'' – Alan Grant talks New Humor Anthology |publisher=Comic Book Resources |date=6 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009130053/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12460 |archive-date=9 October 2012|url-status=live|access-date=19 June 2009}}</ref>

Grant set up his own comics publishing company Berserker Comics, the first title was ''[[The Dead (comics)|The Dead]]: Kingdom of Flies''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedeadcomic.com/issue-1/ |title=''The Dead'' Comic |year=2008 |publisher=Thedeadcomic.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728105744/http://www.thedeadcomic.com/issue-1/ |archive-date=28 July 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicmonsters.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=912 |title=''The Dead'' Interview |date=21 May 2008 |publisher=Comicmonsters.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716174413/http://www.comicmonsters.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=912 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> with another, ''[[Church of Hell]]'', published in 2009. Both have [[Simon Bisley]] on art duties. Grant was a part of Renegade Arts Entertainment which, with Berserker Comics, was co-publishing ''Channel Evil'', a four-issue mini-series with art by [[Shane Oakley]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicmonsters.com/features-978-Alan_Grant_talks_CHANNEL_EVIL.html |title=Alan Grant Talks ''Channel Evil'' |date=15 January 2009 |publisher=Comicmonsters.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304143657/http://www.comicmonsters.com/features-978-Alan_Grant_talks_CHANNEL_EVIL.html |archive-date=4 March 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===2010s===
In 2013 Grant teamed with [[Robin Smith (comics)|Robin Smith]] to create ''Scott vs Zombies'', commissioned by Edinburgh's Artlink with support from [[Creative Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.creativescotland.com/explore/read/stories/visual-art/2013/scott-vs-zombies |title=Scott vs Zombies |date=2013 |publisher=[[Creative Scotland]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907161437/http://www.creativescotland.com/explore/read/stories/visual-art/2013/scott-vs-zombies |archive-date=7 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, he completed the award-winning Canadian children's graphic novel ''[[The Loxleys and the War of 1812]]'', now in its second edition.<ref name=Coyle>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2012/04/14/war_of_1812_brought_to_life_through_comicbook_family.html |title=War of 1812 brought to life through comic-book family |last=Coyle |first=Jim |date=1 February 2013 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=29 May 2016}}</ref>

In 2016 Grant and John Wagner created a new comic for ''BHP Comics''. Drawn by Dan Cornwell "Rok of the Reds" tells the story of a dangerous intergalactic outlaw, Rok of Arkadi, who, while on the run, hides on Earth by taking over the body and life of troubled football star Kyle Dixon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicsalliance.com/alan-grant-john-wagner-dan-cornwell-rok-of-the-reds/ |title=Grant & Wagner Mix Sci-Fi & Soccer in 'Rok Of The Reds' |last=Sims |first=Chris |date=6 June 2016 |website=[[ComicsAlliance]] |access-date=6 June 2016}}</ref>

In 2020, in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Grant led a local community project in the village of [[Moniaive]] to produce a comic about the virus and the residents' community spirit.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-52707072 "Coronavirus: Comic book writer chronicles village's virus 'fightback'"], by Giancarlo Rinaldi, at the [[BBC News]] website, 20 May 2020.</ref>

==Awards==
Grant received an [[Inkpot Award]] in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot|title= Inkpot Award|date= 2016|publisher= [[San Diego Comic-Con]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170129155249/http://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot|archive-date= 29 January 2017|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brooke|first=David|title=Comics writer Alan Grant has passed away at age 73|date=2022-07-21|publisher=AIPT|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2022/07/21/comics-writer-alan-grant-dead-73/#google_vignette|accessdate=2023-10-11}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Grant was married to Sue Grant, and had a daughter, Shalla.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=David |date=31 July 2022 |title=Alan Grant obituary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jul/31/alan-grant-obituary|access-date=1 August 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The Grants lived in [[Moniaive]], Dumfriesshire.<ref name="Gazetteer"/><ref>[[David, Peter]] (25 December 1998). [http://www.peterdavid.net/2013/06/24/con-voyage-to-mexico-city/ "Con Voyage to Mexico City"]. ''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]'' #1310. Reprinted at PeterDavid.net, 24 June 2013.</ref> He died on 20 July 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Brian |date=21 July 2022 |title=Alan Grant: Tributes flood in for Scottish comic book writer behind Batman and Judge Dredd stories |url=https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/alan-grant-tributes-flood-in-for-scottish-comic-book-writer-behind-batman-and-judge-dredd-stories-3777814 |access-date=28 July 2022 |website=[[The Scotsman]]}}</ref> survived by Sue, Shalla and four grandchildren.<ref>Obituary in ''2000AD'' #2294, 10 August 2022</ref>

==Bibliography==
{{main|List of works by Alan Grant}}

==See also==
* [[:Category:Works by Alan Grant (writer)]]
* [[List of comic creators]]
* [[List of Comics Journal interview subjects]]
* [[List of Scottish writers]]
* [[List of science fiction authors]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons|Alan Grant}}
*[https://2000ad.com/news/alan-grant-1949-2022/ Obituary] at 2000ad.com
*{{IMDb name|id=0335238|name=Alan Grant}}
*[http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=droid&page=profiles&choice=ALANG Alan Grant] at Barney<!-- 2000 AD online's old database moved to its own site -->
*{{gcdb|type=credit|search=Alan+Grant|title=Alan Grant}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=765|title=Alan Grant}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box|title=''[[Detective Comics]]'' writer|before=[[Mike W. Barr]]|after=[[John Ostrander]]|years=1988–1990<br>(with [[John Wagner]] in 1988)}}
{{succession box|title=''[[L.E.G.I.O.N.]]'' writer|before=n/a|after=Barry Kitson|years=1989–1992<br>(with [[Keith Giffen]] in 1989–1990)<br>(with [[Barry Kitson]] in 1990–1992)}}
{{succession box|title=''[[Etrigan the Demon|The Demon]]'' writer|before=[[Matt Wagner]]|after=[[Garth Ennis]]|years=1990–1993}}
{{succession box|title=''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' writer|before=[[Peter Milligan]]|after=[[Doug Moench]]|years=1990–1992}}
{{s-end}}

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{{Alan Grant|state=expanded}}
{{Inkpot Award 1990s}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Comics|Scotland|Speculative fiction}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grant, Alan}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Inkpot Award winners]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics writers]]
[[Category:Scottish comics writers]]
[[Category:Scottish anarchists]]
[[Category:Writers from Bristol]]