Steffen Kverneland (born 14 January 1963) is a Norwegian illustrator and comics writer, known for his adaptations of classical literature into comic format. Born in Haugesund, Kverneland relocated to Oslo in 1987. His work is distinguished by a mix of humor and deep respect for source material, and he has received critical acclaim for his graphic biographies and "amputated classics" series.
Early Life and Career
Kverneland began publishing comics at an early age. His first comic strip, Peer Grynt, was featured in the magazine Konk in 1980 when he was just 16 years old. In 1982, his strip Den moderne Odysseen, featuring the character "Karsten Zarathustra," was published in the magazine Brage under the pseudonym "S. Susej." Between 1989 and 1991, Kverneland contributed various comic strips to Norsk MAD, including Rotta Rolf, Ynglinge Saga, and Trikkekonduktøren. He also contributed illustrations and comics to publications such as Dagbladet, Dag og Tid, Vagant, and Inside Data.
Key Works
Adaptations of Classical Literature
Kverneland is best known for adapting classical literary works into comic strips and albums. His debut album, De knyttede never (1993), is based on Øvre Richter Frich's 1911 action novel about the character Jonas Fjeld, an athletic physician and adventurer. The work was serialized in the magazine TEGN beginning in 1991 and received the Sproing Award for Best Norwegian Comic in 1993. During the creation of the album, Kverneland conducted extensive historical research to accurately depict the settings, costumes, and architecture of the period.
He also developed the "amputated classics" series (Amputerte klassikere), a humorous take on classical literature. The series includes:
- Amputerte klassikere (1994)
- Amputerte klassikere II (1996)
- Amputerte klassikere III (1999)
- Amputerte klassikere IV (2001)
In 2001, he published Garborg & co, further showcasing his ability to reinterpret literary works in comic form.
Collaborations
Kverneland collaborated with artist Lars Fiske on the biography Olaf G. (2004), about Norwegian cartoonist Olaf Gulbransson. The work won multiple awards, including the Sproing Award for Best Norwegian Comic of 2004, and was translated into German and Swedish, with the latter earning the Swedish comics award Urhunden in 2008.
Their subsequent collaboration, the Kanon series (2006 onwards), focused on comics biographies of painters such as Kurt Schwitters and Edvard Munch. The third volume, Kanon 3, received the Sproing Award in 2009.
Munch
In 2013, Kverneland published Munch, a biographical comic book about the life of the painter Edvard Munch. The book, based on material from the Kanon series, earned him the prestigious Brage Prize for Non-Fiction. Supported by NORLA (Norwegian Literature Abroad), Munch has been translated into several languages, including French, Dutch, German, Polish, Danish, and Korean.
Awards and Recognition
Kverneland has received numerous accolades for his contributions to comics and literature, including:
- Sproing Award for De knyttede never (1993)
- Sproing Award for Olaf G. (2004)
- Urhunden Award for Olaf G. (2008, Swedish translation)
- Sproing Award for Kanon 3 (2009)
- Brage Prize for Non-Fiction for Munch (2013)
Legacy and Impact
Steffen Kverneland has been celebrated for his ability to merge visual storytelling with literary depth, bringing classical works to new audiences. His meticulous research and innovative adaptations have solidified his reputation as one of Norway's leading comic artists and illustrators.