Kim Thompson

Kim Thompson was a comic book writer, editor, translator, and publisher from the United States. He is best known for being the vice president and co-publisher of Fantagraphics Books in Seattle. Along with co-publisher Gary Groth, he used his position to promote alternative comics in the American market. Thompson also wanted to introduce European cartoonists to American audiences.

Kim Thompson was born in the Danish city of Copenhagen in 1956. He is a federal contractor's son. He grew up in Europe, primarily in West Germany and the Netherlands. Thompson's mother is Danish. So, he grew up learning the language, which later helped him as a comic book translator in Europe. He also speaks French fluently. Thompson’s interest began in comics at a young age. His favorites include Maurice Tillieux, André Franquin, and Jacques Tardi. He often contributed to the letter pages of American superhero comic books as a young man. Captain America, Amazing Spider-Man, Conan the Barbarian, Iron Man Click to look into! >> Read More... , Incredible Hulk, Marvel Spotlight, and Marvel-Two-in-One, to name a few, published his letters. Thompson's debut work was published in 1979 in the comic's fanzine “Omniverse.”

In 1977, Thompson shifted to the United States. He met Groth through a mutual friend in the US. In the same year, he joined the Fantagraphics workforce and soon became a co-owner with Groth. He saved Fantagraphics from bankruptcy in 1978 by investing his fortune in the company's finances. Since 1977, Thompson has worked as a regular writer in “The Comics Journal (published by Fantagraphics).” Thompson contributed to the Fantagraphics magazine “Amazing Heroes,” published from 1981 to 1987. Since Fantagraphics' debut in 1982, he has also edited several of the company's key volumes. His significant works include “Peter Bagge's Hate, Joe Sacco's Palestine, Chris Ware's Acme Novelty Library, Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo, anthologies like Critters and Zero Zero, and Linda Medley's Castle Waiting.”

Thompson's last notable work for Fantagraphics was an extended edition of Guy Peellaert's famous graphic novel "The Adventures of Jodelle (1966)." He also supplied a new French translation of the book. In 2001, Thompson won an “Inkpot Award.” He received an attention nomination for Best Editor at the “Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards” in 1996. He earned rewards for “The Acme Novelty Library, Zero Zero, and Palestine. Thompson stated on 6th March 2013 that he has lung cancer. He applied for a leave from Fantagraphics to seek treatment. He died at the age of 56 on 19^th June 2013 at his residence. Lynn Emmert, his wife, and other members of his family were devastated by the news.

Kim also received the inaugural “Tom Spurgeon Award” at the “Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC)” seventh festival in early October 2021. Mollie Slott, vice president and director of the Chicago Tribune-New York Daily News syndicate, and Orrin Evans, founder and, publisher of All-Negro Comics, were the recipients. “The Tom Spurgeon Award” honored the contributions of non-cartoonists – both living and dead – to the more significant media.