American Book Awards
1 appearances
-
Edition 18 (1997) Winner
Tom De Haven
トム・デヘイヴン
Tom De Haven
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1949-01-01 （Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.）
- Nationality
- American
- Languages
- English
- Religion
- Catholic
- Residence History
- Bayonne, New Jersey (birthplace) → Richmond, Virginia (residence/work)
Career
- Occupations
- author, editor, journalist, writing teacher, professor, private investigator
- Active Years
- 1970-
- Affiliations
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Hofstra University (former part-time instructor), Rutgers University (former instructor)
- Influenced By
- Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Art Spiegelman, Robert Crumb
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University | — | Sociology | BA | 1967–1971 | United States |
| Bowling Green State University | — | Creative Writing (MFA) | MFA | 1971–1973 | United States |
Rutgers University
Sociology
Degree:
BA
Period:
1967–1971
Year of Graduation:
1971
Country:
United States
Bowling Green State University
Creative Writing (MFA)
Degree:
MFA
Period:
1971–1973
Year of Graduation:
1973
Country:
United States
Master of Fine Arts
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts | — | — | New Jersey State Council on the Arts | 受賞 |
| — | National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship | — | — | National Endowment for the Arts | 受賞（2回） |
| 1997 | American Book Award | Derby Dugan's Depression Funnies | — | Before Columbus Foundation / American Book Awards | 受賞 |
| — | Library of Virginia Fiction Award | Dugan Under Ground | — | Library of Virginia | 受賞 |
Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts
Organization:
New Jersey State Council on the Arts
Result:
受賞
National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship
Organization:
National Endowment for the Arts
Result:
受賞（2回）
American Book Award
1997
Work:
Derby Dugan's Depression Funnies
Organization:
Before Columbus Foundation / American Book Awards
Result:
受賞
Library of Virginia Fiction Award
Work:
Dugan Under Ground
Organization:
Library of Virginia
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Freaks' Amour
1979 Adult fiction 276 pagesEarly novel by De Haven; detailed plot not provided in source, one of his first major works.
human dramanostalgia
Jersey Luck: A Novel
1980 Fiction 193 pagesA novel set in New Jersey, noted for regional detail and character work.
regionalisminterpersonal relationships
Funny Papers
1985 Historical fiction / Comics-themed novel 368 pagesFirst book of the Funny Papers trilogy, tracing the early era of newspaper comic strips and the changing American society through the lens of comics.
history of comicsAmerican social historynostalgia
Derby Dugan's Depression Funnies
1996 Historical fiction / Comics-themed novelMiddle volume of the Funny Papers trilogy set during the Great Depression, following the protagonist and developments in comic culture. Won an American Book Award in 1997.
Great Depressioncomics industrysocial justice
Dugan Under Ground
2001 Historical fiction / Comics-themed novel 304 pagesConclusion of the trilogy, following the protagonist's journey and the evolution of comic culture. Recipient of the Library of Virginia Fiction Award.
history of comicscultural historypersonal growth
Pixie Meat
1990 Fiction (illustrated) 12 pagesA short illustrated work with art by Charles Burns and Gary Panter.
experimental workgraphic expression
It's Superman!
2005 Historical fiction / Superhero novel 384 pagesA period novel reimagining the early years of Superman during the Great Depression, emphasizing social conscience and grassroots heroism. Commissioned by DC Comics.
Great Depressionsense of justicesocial reform
Sunburn Lake
1990 Short fiction collection / Contemporary fiction 304 pagesA collection of short stories set in contemporary America.
urban lifehuman observation
Bibliography
- Freaks' Amour (1979)
- Jersey Luck: A Novel (1980)
- Funny Papers (1985)
- Derby Dugan's Depression Funnies (1996)
- Dugan Under Ground (2001)
- Joe Gosh (1988)
- Pixie Meat (1990)
- Walker of Worlds (1991)
- End-Of-Everything Man (1992)
- The Last Human (1992)
- Sunburn Lake (1990)
- It's Superman! (2005)
- Our Hero: Superman on Earth (2011) (nonfiction)
Adaptations
- Neuromancer: the Graphic Novel (adaptation, co-created)
- Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers (television episodes)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- narrative-driven proseinfluenced by comics' storytelling techniquesrealistic style that integrates historical settings
- Recurring Motifs
- the comics industry and its historynostalgia for the 1930s–1950sthe Hollywood studio systemsocial conscience and justice
Legacy
Tom De Haven is known for his comics-themed novels, notably the Funny Papers trilogy and It's Superman!, and has influence in creative-writing education. He co-created the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award.
Quotes
-
"The First Great Disappointment of My Life" — that I would never be a professional cartoonist.
Source: Interview (ThunderChild / Blackbird) (2005)
Trivia
- Was a classmate of George R. R. Martin at Catholic school but was not friends with him.
- Holds a private investigator license (citation needed).
- Co-creator of the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award.
- Has said that becoming a professional cartoonist was his early ambition.
- Identifies as a Democrat and has been criticized for anti-Republican statements.