Dan Slott
Dan Slott is an American comic book writer best known for his long-running and influential work on Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, where he penned the series from 2008 to 2018, marking the longest continuous run by a single writer in the title's history.[1] Born on July 3, 1967, in Berkeley, California, Slott began his career in the comics industry as an intern at Marvel in the early 1990s before breaking into writing with short humor pieces in Marvel Comics Presents in 1998.[2] Slott's notable contributions to Marvel include launching She-Hulk in 2004, a series that blended legal drama with superhero action and earned critical praise for its innovative storytelling.[3] He revitalized Silver Surfer in 2014, co-writing with artist Michael Allred, culminating in Silver Surfer #11, which won the 2016 Eisner Award for Best Single Issue.[4] His tenure on The Amazing Spider-Man introduced major arcs like "Superior Spider-Man," where Doctor Octopus swaps bodies with Peter Parker, and expanded the Spider-Verse concept, influencing subsequent media including the animated films Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse, on which Slott served as a production consultant.[5] Slott also wrote Fantastic Four from 2018 to 2022, refreshing the team's dynamics and lore in events like "The Reckoning War."[6] Beyond Marvel, Slott has contributed to DC Comics with the 2003 miniseries Arkham Asylum: Living Hell, a horror-tinged tale exploring the infamous Batman villains' prison.[2] More recently, he has scripted Doctor Who comics for Titan Comics, including stories featuring the Tenth Doctor, and in 2025, launched the ongoing series Superman Unlimited for DC Comics.[7][8] Throughout his career, Slott has been recognized as a New York Times bestselling author for his comic collections.[9]Early life
Birth and upbringing
Dan Slott was born on July 3, 1967, in Berkeley, California.[10] He spent his formative years in Stockton, California, during the early 1970s, where the local environment inadvertently tied into his later comic influences, such as the retconned Fantastic Four launch site.[11] Slott's initial exposure to superhero storytelling came through the 1967 Ralph Bakshi animated Spider-Man series, which he watched religiously after school, sparking his fascination with the character.[11] Around age 8 or 9, in 1974 or 1975, he discovered printed comics via his cousin's collection, which included war and horror titles like Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos as well as Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four issues #48, #49, and #50—the first superhero comics he ever read.[11] Unaware of how to obtain new issues, Slott viewed these borrowed comics as mysterious treasures, fueling his early hobbies of reading and imagining stories without formal access to stores or subscriptions.[11]Education and entry into comics
Slott attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, graduating in 1989.[12] In the early 1990s, as he completed college, he began his entry into the comics industry through an unpaid internship at Marvel Comics, which he took primarily to network with professionals and learn the operational aspects of comic book publishing.[2][13] During this internship, Slott worked in the office of editor Fabian Nicieza, gaining hands-on exposure to editorial processes and industry dynamics that informed his future career path.[2][13] His time at Occidental coincided with a formative period in comics.[13]Career
Early writing (1990s–early 2000s)
Dan Slott's first professional comic book writing credit was the story "Survival of the Hippest" in Mighty Mouse #10, published by Marvel Comics in July 1991.[14] This humorous tale, illustrated by Mike Kazaleh and Marie Severin, served as the series' final issue and represented Slott's entry into the industry after interning at Marvel.[15] Slott quickly followed with work on Marvel's licensed titles aimed at younger audiences, becoming the primary writer for The Ren & Stimpy Show comic starting with its debut issue in December 1992. He scripted the majority of the series' 44 issues, including a crossover featuring Spider-Man in issue #6 (1993), which marked his earliest contribution to that character's mythos.[16] These assignments honed his skills in blending humor with established cartoon properties. In the mid-1990s, Slott expanded into DC Comics' children's lines, contributing lighthearted stories to Looney Tunes—such as issue #25 in October 1996—and Scooby-Doo, including issue #5 in December 1997. He also took on freelance gigs for smaller publishers, co-creating and writing the Megastar backup feature in Acclaim Comics' Acclaim Adventure Zone #1–3 (1998).[17] Slott's early 2000s freelance work included contributions to Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, notably Sonic Super Special #8 (1998), where he introduced Zonic the Zone Cop as part of the "Zone Wars" storyline.[18] By 2005, he had scripted Tomb Raider #50 for Image Comics' Top Cow imprint, a milestone issue illustrated by Francis Manapul that wrapped up key arcs in the licensed series.[19] These diverse projects across publishers allowed Slott to develop his voice in adventure, humor, and action genres while building industry connections.DC Comics work
Slott's first major DC Comics project was the 2003 six-issue miniseries Arkham Asylum: Living Hell, which he wrote with art by Ryan Sook.[20] The story centers on Warren White, a white-collar criminal who pleads insanity to avoid prison, only to be committed to Gotham's chaotic Arkham Asylum, where he faces psychological torment from inmates like the Joker, Poison Ivy, and Killer Croc, ultimately transforming into the villain Great White Shark.[20] The narrative explores the asylum's staff and patients during a riot, blending dark humor with horror elements in a style compared to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest meets Oz.[20] Critics praised its unconventional perspective on Batman's world and Sook's atmospheric artwork, calling it a modern classic, though some noted inconsistencies in handling major villains and a supernatural twist involving Etrigan the Demon in the finale.[21][20] Following Living Hell, Slott contributed stories to The Batman Adventures (vol. 2, 2003–2004), an anthology series set in the Batman: The Animated Series universe, often co-writing with Ty Templeton and artists like Terry Beatty.[22] His tales included issue #1, depicting a break-in at Arkham targeting villains like the Joker and Poison Ivy; "Shot to the Heart," "Liar Liar," and "Playing with Matches" in issues #5–9, focusing on Batman's encounters with Gotham's rogues; issue #6, exploring detective Harvey Bullock; and issue #12, involving the wounding of the Riddler amid political intrigue with the Penguin.[23][22][24][25] These lighthearted yet action-packed stories emphasized Batman's detective skills and humor, earning acclaim for capturing the animated series' tone.[26] After two decades under an exclusive Marvel contract, Slott returned to DC in 2025 following the deal's expiration in January.[27] His comeback features the ongoing series Superman Unlimited, announced on January 16, 2025, as part of DC's "Summer of Superman" initiative alongside titles like Action Comics and Superman.[28][29] Slott writes the series with art by Rafael Albuquerque and colors by Marcelo Maiolo, launching with a 10-page prelude in DC All In 2025 FCBD Special Edition #1 on May 3, followed by issue #1 on May 21.[30] The plot introduces a "Kingdom of Kryptonite" era, where Superman must confront a world-altering threat of kryptonite proliferation that endangers Earth, forcing him to risk everything to protect his adopted home.[31] Early issues have highlighted Slott's focus on Superman's heroism amid escalating global peril, integrating into DC's broader All-In relaunch.[32] No additional one-shots or contributions from Slott at DC were reported through November 2025.[33]Marvel Comics (2000s)
In 2004, Dan Slott wrote the launch of She-Hulk volume 2 (#1-12), reimagining Jennifer Walters as a brash attorney navigating the legal intricacies of the superhero world, blending courtroom drama with comedic elements centered on her gamma-powered alter ego.[34] The series incorporated innovative fourth-wall breaks, allowing She-Hulk to directly address readers and comment on comic book tropes, while emphasizing legal humor through cases involving Marvel characters like Titania and the Absorbing Man.[35] Slott's approach revitalized the character by portraying Marvel Comics themselves as in-universe legal documents, enabling meta-narratives where She-Hulk sues over her own storylines. Slott continued his run on She-Hulk (2005 series) (#1-21, November 2005–May 2007), expanding the legal satire as Walters joins Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway, a firm specializing in superhuman law, where she defends clients like the Dummy and navigates ethical dilemmas tied to events such as Civil War. These issues deepened the fourth-wall experimentation, with She-Hulk interacting with her own comic panels and critiquing industry practices, while tying into broader Marvel Universe crossovers like World War Hulk.[35] The run established Slott's signature style of humorous, self-aware storytelling within ensemble superhero dynamics. In 2008, Slott began writing The Amazing Spider-Man with the "Brand New Day" relaunch starting in issue #546. His early arcs included the "New Ways to Die" storyline (#568-573), co-written with Mark Waid and illustrated by John Romita Jr., which pitted Spider-Man against Norman Osborn's Thunderbolts and introduced the villain Mister Negative. This storyline explored themes of heroism in a post-Civil War landscape, with Spider-Man framed as a fugitive, and featured dynamic action sequences highlighting Romita Jr.'s detailed artwork.[36] Slott's initial arcs built on the "Brand New Day" initiative, focusing on Peter Parker's personal struggles and street-level threats, setting the stage for his long-term stewardship of the title. Beyond these flagship series, Slott contributed to other 2000s Marvel projects, including the eight-issue The Thing (2005), where he wrote Ben Grimm's misadventures as a celebrity wrestler post-Fantastic Four, blending humor with ties to the larger universe. He also penned minor event tie-ins and contributions to Avengers Disassembled aftermath stories, reinforcing his reputation for witty, interconnected narratives. In 2018, Slott also launched a new volume of Fantastic Four (#1–46, August 2018–August 2022), revitalizing Marvel's First Family with fresh dynamics and cosmic adventures.[6]Marvel Comics (2010s)
In the 2010s, Dan Slott continued his tenure on The Amazing Spider-Man, expanding the series from issue #546 in 2008 through to #801 in 2018, marking one of the longest continuous runs on the title in its history. During this period, Slott introduced major events such as "Spider-Island," where a virus granted spider-like powers to the residents of Manhattan, forcing Peter Parker to confront widespread chaos and his own vulnerabilities while collaborating with allies like the Avengers. This storyline, spanning issues #666–673, emphasized themes of heroism amid vulnerability and set the stage for escalating personal stakes in Parker's life. Building on these developments, Slott's narrative arc led to the pivotal "Dying Wish" in The Amazing Spider-Man #700 (2013), where Doctor Octopus orchestrated a body swap with Peter, assuming the role of Spider-Man and altering the character's core identity in a shocking twist that redefined the series' direction.[1] Slott then helmed the spin-off series Superior Spider-Man from 2013 to 2014, comprising 33 issues that explored Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius) operating as Spider-Man in Peter Parker's body, attempting to prove his superiority through ruthless efficiency and technological upgrades. Key plot elements included Otto's execution of villains like Massacre, the creation of an army of spider-drones, and his romantic entanglement with Anna Maria Marconi, all while Peter's lingering consciousness challenged Otto's control, culminating in Peter's triumphant return to reclaim his identity. The series featured bold twists, such as Otto's initial erasure of Peter's essence and his eventual selfless decision to relinquish the body to save a loved one from the Goblin King, blending redemption arcs with high-stakes action. Fan reception was polarized yet ultimately positive, with many praising Slott's innovative take on villainy and heroism—evidenced by strong sales and critical acclaim for revitalizing the Spider-Man mythos—though some criticized the prolonged absence of Peter Parker as a departure from tradition.[37] Shifting to cosmic adventures, Slott wrote Silver Surfer from 2014 to 2017, spanning two volumes (2014–2015 and 2016–2017) for a total of 29 issues, in collaboration with artist Mike Allred, whose Kirby-inspired visuals captured the character's ethereal wanderings across the universe. The series centered on the Surfer (Norrin Radd) partnering with human veterinarian Dawn Greenwood for interstellar journeys, confronting philosophical dilemmas like atonement for his past as Galactus's herald—particularly in arcs revisiting the billions of lives affected by his actions—and the nature of existence in a vast cosmos. Themes of isolation, redemption, and unlikely human connections were woven through whimsical yet profound tales, such as time-travel explorations and encounters with alternate realities, earning acclaim for its blend of epic scope and intimate character moments. Allred's distinctive, retro-futuristic art enhanced the philosophical undertones, making the book a standout in Marvel's cosmic lineup.[38][39] Toward the decade's end, Slott transitioned to Tony Stark: Iron Man in 2018–2019, running for 19 issues with artist Valerio Schiti, delving into arcs that interrogated Stark's technological obsessions and fractured sense of self. The narrative focused on Stark's innovations, including AI integrations with characters like Jocasta and Machine Man, and an "AI uprising" storyline that forced Tony to question whether his enhancements had eroded his humanity, culminating in existential crises over control and identity. These tech-centric plots highlighted Stark's evolution as a "self-made hero," exploring how his armors and intellects blurred the line between man and machine, while tying into broader Marvel events. The series emphasized conceptual depth over spectacle, positioning Iron Man as an ever-evolving symbol of ingenuity amid personal turmoil.[40]Marvel Comics (2020s and beyond)
In 2022, Slott returned to writing Spider-Man stories for Marvel, launching the five-issue Spider-Man limited series in October, which followed the "Dark Web" crossover and explored multiversal threats involving Morlun and the Inheritors. This marked his re-engagement with the character after focusing on other titles, building on his earlier innovations like the Spider-Verse concept from the 2010s. He also contributed to Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 6, including the landmark #900 issue—a 96-page anniversary special co-written with Zeb Wells and others, featuring multiple creators reflecting on Spider-Man's legacy—and later guest arcs such as tie-ins to broader events.[41] Slott's tenure on Fantastic Four, which began in 2018, continued into the 2020s with an emphasis on deepening the team's familial bonds amid escalating cosmic perils. Key developments included the 2020 "Empyre" event, where the Fantastic Four allied with the Kree and Skrulls against an interstellar invasion, highlighting Reed Richards' strategic leadership and the group's emotional resilience as a surrogate family. Subsequent arcs explored personal milestones, such as Ben Grimm's marriage to Alicia Masters and the adoption of orphaned children Jo and Nicki, which reinforced themes of found family while confronting threats like the return of Doctor Doom and Galactus' hunger-driven incursions into Earth's dimension. The 2022 "Reckoning War" storyline further amplified these elements, pitting the team against a multiversal council of alternate Reeds in a battle that tested their unity and Reed's hubris. In 2023, Slott co-created and launched the ongoing Spider-Boy series, introducing Bailey Briggs—a young, amnesiac hero with spider-like powers and a fragmented past tied to the FEAST Center and symbiote experiments—as a fresh, youthful take on the Spider-Man archetype.[42] The series, illustrated by Paco Medina, focuses on Bailey's coming-of-age struggles, blending humor, horror elements, and identity exploration as he navigates his dual nature and battles villains like the Cult of Syn. It ran for 20 issues, emphasizing Slott's penchant for inventive, character-driven narratives for younger audiences.[43] Slott's 2020s contributions extended to crossover events, including a story in Venomverse Reborn #4 (2024), where he teamed with artist Stephen Byrne to pair Nighthawk with a Venom symbiote in a multiversal tale of unlikely alliances against symbiote overlords.[44] In 2025, he participated in the anthology Fantastic Four Fanfare, writing issue #3 with Marcos Martin, which delved into Ben Grimm's early life and his escape from Yancy Street's hardships, providing backstory that enriched the team's foundational dynamics.[45][46] January 2025 marked the end of Slott's nearly 20-year exclusive contract with Marvel, allowing him to pursue projects at other publishers, including a new Superman Unlimited ongoing series for DC debuting in May.[27] This shift concluded his dominant presence in Marvel's superhero lineup, potentially redirecting his focus toward fresh interpretations of iconic characters outside the House of Ideas, while leaving open possibilities for non-exclusive return engagements.[33]Awards and recognition
Eisner Awards
Dan Slott earned acclaim from the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards for his creative work on Marvel's Silver Surfer series. In 2016, Silver Surfer #11, titled "Never After" and illustrated by Michael Allred, won the Eisner Award for Best Single Issue/One-Shot, recognizing its self-contained narrative that ingeniously twisted classic fairy tales into a poignant exploration of the Silver Surfer's existential isolation and heroism.[4] The issue's innovative structure blended whimsical folklore with cosmic stakes, earning praise for Slott's ability to deliver emotional depth in a standalone format.[47] The broader Silver Surfer series by Slott and Allred also received nominations that year, including for Best Continuing Series, underscoring the run's consistent storytelling excellence and character-driven adventures.[48] These honors highlighted Slott's skill in revitalizing legacy characters through fresh, inventive plots that balanced humor, tragedy, and spectacle. The 28th Annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards ceremony, held on July 22, 2016, at San Diego Comic-Con International, celebrated these achievements amid industry peers, affirming Slott's impact on modern superhero comics.[49]Other industry awards
In addition to his Eisner Awards, Dan Slott has received recognition from other comic industry bodies for his commercial impact and contributions. The Diamond Gem Awards, voted on by comic retailers and based on sales performance, honored issues from Slott's Spider-Man runs as top performers. In 2012, Amazing Spider-Man #700, written by Slott with art by Humberto Ramos, won the Top Dollar Comic of the Year award, reflecting its status as the highest-selling single issue that year.[50] The following year, Superior Spider-Man #1, also by Slott and Ramos, earned the 2013 Comic Book of the Year (Over $3.00) accolade, underscoring the launch's strong retailer and fan reception.[51] Slott's work on collected editions of his Marvel series has also achieved mainstream commercial success, appearing on the New York Times bestseller lists for graphic books. For instance, Spider-Man: Spider-Island (collecting Amazing Spider-Man #666–673 and related issues) debuted on the Hardcover Graphic Books list in February 2012.[52] Similarly, Spider-Man: Dying Wish (collecting Amazing Spider-Man #698–700 and Avenging Spider-Man #15–16) reached the list in April 2013, while Spider-Verse (collecting Amazing Spider-Man #9–15) appeared in May 2015.[53][54] These placements highlight the enduring popularity of Slott's long-form Spider-Man narratives among broader audiences. In 2022, Slott was awarded the Inkpot Award by Comic-Con International: San Diego, recognizing his lifetime achievements in comic book writing, including landmark runs on titles like The Amazing Spider-Man, She-Hulk, and Silver Surfer.[55] This honor, presented during his spotlight panel at the convention, celebrates his influence across superhero and genre storytelling.[56]Bibliography
Marvel Comics
Dan Slott's contributions to Marvel Comics span from short stories and one-shots in the early 1990s to ongoing series in the 2020s. His bibliography includes major runs on flagship titles like The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four, as well as limited series and backups. The following table lists his credited writing work chronologically by publication year, focusing on series, issue ranges, and key notes such as co-writers where applicable.| Series | Issues | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Mouse | #10 | 1991 | |
| The New Warriors Annual | #1 | 1991 | Backup story. |
| Ren & Stimpy The First Day of School | #1 | 1992 | Full issue. |
| 2099 Unlimited | #7 | 1995 | "Opening Night or The Play's the Thing" story. |
| She-Hulk (vol. 2) | #1–12 | 2004–2005 | Launch of the series. |
| Thing (vol. 2) | #1–6 | 2005–2006 | Miniseries. |
| Spider-Man/Human Torch: The Series That Would Not End! | #1–5 | 2005 | Co-written with Christos Gage. |
| She-Hulk (vol. 3) | #1–12 | 2005–2007 | Continuation. |
| Irredeemable Ant-Man | #1–12 | 2006–2007 | Full series. |
| Ghost Rider (vol. 5) | #1–19 | 2006–2008 | Initial run. |
| Avengers: The Initiative | #1–21 | 2007–2009 | Launch and main run, co-written with various including Christos Gage. |
| Mighty Avengers | #6–20 | 2007–2009 | Arc contributions. |
| Incredible Hercules | #112–141 | 2008–2010 | Co-written with Greg Pak. |
| The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) | #546–647, #648–698 | 2008–2012 | Brand New Day to ends of vol. 1, co-written with various including Mark Waid and Zeb Wells. |
| Avengers: The Initiative | #20–35 | 2009–2010 | Continued run, co-written with Christos Gage. |
| Age of Heroes | #1–4 | 2010 | "The Keeper of the Key" arc. |
| FF (vol. 1) | #1 | 2011 | One-shot. |
| The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) | Annual #37–38 | 2011–2012 | Annuals. |
| Superior Spider-Man | #1–33 | 2013–2014 | Full series. |
| Spider-Verse | #1–2 | 2014 | Event miniseries. |
| Silver Surfer (vol. 7) | #1–15 | 2014–2016 | Full run, co-written with Michael Allred on some issues. |
| The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 3) | #1–18 | 2014–2015 | Post-Superior run. |
| All-New, All-Different Point One | #1 | 2015 | Spider-Man story. |
| The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 4) | #1–30, #789–801 | 2015–2018 | Hunted and ongoing arcs. |
| Tony Stark: Iron Man | #1–19 | 2018–2019 | Full series. |
| The Amazing Spider-Man (2018) | #1–74 | 2018–2021 | Return run, co-written with Nick Spencer on select issues. |
| Fantastic Four (vol. 6) | #1–46 | 2018–2022 | Co-written with various including Sinan Kutlu and Mark Waid. |
| Iron Man 2020 | #1–12 | 2020 | Miniseries, co-written with Christos Gage and others. |
| Spider-Man (vol. 4) | #1–12 | 2022–2023 | Relaunch. |
| Spider-Boy | #1–20 | 2023–2025 | |
| Venomverse Reborn | #1–5 | 2024 | Miniseries. |
| Fantastic Four Fanfare | #1–present | 2025–present | Ongoing anthology. |
DC Comics
Dan Slott's work for DC Comics spans limited series, ongoing titles in animated universes, and recent contributions to the main continuity. His credits include writing duties on several key projects, often collaborating with notable artists. Arkham Asylum: Living Hell (2003 miniseries, 6 issues)Slott wrote all six issues of this horror-themed Batman storyline, illustrated by Ryan Sook. The series explores the chaos within Gotham's infamous asylum during a riot, featuring a cast of villains and the transformation of white-collar criminal Warren White into the Great White Shark.[57] Batman Adventures (2003–2004 series)
Slott served as writer or co-writer on multiple issues of this animated-style Batman title, primarily issues #1–8 and #10–14, often in collaboration with Ty Templeton and artists like Rick Burchett and Terry Beatty. These stories adapted elements from the Batman: The Animated Series universe, focusing on episodic adventures against Batman's rogues.[58][59] Superman Adventures (1996–2001 series)
Slott contributed scripts to select issues, including #40 (2000) and #57 (2001), part of the Superman: The Animated Series tie-in line. These stories featured self-contained tales emphasizing Superman's heroism and supporting cast.[60] Justice League Adventures (2002–2004 series)
Slott wrote several issues in this Justice League animated universe title, including #4, #6, and #13 (2002 series) and #2 (2004 series), with art by Min Sung Ku and others. The plots highlighted team dynamics and villain confrontations in accessible, all-ages formats.[61][62][63] Superman Unlimited (2025–present ongoing series)
Beginning in May 2025, Slott writes this main DC Universe Superman title, launching as part of the "Summer of Superman" initiative. Illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque, the series follows Superman confronting global threats, including Kryptonite-based crises, while exploring his dual life as Clark Kent. As of November 2025, multiple issues have been released.[8][64] One-shots and specials
Slott co-wrote the Summer of Superman Special #1 (April 2025), an oversized one-shot with Joshua Williamson and Mark Waid, illustrated by Jorge Jiménez. This anthology sets up the 2025 Superman relaunch, featuring interconnected stories across the Superman family.[65] Earlier contributions include writing Looney Tunes #20 (1995).[66]
Other publishers
Slott's early career included freelance writing for several independent and licensed publishers, contributing to a variety of action-adventure and humor titles in the 1990s and 2000s.[67] In 1997, Slott wrote stories for Acclaim Comics' Acclaim Adventure Zone anthology series, which adapted video game properties. He contributed to issue #1, including segments featuring Turok in tales like "Extinction," alongside writers Bob Layton and Fabian Nicieza.[68][67] These works appeared in collected editions such as Turok: Extinction and Other Stories, highlighting Slott's involvement in licensed gaming tie-ins during his pre-Marvel freelance phase.[67] Slott also penned scripts for Archie Comics in the late 1990s, focusing on Sega-licensed properties within their adventure line. He wrote the three-issue NiGHTS into Dreams... miniseries (1996–1997), adapting the video game's fantasy elements with artist Patrick Spaziante.[69] Additionally, he contributed the lead story "Sally Moon" to Sonic Super Special #8 (1998), expanding the Sonic the Hedgehog universe with humor-infused action.[70] These Archie assignments showcased Slott's versatility in blending comedy and adventure for younger audiences.[71] For Image Comics, under the Top Cow imprint, Slott wrote Tomb Raider: The Series #50 (March 2005), concluding the ongoing series with artist Francis Manapul. The issue, titled "Alpha Omega," wrapped up Lara Croft's narrative arcs in a high-stakes relic hunt.[19] Slott's sole creator-owned project came with Big Max #1 (Mr. Comics, April 2006), a noir detective tale illustrated by James Fry. This indie one-shot followed a bumbling investigator in a whimsical mystery, marking Slott's brief foray into original non-superhero content outside major publishers.[72][73] Titan ComicsSlott wrote annual Doctor Who one-shots featuring various Doctors and companions: