1. Early life
Luke Pearson's early life was marked by a creative upbringing that influenced his later artistic career.
1.1. Birth and upbringing
Luke Pearson was born on 12 October 1987, in Stockton-on-Tees, a town in the North East of England. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Tamworth, Staffordshire. His family environment fostered a blend of professional and creative pursuits. His father worked in IT and also dedicated his spare time to playing and recording music. His mother, a solicitor's secretary, pursued painting as a hobby.
2. Career
Luke Pearson's career as an artist began with early illustration projects and quickly evolved into major creative endeavors, most notably the "Hilda" series, and significant contributions to animated media.
2.1. Early activities
Pearson's professional journey began with his first published comic in 2008. This work was featured as part of the anthology Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption, which was edited by Paul Gravett. Prior to this, his first published drawing appeared in Bizarre magazine. This early drawing depicted "a little kid holding a knife with his mouth all stitched up," showcasing his distinctive artistic style from the outset.
2.2. Major works: Hilda series
The "Hilda" graphic novel series is Luke Pearson's most celebrated work, known for its unique blend of adventure, folklore, and emotional depth. The first book in the series, titled Hildafolk, was published in 2010 by Nobrow Press. The series chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Hilda in a world richly inspired by Scandinavian folklore. The success of the graphic novels led to the development of an animated television series, Hilda, which premiered on Netflix in 2018.
2.2.1. Bibliography
The following table lists Luke Pearson's published graphic novels and comics, primarily focusing on the "Hilda" series and other notable works.
| Year | Title | Writer and illustrator | Publisher | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Hildafolk (re-released as Hilda and the Troll in 2013 by Flying Eye Books) | Luke Pearson | Nobrow Press | 978-1907704048 |
| 2011 | Hilda and the Midnight Giant | 978-1907704253 | ||
| 2011 | Everything We Miss | 978-1907704178 | ||
| 2012 | Hilda and the Bird Parade | 978-1909263062 | ||
| 2013 | Hilda and the Troll (re-release of Hildafolk) | Flying Eye Books (London) | 978-1909263147 | |
| 2014 | Hilda and the Black Hound | Nobrow Press | 978-1909263185 | |
| 2016 | Hilda and the Stone Forest | 978-1909263741 | ||
| 2019 | Hilda and the Mountain King | Flying Eye Books (London) | 978-1911171171 | |
| 2019 | Hilda and the Hidden People | Luke Pearson, Stephen Davies, Seaerra Miller | 978-1912497881 | |
| 2019 | Hilda and the Great Parade | 978-1912497294 | ||
| 2019 | Hilda and the Nowhere Space | 978-1912497430 | ||
| 2020 | Hilda and the Time Worm | Luke Pearson, Stephen Davies, Victoria Evans | 978-1912497102 | |
| 2020 | Hilda and the Ghost Ship | Luke Pearson, Stephen Davies, Sapo Lendário | 978-1838740283 | |
| 2020 | Hilda and the White Woff | 978-1838740290 |
2.3. Animation work
Luke Pearson has made significant contributions to the animation industry, both through his work on established series and by developing his own acclaimed creation.
He served as a storyboard artist for the popular Cartoon Network series Adventure Time during its fifth and seventh seasons, from 2013 to 2015. His involvement in this critically acclaimed show further honed his skills in visual storytelling for animation.
Pearson is also the creator and developer of the Hilda animated series, which premiered on Netflix in 2018 and continued until 2023. This series is based on his own graphic novels. In 2021, a feature-length animated film, Hilda and the Mountain King, was released, for which Pearson served as a co-executive producer.
3. Awards and nominations
Luke Pearson has received several significant awards and nominations recognizing his contributions to the fields of comics and animation.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | British Comic Awards | Young People's Comic Award | Hilda and the Midnight Giant | |
| 2014 | Eisner Awards | Best Writer/Artist | Hilda and the Bird Parade | |
| 2019 | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Children's Animated Series | Hilda | |
| BAFTA Children's Awards | Children's Animation |
4. Influence
Luke Pearson's work, particularly the "Hilda" series, has had a notable impact on children's literature and the animation industry. The graphic novels are celebrated for their unique artistic style, imaginative storytelling, and the portrayal of a curious and independent young female protagonist. The series has garnered critical acclaim for its ability to appeal to both children and adults, blending elements of adventure, mystery, and themes of environmentalism and acceptance. Its successful adaptation into a Netflix animated series further amplified its reach, introducing the world of Hilda to a global audience and solidifying its place as a significant contribution to contemporary children's media. The series' popularity has inspired new approaches to storytelling and character design in children's animation.
5. External links
- [https://lukepearson.com/ Official website]
- [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6268918/ Luke Pearson at IMDb]