Dann Thomas (born Danette Maxx Couto,
She married Roy Thomas in May 1981
Biography
Dann Thomas' earliest
comic book credit appears on "The Sea of No Return" (credited as "Adapted from a story by Danette Couto") in
Savage Sword of Conan #66 (July 1981).
[ Savage Sword of Conan #66 (July 1981) at the Grand Comics Database] Her husband credits her with the original idea for
Arak, Son of Thunder, noting, "Danette Couto (soon to be Dann Thomas) had this idea: What if a Native American had discovered Europe?"
He also credits her with initiating the concept behind their series
Captain Thunder and Blue Bolt (published by Hero Comics in 1987-88 and 1992) and writing most of the dialogue.
[ Event occurs at 18:28-21:53.] She began co-writing the
Arak title with issue #12 (Aug. 1982) and would work with Thomas on most of his projects afterwards. Roy Thomas explained in 2011 that "Dann and I co-wrote
Infinity Inc. from the beginning, coplotting it, with Dann usually, if not always, doing the first draft on the script, which I then rewrote. Not that she was openly credited as co-writer right away; I had to take it slow in that area."
Dann Thomas co-wrote
Wonder Woman #300 (Feb. 1983)
and, as Roy Thomas noted in 1999 "became the first woman ever to receive scripting credit on the world's foremost
superhero."
A rare example of Dann Thomas' solo writing appeared in the
Wally Wood's T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents series published by
Deluxe Comics.
Roy Thomas' contractual obligations to DC Comics prevented him from working on the series but Dann Thomas was able to work on it.
Dann Thomas' last new comic book writing appeared in Xenozoic Tales #9 (Nov. 1994), published by Topps Comics.
In 2003, she obtained her Masters of Arts degree from California State University. Her thesis was entitled "Comic Books 1938-1945: A Study of the Evolution of Attitudes Towards the Enemy Nations and Their Populations In American Comic Books During World War II." In it, she credits her "husband, Roy Thomas, for his encouragement and support, and for the use of his library of comics-related materials."
Tributes
The super-heroine Firebrand of the All-Star Squadron takes her civilian name, Danette Reilly, from Dann Thomas.
Dann Thomas co-wrote later issues of
All-Star Squadron. Another character based upon Dann Thomas is a woman named Danette who appeared in the story "What If Conan the Barbarian Walked the Earth Today?" published in
What If? #13 (Feb. 1979).
Bibliography
Blue Comet Press
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Crime Smasher Special Edition #1 (1987)
Dark Horse Comics
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Cormac Mac Art #1–4 (1990)
DC Comics
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Action Comics Weekly #623–626 (Shazam backup feature) (1988)
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All-Star Squadron #46, 51–55, 58–59, Annual #3 (1984–1986)
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America vs. the Justice Society #1–4 (1985)
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Arak, Son of Thunder #12–50, Annual #1 (1982–1985)
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Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! #16 (1983)
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Crimson Avenger #1–4 (1988)
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Infinity, Inc. #1–53, Annual #1–2, Special #1 (1984–1988)
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Jonni Thunder a.k.a. Thunderbolt #1–4 (1985)
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Last Days of the Justice Society Special #1 (1986)
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Teen Titans vol. 2 #38 (1987)
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Secret Origins #5 (Crimson Avenger), #26 (Miss America) (1986–1988)
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#1–4 (1987)
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Wonder Woman #300 (1983)
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Young All-Stars #1–31, Annual #1 (1987–1989)
Deluxe Comics
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Wally Wood's T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1–2, 4 (1984–1986)
First Comics
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Alter Ego #1–4 (not to be confused with the magazine of the same name) (1986)
Hero Comics
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Captain Thunder and Blue Bolt #1–10 (1987–1988)
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Captain Thunder and Blue Bolt vol. 2 #1–2 (1992)
Marvel Comics
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The Avengers Annual #19–20 (1990–1991)
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Solo Avengers #37–39 (1990)
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Avengers West Coast #60–63, 65–94, 96, Annual #5–7 (1990–1993)
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Black Knight #1–4 (1990)
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Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #5–24, 26–40 (1989–1992)
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#1 (1991)
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Impossible Man Special #1 (1990)
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Iron Man Annual #11–12 (1990–1991)
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Marvel Super-Heroes vol. 2 #6–7 (1991)
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Nightmask #6–7, 10–12 (1987)
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Namor #1–12 (1988–1989)
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Savage Sword of Conan #66 (credited as "Danette Couto"), #190–195, 207–210, 225 (1981–1994)
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Julia Carpenter #1–3 (1993–1994)
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Thor Annual #15 (1990)
Star*Reach
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Within Our Reach #1 (1991)
Topps Comics
Screenwriting
External links
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Dann Thomas at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
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Dann Thomas at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
