Gerry Thompson

Kelly Thompson is an American author recognized for her contributions to both novels and comic books. She has built a notable career in the comic industry, working with major publishers like Marvel Comics and DC Comics. Thompson is particularly celebrated for her reimagining of "Jem and the Holograms" for IDW Publishing and for her work on Marvel's "Hawkeye" and "Captain Marvel" series. Her writing has earned her multiple Eisner Awards, including accolades for "Black Widow" and "It's Jeff!".

Beyond her comic book achievements, Thompson is also the author of the novel "The Girl Who Would Be King," which was successfully crowdfunded and later optioned for a film adaptation. She began her career in comics by writing for the website CBR, focusing on reviews and a column about women in comics. Her extensive bibliography includes a variety of comic series and miniseries across different publishers, showcasing her versatility and prolific output in the medium. Thompson has also engaged in activism, contributing to projects aimed at combating gun violence.

Kelly Thompson has expressed a lifelong inclination towards writing, stating she has been engaged with it in some capacity for as long as she can recall. She pursued her formal education in Sequential Art at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Thompson's professional journey into the comics industry began at the website CBR, where she worked as a staff writer from 2009 to 2015. During this period, she contributed reviews and penned "She Has No Head!," a column dedicated to highlighting women within the comic book field. This foundational experience provided her with a platform and insight into the industry before she transitioned to writing for major comic book publishers.

Thompson gained significant recognition for her work on "Jem and the Holograms" at IDW Publishing, offering a modern take on the classic animated series. Her tenure at Marvel Comics has been extensive, marked by her Eisner-nominated run on "Hawkeye," featuring Kate Bishop, and her work on "Captain Marvel" starring Carol Danvers. She has also written acclaimed series such as "Rogue & Gambit," "Mr. & Mrs. X," "Jessica Jones," and "West Coast Avengers." Furthermore, Thompson co-created the character Jeff the Land Shark, who features in the digital Infinity Comics series "It's Jeff!". Her recent work includes a new "Birds of Prey" series for DC Comics and the "Absolute Wonder Woman" series for their Absolute Universe imprint.

Kelly Thompson's contributions to comic books have been widely recognized with numerous awards and nominations. She has received multiple Eisner Awards, including "Best New Series" for "Black Widow" (vol. 8) in 2021 and "Best Humor Publication" for "It's Jeff: The Jeff-Verse" in 2024. She was also nominated for "Best Writer" in several years and received an Eisner for "Best New Series" for "Absolute Wonder Woman" in 2025. Her work on "Hawkeye" earned her an Eisner nomination for "Best Continuing Series" in 2018, and her "Nancy Drew" miniseries received the 2019 IGN People's Choice award. Thompson has been a frequent nominee, demonstrating consistent critical acclaim for her storytelling across various titles and publishers.

In addition to her prolific comic book career, Kelly Thompson is the author of the novel "The Girl Who Would Be King," which she successfully funded through a Kickstarter campaign in 2012. The novel, exploring themes of power and morality through two girls with extraordinary abilities, was later optioned for a film adaptation. Thompson has also ventured into independent digital comics through a deal with Substack, releasing titles like "Black Cloak" and "The Cull," which later received print releases from Image Comics. These projects highlight her ability to create compelling narratives outside the mainstream comic book structure, often collaborating with artists like Meredith McClaren and Mattia de Lulis.

“been writing in some way shape or form for about as long as [she] can remember.”