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'''Nate Butler''' (born February 1, 1954) is an [[United States|American]] cartoonist and writer/illustrator of [[comics]] who is internationally recognized and acknowledged for his long career and contributions to both mainstream and [[Christian]]-themed comics.<ref>[http://www.christiancomicsinternational.org/pioneers2.html#Anchor-NATE-5185 Nate Butler - Christian Comics Pioneer]</ref><ref>[http://www.toonopedia.com/acknowl.htm Don Markstein's Toonopedia Acknowledgments] Don Markstein's Toonopedia</ref><ref>[http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2009/february/11.7.html "The Real Superman: How comic books take Jesus to the world", ''Today's Christian Woman'', February 2009]</ref><ref>[http://www.bailsprojects.com/%28S%28qjbn3q45gjrgzg45yf0qn0z4%29%29/whoswho.aspx/whoswho.aspx?mode=AtoZsearch&id=NATE+BUTLER Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928-1999 (The Jerry Bails Project)] Jerry Bails</ref><ref>[http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/Home/4/1/73/1013?articleID=144858 Scoop Fandom Advisory Network: "Superstars Turning Points" by Maggie Thompson]]</ref><ref>[http://www.hoodedutilitarian.com/2011/02/christian-comics/ ''Christian Comics'' by Alec Stevens, publisher of Calvary Comics] Alec Stevens</ref><ref>[http://www.dagen.se/kultur/tecknade-bilder-lättast-att-ta-till-sig-1.266974 DAGEN: ''Tecknade bilder lättast att ta till sig'' (Swedish newspaper DAY: "Cartoon images easiest to assimilate")]</ref><ref>[http://www.comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=9412 The Comic Book Database: L Nathan Butler - 'Nate Butler']</ref> His full name is L Nathan Butler, with no period after the "L" (which is not an initial for a name, just as with [[Harry S Truman]]), although the name itself is a variation of the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] name Elnathan, which was also the name of a multiple-greats grandfather of Butler.<ref>[http://cromwellbutlers.com/fam_tree/elbutlr.htm Elnathan Butler Family]</ref>

'''Nate Butler''' (born February 1, 1954) is an [[United States|American]] cartoonist and writer/illustrator of [[comics]] who is internationally recognized and acknowledged for his long career and contributions to both mainstream and [[Christian]]-themed comics.<ref>[http://www.christiancomicsinternational.org/pioneers2.html#Anchor-NATE-5185 Nate Butler - Christian Comics Pioneer]</ref><ref>[http://www.toonopedia.com/acknowl.htm Don Markstein's Toonopedia Acknowledgments] Don Markstein's Toonopedia</ref><ref>[http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2009/february/11.7.html "The Real Superman: How comic books take Jesus to the world", ''Today's Christian Woman'', February 2009]</ref><ref>[http://www.bailsprojects.com/%28S%28qjbn3q45gjrgzg45yf0qn0z4%29%29/whoswho.aspx/whoswho.aspx?mode=AtoZsearch&id=NATE+BUTLER Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928-1999 (The Jerry Bails Project)] Jerry Bails</ref><ref>[http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/Home/4/1/73/1013?articleID=144858 Scoop Fandom Advisory Network: "Superstars Turning Points" by Maggie Thompson]</ref><ref>[http://www.hoodedutilitarian.com/2011/02/christian-comics/ ''Christian Comics'' by Alec Stevens, publisher of Calvary Comics] Alec Stevens</ref><ref>[http://www.dagen.se/kultur/tecknade-bilder-lättast-att-ta-till-sig-1.266974 DAGEN: ''Tecknade bilder lättast att ta till sig'' (Swedish newspaper DAY: "Cartoon images easiest to assimilate")]</ref><ref>[http://www.comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=9412 The Comic Book Database: L Nathan Butler - 'Nate Butler']</ref> His full name is L Nathan Butler, with no period after the "L" (which is not an initial for a name, just as with [[Harry S Truman]]), although the name itself is a variation of the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] name Elnathan, which was also the name of a multiple-greats grandfather of Butler.<ref>[http://cromwellbutlers.com/fam_tree/elbutlr.htm Elnathan Butler Family]</ref>

==Personal background==

==Personal background==

1990 was also the year Butler's studio formed a division called Aida Zee Comics & Magazines and began to produce Christian comics, magazines, and tracts released by the studio or outside publishers such as Parody Press, the Edge Group UK, and Bible Games Company.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=13939364 Nate Butler on LinkedIn]</ref>

1990 was also the year Butler's studio formed a division called Aida Zee Comics & Magazines and began to produce Christian comics, magazines, and tracts released by the studio or outside publishers such as Parody Press, the Edge Group UK, and Bible Games Company.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=13939364 Nate Butler on LinkedIn]</ref>

The studio's full-color comic [http://www.comics.org/series/4171/ ''Aida-Zee''] (1990) was the first American Christian comic to feature the talents of multiple writers and artists who were well-known in the industry mainstream including Gaylord DuBois, Nestor Redondo, Kathleen Webb, and Murphy Anderson.<ref>[http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=bibliography&issue=01941287288%201 Mile High Comics: Aida-Zee #1 - Bibliography]</ref>. This comic and others by Butler's studio ([http://www.comics.org/series/26852/ ''Paro-Dee''] in 1993, [http://www.comics.org/series/50447/ ''Behold 3-D''] in 1996), along with ''Oboe Jones'' (1992), ''Christian Crusader'' (1992), ''Kidz of the King'' (1994), ''Archangels: The Saga'' (1995), ''Pakkins' Land'' (1996), and ''Proverbs & Parables'' (1998), ushered in the current modern era of Christian comics and graphic novel titles.<ref>[http://www.christiancomicsinternational.org/notable2.html Notable Christian Comics 1990-1999]</ref>

The studio's full-color comic [http://www.comics.org/series/4171/ ''Aida-Zee''] (1990) was the first American Christian comic to feature the talents of multiple writers and artists who were well known in the industry mainstream including Gaylord DuBois, Nestor Redondo, Kathleen Webb, and Murphy Anderson.<ref>[http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=bibliography&issue=01941287288%201 Mile High Comics: Aida-Zee #1 - Bibliography]</ref>. This comic and others by Butler's studio ([http://www.comics.org/series/26852/ ''Paro-Dee''] in 1993, [http://www.comics.org/series/50447/ ''Behold 3-D''] in 1996), along with ''Oboe Jones'' (1992), ''Christian Crusader'' (1992), ''Kidz of the King'' (1994), ''Archangels: The Saga'' (1995), ''Pakkins' Land'' (1996), and ''Proverbs & Parables'' (1998), ushered in the current modern era of Christian comics and graphic novel titles.<ref>[http://www.christiancomicsinternational.org/notable2.html Notable Christian Comics 1990-1999]</ref>

''Aida-Zee'' was also noted in ''The Comics Journal'' as containing ''"the last comic book work ... in print"'' by Golden Age comics pro Jay Disbrow, author of ''The Iger Comics Kingdom''.<ref>[http://www.tcj.com/this-week-in-comics-61213-dreams-of-the-future/ "Dreams of the Future - Jay Disbrow"]</ref> A featured Jewish hero character, ''Bukki, Warrior of Ancient Israel'', co-created by Butler, was cited by the ''Israel in Comix'' blog.<ref>[http://israelincomics.blogspot.com/2007/11/1990s.html Israel in Comix Blog: Israel & Israelis in Comix]</ref>

''Aida-Zee'' was also noted in ''The Comics Journal'' as containing ''"the last comic book work ... in print"'' by Golden Age comics pro Jay Disbrow, author of ''The Iger Comics Kingdom''.<ref>[http://www.tcj.com/this-week-in-comics-61213-dreams-of-the-future/ "Dreams of the Future - Jay Disbrow"]</ref> A featured Jewish hero character, ''Bukki, Warrior of Ancient Israel'', co-created by Butler, was cited by the ''Israel in Comix'' blog.<ref>[http://israelincomics.blogspot.com/2007/11/1990s.html Israel in Comix Blog: Israel & Israelis in Comix]</ref>

These publishing activities led to the founding of [http://www.comix35.org  COMIX35 (ROX35 Media, Inc.)], an international, nonprofit comics training ministry, and the "First International Christian Comics Training Conference" was held in Tagaytay, the Philippines in January 1996. COMIX35 offered additional training courses and consulting,<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=YbkJ0QJrEZ8C&pg=PA168&lpg=PA168&dq=%22Nate+Butler%22&source=bl&ots=SBTrI7kc98&sig=tvCQz_Ce0O581-X9V9EC9vaJeE8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rEDdVJKQEcKyggSLpYDQAg&ved=0CDcQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=%22Nate%20Butler%22&f=false Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels]</ref> primarily in [[Asia]], from 1996 to 1999.<ref>[http://www.comix35.org/Training.html Past COMIX35 Events, Part I : 1996 to 2001]</ref> Butler's work in Japan was covered in two articles in the newspaper クリスチャン新聞 (''Christian Shinbun'' or ''Christian Newspaper'').<ref>`セサミストリートのイラストレーター‘ナット・バトラー氏来日“一流のまんがで” ("Sesame Street no illustrator' Nate Butler shi rainichi 'Ichi ryuu mannga de'" or "'Using top class Manga': 'Sesame Street Illustrator' Nate Butler visits Japan"), ''Christian Shinbun'', 23 June 1996</ref><ref>伝道まんがを描いてみよう ("Dendou Manga wo egaitemiyou" or "Let’s try to draw outreach manga"), ''Christian Shinbun'', 2 August 1998</ref>

These publishing activities led to the founding of [http://www.comix35.org  COMIX35 (ROX35 Media, Inc.)], an international, nonprofit comics training ministry, and the "First International Christian Comics Training Conference" was held in Tagaytay, the Philippines in January 1996. COMIX35 offered additional training courses and consulting,<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=YbkJ0QJrEZ8C&pg=PA168&lpg=PA168&dq=%22Nate+Butler%22&source=bl&ots=SBTrI7kc98&sig=tvCQz_Ce0O581-X9V9EC9vaJeE8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rEDdVJKQEcKyggSLpYDQAg&ved=0CDcQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=%22Nate%20Butler%22&f=false Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels]</ref> primarily in [[Asia]], from 1996 to 1999.<ref>[http://www.comix35.org/Training.html Past COMIX35 Events, Part I : 1996 to 2001]</ref> Butler's work in Japan was covered in two articles in the newspaper クリスチャン新聞 (''Christian Shinbun'' or ''Christian Newspaper'').<ref>`セサミストリートのイラストレーター‘ナット・バトラー氏来日“一流のまんがで” ("Sesame Street no illustrator' Nate Butler shi rainichi 'Ichi ryuu mannga de'" or "'Using top class Manga': 'Sesame Street Illustrator' Nate Butler visits Japan"), ''Christian Shinbun'', 23 June 1996</ref><ref>伝道まんがを描いてみよう ("Dendou Manga wo egaitemiyou" or "Let’s try to draw outreach manga"), ''Christian Shinbun'', 2 August 1998</ref>

The Nate Butler Studio, Inc. finally ceased operations in January of 1999 so that Butler could work full-time work as a coach, consultant, and instructor for COMIX35. He was interviewed about his decision the next month in the ''Albuquerque Journal''.<ref>[http://business.highbeam.com/2872/article-1G1-107557645/nm-comic-book-artist-devotes-his-gift-god "N.M. Comic Book Artist Devotes His Gift to God", ''Albuquerque (New, Mexico) Journal'', 8 February 1999]</ref> He was also interviewed on a number of radio and TV programs including the Billy Graham radio show ''Decision Today'', the ''Morning Drive'' show on KLYT Christian Radio in Albuquerque, the ''Time to Rejoice'' show on KNAT-TV in Albuquerque, and by reporter Michael Harrington on SRN News in Washington DC, all in early 1999.

The Nate Butler Studio, Inc. finally ceased operations in January 1999 so that Butler could work full-time work as a coach, consultant, and instructor for COMIX35. He was interviewed about his decision the next month in the ''Albuquerque Journal''.<ref>[http://business.highbeam.com/2872/article-1G1-107557645/nm-comic-book-artist-devotes-his-gift-god "N.M. Comic Book Artist Devotes His Gift to God", ''Albuquerque (New, Mexico) Journal'', 8 February 1999]</ref> He was also interviewed on a number of radio and TV programs including the Billy Graham radio show ''Decision Today'', the ''Morning Drive'' show on KLYT Christian Radio in Albuquerque, the ''Time to Rejoice'' show on KNAT-TV in Albuquerque, and by reporter Michael Harrington on SRN News in Washington DC, all in early 1999.

That same year Butler was an adviser at the start-up of the ''PowerMark'' comic book series,<ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/613237/ Grand Comics Database - Powermark #1]</ref> illustrated by Steven Butler (no relation). He had also art directed an earlier ''PowerMark: Creation'' tract and ''Jungle Village: The Adventure Begins'' comic by the same publisher, illustrated by Malaysian artist Loh Sy Huey, which were used by [[missionaries]] in [[Southeast Asia]].

That same year Butler was an adviser at the start-up of the ''PowerMark'' comic book series,<ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/613237/ Grand Comics Database - Powermark #1]</ref> illustrated by Steven Butler (no relation). He had also art directed an earlier ''PowerMark: Creation'' tract and ''Jungle Village: The Adventure Begins'' comic by the same publisher, illustrated by Malaysian artist Loh Sy Huey, which were used by [[missionaries]] in [[Southeast Asia]].