Wu, Frank
Entry updated 12 September 2022. Tagged: Artist, Editor, Fan.
(1964- ) American artist and author, although he primarily earns his living by applying knowledge garnered from his PhD in bacterial genetics to the field of patent law. As a writer, Wu has mostly published short satirical pieces, some in the Journal of Irreproducible Results, although "Worlds in Collusion: A Planetary Romance" (in Visual Journeys, anth 2007, ed Eric Reynolds) attempts to strike a more serious note in describing an unusual romance. His longest piece to date, the novelette "The Tragical History of Guidolon, the Giant Space Chicken" (in Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales, anth 2005, ed Robin Pen and Robert Hood), describes the misadventures of a cinematic Monster attempting to make a comeback, who also appeared in Wu's short animated film Guidolon the Giant Space Chicken (2007); planned adaptations of the character's story as a full-length film and Graphic Novel have evidently been delayed. Wu also co-edited, with Jay Lake, an eclectic anthology of interrelated stories, poems, and artwork entitled The Exquisite Corpuscle (anth 2008).
However, Wu is best known for his artistic contributions to Fanzines, for which work he has been nominated seven times for the Hugo as Best Fan Artist, winning the award four times, in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009. His first professional published art was in Altair (Spring 2000 #5). He has also done some covers for books from Small Presses, including a dark, atmospheric image of strange little creatures gathered around a fire for Jerry Oltion's Paradise Passed (2004). But more typical efforts feature brighter colours and playful humour, like his cover for Harper Scott's How I Helped the Chicago Cubs (Finally!) Win the World Series (2005), showing a baseball and baseball glove configured as a Space Station. No doubt because of other pressing commitments, Wu's art appears hurriedly executed at times, and a move to Boston for a new job recently seems to be reducing the time he can devote to artistic endeavours, although he recently designed the Spaceships for his wife Brianna's forthcoming Videogame, Revolution 60. While such accomplishments are not as prominent as other artists' works, Wu can be said to exemplify the cheerful, creative energy that permeates the science fiction community. [GW]
Frank Wu
born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 1964
works as editor
- The Exquisite Corpuscle (Seattle, Washington: Fairwood Press, 2008) with Jay Lake [anth: pb/Frank Wu]
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