Kesel initially came into the comics world after writing a 10-page letter to editor Dick Giordano regarding the portrayal of female comic book characters.

At Dark Horse, Kesel was part of Team CGW, responsible for most of the design and creation of the setting and characters in the Golden City location.

She is currently part of book packaging company The Pack, alongside Lee Nordling, Brian Augustyn, Gordon Kent and Dave Olbrich.

Kesel is a very outspoken opponent of sexism in the comic book industry. She is known for her strong female characters, influencing her husband's work on Lois Lane in the Superman titles and creating Grace, the ruler of the Golden City location in Comics' Greatest World.

She was married to fellow comic book writer Karl Kesel; they have since divorced.

Comics she has written include:

• Sigil
• The First
• Meridian
• WildC.A.T.s #35-36
• Solus
• Hawk and Dove Annual #2
• Aliens vs Predator: Booty
• Supergirl & Batgirl
• Legends of the Dark Crystal
• Rogue Angel: Teller of Tall Tales
• Ghost Whisperer: The Muse

Comics she has edited:

• Seed of Destruction
• The Wolves of Saint August
• Instant Piano

Kesel has been nominated for the 1991 "Best Editor" Eisner Award for Badlands, Aliens: Genocide and Star Wars. In 1995, she was nominated for "Best Anthology" and "Best Graphic Album of Previously Published Material" Harvey Awards for, respectively, Instant Piano and Seed of Destruction. She won the 1996 "Best Graphic Album of Previously Published Work" Harvey Award, for Hellboy: The Wolves of St. August.

Interviews

• The Accidental Writer: Barbara Kesel, Sequential Tart, May 2000
• Chronicling The CrossGen Creators: Part I, Comics Bulletin, May 24, 2000

Barbara Kesel