# Digital Chameleon

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Canadian comics studio

Digital Chameleon Type Comics studio (digital production) Founders Lovern Kindzierski Chris Chuckry Defunct 2003; 23 years ago (2003) Key people Ed Beddome, Tim Riddoch, Dick Thomas, George Freeman

**Digital Chameleon** was a [comic book](/source/Comic_book) [coloring](/source/Colorist), [inking](/source/Inker), and [lettering](/source/Letterer) studio based in [Winnipeg](/source/Winnipeg), Manitoba, Canada. Working for clients such as [DC](/source/DC_Comics)/[Vertigo](/source/Vertigo_Comics), [Marvel](/source/Marvel_Comics), [Defiant](/source/Defiant_Comics), [Topps](/source/Topps_Comics),[1] [Dark Horse](/source/Dark_Horse_Comics), [Eclipse](/source/Eclipse_Comics), [First](/source/First_Comics), [Image](/source/Image_Comics), and [Malibu](/source/Malibu_Comics),[2] Digital Chameleon is attributed with being the first studio to make the use of the computer software program [Adobe Photoshop](/source/Adobe_Photoshop) widespread in the comics industry.[3][4] In addition to their work in the comics field, Digital Chameleon also colored animation, CD covers, posters, magazines, and advertisements.

## History

Canadians comics artists Lovern Kindzierski and [George Freeman](/source/George_Freeman_(comics)) had partnered together since c. 1987, doing coloring and other creative work for such publishers as Dark Horse, DC, Eclipse, and First Comics.[2] Kindzierski's cousin Christopher Chuckry[5][6] joined the team in 1991 and — along with partners Ed Beddome, Tim Riddoch and Dick Thomas[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] — they formed Digital Chameleon, with Chuckry assuming the title of President and Kindzierski becoming Vice President and Creative Director.

Colorists at Digital Chameleon included Kindzierski, Laurie E. Smith, [George Freeman](/source/George_Freeman_(comics)), [Bernie Mireault](/source/Bernie_Mireault), and Carla Feeney.[7] Partner Beddome left the company in 1993, and co-founder Chuckry left the company in 1996. After Chuckry's departure, Kindzierski acted as president.[8] Freeman became art director in c. 1994;[4] after he left, in the period 1997–1998, [Igor Kordej](/source/Igor_Kordej) took over as the studio's art director.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Jolaine Thomas was named Operations Manager in August 1994; an employee since 1993, in the year she had been at the company, it had expanded from seven employees to 25.[1]

Colorists and inkers employed by Digital Chameleon in 1997 included [Hilary Barta](/source/Hilary_Barta), Jordi Ensign, Kindzierski, Gary Martin, Steve Montano, [Jimmy Palmiotti](/source/Jimmy_Palmiotti), and Tom Simmons.[2]

The company was doing digital [lettering](/source/Letterer) in the early 2000s, notably for English translations of [manga](/source/Manga).[9]

Digital Chameleon closed its doors in 2003.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Production process

In 1997, the company used [Macintosh Quadra 800](/source/Macintosh_Quadra_800), [Macintosh Quadra 950](/source/Macintosh_Quadra_950), and [Macintosh Quadra 840AV](/source/Macintosh_Quadra_840AV) computers, augmented by [SuperMac](/source/UMAX_SuperMac) Thunderstorm Pro cards and [DayStar Digital](/source/DayStar_Digital) cache cards. Coloring and color separations were primarily done in Photoshop, but "painters often turn to other software on special situations. For example, if a more painterly effect is required, such as more specialized brushes, or textures, they go to [Fractal Painter](/source/Fractal_Painter). Other software used includes Studio 32, Zeus, Color-it, [Illustrator](/source/Adobe_Illustrator), [Freehand](/source/Adobe_FreeHand) and [QuarkXPress](/source/QuarkXPress)."[10]

## Awards

Digital Chameleon was recognized for its work with Kindzierski/Digital Chameleon being nominated for a 1993 [Eisner Award for Best Coloring](/source/Eisner_Award_for_Best_Coloring).[11] (In addition, Kindzierski was nominated for the same award in 1992,[12] 1998,[13] 2001,[14] and 2015.[15])

Kindzierski won the 1997 [Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Awards](/source/Comics_Buyer's_Guide_Fan_Awards) for Favorite Colorist.[16] Digital Chameleon received nominations for the Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Awards Favorite Colorist Award in 1997 and 1998 (both with Kindzierski), and again in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Digital Chameleon received a [Harvey Award](/source/Harvey_Award) nomination in 1999 for Best Inker for its "body of work in 1998, including the *Hulk/Sub-Mariner Annual* (Marve)".[17] The company also received a Harvey Award nomination in 2002 for Best Lettering on (the English translation of) *[Akira](/source/Akira_(manga))*.[9]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TCJ170_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TCJ170_1-1) "Digital Chameleon Names Operations Manager". Newswatch. *[The Comics Journal](/source/The_Comics_Journal)*. No. 170. Aug 1994. p. 40.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WhosWho_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WhosWho_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WhosWho_2-2) ["Digital Chameleon"](https://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=DIGITAL+CHAMELEON). *Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999*. Retrieved May 16, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-color_guides_3-0)** Hollingsworth, Matt. ["Color Guides"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081008024428/http://matthollingsworth.net/content/view/22/1/). *MattHollingsworth.net*. Archived from [the original](http://matthollingsworth.net/content/view/22/1/) on 2008-10-08. Retrieved Apr 6, 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Publish1994-pt1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Publish1994-pt1_4-1) Sierra, Jerry A. (July 1994). ["Digital Chameleon Colors The Vertigo Universe - Part One"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081114195558/http://www.historyofcuba.com/jas/Articles/color.htm). *Publish*. Archived from [the original](http://www.historyofcuba.com/jas/Articles/color1.htm) on Nov 14, 2008 – via HistoryOfCuba.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Waldman, Ben (Sep 21, 2021). ["Riding the news cycle: Handling of pandemic inspired local comic-book colourist's daily political cartoons"](https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/2021/09/21/riding-the-news-cycle). *[Free Press](/source/Winnipeg_Free_Press)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Sauder, McKenzie (Apr 25, 2018). ["RRC Turns Out for Manitoba Comic Con"](https://theprojector.ca/rrc-turns-out-for-manitoba-comic-con/). *The Projector*. Chuckry's cousin, colourist Lovern Kindzierski....

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Sierra, Jerry A. (July 1994). ["Digital Chameleon Colors The Vertigo Universe - Sidebar"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081114200608/http://www.historyofcuba.com/jas/Articles/side-1.htm). *Publish*. Archived from [the original](http://www.historyofcuba.com/jas/Articles/side-1.htm) on 2008-11-14. Retrieved April 6, 2009 – via HistoryOfCuba.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Lovern Kindzierski"](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lovern-kindzierski-b320b1177/). *LinkedIn*. Retrieved Apr 6, 2009.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TCJ244_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TCJ244_9-1) Smith, Toren (June 2002). "Blood and Thunder". *The Comics Journal*. No. 244. Seattle, WA: Fantagraphics Books. p. 4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sierra, Jerry A. (July 1994). ["Digital Chameleon Colors The Vertigo Universe - Conclusion"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081114200553/http://www.historyofcuba.com/jas/Articles/color2.htm). *Publish*. Archived from [the original](http://www.historyofcuba.com/jas/Articles/color2.htm) on 2008-11-14. Retrieved April 6, 2009 – via HistoryOfCuba.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1993_Will_Eisner_Comic_Industry_Award_Nominees_11-0)** ["1993 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees, Comic Book Awards Almanac"](http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner93.php).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1992_Will_Eisner_Comic_Industry_Award_Nominees_12-0)** ["1992 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees, Comic Book Awards Almanac"](http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner92.php).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1998_Will_Eisner_Comic_Industry_Award_Nominees_13-0)** ["1998 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees, Comic Book Awards Almanac"](http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner98.php).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2001_Will_Eisner_Comic_Industry_Award_Nominees_14-0)** ["2001 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees, Comic Book Awards Almanac"](http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner01.php).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2015_Eisner_Award_Nominations_Announced_15-0)** Asselin, Janelle (April 22, 2015). ["2015 Eisner Award Nominations Announced"](https://comicsalliance.com/2015-eisner-award-nominations/). *[ComicsAlliance](/source/ComicsAlliance)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-HahnCBG_16-0)** [Comic Buyers Guide Fan Awards](http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/cbg.php), Hahn Library. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** "Fantagraphics Sweeps Harveys: 45 Nominations for 17 Titles Sets New Record". News Watch. *The Comics Journal*. No. 210. Feb 1999. pp. 15–16.

## External links

- [Digital Chameleon's coloring process](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rii749VcT5w) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Digital Chameleon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Chameleon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Chameleon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.