Jonathan Michael Gibson (born November 22, 1982, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) is an American writer and director whose work often focuses on pop culture. He is the founder and a partner in iam8bit, a production company, marketing boutique and artist collective, along with Amanda White, Taylor Harrington and Nick Ahrens.
Gibson co-founded and was the executive editor of Play in 2001, before resigning his post to become a freelance writer. He contributed to dozens of international publications, including Cargo, Game Informer, Electronic Gaming Monthly, FHM, LA Weekly, GQ, Maxim, Men's Health, MTV.com, Sound & Vision, Vanity Fair, Wired, and Yahoo!
Then, Gibson transitioned into TV screenwriting, developing a variety of pilots for Disney Channel, Scholastic/PBS, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network, and scripting episodes various animated children's shows, including Brandy and Mr. Whiskers (Disney) and Maya & Miguel (PBS). Gibson has also served as producer on several projects for title designer Kyle Cooper (Se7en, Spider-Man, Dawn of the Dead), including Metal Gear Solid 3 (Konami) and Goldeneye: Rogue Agent (EA).
Currently, Gibson co-owns iam8bit Productions with partners Amanda White, Taylor Harrington and Nick Ahrens in Los Angeles, Cali.
Gibson is the author of several books:
i am 8-bit: Art Inspired by Classic Videogames of the 80s (2005), a collection of the i am 8-bit exhibition's best pieces from its first year. Foreword by Chuck Klosterman.
Unfiltered: The Complete Ralph Bakshi (2008), a coffee table biography of filmmaker Ralph Bakshi. Co-authored by Chris McD.
Porn & Pong: How Grand Theft Auto, Tomb Raider and other Sexy Games Changed Our Culture (2008), a chronicle of sex in the videogame sphere by Damon Brown. Foreword by Jon M. Gibson.
SUPER i am 8-bit: More Art Inspired by Classic Videogames of the 80s (2011), a follow-up collection of the i am 8-bit exhibition's best pieces from the years 2006–2010. Foreword by Kevin Pereira. Co-authored with Amanda White, Taylor Harrington and Nick Ahrens.
In 2004, Gibson began his screenwriting career, writing many episodes of various animated television series. He also pitched and developed several of his own concepts for shows, as well as collaborating with others.
Katbot (2005) writer (2 episodes)
Maya and Miguel (2005–2006) writer (4 episodes, with Jorge R. Gutierrez)
Brandy & Mr. Whiskers (2006) creator, writer (1 episode, with Jorge R. Gutierrez)
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! (2006) writer (1 episode)
Scott Pilgrim's Evil Exes (2010) executive producer, writer (with Nick Hurtwitch & Michael Bacall). Developed for Universal Pictures as a series of six animated short films, revealing the origin of each of Scott Pilgrim's evil exes.
Bunnytown (2005) writer, co-creator (with Gerald de Jesus). Optioned by & Developed for Disney Channel. A Goonies-esque concept, following the adventures of several pre-pubescent bunnies on their journeys inside the unpredictable ecosphere of a magician's hat.
The Not-So Fantastics (2005) writer (created by John Fang). Optioned by & Developed for Nickelodeon. A series focused on the antics of a group of bumbling animals "interning" for legendary superheroes.
Enter Mode 5 (2005) writer (created by Gabe Swarr). Optioned by & Developed for Cartoon Network. Based on the original comic strip by Gabe Swarr, the series told the inside stories of an elite group of nerds with such ridiculously active imaginations, they are dysfunctional in the real world.
Juan Calavera & the Nightmare Hunters (2005) writer (created by Jorge R. Gutierrez & Sandra Equihua). Optioned by & Developed for Disney Channel. Alongside Juan Calavera, legendary nightmare hunter, twin brother and sister battle bad dreams.
Stupid Cupid (2004) writer, producer, creator. Optioned by & Developed for Disney Channel. On her 13th birthday, a girl inherits the supernatural powers of cupid, per her family's generational prophecy.
Icons (2003) as himself. Originally aired on G4.
Rockman Anniversary Collection (2004) as himself. Originally aired on G4. Repurposed for Mega Man Anniversary Collection videogame.
The Screen Savers (2005) as himself. Originally aired on G4.
Filter (2003–2005) as himself. Originally aired on G4.
Attack of the Show (2006–Present) as himself. Originally aired on G4
Coin-Op TV Live (2007–Present) as himself.
GameHead (2007–2008) as himself. Originally aired on Spike.
GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley (2008–Present) as himself. Originally aired on Spike.
In 2008, Gibson began his directing career, starting with a series of shorts and commercials for various clients like The Walt Disney Company and Capcom Entertainment.
Kitchen Compadres (2007) director, writer (4 shorts). A micro-series involving two bumbling puppets and a human host. Produced by i am 8-bit, in conjunction with Screen Novelties, for The Walt Disney Company.
'Lost' Mega Man 10 Commercial (2010) director, writer. A "faux" commercial for Mega Man 10, posed as an archival discovery from the 80s. Produced by i am 8-bit for Capcom Entertainment.
Mega Man Universe Teaser Trailer (2010) director, writer. A live-action/stop-motion hybrid teaser trailer for Mega Man Universe. Produced by i am 8-bit, in conjunction with Buddy System Studios, for Capcom Entertainment.
Save UP (2011) director, writer. A PSA satire starring Rachael Leigh Cook. Produced by i am 8-bit.
Since he was a teenager, Gibson has successfully founded several companies, including:
The DVD Digital Bayou (1997–2000) founder. Launched when the DVD format was in its infancy, the website published news and reviews.
i am 8-bit Productions (2006–Present) founder. While the art show launched in 2004, i am 8-bit became an official company in 2006.
Nerdcore (2006–Present) co-founder (with Chris Carle). An independent publisher of the annual Nerdcore calendar, as well as graphic novels, comics, and art books.
