Marvel News & Views 9.12.03
Posted by Jim Trabold on 09.12.2003
Quesada talks NYX, Hitch goes exclusive, Supreme Power #3 preview & more.
Welcome again Marvel fans. It's the Friday report. A good amount of different news from different fronts.
Joe Quesada
With NYX making its debut shortly, now seemed the perfect time to talk with Marvel's Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada about this project, his role at Marvel, some recent rumors.
Joe, Joe, Joe. I'm telling you I would still love this guy's job. Hell if he wanted to do a title he could because hell he's the damn boss. Ok Jemas can do the same thing. But still he's the EIC and can do what he wants just as long as he has the time to do it. Hell I like his work when he does get the chance. He's a better artist then EIC. Ok he's not bad as EIC as many make him out to be but still he is a better artist/writer. Can you imagine if he wasn't EIC some of the work he could be doing. He's going to be doing NYX, which I think will be a great series.
I do think he did the smart thing with not commenting on Jemas and a few other things. I know as a reporter you don't want someone not answering a question but he cold get himself in trouble for saying something that's not good for Marvel or himself. He did a very good job talking about NYX here and pumping some of the other titles. Very good interview so I suggest reading it.
Epic Journey
PHANTOM JACK will make its debut in January, 2004, not December. The reason was simply that there were too many books already scheduled for December and that Marvel's portion of Previews magazine was filled. So, it was decided to hold off until January and give it a better advance
You know some of this article I've liked some of it I haven't. Hell most of the time it seemed the guy only was doing the book so he could find out more about Marvels Epic line and wanted to complain. But this time I'm not going to complain. Hell I'm just going to say it did take guts for him to go do this. Hell I have no clue about his series yet but he had the guts to try something like creating a new title for Marvel. He learned more about the industry then he even knew as a comic news guy. Very good work by him here.
Brian Hitch
Marvel Comics is pleased to announce that artist Bryan Hitch (THE ULTIMATES) has renewed his exclusive creator agreement with the publisher, keeping him with the House of Ideas family through the year 2006.
"Working on The ULTIMATES has been a real career highlight and extremely rewarding," said Hitch. "I'm having a great time and have had such support and generosity from Joe [Quesada], Bill [Jemas] and Ralph [Macchio] that I couldn't even consider an alternative to re-upping with Marvel exclusively. Besides, ULTIMATES isn't finished and despite the trials of the last twelvemonths it's very important to me that I complete my work with Mighty Mark Millar on the book.
"Mark and I want to wrap ULTIMATES up in a pleasantly regular manner and we have a project under discussion to follow that should shake some Marvel foundations ... and boy, are we excited at the prospects! In the meantime ULTIMATES Volume 2 is on the drawing board and our plan is to surprise anybody who thinks they know what to expect after reading Volume 1."
"There's not much more than can be said about Hitchy (he lets me call him that) that hasn't already been said," remarked Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada. "From awards to accolades he is without question one of the premier artists in the history of comics. I believe his work on Ultimates with Milly (Millar has no idea I call him that) will go down as one of the most historic comic book runs ever!
"Having Bryan sign with us again is just thrilling for me because it's talents like his that make my job easier. As Editor-in-Chief I'm proud that Bryan has extended his commitment and trust and as a friend I'm proud of all the brilliant work he's done for us. He also plays a mean classical piano!"
Good to see Marvel make the right move here and keep a guy like Hitch around. He's still one of the best artists around. He's done some great work with ULTIMATES. And this way DC can't steal him away like they did with a few others. DC took a few of Marvels better guys recently and now it's Marvels turn to make sure they stay and take some of the better guys away from DC. Hitch is one of the guys you want on your team and he's going to be on Marvels team for some time.
X-Men/Starbright
Today the STARBRIGHT(R) Foundation released "The X-Men in: Life Lessons," an educational comic book designed to empower children with serious burn injuries to find ways in which to accept themselves -- and their lives -- as burn survivors. Developed in collaboration with Marvel(R) Comics, "Life Lessons" features the popular X-Men(R) characters.
Roughly one million children sustain burn injuries each year, with 30,000 requiring hospitalization. (1) Studies have shown that children with serious burn injuries who have the skills to reintegrate successfully into school and activities exhibit higher self-esteem, a more positive body image, and experience better long-term outcomes.
The "Life Lessons" comic book features a new X-Man character named "T-Ray" who sustains a serious burn injury during his training and learns to accept his injury. The story line depicts strategies that children with disfiguring burns can use to handle teasing and staring, answer questions about their appearance, and demonstrate confidence in social situations. The comic book is being published in both English and Spanish and is being made available by STARBRIGHT free of charge to burn centers, hospitals, support organizations, burn camps and schools.
"We are very proud of this book and hope that after reading it kids realize that being a hero has more to do with what you do, what you say, how you think, and how you act, than it will ever have to do with how you look," said STARBRIGHT Chairman Emeritus Steven Spielberg.
"When STARBRIGHT approached us with this idea, we realized the perfect characters to deliver a message of self-acceptance were the X-Men. As mutants they have learned to 'do good' despite being labeled as different," said Marvel Editor In Chief Joe Queseda.The project was developed with input from a national healthcare advisory team led by Dr. Robert Sheridan, Chief of Pediatric Burn Surgery at Shriners Burn Hospital for Children in Boston. "This book illustrates in a way children can understand, some of the successful coping strategies that other burn survivors learned through trial and error. Early adoption of successful coping strategies will help recovering children to rejoin their friends and classmates with confidence and pride."
The program was sponsored through the generosity of The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, the Insurance Industry Charitable Fund, Smith and Nephew Wound Management, University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center, and the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. STARBRIGHT is distributing "Life Lessons" in partnership with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, a national support organization for burn survivors. The STARBRIGHT Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that brings together leaders from technology, pediatric health care and entertainment to create and distribute innovative programs that empower seriously ill and injured children to actively cope with the challenges that accompany their illness or injury. STARBRIGHT's programs are provided free of charge to children and their families throughout the United States. STARBRIGHT's goal is to never forget the child behind the illness. For more information about STARBRIGHT or "Life Lessons" please visit www.starbright.org or call (800) 315-2580 extension 0. (1)
Long Term Outcomes of Children Surviving Massive Burns; Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 283, No. 1, January 5, 2000.
You know these charity type of comics are nice. It allows the companies to help out in ways they normally don't. I know some of the books don't have the greatest stories and some are just silly. But it's for charity. It's to help people. That's the one thing you have to think about when you see the issues on the shelves. You're helping someone that doesn't have the money to spend to help themselves or just help anyone. I think it's great Marvel did this.
Igor Kordey
Igor Kordey used to be Marvel's fill-in mutant man on the spot to help bring an X-title back on schedule. Now, he's settled into X-TREME X-MEN>, penciling the sequel to GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS and coming in December, a solo Storm storyline. We chatted him up for alla this and more
You know I for one am glad to see Kordey get more use. Hell he's done a great job as a fill in for some time. I think him taking over X-TREME was a great move. He's a great artist. One that knows the X-Men. He knows how to do some great art with the characters involved. Him taking over X-TREME was a great move and I expect him to stay on board for some time if it's done right. He's going to help X-TREME stay on the list as one of the better X-Titles. Ok some people think CC went nuts but X-TREME is still good. It's got one of the better rosters and some good stories. Don't over look this title.
Strange Magic
Writer Jason Henderson and artist Greg Scott have provided Newsarama with more preview art from their upcoming STRANGE MAGIC miniseries, lunching in early 2004 from Marvel's Epic imprint.
Some pretty cool character sketches. You know though with this title coming out I wonder why not do someone more well known like Doctor Strange. Hell if you want a female lead how about Clea. Two of the biggest magic users in Marvel. I'm not saying this series won't be good. Hell I think it's great to see Marvel going back to the magic users and the like. Hell I loved it in years past when we had lines like the Midnight Sons and the Cosmic line. But give me Doc too. Doctor Strange would give you a title to center some big line around or the like. I loved the old lines in the old days. Let's go back to it a little but with some new feel with Epic, Tsunami, Marvel Knights, X, Spidey, and others. We could have some great books and good lines if done right. In fact this weekend I'll do a little work on what I would like to see done with Marvel lines for my column. This special feature we'll call WHAT IF Jim was EIC.
Karl Kesel
Throughout most of his writing career to date he has vocally demonstrated a desire to make a mark on Marvel's first family, and barring the short-lived FANTASTIC FOUR 2099 and the odd Annual on the regular series, his passions have yet to be given full-flight. In the current HUMAN TORCH series Kesel once again gets to prove his writing chops
You know I like Karl's work. I liked it back in FF 2099. Yep I actually liked the series and his work in the series. Also other work with the FF. He's a great writer and to me one of the perfect ones to bring in to do HUMAN TORCH. He knows the characters pretty well. Johnny being one of them. Hell with Waid leaving FF I would've loved to see him take over more then anyone else. Personally I would rather keep Waid but hell he'd be my number 2 pick. He's doing great with Torch and I'll bet that fans would rather have him take over for Waid if he's getting taken off the title. I hope he gets a chance some time but hell I would love to see Waid return more. Pick up TORCH and check out his work.
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #47
As Ultimate Spider-Man heads towards its milestone 50th issue as part of December 2003's "ULTIMATE STARTS" Month (when Marvel invites new readers to sample the best-selling, best-reviewed line of comics in the biz), the always new-reader-friendly series still has one more new story beginning in October for brand new readers who want to come to the party a little early. ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #47, on-sale October 1st, begins the three-part story arc "UNFAIR", which sees Spider-Man's arch-nemesis the Kingpin of Crime step back into the spotlight. The Kingpin has vengeance on his mind, so he commands the entire New York underworld to find out just who Spider-Man really is ... by any means necessary! And the Enforcers are only too happy to take him up on his demand.
Heading towards that special anniversary issue, the ongoing series is riding both a commercial and critical high. Now a permanent resident in the Top 5 of Diamond's monthly sales chart and regular chart-topper on the graphic novel charts, the series was also recently awarded six 2003 Wizard Fan Awards, including - Favorite Ongoing Series, Hero, Writer (Brian MichaelBendis), Inker (Art Thibert), Letterer (Chris Eliopoulos) and Supporting Character (Mary Jane). Plus, writer Brian Bendis was also named Best Writer in the 2003 Eisner Awards!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #47, by Bendis and penciler Mark Bagley, goes on sale October 1st with a cover price of $2.25 and retailers are reminded its Final Order Cut-off (FOC) date is Thursday, September 11th. ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #48, part 2 (of 3) of "UNFAIR" hits comic book shops October 15th and its Final Order Cut-off is 9/25. Readers, ask your retailer to reserve you copies.
Very cool to see Marvel trying to get new readers with this title. You know ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN and the rest of the Ultimate titles. I think using 47 as a jump on board issue is great. I'm sure many fans have been waiting for a good issue to jump on board. This is it for ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN. One of the best Ultimate titles out there with one of the best writers out there. This title is a must for Ultimate fans, Spidey fans and more. I suggest if you've been waiting your time is now.
SUPREME POWER #3
As the highly-anticipated second issue of the new Mature Readers MAX ongoing series Supreme Power finally hits comic book stores today and as the best-selling (over 100k) debut issue SUPREME POWER #1 gets harder and harder to find in comic stores, here's a brief sneak peak at art from SUPREME POWER #3, on sale October 1st.
When reports of a secretive government project "Hyperion" begin to surface in shadowy circles, investigative reporter Jason Scott starts to see a connection. And when he tracks down a woman who swears that she and her husband found a baby who crash-landed a spaceship in a cornfield, he think she has found the key. What will the government do if he uncovers their secret super hero? Will they let Jason continue to uncover details ... or will they silence him?
SUPREME POWER, by exclusive Marvel creators J. Michael Stracyznski and Gary Frank, goes on sale in comic shops on October 1st with a cover price of $2.99. Retailers are reminded its Final Order Cut-off (FOC) date is Thursday, September 11th. Readers, ask your local comic book retailer toreserve you the latest issue of this highly sought-after new series.
You know SUPREME POWER may be over looked by some comics fans. I actually think it's getting over looked by some news places to. I'm surprised though. It's a pretty nice series. Ok nice isn't really a strong word but it's a good series. Just have to have people trying it out. There's nothing wrong with trying out a book like this one. Many loved the limited series a long time ago so why not come back for this one.
Well-rounded out issue here. I hope everyone doesn't mind this weekend's special feature. I've got a cold so bare with me true believers. I'll get you the news you want when you want it. And good amount of opinion on the news as well. This Mondays will have one of those just for fun pieces. Hope you enjoy it. Reporting from the Marvel Universe this is Jim Trabold. Have a good weekend
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