Solution Squad available at C2E2Jim McClain writes:
SOLUTION SQUAD #1 (Jun 2013)
Solution Squad LLC
If anyone's a true completist, I have about 15 copies remaining (of the 3,000-copy print run) of my first Solution Squad comic book, in which George has a pin-up. I'll be at C2E2 this weekend, at Artist Alley Table Y-3. I'm going to have him sign my remaining copies before the show starts.
Posted by Vu Nguyen
Who is the character fighting Ziran the Tester on the rock'em/sock'em game from the Grandmaster's hall?
Answer:
According to the JLA/Avengers Compendium Book (it came with the JLA/Avengers Collector's Edition Oversized Slipcase), compiled by Kurt Busiek and George Perez:
"The Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot set features Ziran the Tester of the Celestials (Eternals vol 1 #18) and Hunab of the Millennium Giants (Superman vol 2 #130)"
6. AVENGERS/JLA: It took more than 20 years to get the damned thing, but
many of you believe, as I do, that the wait was well worth it. J.A.
Fludd calls this book "a celebration of more than 40 years of super-hero
traditions with hundreds of characters from the Marvel and DC
Universes, centered around the memberships of the Avengers and Justice
League. Stunning, breathtaking artistic achievement by George Perez; the
pinnacle and summation of George's entire career. Artistically, can't
be praised highly enough." (Well, it's certainly better than CRIMSON
PLAGUE, isn't it? Of course, a vasectomy with a rusty set of sewing
shears would be better than that...) And "Frank" writes that "those of
us who mourned this highly anticipated match up's collapse 20 years ago
couldn't help but rejoice in its actualization, not to mention a chance
to see revel in two mammoth teams penciled by Perez. An opportunity to
see Perez art on this scale is unlikely to happen for a long time."
Unless there's a sequel, of course, and I have to say I wouldn't mind
that one bit...
George Perez, illustrator of the long-awaited JLA/Avengers.
It was the series George Perez had been waiting 20 years to draw.
All the legends would be there: Superman, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Batman, Hulk. Oh, and about 200 others.
JLA/Avengers (JLA is the Justice League Of America for those not in the
know) brought together the greatest superhero teams from both DC Comics
and Marvel Comics in one epic tale, written by Kurt Busiek and pencilled
and inked by Perez, who called it: "one of the most thrilling and
greatest challenges of my career."
"It was a fanboy dream to draw all those characters from two different
companies meeting together, with, of course, the added pressure of 20
years of anticipation," said Perez, also a special guest at this
weekend’s Canadian National Expo.
This inter-company crossover series was originally conceived in late
1982, but fell apart just months after it began due to squabbling – in
spite of the fact Perez had already drawn 21 pages.
When the plug was pulled it was thought this idea was dead. But the
series finally became a reality late last year and it lived up to the
expectations of many – including its artist.
"After everyone waiting for 20 years, including me, I couldn’t let that be less than my all-out effort," Perez said.
The series has recently been collected in the Cadillac of hardcover
editions, featuring a slipcase containing an oversized hardcover of the
complete four-issue series and a fascinating companion volume that
outlines its history, complete with annotated copies of Perez’s original
21 pages.
The collection is outstanding and very much befitting the scale of the project.
"I expected that maybe they would give it a hardcover collection, but to
do it with this type of production value was really flattering," Perez
said. "It galvanized my feeling that both Marvel and DC have been trying
very hard to make this project something that I can be proud of."
Having recently celebrated his 50th birthday and completed one of the
great showpieces of his career, Perez says he’s in a great place in his
life.
"I’m doing exactly what I love to do more than anything else," he said.
"At the age of 50 I’m looking at the road ahead that has … so many
avenues waiting for me."
The 2004 Wizard Fan awards were announced last night at a somewhat more
subdued ceremony than usual. Wizard staffers Mike Cotton and Richard Ho
emcee’d the affair, and presenters included Joe Quesada, Jeph Loeb, John
Cassaday, Alex Ross, Jim Lee and Kevin Smith. The Loeb/Lee BATMAN
continued to dominate the awards, winning for artist, inker, letterer,
colorist and ongoing.
8. JLA/AVENGERS: Say what you will about Marvel getting the short
end of the stick or discrepancies in battles between aliens and thunder
gods, I still have to agree with M. Ali Choudhury's assessment of this
series as "worth waiting 20 years for." Part of the reason I feel this
miniseries has so far gotten such negative response is because it throws
all those differences between the Marvel and DC Universes into such
sharp relief, and yet it does so brilliantly. Kurt Busiek obviously
loves both universes, and he takes the sort of care with this crossover
that we arguably haven't seen since Chris Claremont and company paired
up the X-Men and Teen Titans. (The DC characters got far less to do than
the Marvel ones that time, as I recall, but I don't recall a similar
backlash from DC fans on that occasion - and that book was well-written,
too). I look forward to seeing how this one plays out.
January 26, 2004 | Brevoort Interview at Avengers Forever
Q) As the editor of the JLAvengers, what is your opinion on the fan
response to the last few issues of this crossover? Anything happen that
you didn’t expect and or were you expecting a particular fan reaction
that did not happen?
A) I think a ton of fans acted like babies over the Thor/Superman fight
in JLA/AVENGERS #2—that after spending months saying again and again
that they wanted a clean fight with a clean winner, many people whined
and reversed their stance when things went the way they did. The folks
who claimed that we’d forever destroyed the Marvel Universe, or Thor, or
Galactus, or heaven knows who else. All of these concerns that had less
to do with the merits of the story and everything to do with bragging
rights and the complainer’s own personal intense identification with the
character. We knew we’d get some blowback, but I don’t think anybody
anticipated the extent of it. And it’s not even over—it’s still going
on, and it’s the same bunch of guys still squawking about it months
later. And it isn’t going to do any good—it’s not like we’re going to
recall the book or something.
Last week, Diamond Comic Distributors, DC Comics' sales agent for
direct sales, released its final statistics for direct sales in 2003,
with DC leading in multiple categories thanks to the strong success of
projects including BATMAN, the relaunch of TEEN TITANS, and many others.
...
Leading the pack was the success of "Hush" by Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee
& Scott Williams, with its explosive conclusion in BATMAN #619 at
the top of Diamond's "Top 100 Comics" chart for 2003, a first for a
regular issue of the title. The series, which reached the #1 sales spot
for 8 months of the team's 12-issue run, led DC's surge with 11 places
on the chart.
Other titles in the Top 25 sellers of 2003 included:
AVENGERS/JLA #2 by Kurt Busiek and George Pérez
BATMAN #611-618 by Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee & Scott Williams
SUPERMAN/BATMAN #1-2 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness
The debut issue of TEEN TITANS, by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone, was
in the #32 slot for the Top 100, also showing that DC's sales potential
goes beyond its "franchise" characters.
Not everything that broke down stayed that way, fortunately. Mark Waid
and Mike Weiringo returned to Fantastic Four after being stupidly kicked
off the title. The Superman titles have gotten a creative kickstart
with some A-level talent that'll make their mark next year. Two popular
titles that were missing in action, Astro City and Planetary, both
returned in all their glory. And after twenty years, JLA/Avengers
finally got off the ground, controversial fight scenes and all. In
addition, Jeff Smith's Bone finally concluded its spectacular run (soon
to be followed by Dave Sim's Cerebus), the legendary Alan Moore retired
from comics, Los Angeles got its own indy comics show, and we got two
dynamite comic book movies in X2 and American Splendor.
Again, the dollar ranking is a function of both quantity and cover
price, a high quantity ordered combined with a high cover price would
place product at #1 on both charts, while a higher cover price combined
with a solid position on the unit ranking (such as JLA/Avengers #1)
place it at the top of the dollar rank, that is, JLA/Avengers #1 was the
#1 comic book item that brought in the most money to Diamond in 2003.
Retailers will be pleased to find the year-end list of 2003's top rated
comics on the Diamond Retailer Services Website. We thought the rest of our
readership would also appreciate the lowdown on the titles that came out on top
last year.
Batman dominated the top ten, with a total of six issues
included. Wolverine, JLA, the Avengers and the Fantastic Four also found a place
in the top-rated spotlight.
BF: Which was the best book (or issue) put out by a different company than yours?
BILL ROSEMANN: Everything written by Brian Michael Bendis was
gold...Batman by Jeph Loeb & Jim Lee got everyone excited...Y: The
Last Man & The Ultimates kept everyone on their toes...and how fun
was JLA/Avengers? Yes, this was a great year to be a comics' fan!
December 7, 2003 | A/JLA #2 Review in CBG
From COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1570 (19 Dec 2003)
TONY'S TIPS!: HEARTWARMING REVIEWS
written by Tony Isabella
published in COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1570 (19 Dec 2003)
AVENGERS/JLA #2 comes as a disappointment after the opening of
this decades-in-the-making crossover. In the previous issue, writer Kurt
Busiek and artist George Pérez set up an interesting plot, handled the
huge cast of characters well, and even provided and in story trivia
contest- how many of the objects of powers can you recognize? - for veteran comics readers like yours truly. I got a huge kick out of it.
This time, it's mostly hitting and punching and blasting and mashing
and… boring. The interactions between Batman and Captain America are
absolutely wonderful, but that's the only high point in this tedious
issue. Sure, those terrific Pérez action shots will likely live in the
swipe files for less artists for years to come, but they don't do me
much good as a reader.
Though variations in the number of shipping weeks in any month can
affect the numbers of comics shipped by Diamond, and October was a
five-week month, the preponderance of positive numbers for last month
indicates that actual sales of comic books soared in October according
to our analysis of rankings supplied by Diamond Comic Distributors.
While no book broke the 200,000-copy barrier like Batman #619 did last
month (see "Hush Finale Tops Charts"), sixteen of the top 25 titles went
up compared with their sales from the previous month's issue while only
four titles declined. One of the declining titles, Avengers/JLA #2
actually topped the sales charts for October, selling 176,734 copies at a
hefty $5.95 cover price, but its roughly 5% decline was actually far
less than the normal drop between the number one and number two issues
of a mini-series.
The Top 25 comics, with our estimates of the quantities sold during October, are:
The mammoth JLA/Avengers crossover has ascended to the top of Diamond
Comic Distributors' Top 300 Comics chart for October 2003 with its
second issue after being relegated to second spot for its debut last
month. The placement means that DC retains the top spot from last month,
however, as JLA/Avengers is being co-published with the Top
10-dominating Marvel.
Preview images for issue 2 have been taken offline, but in turn we now feature a review and an exhaustive list of annotations for issue 2, including bios on all characters who didn't appear up in issue 1 yet.
By now it's only in German, but I may translate it into English when I have lots of spare time (probably sometime in 2006 ;-) ).
Still, everyone's free to try using a translation program, but be warned: My sentences tend to be long and complex. ;-)
English names for key characters, places and items are included in parenthesis. This might help.
Most important of all, the over-obvious set-up of the game for the power
icons turns out to be just that: a set-up by the Grandmaster, well
aware that Krona has no reason to play fair. Perez wonderfully portrays
the final twist involving the gamesmen in the book's finale. His Krona
is a brutish tyrant, while his Grandmaster is ever the wizened
manipulator.
There's just too much to praise to single out details of Perez's art.
Can it be said that he captures the best aspects of EVERY character? It
must help that he's drawn them all before, but this is clearly the
project, and the writing partner that fit him perfectly.
Now to the rest of the issue. Busiek continued his emphasis on defining
the differences of the universes. To me that has proven to be the real
gem in the first two issues. Many writers and fans approach the Marvel
Universe and DC Universe as being the same in all respects minus the
heroes. However, when you step back, it's plainly obvious that is not
the case, and Busiek has done this series a great service by showing
that. It in a way it goes back to the beginnings of Marvel in 1961. Stan
Lee and Jack Kirby purposely implanted faults and weakness to
differentiate these new heroes and universe as a way of injecting some
reality into comics. Busiek's depiction of the village in South America
and the museum in the DC Universe has shown that writers consciously or
subconsciously have perpetuated those two diverging ideologies. Neither
is better or worse than the other, but make no mistake, they are
different.
Page 41, Panel 2: Loophole's assistant, Myrna, is a homage to the wife of Loophole's creator, Karl Kesel.
Avengers/JLA #2:
BROOME ST
(Page 4),
Named after writer John Broome
KANE
(Page 6),
Named after writer Bob Kane
Page 4: The "Broome St." sign is a homage to Silver Age Flash and Green Lantern creator John Broome.
Page 6, Panel 3: The "Kane" sign is a homage to Batman creator Bob Kane.
Also, the story titles of each issue are homages as well. #1's "A
Journey Into Mystery" is a homage to the classic Marvel Comics series
Journey Into Mystery in which Thor I first made his appearance in issue
#83. #2's "A Contest of Champions" is a homage to Marvel Comics' first
ever mini-series from 1982, Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions,
which also featured the Grandmaster.
Vu:
Incidentally, there is a street in New York also called Broome St.
Also, since we're on the topic of homages, Kirk was previously mentioned
in September 7, 2003 | Kirk Philbrick in JLA/A #1.
JLA AVENGERS pages go ON SALE TODAY ( around mid day )
If anyone wants to buy pages, once the prices are posted to the site, a
free for all is going to begin. Orders are accepted via email only after
the prices are posted publically.
Please note that The Artist's Choice will be closed from October 19-30, 2003.
During this time, we will not be accepting new orders with the exception
of preorders and JLA/Avengers Issue 2 (available pages and prices will
be posted for sale sometime on October 29, 2003). On the 30th we will
be reopening for all other orders.
Any orders for pages sent within those dates will NOT be fulfilled and must be resubmitted beginning on October 30. All outstanding orders will be fulfilled during this time.
Is it just me, or do you feel a little bit cheated, too? Maybe let down
is a better term to use, but either way I was disappointed in this
issue. It’s not that I expected an Earth-shattering story that would
change the way I thought of superhero comic, but I think I expected
something, for lack of a better term, cooler than this. I realize that
it’s almost impossible to not be disappointed, but that doesn’t change
the fact that I am. I remember reading somewhere (I think it was this
very site) that Busiek was writing what he considered the definitive
fight between the characters fans have always wanted to see go at it.
Unfortunately, the writer fails to deliver in the manner I, and am sure a
lot of people, were expecting.
As for the art, I suspect
this is one of the rare occasions where the art is more important to me
than the story, as I've always been a steadfast believer in the idea
that while art is very important, it's the writing that can make or
break a comic for me. However, George Pérez is the real reason people
should be excited about this project as not only is it the one that he
has spent his entire comic career waiting to draw, but he's the only one
who could come close to meeting the demands of this project. I mean
there a sequence in this issue where 30+ characters are going at it in a
heated battle, and George Pérez is able to give each and every one of
them a moment in the spotlight in a truly amazing eight page sequence.
In fact this entire issue is one big fight sequence and the art is what
truly sets this issue high above the hundreds of comic book slugfests
we've seen in the past. I mean the non-battle between Captain America
and Batman alone is worth the price of admission.
There is of course more to Mr. Perez's artwork than the best fisticuffs
you're likely to see. He creates believability in Mr. Busiek's more
quirkier super-hero encounters. We never asked for the meeting between
Batman and a mystery guest nor would we ever think of it, but darn if
that wasn't simply cool. Mr. Perez's artwork helps balance the blows
with scenes of humor: "Yoicks and awaaaaay!" That's not just funny. It's
bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha funny. In general not one of the characters moves or
behaves in the same way, and all of them conduct themselves within their
characterization.
Tom Smith deserves a medal for his colors on Avengers/JLA. The story may
look good in black and white, but Mr. Smith's colors add extra tiers at
which readers may marvel. His choices of colors signify the cosmic,
storm atmosphere to a memorable fight scene and one that joins the list
of Batman's most memorable moments. He burns emotions to Mr. Perez's
searing direction and gives weight to Mr. Perez's love for detail.
Though I'm guessing Tom Smith has put a hit out on Mr. Perez after
coloring each strand of Wanda's hair.
ComiX-Fan continues its compilation of annotated references for the
mammoth Marvel/DC crossover series JLA/Avengers with the release of the
list for issue #2, in stores this week.
As with the previous issue's list (see 'JLA/AVENGERS #1 ANNOTATIONS') and the character guide for the cover of JLA/Avengers #3 (see JLA/AVENGERS #3 COVER CHARACTER GUIDE), ComiX-Fan invites readers to contribute additions and corrections to this and subsequent lists.
...
Wraparound Cover:(from top, left to right) Jack of Hearts, Iron Man I, Captain Atom, Wonder Man, Martian Manhunter, Hercules, Photon, (right to left) Zatanna, Triathlon, Wonder Woman II, Warbird, Vision, Scarlet Witch, (left to right) Black Canary II, Plastic Man, Wasp, Hawkman I, Red Tornado II, Firestorm, Superman, Thor I, (right to left) Quasar, Batman I, Aquaman, Green Lantern V, She-Hulk, (left to right)
Quicksilver, Hawkeye, Black Panther I, Blue Beetle II, Steel III,
Captain America V, Atom II, Yellowjacket I, Green Arrow II, Flash III
(Vu: Just a note that the original pages for JLA/AVENGERS #1
sold fast and furious, with only about 4 remaining pages about two days
after it was announced for sale. So if you want any pages for #2, be
sure to check it out on Wednesday.)
I just wanted to inform you that I bought issue 2 today at the "Comic Action 2003" convention in Essen, Germany. So it should be in most local stores by
now.
Ron Marz, who is attending the convention, wanted to have a look since he
didn't have a chance to read the issue yet. He would have preferred to see
more double-page spreads, but aside from that, he seemed to like the issue
at first glance.
The guys from Panini Comics who will publish the translated German version also liked it. :-)
October 24, 2003 | A/JLA #2 Reviews
From Fourth Rail(Vu: Please email me (email) reviews of AVENGERS/JLA #2 if you see them.)
One complaint you can't make about Avengers/JLA is that nothing happens.
A lot happens. On every page. In fact, it almost feels like maybe these
creators have overstuffed the book, and we rarely get to slow down and
see the smaller moments that I was really hoping to see in amidst the
big cosmic crossover. That said, however, Busiek and Perez once again
deliver an issue that is guaranteed to cause a geekgasm, full of
characters both major and minor facing off and full of references to the
super-hero universes that both teams inhabit. The first issue was an
introduction of sorts to the characters, this one a trip through
locales, as the heroes visit a variety of places both well-known and
less so in the homes of their foes, intent on the plot device of the
items in each universe that they've been sent to quest for. This is a
book that will leave the casual fan bewildered and maybe downright
annoyed, but for anyone who loves these characters, it's a treat.
Let's be honest... this crossover book isn't exactly high-minded or even
innovative. This is a celebration of six decades of super-hero
storytelling by the two giants in the field. This is just about fun,
nothing more, nothing less. Busiek nevertheless manages to throw in some
wonderful character-driven moments that really show how much thought
and effort has been put into this story. Perez's meticulous artwork is
an absolute wonder, and it invites multiple readings so as to absorb all
of the little touches he's included here.
Avengers/JLA #2
Off the Presses, Scoop, Friday, October 24, 2003
DC Comics; $5.95
After the first issue, we wondered what would come next. Now we know...
and the superhero fans here at Scoop are pretty much geeked out. This
issue is worth it for the scenes between Captain America and Batman
alone.
Okay, here's what I have so far for the Unofficial AVENGERS / JLA #2
Webguide. Feel free to add any corrections or omissions. I know there
are a few I missed (like Aquaman's sea monster and the guy fighting
Ziran at Grandmaster's place) and I know I butchered the Asgardian IDs
but it's late and I'm tired.
DC, Marvel, $5.95
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: George Perez
Round 2 of the comic-book event of the year is here! The titanic team-up
the world has waited for continues as the threats that brought the
heroes together in the first issue tear the teams apart! Guest-starring
every character to ever belong to the Avengers and the JLA! For more
information, see the feature article. Co-published by DC and Marvel.
Look for JLA/AVENGERS #3 solicited next month by Marvel.
The following products are expected to ship to comic book
specialty stores next week. Note that this list is tentative
and subject to change. Please check with your retailer for availability.
AUG030203D AVENGERS JLA #2 (Of 4) $5.95
September 22, 2003 | Baltimore Con Report (SunWuKong)
Just got back from the Baltimore Comicon 2003 and, as usual, I had one
hell of a time (and hell on my finances). Here's what I can remember
from the con regarding Perez:
Crossgen's "The War"
is going to be 3 issues long and it's going to be written by Ron Marz.
The first issue is going to be solicted in May of 2004. It's going to
resolve many storylines in many of the Crossgen titles.
Perez is jubelent about JLA/Avengers first issue success. He says that he can finally clear out is debts and then some. The selling of the art alone is going to provide his wife with a new car! He also is very glad that this series is totally going to be for the fans.
As of today. 1/4 of issue 4 of JLA/Avengers
is pen & inked. It looks like it will meet the Dec 31st release
date. Perez is very commited to meeting the deadline so that all of the
issues will be released before 2004.
There is talk of about what format the collected edition is going to be. Perez said that DC is talking to put it into an "absolute" HC format (which I will lobby to no end!). They also said that the prior JLA/Avengers art might be printed in the collected edition as well.
Perez needs the cover to issue 3 back because he needs to draw 4 more characters in it! It took 3 weeks for him to draw it. Tom Smith was asking fan at the con to find him color references for some of the characters!
I did get one nugget of exclusive info. Hawkeye and Black Canary will meet in issue 3.
That's all I can think of right now. I'll see how much will get back to me later on in the week.
Marvel Comics
is both proud and encouraged to announce that unprecedented demand has
led to the production of over 200,000 copies of JLA/AVENGERS #1 for
shipment to the direct market. The George Pérez-Kurt Busiek created
mega-event 20 years in the making - which initially went on sale 9/4 –
has exceeded all sales expectations for this co-publishing initiative by
Marvel and DC Comics. Thanks to the strong support and show of faith by
comic book retailers and readers, JLA/AVENGERS #1 has joined the ranks
of a small group of modern classics that have captured the imagination
of our fans and continue to propel the business forward.
"I knew JLA/AVENGERS was going to do well," said writer Kurt Busiek,
"but to have it do THIS well is just amazing. I'm delighted retailers
had so much faith in the project, and I'm delighted readers bought 'em
all up and sent the retailers back for more. And the reaction we're
getting on the series is terrific - it seems like people thought it was
well worth the wait, and I'm very glad to have been a part of it."
The Interest in this special once-in-a-lifetime event is also another
strong indicator of a growing overall sales phenomenon that began this
past spring.
"Since May, from Wolverine #1 to July's Spectacular Spider-Man #1 to
August's 1602 & Supreme Power #1, sales of all our big launches have
surpassed our already high expectations," said Marvel Marketing
Communications Manager Michael Doran. "And that trend continued into
September with JLA/AVENGERS #1
and ULTIMATE SIX #1. We're also seeing very positive growth in our
other top titles like Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men and New X-Men,
and we expect the trend to continue into the fall then straight into
the holiday season and into next year. So to the fans and retailers
fueling this remarkable run, Marvel would like to say thank you."
"This is great news for everyone in our industry," added Marvel
Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada, "...from readers and creators to retailers
and publishers. And the even better news is projects like JLA/AVENGERS
won't be just the occasional random spike we've seen on the sales
charts over the last few years. Marvel has been working tirelessly to
raise the bar for the industry and today we can finally see the seeds of
those labors bearing fruit. It seems like almost every month the sales
ceiling on top-selling titles is being raised and with ULTIMATE
FANTASTIC FOUR and MARC SILVESTRI's return to the X-MEN upcoming, we're
sure to see more of the same. I fully expect that in the near future the
300K mark is just around the corner."
AVENGERS/JLA #2 goes on sale October 22nd from DC Comics. JLA/AVENGERS #3
goes on sale from Marvel on 11/26 and retailers are reminded its Final
Order Cut-off (FOC) date is 10/30. The four-issue prestige format
limited series concludes in December with AVENGERS/JLA #4, published by DC.
> Just curious what stages of production are:
> Issue #2
> Issue #3
> Issue #4
> at?
I've never been much for sharing the trafficking schedule with the
readers -- I'd rather have you focus as much as possible on the story
and the characters and as little as possible on the mechanics of putting
lines on paper.
#3's being lettered, inked and colored, #4's being scripted and penciled.
Finally, JLA/AVENGERS is here! Kurt Busiek and George Pérez bringing
every fan's dream crossover to vibrant life next month in this crossover
to end all crossovers! Seen here is the cover to October's issue 2.
The
long wait is over. After more than two decades since the project was
first proposed, JLA/Avengers will finally see the light of day this
September courtesy of writer Kurt Busiek and artist George Pérez.
ComiX-Fan Staff Writer Erwin Rafael recently caught up with Busiek to
talk about his experiences writing the most anticipated Marvel/DC
crossover event ever.
"Feels pretty good," Busiek said about being appointed for the coveted
job. "In part, I have to figure I was in the right place at the right
time - I was the regular writer on Avengers and the regular writer on
JLA {Mark Waid} had just signed an exclusive with CrossGen - but if they
didn't figure I could handle the job, they wouldn't have given it to me.
And George and I have certainly shown that we work well together. But it
does feel like quite an accomplishment to be the guy tapped to write a
monster assignment like this. When I broke in to comics, I never
imagined I'd be doing top books - a run on Iron Man was about the height
of my dreams. So I went a little farther than I'd expected..."
Busiek is well known for his love of the Avengers, and it appears that
he's a fan of the JLA as well. "I'm a pretty big fan of the characters
and of the concept - I like the traditions of the team. And I've been a
big fan of the book at various periods, most notably Len Wein's and
Steve Englehart's turns as writer. I also like the Giffen League a lot,
though I think it strays from the core concept of the series, but
manages to create its own identity and have a lot of fun along the way."
While a lot of fans are excited about the project, some naysayers
believe that JLA/Avengers would turn out to be yet another generic
Marvel vs DC crossover. "If they really want to decide what's in the
book ahead of time, I really can't stop them," responded Busiek, "but
I'd suggest to anyone that instead of making up your mind that it's
going to suck - OR that it's going to be the greatest thing since
Belgian waffles - take a look, give it a read, see how we do."
"What's
special about this book? It's the Avengers and the Justice League,
together after so long, in a big, sprawling cosmic adventure that takes
200 pages to tell. It's got art by George Pérez, and a story by some
moron who's managed to do okay in the past. What's not special about that?"
CARLIN ON JLA
08-08-2003 01:04 PM posted by MattBrady
The times, they are a changin’ for the Justice League of America. As DC
announced in San Diego, a spin-off title is coming, while rotating
creative teams will handle the main title. We caught up with JLA editor
Mike Carlin for a roadmap.
Carlin inherited the series as a result of the editorial restructuring
that went on at DC earlier this year which saw former JLA editor Dan
Raspler fired by the publisher, and Carlin stepping down from VP –
Executive Editor to Senior group Editor.
(excerpt)
“With a spin-off and double shipping for six months at least, there’s
going to be a lot of JLA projects out there, which I think is part of
what we’ve been wanting for years on the title – to capitalize on
something where clearly, there’s room for more. Obviously, if we put out
a bunch of stinkers, it’s not going to help, but I think that if we can
put out five Batman books and four Superman books every month with just
the one character in them, why can’t we just do two Justice League
books a month every now and then.
“And obviously, I think JLA/Avengers
is going to satisfy the world. It will sell, but it will satisfy as
well, which is not always the case. People have been waiting a long time
for this, and it could have easily been something that was ruined by
anticipation, but I really think that Kurt and George have hit the mark.
I think it’s going to be great. Hopefully, that will help to whet
people’s appetites for a little more JLA than they’ve seen in a while –
and we’ve got that covered.”
Jay McKiernan: Now let’s get to the big one: JLA /
Avengers. This might just be the most anticipated book of the year, and
that’s saying a lot considering 1602 is coming out soon. How did this
project come about and how were you approached?
Kurt Busiek: JLA/AVENGERS was originally slated to come out in 1982 or
1983, but rather famously fell apart over editorial disagreements and
communication problems between Marvel and DC. Over the years since,
every now and then, either Marvel would approach DC about trying again,
or DC would approach Marvel, and each time the other side didn't want to
do it for one reason or another. So it kept not happening and it became
something of a holy grail for superhero buffs -- a legendary "lost
project." A few years ago, shortly after DC had approached Marvel again,
Joe Quesada became editor in chief at Marvel, and started looking into
why it hadn't been done. To Brevoort outlines for him the various
attempts over the years and why they'd fallen apart, and Joe said,
"Well, none of that applies now. Let's do it."
So Tom contacted whoever at DC had made the latest overture, and the project got rolling.
George Perez was the obvious and only choice as artist, since he'd been
the artist on it the first time around, he's considered one of the
all-time greats among superhero artists, and he was just coming off an
acclaimed run on AVENGERS. At the time, I was writing AVENGERS and Mark
Waid was writing JLA, so the easiest thing would be for the two of us to
co-write, but Mark had just signed an exclusive deal with CrossGen
about a week before JLA/AVENGERS became a go project, so the book got
offered to me solo. For which I will always be grateful to both Mark
Waid and Mark Alessi.
JM: Was it difficult to work on this book,
feeling the pressure because of all the expectations, or was it very
easy to get a handle on this mini-series?
KB: We knew that there was enormous expectation out there, but we also
knew that there was no way we were going to meet it all -- no matter
what we do, some readers are going to be disappointed. So we just made
sure we'd have enough room to do a big, sprawling project where we could
go places that maybe the readers weren't expecting, tried to come up
with a storyline worthy of the two teams, and stopped worrying about it.
The pressure's there whatever we do, so it's not too much of a factor.
Beyond that, I'm familiar with both teams, and am working with good
editors and a top-notch artist. So some of it was tricky, some was easy,
but we came up with what we think is a sweeping and enjoyable adventure
with a lot of scope, a lot of action, room for character stuff and a
few surprises. With any luck, the readers will have at least as much fun
with it as we did.
JM: Did the presence of George Perez as the
artist make this much easier? You had a great working relationship with
him on the Avengers and did that continue with this book?
KB: Absolutely. After three years of working with George, I have
enormous faith in his storytelling abilities -- I know that I can give
him pages I wouldn't dare give to another penciler, and he'll make them
work. I also know a lot about what he most likes to draw and what he
doesn't, and he knows that I trust him, that he can take the story and
rework it, staging it his way as long as it tells the underlying story.
So yeah, that familiarity and experience gave us a very solid grounding.
Plus, George is very much the 800-pound gorilla on this book -- polite
and considerate, but he's indispensable to the project, and having
George saying, "I want to do it this way" made it easier to set it up
the way we wanted it.
Here's another topic of discussion I had with some friends the other
day: How should a retailer order JLA/AVENGERS? Do you take the combined
orders for the two individual titles and figure that'll satisfy
everyone, giving subscribers enough copies plus a few extra from the
overlap for casual fans who are sucked in by the spectacle of the
mini-series? Is the excitement there for a book that started its life
nearly twenty years ago? The thing was announced better than two years
ago already and it's just coming out now. Doesn't that kill the spin
cycle for it? Is this destined to be the best-selling book of the year
when it carries a $6 price tag for four straight months? That wasn't a
problem for Frank Miller's DARK KNIGHT STRIKES BACK mini-series, but
didn't that one bring in more outside interest that this series likely
will? I'm glad I'm not a retailer for decisions like that. DC is
soliciting the second issue of the mini-series for October.
August 1, 2003 | JLA/A #2 in Diamond Dialogue
From DIAMOND DIALOGUE (Aug 03)
UNIVERSE UNITE IN LANDMARK AVENGERS/JLA #2
It's not a hoax and not an imaginary story! DC Comics is co-publishing
with marvel Comics the sophomore chapter in the most anticipated
super-hero crossover in comic book history with the 48 page Avengers/JLA
#2 (AUG030203D1), solicited in the DC Comics section of the August
PREVIEWS.
Although the original story (pages of which were illustrated by
legendary George Pérez, who was scheduled to draw the book) remains an
untold tale to this day, this long-awaited joining of the DC and
Marvel's flagship super-teams was reimagined in 2001 when Pérez and his
Avengers collaborator, Eisner Award-winning scribe Kurt Busiek, were
given the greenlight to produce their version of this long-awaited
project. The end result of their efforts should do nothing less than
yield sizable sales for Diamond customers, especially since Avengers/JLA
is finally being made available to the myriad readers who have been
waiting two decades for this four-color event. What should also add to
the incredible sales potential of this issue is that Wizard: The Comics Magazine #143 (MAY0301861-2W) previewed the first seven pages from the mini-series' premier in July.
Released as alternating Prestige Format issues by DC and Marvel - and
picking up where the July-solicited JLA/Avengers #1 (DCD:JUL031473-D4,
UPC: 75960605369800111) left off - Avengers/JLA is as Pérez once
described it, "a fanboy's dream," involving every member of the Justice
League of America and the Avengers battling two cataclysmic threats that
could tear the teams apart… and bring about the end of the universe!!
Readers can experience all the universe-shattering action in October!
MY JLA/AVENGERS DIARY
By George Pérez
As told to Mike Cotton
transcribed by Vu (email)
Comic's ultimate crossover has been 20 years in the making, and with the
project debuting in September, the artist details the challenges, the
exhilaration and how he almost called it quits.
WIZARD ZERØ #0
AVENGERS/JLA #2 (Oct 2003)
DC/Marvel Comics
I've waited my entire life for one day - the day JLA/Avengers became reality.
Sure, for the last two years, I've been drawing the JLA/Avengers
match-up pitting the classic superteams from the rival publishers DC and
Marvel Comics. And after pushing for 20 years, a handful of false
starts, scuttled plans and missteps, I wasn't sure if JLA/Avengers was ever going to see the light of day.
Back in 1983 we came close. I actually drew 21 pages of a JLA/Avengers one-shot, but company policies and editorial wrangling torpedoed the project before I ever put pencil to paper on page 22.
And, of course, there were always rumors. A comic convention ever went
by when someone didn't asking me, "When are you going to do JLA/Avengers?"
over the years, the project took on mythical proportions with
expectations and speculation rising with each passing year. And if it
were up to me, I would've done it in a second. But when you're dealing
with the two biggest publishers in comics (and some of the biggest egos
to boot), nothing's easy.
But today, June 27, 2003, as I finished off the inks (did I mention, I'm
penciling and inking the entire series?) on issue #3, I can hardly
believe JLA/Avengers is almost complete.
This is my diary from the first time I seriously began talking to Marvel
and DC about the updated version of the crossover. Everything from the
first phone calls in 1999 to today as I review the colors of the
Batman/Captain America fight. If you think you know everything there is
to know about the new JLA/Avengers, think again.
>>>
Martian Manhunter & JLA
FALSE START
Jan 10, 1999 - I've been approached on and off over the years about a JLA/Avengers
project. But now that both JLA, with Grant Morrison and Howard Porter,
is successful, and Avengers is successful under Kurt Busiek and myself,
it looks like we might get a shot at actually doing the series. Kurt
and Tom Brevoort believe it's a perfect time. Now that these two books
are hot, why don't we start negotiating it? Everyone is a little
concern that I won't have time to draw the regular Avengers series and
the crossover, so we decide it just take place in both regular series
and I'll draw the Avengers half with Howard drawing the JLA half. It's a
terrible monster to coordinate, though.
Apr 15, 2000 - Thankfully, Marvel and DC have cased negotiations. No one
wants to do this series more than I do, but I don't think Grant really
had any enthusiasm to do a crossover book like this. I'd rather draw the
entire thing myself. This is my baby and I don't want anyone else
breast feeding her.
Aug 5, 2000 - Now that Mark Waid's been tapped to write JLA, there's
been talk of working out another crossover with Mark and Kurt co-writing
it. But this time, I'll draw the entire series. I'm keeping my fingers
crossed.
Aug 28, 2000 - I finish my last issue of Avengers today. I'd hope to be working on JLA/Avengers by now, but who knows when that will happen.
Sep 3, 2000 - Joe Quesada took over as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics a
few days ago. I am a little disappointed when I called to congratulate
him and he tells me that he isn't interested in doing any more
crossovers with DC. Joe feels that the novelty of inter-company
crossovers has been diluted by the recent glut of such projects. I can't
really disagree. Even I wrote one, the Silver Surfer/Superman crossover in 1997! Joe doesn't dash all of my hopes though. According to him there's one crossover he'd do - JLA/Avengers. He also says that the project's mine if he can get it approved. He says he'll keep me informed. I won't hold my breath.
Oct 5, 2000 - I just started doing CrossGen Chronicles and Mark Alessi
calls me today to ask if I'd be interested in working for his company
full time. I'm seriously considering his offer, but with JLA/Avengers
being talked about again, I'm not sure if I want to lock myself down in
an exclusive contract with CrossGen even though it's very enticing.
Oct 18, 2000 - Both DC and Marvel have now expressed interest in having me pencil JLA/Avengers,
but no one's even started talking about contracts yet. Also Mark [Waid]
just signed an exclusive with CrossGen , so Kurt would have to write it
solo. I wonder if this is just going to turn into another debacle.
Nov 22, 2000 - I've informed Marvel and DC that if I don't receive a
written agreement by Dec 15, I'll sign and exclusive contract with
CrossGen and won't be able to work on JLA/Avengers for at least two years.
FIRST THINGS FIRST…
written by Mike Cotton
What happened with the 1983 JLA/Avengers crossover?
In the early 1980s, it looked like nothing could stop a JLA/Avengers crossover- nothing but Marvel and DC Comics.
Following up on a very successful string of crossovers like 1976's
Superman vs Spider-Man and 1982's X-Men/New Teen Titans, Marvel and DC
agreed to a JLA/Avengers one-shot crossover.
Gerry Conway plotted the story and George Pérez was assigned to pencil
it, but before long, problems began to surface that would eventually
torpedo the project. Conway's initial plot, which reportedly revolved
around time travel and set the JLA/Avengers up in a Contest of Champions-style competition, took almost two years to complete.
By February of 1983, though, Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter was
finally able to review a plot - he refused it flatly, claiming the story
made no sense.
Everyone agreed that a revised plot was needed. Unfortunately, no one told that to Pérez who began drawing the rejected plot.
"It was excruciatingly annoy," says Pérez today, the only person to work
on both the original one-shot and the current four-issue crossover
shipping in September. "I drew 21 pages before I got the call to stop
penciling immediately."
Eventually writer Roy Thomas re-scripted the initial plot but the
infighting between Marvel & DC's editorial teams put the project in
jeopardy.
Everyone from Pérez to Thomas to Shooter did interviews about the
project's continued delays and by May of 1984 both published officially
scuttled the one-shot.
GO TIME
Dec 15, 2000 - I finally received the contract for JLA/Avengers and I inform Mark Alessi I will go exclusive with CrossGen as of October 2002.
Jan 17, 2001 - While Kurt, Tom and Dan [Raspler] work on a plot, I work
on the first promo art for a joint announcement at March's Orlando
Megacon and Wizard #116 in March. I can hardly believe I'm being paid
for an actual piece of artwork for JLA/Avengers. This isn't a fan commission - this is the real deal!
Mar 2, 2001 - By the time we all get together in Orlando to announce the
project, everyone was already talking about it. I guess a project this
big can't be kept under wraps for too long. And since Marvel and DC
already announced they'd be co-hosting a panel, most fans and pros have
already put two and two together.
It eases my mind a little bit now that everyone knows JLA/Avengers
is a go again. Now that DC and Marvel have put their collective
reputations on the line, I don't see anything holding this project back
anymore.
Mar 24, 2001 - as expected the plot is taking a long time to be
approved. I'm already receiving pieces, but I can't get a real feel for
the story without everything. I like what I see so far, though.
Apr 6, 2001 - Wizard wants to run the first art from JLA/Avengers,
so I'm jumping ahead of my work to push through the pencils and inks on
the first two double-page spreads. I can't wait for fans to get a look
at this stuff. So far, I haven't drawn any pages of the JLA and
Avengers interacting, so we picked out pages of the JLA fighting a major
Marvel Villain (Terminus) and the Avengers taking on a major DC villain
(Starro).
Apr 8, 2001 - There's so many characters in this series, I'm doing
research like crazy. I literally couldn't remember what Terminus looked
like today!
Apr 15, 2001 - Marvel and DC have a very different vision of what the coloring on JLA/Avengers should look from mine and Tom Smith's. I feel bad that Tom's caught in the middle.
Apr 20, 2001 - I am growing increasingly annoyed with the coloring on
the two spreads we're sending Wizard for their "First Look". When I
voice my displeasure to Tom and Dan both decide that Tom Smith and
myself are more than welcome to make any grievances public. I guess no
one wants to be the person who has to go to their bosses and say, "I'm
the one responsible for George Pérez quitting this book."
May 3, 2001 - I just finished page #21 of the first issue. As I wrote "JLA/Avengers issue #1, page #22"
on the next art board, I realized this is further than this project has
ever gone before. I called Tom Brevoort immediately to celebrate. This
is a landmark day!
May 17, 2001 - The plots are slowing down and I don't think it's Kurt's
fault. Dan Raspler doesn't want to approve anything until he gets a
complete plot. I'm getting annoyed. He seemed to be very indecisive and
that's something we can't allow with a project this big.
May 21, 2001 - Since a holdup in plot approval doesn't allow me to
continue penciling, I start to ink what I've already penciled for issue
#1. I want this project to be "all George Pérez", a complete
representation of my art.
Jun 7, 2001 - Now that issue #1 is penciled and I'm halfway through
penciling issue #2, DC's business department want to have a firm date
when JLA/Avengers will ship, but that's impossible at this point.
There's no way this book should have a ship date until we know it can
ship. I tell Marvel and DC that I'll walk away from the project if they
don't hold to their word when they said, "JLA/Avengers will ship when JLA/Avengers is ready to ship."
Jun 18, 2001 - I work on the first meeting between the JLA and Avengers
today, and Thor cracks Superman with his hammer in a scene that's going
to be huge! I would expect no less from Kurt!
Jul 10, 2001 - As I'm inking the last pages of issue #1, I learn I'm
going to have to go back and redraw Green Lantern's costume. DC recently
updated his look and it'll need to be reflected. After speaking with
everyone involved, we agree that this will be the last costume change we
make. If costumes or characters change from now on, they won't be
reflected in the crossover.
Aug 1, 2001 - With the pencils on issue #2 almost complete, I make
preparations to take a brief vacation to France with my wife this
September. I look forward to taking some time off.
Sep 11, 2001 - As my wife and I prepare to go to the airport we hear the
news about the World Trade Center disaster. I can't believe any of
this. We cancel our trip.
THE NIGHT SHIFT
Jan 5, 2002 - Looking over my bank records, I realized that I'm losing
about 30 percent of my income now that I'm only working on JLA/Avengers. I'm very worried about bankruptcy, I've called my art dealer and he's set me up doing some commissions pieces to help out.
Jun 3, 2002 - The plans for my new CrossGen book, Solus, haven't been
finalized yet, so I've got a one-month reprieve to work on JLA/Avengers. Plot approval remains slow. I'm at a stand still on issue #3 pencils, and I continue inking #2.
Batman Vs Captain America
Aug 20, 2002 - I draw the Batman versus Captain America fight today. This one will make the fanboys go crazy!
Oct 1, 2002 - My CrossGen contract has gone back into effect. From now on, I'll only work on JLA/Avengers
at night and on weekends. I'm still penciling and inking issue #3. I'm
jazzed to be working on Solus with Barbara Kesel, but I wish I had a
little more time to devote to JLA/Avengers.
Mar 7, 2003 - I can't ever recall working longer days. I work on JLA/Avengers
off the clock constantly. Even when I sti down to watch TV with my wife
these, I find myself bring a board and pen with me to finish the inks
on issue #3.
Apr 23, 2003 - We're in the home stretch. Although the final plot is
still being worked on, I begin penciling the first third of the JLA/Avengers
#4. We decide to solicit the project for September - the first issue
debuting Sep 3 - and I'm confident we can meet that deadline, but it's
still going to be tight. We may have to go to a six-week shipping
schedule, but I'm sure each issue will be worth the wait.
Jun 27, 2003 - Now that we're less than three months away from shipping
issue #1, I've finally got some breathing room. Although most of my
week is taken up working on Solus, the pencils on JLA/Avengers #4 are coming along nicely and the inks on issue #3 are almost done.
Looking back, this has been one of the most enjoyable and creative
experiences of my 30-year career. People ask me how I feel and I tell
them to get back to me Sep 3, I'll feel a lot better then.
In a notable show of restraint, DC Comics managed to have a major panel
Sunday at Comic-Con International in San Diego without mentioning yet
another Marvel Comics creator that they'd managed to lure over to DC
exclusivity with a better offer (presumably including a fat Warner
Brothers check).
(excerpt)
And while "JLA/Avengers" #4 is still being penciled by George Pérez, the
first issue is already at the printers, and the other issues are at
stages in between, but "it's really happening this time," writer Kurt
Busiek said.
(Mike) Carlin said that issue #1 of Avengers/JLA is at the
printers, while issues #2 and #3 are bring lettered and colored. Issues
#3 and #4 are being scripted, and issue #4 is currently being penciled
by Perez.
(Vu: I believe it was Kurt Busiek that spoke about JLA/AVENGERS, not Mike Carlin.)
In speaking about Avengers/JLA, moderator Bob Wayne quipped that people should hurry and buy issue #1
(published by Marvel), because he anticipates it will be gone by the
end of the day. Wayne then said that, in October, people can take their
time in getting their issue,
because DC is printing it (hinting that they will be overprinting).
Wayne continued, saying that hopefully people won’t have family
obligations in November, because they’ll have to get to the comic book
store to get their copy of issue #3 (published by Marvel), but in December, people can once again take their time in getting to the shop for issue #4.
“So, in summary,” Wayne said, “Avengers/JLA, two issues hard to find, two issues very easy to find.”
The historic comics event decades in the making!
AVENGERS/JLA #2
It's time for Round Two, as the comic-book event of the year continues!
Superstar creators Kurt Busiek and George Pérez continue the titanic
team-up between the World's Greatest Super-Heroes and Earth's Mightiest
Heroes in AVENGERS/JLA #2, the second installment of the long-awaited,
Prestige Format 4-issue miniseries co-published by DC and Marvel!
The threats that brought the heroes together in the first issue now
promise to tear the teams apart, and the battles you've longed to see
just may cause the end of the universe! Featuring appearances by
Superman, Captain America, Batman, Thor, Wonder Woman, Wasp, Green
Lantern, Iron Man, and a cast of hundreds - including, ultimately, every
member of the JLA and Avengers ever!
Look for issue #3 next month from Marvel and #4 from DC in December!
This project is supported with trade and house ads.
AVENGERS/JLA is a 4-issue Prestige Format miniseries co-published with
Marvel Comics and co-edited by Mike Carlin and Tom Brevoort. The 48-page
issue #2 arrives in comic-book stores October 22 with a cover price of
$5.95 U.S.
AVENGERS/JLA #2
Written by Kurt Busiek; art and cover by George Pérez.
Round 2 of the comic-book event of the year. The titanic team-up the
world has waited for continues as the threats that brought the heroes
together in the first issue tear the teams apart. Guest-starring every
character to ever belong to the Avengers and the JLA. Co-published by DC
and Marvel. Look for JLA/AVENGERS #3 solicited next month by Marvel.
48 pages, $5.95, in stores on Oct. 22.
JLA-Z #2
Written by Mike McAvennie; art by Kevin Maguire, Howard Porter, John Dell, and various; cover by Phil Jimenez.
A handbook to DC's greatest super-team featuring artwork by some of the
biggest names in comics, timed to coincide with the inter-company
crossover of the decade. Featuring the second of a triptych of covers by
Phil Jimenez, this stunning issue covers heroes and villains ranging
from Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) to the Lord of Time, illustrated by
notables including Kevin Maguire, Howard Porter and more.
DC Comics is releasing its solicitation information for October. For a
complete rundown, with more than 100 images, check back here right after
midnight.
Until then, DC has provided The Continuum with the cover to JLA/Avengers #2 by George Perez.
Lea Hernandez: So talk to us about JLA/AVENGERS?
Kurt Busiek: What do you want to know?
Lea: Well, it comes out in September, I know this. I did my
research. And, erm, tell us something that you've haven't told anybody
else, just because we're pals.
Kurt: Well, I haven't told many people much. But let's see. I really
have no idea what to say. It's a fun story, we're -- George (Pérez) is
working on issue four.
It's going to come out in September. It looks fantastic. I don't
know. I don't want to tell you. I don't want to tell you any secrets.
Lea: Oh well, that's what I was sort of rooting around for.
Kurt: I know that's what you're rooting around for, but I'm not going to do it.
Lea: Tell me a secret.
Kurt: Because I know, you know, that you're going to tell the public at large.
Lea: Of course, we are!
Kurt: Yes.
Lea: That's the whole of having--
Kurt: And I'm not going to do it. You've got to buy the comic!
Lea: Well you know, this has been in the offering for years and
years, it's almost legendary how long it's taken this to happen. So
what made it happened this time, as opposed to all the other time it's
been talked, and kicked around.
Kurt: It was me. It was me - I did it!
No, actually, it was - every-- over the years it occasional started to
come together and then fell apart again for one reason or another. And
this case, it came together as time... DC had approached Marvel about
doing it and Marvel hadn't been interested. And then there was, what we
now call, a Regime change. And Joe Quesada was in charge, and Joe said
to Tom Brevoort 'Tom, why didn't JLA/AVENGERS ever get done?' And Tom
explained to him the various reasons. And Joe said, 'Well, none of
those apply anymore. Let's see if we can do it.'
So Tom contacted DC, this was only a little while when DC tried to
contact Marvel, and they put it together. George was the only choice
for the artist. And since Mark Waid was writing JLA, at the time, and I was writing AVENGERS, at the time, it made sense that we were going to co-write it together. Except to my eternal joy, to my surprise, Mark had juuust signed an exclusive contract with CrossGen.
Lea: That's a while ago!
Kurt: Well that's when it happened. So I got the deal solo. Lucky me, ha ha and you, eh?
Since it has been asked many times, here is how orders will be handled for JLA/AVENGERS artwork.
With respect to complete issues ... a friend of George's did him a
MASSIVE favor when he needed it most, and as a result, George has
granted him (and only him) first right of refusal for any ONE complete
issue of his choice other than issue #3.
Issue 3 is going to be broken up as George has drawn some of his friends
into the issue (no more than one person per page, so there won't be any
fights). The rest of the series will be up for grabs.
The pages will be listed for sale on my website ... http://www.theartistschoice.com as soon as possible after the book ships ... orders will be filled on a first come first serve basis.
** NOTE ** I WILL NOT take any orders until the prices are
posted publicly and everyone has a chance to see it. So PLEASE, if the
prices are not yet up, do not send an order in. Until the prices are
posted, any orders that come in beforehand will be discarded. Also, I
will NOT accept phone orders ... all orders MUST be placed by email (email).
As of today (although not set in stone) with rare exception, the prices will be as follows:
panel pages will be STARTING at about $500 a page
splash pages will be STARTING at about $1,500 a page
two page spreads will be STARTING at about $2,500 a spread
The status of cover sales is still under review as George and I have a
couple of different ideas what to do with them. As soon as a final
decision is made, I will let everyone know.
For those who are thinking does Mr. Perez know how high Spencer has set
the prices? The answer is YES ... he is well aware of how high I have
set the base prices at. It is our feeling that this is a once in a
lifetime job for him and once everyone sees the artwork, it will be
worth the price. Especially since this is going to be the last time he
draws mainstream super heroes for forceable future.
George has said that even if there is a decision to do a sequel, he will
not draw it. When you see how much work he put into the artwork you
will understand. Having pushed himself to the limit artistically with
this story, NO ONE will ever be able to say he took the easy road.
Payment methods accepted will be the same as always ... Payment will be
due in my hands within 10 days of confirmation. Accepted forms of
payment are personal & business checks (which must clear the bank
before artwork will be shipped), certified checks, cashier's checks,
money orders and Western Union. For International Orders, payment
methods accepted will be Money Orders in American Funds, Checks drawn
from American Banks or Western Union. Postage will be in addition to the
cost of the art as usual as well.
I hope this answers as many advance questions as possible. More will be
spelled out clearer when the artwork is closer to being available for
sale.
> it slightly bothers me that their just repeating the battles of Marvel Vs DC>
Now you know why we don't like to give out advance information.
You're already disappointed in the content, based on a cover image.
kdb
June 2, 2003 | Seller's WWE Highlights
From ES
WIZARD WORLD EAST CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
photo and text by ES
ES and Barbara Kesel
Tom Brevoort and ES
Joe Quesada, at the Cup O' Joe Panel
CrossGen Wizard World Poster
ACTOR table
CrossGen's Solus Convention Stand
Friday Highlights
Mr. Tom Brevoort (AVENGERS/JLA Co-Editor/Great Guy) announced at the
Marvel Universe/Max/Marvel Knight Panel on Friday about AVENGERS/JLA #1
coming out in September 2003.
I met Mr. Geoff Johns (AVENGERS, JSA, TEEN TITANS, HAWKMAN) Another great
guy.
Saturday Highlight
I attended Cup O' Joe Q & A Panel. Where I ask a JLA/AVENGERS to Mr. Joe
Quesada (Marvel Editor-in-Chief), I still transcribing the response, so look
for that later in the week.
I attended the DC: Expanding Our Universe Panel. Where the folks at DC
announced that JLA/AVENGERS #2 and 4 would be coming out in October and December of 2003.
I also attended the 1 on 1 panel with Mark Alessi (CROSSGEN) minus Mr.
Alessi who couldn't make the con due to last minute commitments. Ron Marz
was there along with one of the CROSSGEN heads.
Sunday Highlights
I meet Mrs. Barbara Kesel (SOLUS) at the CROSSGEN Booth (Nice Lady) I got a big hug when I ask her if I could get my picture taken with her.
I attended Mr. Geoff Johns Panel: Juggling Team Books
There were four or five total limited edition posters (CROSSGEN) that
were given away during the con through free raffles. These posters
featured original art done exclusively for WIZARD WORLD EAST and signed
by everyone at CROSSGEN.
"Worth the Wait?"
written by George Nelson
published in COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1542 (6 Jun 03)
transcribed by Vu
related websites: www.comicsbuyersguide.com
Pérez promises late 2003 release for JLA/Avengers
Publishers of the long-awaited JLA/Avengers DC-Marvel crossover
should be closer to setting a release date within a few weeks, artist
George Pérez said at April's Pittsburgh Comicon. "This is going to be a
very, very intensive two months," said Pérez, who is penciling and
inking the crossover, written by his fromer Avengers collaborator Kurt
Busiek. "It will be very nice in 2004 to be able to draw one page a
day, five days a week, because that's all that CrossGen ever wants as
output from their artists." Pérez draws Solus for CrossGen.
The first two issues of JLA/Avengers are pencilled and inked, and
Pérez has pencilled all but four pages and inked 16 pages of #3.
Covers have been colored, as well as all of #1. the plot for the fourth
and final issue also has been approved. "The book is definitely coming
out the last quarter of this year," he told CBG. "As I've told many
people, I refused to have this as the cover feature for Wizard's 2004
preview. It's been the cover feature now for two years. I've got to get
that book out."
The Avengers have 81 members, honorary members, and hangers-on - and the
JLA includes more than 100. "As Kurt Busiek put it, when people say
the Avengers have pretty low standards for members, the JLA have none,"
Pérez joked. "And, as was my desire - and they're honoring it - I
wanted every single character who's ever been a member of either group
to be in this book." There may be another 200 characters who have
cameos. In the last issue alone, close to three dozen super-villains
appear who had not previously shown up in the story.
Though he would not disclose plot details, Pérez said the story - which
takes place, he quipped, on "Earth-$" - has time - and
dimension-spanning aspects that allow him to draw things that he would
not have had the opportunity to draw, if he had to stick to literal
timeline, such as Wonder Woman with an eagle on her bodice.
AVENGERS: HEROES REBORN, art by Rob Liefeld/Jon Sibal
WONDER WOMAN (Eagle Bodice), art by Pérez/Giordano
"When I was in issue #1, when I got to draw the Spectre, I said, 'OK at
least Hal Jordan does appear.' Little did I know what Kurt had in mind. I
get to draw the classic Green Lantern in the classic costume - even the
one without the shoulder epaulets and the V-shapes: the very, very
early version of his costume." Even Heroes Reborn versions of the
Avengers might appear. Yes, Kurt is going to try to make this as
logical as possible, but there's going to be some stuff you're just
going to have to, as Marv Wolfman said, spray the fairy dust on and let
your imagination run wild," he observed. "We're going to have fun with
this book. It's a lot of work, I hope it's going to be worth the wait
for you. For me, I'm just looking forward to not having to answer, 'When
is JLA/Avengers coming out?'"
AVENGERS MANSION, art by George Pérez/Bob McLeod
ASGUARD, art by Ron Frenz/Brett Breeding
JLA SATELLITE, art by Chuck Patton/Romeo Tanghal
Locations for the story include the Flash Museum, Asgard, Avengers
Mansion in its different incarnations, and the various headquarters of
the JLA. It also include nods to the original version of JLA/Avengers, started in the early 1980s but never published.
Announced in 2001, the crossover has been the subject of much
speculation regarding its eventual release, and Pérez acknowledged that
he had hoped the four-issue mini-series would have been finished sooner,
as well.
"When people ask why this book is taking so long, a lot of them don't
know that I'm inking myself - so, when they find that out, suddenly all
is forgiven," he said. He added that he has had to take on outside work
to be able to afford the project, noting that his income dropped 60%
during the year he worked on the series exclusively.
He acknowledged that fans might be tiring of news regarding the project
but said he thinks that will be taken care of, once an official release
date is announced. "There have been a lot of false dates. Fans have made
assumptions based on the Internet version of 'telephone', where news
was actually disseminated incorrectly that there was a release date.
No, there was a hoped-for date. I had hoped to get this book done
a lot sooner, but it became apparent that, if I wanted to earn a
living, doing this book alone without something to supplement my income
was going to be a financially disastrous for me."
He said the project is moving faster with DC Executive Editor Mike
Carlin stepping in as DC's editor. He described former Editor Dan
Raspler as "a bit of a tehnophobe," which slowed down approval of
coloring. "Another great thing about having Mike Carlin involved -
having nothing to do with Dan's ability or any disagreements - is that
Mike Carlin was the late Mark Gruenwald's assistant editor, when Mark
was the editor of the original JLA/Avengers, so Mike, is the only
other personal involved other than me from the original. Having
worked with Mike, I have a great, great respect for him as an editor:
the type of editor who believes that, if you hire good people, let them
do their jobs," he continued. "If he has suggestions, he'll be the first
to tell you, but in the end he says we all have to be happy with the
book."
Pérez said he is satisfied with the work by colorist Tom Smith and
remarked that working with Busiek reminds him of working with Wolfman:
"The greatest compliment I can give to any writer."
April 30, 2003 | JLA/A Page Count
From ES
AVENGERS/JLA #2 (Oct 2003)
DC/Marvel Comics
JLA/Avengers Page Count confirmed on auto tape via JLA/Avengers Panel at the PITTSBURGH COMICON 2003 (April 27, 2003).
(George said he had no problem with me taping the panel when I ask.)
This is from the PLANET COMICON 2003
convention. Basically, everyone who was waiting for George for
autographs or comission was asking one thing: "When is JLA/Avengers
coming out?"
Although, George consistantly replied "Definitely by 2003", at one point he made a note that he's already inked the cover to JLA/AVENGERS #2!
Other questions was about CrossGen and SOLUS,
in which George said that it is the only book (besides JLA/A) that he
will be doing for the foreseeable future, until they want him off the
book.
WIZARD NEWS & NOTES:
JLA/AVENGERS UPDATE
written by Mike Cotton & DM
transcribed by Vu
published in WIZARD MAGAZINE #136
AVENGERS/JLA #2 (Oct 2003)
DC/Marvel Comics
With artist George Pérez's exclusive CrossGen contract back in effect,
some fans may be wondering how his work on the highly anticipated
four-issue JLA/Avengers mini-series is going. According to Pérez, it's going just fine.
"The new schedule means I'll be working twice as much as I used to,"
chuckles Pérez, who handles his CrossGen workload during business hours
and focuses on JLA/Avengers nights and weekends. "I'm not as far ahead on the Avengers/JLA
as I had hoped I would be. I'm inking my 31st page of issue #2 and I'm
penciling page 36 of issue #3. I've already penciled and inked the
cover of issue #1 and penciling the cover of issue #2 and I've designed
all of them."
While no release date has been official set for the joint venture
between Marvel and DC, the artist can't wait for fans to get a look at
the series - even if the idea of living up to 20 years of anticipation
scares him a little.
"Believe me, I'm glad that this project is causing such a stir," said Pérez. "I know realistically that JLA/Avengers has had 20 years of anticipation, which I hope I live up to."
FIRST LOOK
written by uncredited
transcribed by Vu
JLA/AVENGERS
DC and Marvel show off
exclusive pages from 2003's mega-team-up!
Throughout 20 years of false starts and company conflicts, one man always believed in JLA/Avengers.
"This is not only a dream come true," admits artist George Pérez
of 2003's four-part mini-series teaming Marvel and DC Comics' iconic
superteams. "It's also something I always had faith in. I always though
one day, everything would fall into place and I'd be the artist on JLA/Avengers."
Pérez, who's enjoyed memorable stints on both JLA and Avengers, had drawn over 20 pages for the project in 1983, when it was scuttled due to arguments between Marvel and DC over the plot.
"George is throwing everything he's got into this project and it
shows," observes series Kurt Busiek. "The difference between George and a
lot of other artists is that George became a superstar but he never
stopped trying. He's just never satisfied."
Describing his take on the story, Busiek explains, "We wanted to
put the Avengers in a JLA situation and the JLA in an Avengers
situation," reveals Busiek. "The classic JLA answer to a gigantic
threat is, 'Figure out the answer.' The classic Marvel response to a big
threat is 'Smack the crap out of it!'"
While both creators say JLA/Avengers as been a career
benchmark, it hasn't been without problems. With Pérez just finishing
the pencils for page 36 of the second issue and inks over 33 pages
between the two issues, he has had to go back and make necessary
changes.
"Green Lantern was actually penciled in his old costumes,"
informs Pérez. "Then when I was told he'd be getting a new costume, I
started drawing him as just a naked man flying around. Eventually, I
got the reference and I went back and inked it with his new costume."
Busiek says he's also made changes to the plot and characters as the Marvel and DC Unverses have evolved since last year.
"When I turned in the plot of issue #2, I ended up taking it completely
apart and putting it back together again," says Busiek. "It got a lot
better in the process, but that's all part of the making of something of
this magnitude - everyone involved wants this to be the most surprising
and talked-about project we've ever worked on."
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