News You Can Use

MARVEL NEWS

News Home Page - ---- More DC News - ------ More Indy News - ------ Anime News ----- Game News

Waid Off Fantastic Four
Quesada Denies That Jemas Will Write FF

It was reported June 14th on Newsarama that writer Mark Waid has been fired from Marvel's Fantastic Four. Reportedly the axe came for his "failing to get with the program" and go along with changes in the long running comic series' direction dictated by Marvel President Bill Jemas. Waid's last issue of Fantastic Four will be #508. Waid, who took the FF assignment last year after ending his "exclusive" stint with CrossGen, told Newsarama that Jemas "tried to convince me to jettison our high-adventure approach in favor of a making the FF a wacky suburban dramedy." Waid also suggested (in a separate post) that Jemas himself would take over the writing chores on FF -- which deservedly brought howls of protest from fandom and a fairly quick damage control response from Marvel EIC, Joe Quesada. Quesada wrote an open letter to comic fans in which he denied that Jemas would be writing the FF and also rejected Waid's characterization of the new direction suggested for the FF saying that Waid, "...may be mixing up stories he's heard and judging the new direction on what was a very initial pitch that was circulated over a month ago." He also characterized Waid's departure from the book as Waid's decision over creative differences. As Waid's run on Fantastic Four has been excellent and well received, it is hard to understand what more Marvel wanted from Waid.

Quesada did not deny that the impetus for the new direction came from Jemas, who to the disdain of fanboys everywhere, is a much more "hands-on" executive than his counterparts in comic publishing (Namely the illustrious "Laul Pevitz"). Though Quesada mentioned that he and "a couple of Marvel's top creators" are also working with Jemas on the new FF-related concept, he obviously doesn't object to executive involvement in editorial affairs. In fact, Quesada confirmed his reputation as president (and sole member) of the Bill Jemas Fan Club, describing him as: "the man who schemed the Ultimate Universe, had the guts to tell Origin, and turned Marvel's publishing business around in less than two years." Jemas thanked Quesada for his comments, and then threw him a biscuit. Quesada said that "a new writer for FF will be announced shortly."

Bill Jemas Vs. Peter David:
Or "Has Marvel No Shame?"

It all began when Joe Quesada announced plans to raise the price on three Marvel books including Captain Marvel. Writer Peter David took exception to the price increase and publically offered to write the book virtually for free. This led to a sparring match between David and Marvel Editor In Chief Joe Quesada. Never one to miss out on a public quarrel, Marvel COO Bill Jemas got into the fray with a plan. He and Quesada would launch new books at the same time as the relaunch of Peter David's Captain Marvel. Whichever book sold the best survived without cancellation, whichever sold the poorest got the axe.
The competition, named "U-Decide", began in September. Bill Jemas teamed with penciler M.D. Bright and inker Paul Neary for Marville #1. This book proudly heralded the return of the alternate foil cover, with Cover A by M.D. Bright, Foil Cover B by UDON, and Foil Cover C by Greg Horn. The blurb from Marvel (and no one here is making ANY of this up!): "Just imagine Bill Jemas creating the DC Universe! That's right, Marvel's own President introduces a hero for 2002! If you thought some of the things Jemas said before were crazy, just wait until you meet The Marvel!"
As indicated by the cover at left, only great writing, no sex or gimmicks was used to sell the book.

The Peter David book, Captain Marvel #1, has artwork by ChrisCross, and its own set of three covers, none of them shiney. Cover A is by ChrisCross, Alternate Painted Cover B by Joe Jusko, and Alternate Sketch Cover C by Alex Ross. Its blurb depends less on hyperbole: "A new-reader-friendly beginning for Marvel's best-reviewed book! Okay, you know Captain Marvel is one of the most critically acclaimed titles in the entire industry -- and now Peter David and ChrisCross invite you to find out why! Big changes are coming for the son of Mar-Vell, and you can get in on the ground floor right here... when Cap goes crazy!"
The third book, Ultimate Adventures #1 is not actually writen or drawn by Joe Quesada. Instead, he is editor of this new Ultimate title which is writen by Ron Zimmerman and drawn by Duncan Fegredo. Accordinn to Marvel is features the introduction of "Hawk-Owl and Zippy -- and present(s) a touching look at the world of the superhero side-kick."
The book is certain to fail because... well, because it only has one cover. This leaves Captain Marvel and The Marville. Ground Zero stocked heavily on one and lightly on the other.

p>Marvel CEO Steps Down
From Diamond Comic Distributors Retailer Website
Marvel Comics has announced that current president and CEO Peter Cuneo will retire at the end of the year. His replacement, Allen Lipson, Marvel's Executive Vice President Business & Legal Affairs will take over the position effective January 1, 2003.
For the remainder of his term, Cuneo will work with Lipson to arrange the most orderly and effective transition. Following his leaving the CEO position, Cuneo will continue to serve on Marvel's Board, and will also operate in an advisory capacity with the company.
Since November 1999, Lispon has played an integral role in structuring and negotiating Marvel's strategic entertainment and licensing relationships. In his role as EVP Business Affairs, he has substantially influenced Marvel's business and financial strategic decisions. Most interestingly, Lipson has been involved in structuring and negotiating all movie and television agreements for Marvel and every other major transaction since he joined the company.
In a release from Marvel, Cuneo commented on his decision to step down: "For the past twenty years I have enjoyed the challenge of leading organizations that were in need of fundamental change and ultimately placing them on stable ground. With support from a group of superb senior managers and from every employee, this stability has been achieved at Marvel.... The best days for Marvel are still to come and I look forward to continuing to help the Company progress into the future."
Lipson further stated that "Marvel's true value is just now beginning to be appreciated, and we are eager to accelerate the process to generate improving financial performance. I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity to help guide Marvel as we enter our `Golden Age.'"

Marvel Vice President of Sales Resigns
Word leaked out from Marvel in early July that Vice President of Sales Matt Ragone had left the company. Ragone is a long time veteran of the comics industry, who has worked for both DC and Marvel during an industry career that has spanned almost twenty years. Over the past decade at Marvel, Ragone was a pillar of continuity in a sea of change as various regimes came and went and the company lurched into Chapter 11 and then back towards financial solvency. During his career Matt handled almost every aspect of sales. Recently he spearheaded Marvel's push into traditional bookstores, which many feel are replacing newsstands as the prime recruitment venue for comic book readers.
When asked whether Matt's departure was voluntary or forced, Marvel's Bill Rosemann would only smile and say, "He is no longer with the company."
Ragone's reputation among retailers remains high. Typical of the reaction of retailers was this comment from a long time store owner, "Matt's a stand-up guy, who managed to maintain his personal integrity in spite of the fact that most of the time he was working for a pack of weasels."

Daredevil Movie Release Pushed Back To February

Twentieth Century Fox has moved the debut of its Daredevil motion picture from Jan. 17 to Feb. 14, 2003. According to Fox vice chairman Bob Harper, the move wasn't caused by any delays in the production of the Daredevil film, but rather the big business that the Spider-Man movie is still doing. Harper explained to Variety, "Audiences have demonstrated a tremendous appetite for comic superheroes in the last couple of years. We are very excited about unveiling the next big Marvel superhero on the first big holiday of the year." Marvel's Avi Arad, gleefully expecting another major blockbuster, added "The summer is starting earlier and earlier."
The Daredevil film is writen by Mark Steven Johnson, and stars Ben Affleck as "The Man Without Fear," Jennifer Garner stars as Elecktra, with Michael Clarke Duncan taking the role of The Kingpin, and Jon Favreau as "Foggy" Nelson. Daredevil will be the first of three mega-Marvel films to bow next year. After Daredevil's debut on the Valentine's Day/President's Day weekend, X-Men 2 bows on May 2, and Ang Lee's Hulk movie hits theaters on June 20. Fox, which will also produce X-Men 2 is staking out its turf for next season. Given Spider-Man's stellar performance it is likely that other blockbuster, effects-filled films will give these Marvel epics a wide berth.

JOHN BUSCEMA, 1927-2002
REVERED COMIC BOOK ARTIST FOR MARVEL AND DC COMICS
Legendary comic book artist John Buscema of Port Jefferson, NY, passed away January 10, after a battle with stomach cancer. Buscema was instrumental in the early visual styling of Marvel Comics and worked for both Marvel and DC Comics. During his time at Marvel, Buscema's illustrations graced the pages of virtually every title, including Conan, Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer, and The Incredible Hulk.
Born December 11, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY, Buscema attended the High School of Music and Art and Pratt Institute, where he studied life drawing and design. Ultimately, Buscema's studies landed him a job at Marvel Comics, then Timely Comics, in 1948. After a stint in advertising, Buscema returned to Marvel Comics in 1966, at the specific request of then Editor-in-Chief Stan Lee.
Lee commented on the death of his longtime collaborator. "John Buscema was far more than one of our finest comic book artists. If Michaelangelo had elected to draw storyboards with pencil and pen, his style would have been close to that of Big John's. But, even more than a superb illustrator, John also was a brilliant visual storyteller. Thinking back on all the strips we had done together, I had only to give him the briefest kernel of a plot and he would flesh it out with his magnificent illustrations so brilliantly that the stories almost seemed to write themselves. Happily, the legacy of artwork that my dear friend, the creative giant that was John Buscema, leaves behind, will bring wonder and enjoyment to generations of readers to come."
Buscema became one of the artistic pillars of the young Marvel, tutoring countless young artists, as well as co-writing with Lee How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way. Many of today's top comic book artists cite Buscema as one of their chief influences.
Joe Quesada, current Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics, said, "I remember how captivated I was as a young comics reader by the power of John Buscema's artwork. Even at a young age, I knew I was looking at something created by an artist whose skill level was so much better than that of his contemporaries. I had the pleasure about three years ago of meeting Mr. Buscema in the Marvel offices, and he was as powerful a presence in person as his work was on the printed page."
After thirty years at Marvel, Buscema began working for DC Comics, drawing Batman in the anthology title Batman: Black & White. His most recent published work was, touchingly, with Lee, in Just Imagine Stan Lee with John Buscema Creating Superman. At the time of his death, Buscema actively was working on projects for several publishers.
Mike Carlin, Executive Editor at DC Comics, said, "It goes without saying what a privilege it was for DC to have tapped the legendary team of John Buscema and Stan Lee to reimagine Superman just one year ago... and a singular thrill to edit anything John worked on. Sadly, as it's proved to be their final collaboration, it's even more important a personal pleasure to have been a small part of it."
Buscema is survived by his wife Dolores, son John, Jr., daughter Dianne, and four grandchildren. The family has announced that a viewing will be held on Sunday, January 13 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 10pm at The Bryant Funeral Home, 411 Old Town Road, East Setauket, NY, 11733, 631-473-0082. The funeral was held Monday morning, January 14.