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November 16, 2002 | CBG #1515: JLA/A News

COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1515 (29 Nov 2002)

From COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1515 (29 Nov 02)

No date yet for JLA-Avengers crosscover
written by George Nelson
transcribed by Vu
published in COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1515 (29 Nov 02)
website: www.comicsbuyersguide.com

Editor Tom Brevoort: "It will be done when it will be done."

The long-anticipated JLA-Avengers crossover project will not be schedule until most of it is done.

"I'm not putting a date on it," said Avengers Editor Tom Brevoort, who, with George Perez, attended the Baltimore Comic-Con in late October. "The whole point of the way we're doing this is we will not schedule it until it is at least all penciled, until we are all confident that it can come out monthly, the way it's supposed to."

At the convention, Pérez said that by Oct. 31 he would have finished inking the second issue of the inter-company crossover. He added that he has penciled three-quarters of #3 and expected that writer Kurt Busiek's plot for the fourth issue should be ready by the time he begins inking #3 in late November. He said that, at the pace work is going, the crossover could be scheduled for summer 2003, if Marvel and DC agree.

Pérez said, "Now that we've gotten past the halfway mark, that looks like an attainable schedule but the one thing we did not want is this book to be scheduled and then ship late. It may not get finalized until they know that I'm inking the fourth issue, just to make sure, and I do appreciate it because I don't want any mishaps on this book."

Both Pérez and Brevoort are mindful of what happens when issues of high-profile projects are delayed with the recent examples of both Marvel's Wolverine: the Origin and DC's The Dark Knight Strikes Again fresh in their minds.

"I had to argued from the beginning, and we all agreed, that this book has to have everything going for it and that it should be all finished before it ever got it and that it should be all finished before it ever got scheduled - or at least scheduled when we would know that it would always be on time," Pérez said. The problems with Wolverine: The Origin and DK2 helped make the editorial department's case to management.

Avengers Editor Tom Brevoort (left) and JLA/Avengers artist George Pérez (right) discussed the long-anticipated crossover at the Baltimore Comic-Con. Photo by George Nelson.

Brevoort said, "We've all seen any number of projects that have been big, anticipated projects that retailers and fans both are very upset about, when later issues of the project don't' come out when they should." Though he said he expect to see JLA/Avengers scheduled for 2003, "I wouldn't want to put it in any particular month, because anything I say right now - if I give a casual date - every fan in the world will seize on that as the truth and then the solicitation catalog will come out and, if it's not there, it's a disaster. It will be done when it will be done."

So far, Brevoort said, the interface between the two publishers has been smooth. "Ultimately, everybody involved wants the same thing. They want a good, strong, classic crossover, the crossover to end all crossovers, and everybody has sort of been putting their egos at the door and whatnot and focused on the job at hand," he said, adding that he has had more difficulty with much smaller crossovers in the past. He also indicated confidence that fans will be pleased with the result.

"It's what you'd expect and more. It's certainly George just going to town and working to exceed his reputation for number of characters, complexity of content, and just hitting the page with energy and vibe and character and spirit. George is clearly trying to exceed himself on this project. It's a thing he's waited to do for 20 years, and you see it on every page. Nobody is going to be disappointed with it."

Pérez said he is having "a grand time" on the project. "Kurt Busiek and Tom Brevoort and JLA Editor Dan Raspler are throwing a lot of fancy curveballs at me, and I'm getting to do a lot of clever visuals, a lot of stuff that will please the new fans and the nostalgic, the people who have been there for a long time. For those who like Kyle Rayner as Green Lantern, they'll be pleased with his involvement. Those who like Hal Jordan, they'll be pleased with his involvement."

Pérez also said there will be surprise appearances by characters who have absolutely nothing to do with either the JLA or the Avengers.

"Why? Because I want it," he said. "Kurt Busiek had already publicly said that Wolverine will never make an appearance in this book.

"Wolverine appears in JLA/Avengers. Never say, 'Never,' to George Pérez."

Source: From the Archive - November 16, 2002 | CBG #1515: JLA/A News

November 14, 2002 | JLA/AVENGERS Sneak Preview

JLA/AVENGERS Sneak Preview

From The Comics Continuum (thanks to ES, Todd Nelson, and SunWuKong.)

Comics Continuum News
Thursday, November 14, 2002

Next week's JLA/JSA Secret Files & Origins #1 features sample artwork from George Perez from JLA/Avengers. The crossover remains unscheduled, but writer Kurt Busiek on Wednesday told The Continuum it's "coming along just fine, so far."

Advertisement reads: "BUSIEK. PEREZ. JLA AVENGERS. The World's Greatest Super-Heroes meet Earth's Mightiest Heroes in an epic 4-issue miniseries decades in the making. It'll be worth the wait."

From ES: The art shown in the secret files is the same picture shown at the Baltimore comic-con. The preview page is the last page of the secret files issue. It is a advertisement for the project, no release date given though. The Secret Files issue was in the preview stack for next weeks comics.

Source: From the Archive - November 14, 2002 | JLA/AVENGERS Sneak Preview

December 19, 2000 | Pérez Signs Exclusive with Crossgen

From Ilke Hincer

The following comes from comicbookresources.com (see also Crossgen):

George Pérez Signs Exclusive Agreement with Crossgen
Posted by Beau Yarbrough - 16:01 PST

Official press release

Comic Legend To Work As Full Time CrossGen Employee On Bi-Monthly Title

TAMPA, FL., December 18, 2000 - CrossGen has added one of the comic industry's most revered talents to its ever-growing roster. Penciler George Pérez has agreed to join CrossGen on a permanent, exclusive basis.

Beginning immediately, Pérez will join CrossGen and finish his highly anticipated four-issue run on CrossGen Chronicles. After the completion of these four issues, CrossGen Chronicles will then become a bi-monthly title that will only be penciled by George Pérez.

Said Pérez on joining CrossGen, "CrossGen offers me a chance to do something other than the superhero stories I've worked on during my one quarter century in comics. After reading all the CrossGen books, I saw the unified universe and liked what I saw. Then, when I spoke to Mark Alessi, I liked his attitude and philosophy. Mark has a great vision and a means to pull it off. I can't see myself moving anywhere else. I'm here for the duration."

Pérez will continue to work from his home in nearby Orlando, making regularly scheduled stops into the CrossGen office to meet with other members of his creative team. Because of his recently publicized health problems, CrossGen is relaxing its in-house policy for this unique situation.

"It's been quite a while since I've felt this wanted by a publisher," Pérez said. "CrossGen has gone out of its way to support my unique needs. I've never felt this much a part of an organization."

CrossGen's flexibility regarding Pérez was the right thing to do according to CrossGen Publisher Mark Alessi. "When one of comics greatest all-time stars wants to join your company on a permanent, exclusive basis, you do whatever is reasonable to accommodate them," Alessi said. "In this case, George's health became the paramount and overriding issue. There was no way we were going to turn him down because he couldn't come here daily to work. This is a health related exception that only very few could garner. George is definitely one of those few."

The only possible exception to Pérez's exclusivity to CrossGen is the long-awaited JLA/Avengers crossover. In the unlikely event that Marvel and DC can ever come to terms on the publication of this historic event, CrossGen will allow Pérez a temporary release from his exclusive agreement to draw this project.

"There's been talk of this project for 18 years," Pérez said. "The prospect of this crossover is the reason I've been reluctant to sign an exclusive agreement. I'm very grateful that CrossGen as comics fans, are allowing me the leave of absence I'll need should this finally come to fruition. If it never happens, I'll be perfectly content right here with CrossGen. I really enjoy the fantasy genre and feel it suits my style."

Again, Alessi believes allowing Pérez a temporary release for the JLA/Avengers crossover is the right thing to do. "This project is just too historic not to happen," Alessi said. "The fans want it, the retailers want it, heck, all of us here at CrossGen want it! So if it actually comes to be, we'd be more than happy to allow George the opportunity to do it. For comics' sake, let's just hope it happens."

The first George Pérez penciled CrossGen issue is CrossGen Chronicles #2, on sale February 21, 2001.

George Pérez will be joining the CrossGen staff at this year’s convention appearances. Look for them at MegaCon, Comic-Con International: San Diego and Wizard World Chicago.

CrossGeneration Comics is based just outside of Tampa, Florida. Since their initial launch on May 24, 2000, CrossGen Comics has set unprecedented sales records for a new start-up comics publisher by debuting their first six releases on the comic book industry distributor's Top 100 sales list. Since then they have grown into the comic industry's fifth largest publisher. Their unique and innovative approach to comic book publishing is sure to make them a company to watch out for well into the new millennium. The CrossGen Comics, The First, Mystic, Sigil, Scion, and Meridian are available now in comic book specialty stores everywhere, with a different one on sale each Wednesday. Their next monthly title, Crux, will be available starting in April 2001.

Source: From the Archive - December 19, 2000 | Pérez Signs Exclusive with Crossgen

July 28, 2001 | Disappointing Guernsey Auction

From WIZARD #120 (Sep 2001)

BIDDING WARS HEAT UP
Jesse Thompson with Karl Cramer

(excerpt)

In the midst of auction fever, one must consider May's Guernsey's auction in Manhattan. Despite the presence of George Pérez's JLA/Avengers pages from the '80s, every page and cover of Tim Sale's Batman: Dark Victory art and the supposed first Mickey Mouse drawing, not a one sold (except for one issue of Dark Victory), leaving the auction a disappointment.

"The organizers said there were no reserves, but then set the bidding incredibly high," Mandel says. Many comic fans were unaware of the Guernsey's auction; it was primarily geared towards fans of comic strip art.

Source: From the Archive - July 28, 2001 | Disappointing Guernsey Auction

March 27, 2001 | JLA/Avengers Update

From Comic Book Resources

BUSIEK GETS TO WORK ON JLA/AVENGERS
Monday March 26, 2001
by Beau Yarbrough

Yes. At long last, DC Comics and Marvel Comics have cut through the red tape and pushed aside all the other hassles, and the JLA/Avengers team-up is finally happening, the companies announced Friday afternoon at Megacon in Orlando, Florida.It's been three weeks since DC and Marvel Comics fans got the word some of them had waited almost two decades for, that at long last, the companies were bringing together the Avengers and Justice League of America in a team-up book.

With fans willing to argue vociferously over what sort of visor Cyclops should wear, one could expect an announcement of a miniseries like this would evoke equally strong reactions. But for the most part, JLA/Avengers writer Kurt Busiek told the Comic Wire on Sunday, the response has been "extremely positive.

"This is a book that readers have an enormous amount of enthusiasm and interest for, so announcing that yes, the book is under way, and yes, George [Pérez] is drawing it, were definite crowd-pleasers. And my rep isn't such that I was expecting a lot of people to say, 'You bastard Busiek! Get outta the room and let a real writer in!' Not to say there weren't a couple of those, but only a couple ..."

Busiek also took the unusual step of setting up an e-mail account -- [email protected] -- to get information from the fans about what bits they'd like to see in the miniseries. They haven't disappointed him.

E-mail traffic to the address has "been heavy. I haven't been counting, but the responses have been in the hundreds, though I don't think we've hit a thousand yet."

"Most of the suggestions have been unusable, because people ignored the request to list what minor bits they'd like to see and sent in suggestions for the story concept, the villains and other such stuff, which had all been decided on at that point. One guy even sent a detailed beat-by-beat outline for the story he wanted to see. But I was expecting that sort of thing, so I wasn't discouraged by it.

"And then there were the people suggesting stuff we'd already decided to do -- they may think their idea got in, when it would have been there anyway, but hey, that's OK too.

"There have been a few suggestions that made us think of things differently, or hit ideas we hadn't considered -- those messages, whether we use 'em or not, are the stuff I was hoping for."

It was only the March 2 weekend that Busiek, Pérez and editors Tom Brevoort and Dan Raspler actually got to sit down together at Megacon in Orlando, Florida, to get to talk about the series in person.

"It was a lot of fun -- very upbeat, very encouraging," Busiek said. "We had the main structure in place before we got there, and spent our time working on just how we'd put some flesh on the bones. Important stuff, but it didn't change the big picture much, that I recall."

Which means that Busiek is now getting to work on the project.

"It's under way. Not as far along as I'd like, but it's coming along."

Don't look for a guesstimate as to when fans will actually be reading the book, though.

"It'll be scheduled when it's close to done. Until then, anything's a guess -- and since, on the Internet, guesses magically transform into rock-hard fact and then people get made when they turn out not to be true, I'm not even going to guess."

In the meantime, it's not like Busiek won't already be hip-deep in superheroes, as the writer of Marvel's monthly "Avengers" book. Pérez's replacement on the book, artist Alan Davis, will be leaving later this year, after a six issue stint. But the changes to the tone of the book -- with the Avengers becoming more proactive than they have been recently -- isn't going anywhere.

"Alan's last issue is #43. And no, we're not changing the direction -- it was never a six-issue thing, and in fact, by the time he leaves, we'll be well under way with a major epic that'll take us through #50 and beyond. Hardly the time for significant changes of direction."

As for what fans can look forward to in that period:

"Lots of fun stuff -- a major clash with Kang that won't play out the way people expect. Action all over the world, and in space. New Avengers joining, old Avengers returning. Villains all over the place. Bittersweet romance. Creepy romance. Medical emergencies. Aid from unexpected quarters, at least twice. Big ol' scope, monumental danger. Portents and prophecies. And someone in an Avengers jacket.

"Howzat?"

But no word as to who the new permanent artist on the book will be, although it's been decided, Busiek said.

"Yes, but we're not saying who at present. Rick Leonardi and Karl Kesel will be doing three issues after Alan departs -- and anyone who saw their recent issue of [CrossGen's] 'Scion' will tell you it'll be great-looking stuff -- and then the new guy comes on."

And while Pérez's second run on "Avengers" was seen as a fairly impressive one in length in this day and age, Busiek's still going strong and had never expected to be on the book this long himself.

"I really had no idea -- but this is the longest I've been on any title, at least in terms of number of issues."

As for how long that run will eventually be:

"Since I haven't decided to leave, I still have no idea."

Source: From the Archive - March 27, 2001 | JLA/Avengers Update

Liefeld on JLA/Avengers Auction | May 4, 2001

From Fandom

LIEFELD ON JLA/AVENGERS AUCTION
05.01.2001

In this current edition of Newsarama Weekly, in a story regarding the upcoming auction of the 21 original JLA/Avengers pages created by George Pérez in 1982, Newsarama solicited sources at Marvel and DC for their comments on the possibility of the pages being reprinted in the upcoming new JLA/Avengers crossover, and what effect – if any – the sale of the original pages would have on that possibility.

Rob Liefeld, current owner of the pages, responded to that story with the following statement Monday afternoon.

"I think it`s a shame that Tom Brevoort has nothing better to do than toss eggs and mudsling at the esteemed and prestigious International Museum of Cartoon Art by diminishing the importance and extraordinary value of the original JLA/Avengers artwork," said the creator.

Liefeld’s statement comes in response to the Avengers editor`s reply to our inquiry as to whether there was interest at Marvel and/or DC in publishing the pages in the new crossover. "There`s no interest on our part in using those pages as part of the current project - George is a different artist...a better, more confident artist, than he was in 1982, so they simply wouldn`t fit," replied Brevoort. "We have talked about the possibility of including them as supplemental material in an eventual collection (similar to the Kingdom Come sketchbook that DC did for the slipcased edition), but that`s still way, way off in the future, so nothing`s been decided. And, in that eventuality, while it would be nice to have the original boards to shoot off of, George still has nice, sharp copies, and I expect DC does as well - so we wouldn`t absolutely need the boards in order to run the material."

"Also, it is my understanding from that I alone possess the only clean copies of this amazing artwork," continued Liefeld, in response to the assertion that good quality reproduction copies exist outside the original boards. "With the exception of a few pages printed in the fan press, the majority of these pages have never seen print. I have been deluged with requests over the past few weeks from several parties including representatives of Marvel, DC and Mr. Pérez seeking copies of the pages because, according to these parties, no one else has them. These pages are extremely rare, as are copies of them and at the conclusion of the auction, I will be sending off copies to George and his agent for them to use as they see fit.

"These pages were produced at the height of George Perez popularity and represent an artist of great enthusiasm working at the top of his craft. The era in which these pages were produced represents the most sought after period of George`s artwork by collectors, his Teen Titans era and Crisis on Infinite Earths. I won`t debate whether or not George can produce better work now than he did on these 21 pages, but the fans and collectors who have seen them have been blown away by the beautifully detailed and lavish pencils."

Concluded Liefeld, "One of the primary reasons I chose the Guernsey`s auction was that a significant portion of the proceeds are going towards preserving our past and securing the future of the Cartoon Museum."

Source: From the Archive - May 4, 2001 | Liefeld on JLA/Avengers Auction

But I Digress... from CBG #1451

Here an article from COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1451 (07 Sep 2001)

But I Digress by Peter David

COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1451 (07 Sep 2001)

A couple of things this time out ...

First, a public service announcement.

There has been quite a bit of coverage of Harlan Ellison's lengthy, exhausting, and (some would say) seemingly hopeless battle against Internet piracy.

(Excerpt)

Acclaimed artist George Perez has elected to show his support for Ellison's KICK Internet Piracy Campaign by crafting an illustration that feature s his character of Crimson Plague going toe to toe with Bill Tucci 's Shi. It's 11x17 inches on Bristol board , pencilled and inked by Perez , and will be go ing up for auction on eBay from Wednesday, Aug. 22 through Wednesday, Aug. 29. The auction starts at a penny with no reserve; I hope that, by the time you read this, the bidding will have moved way beyond that . All profits will be donated straight to Ellison's KICK Internet Piracy law suit.

Source: COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1451 (07 Sep 2001)

New Titans #57, page #6

Frank F writes:

Back in the 90s I had the chance to meet George Perez at a convention in Richmond, Va. I got every issue of Crisis signed by him on the splash page along with my copy of New Teen Titans #2 and DC Comics Presents #26 on the New Teen Titans page. While talking with him I ended up buying one of his original pages. I sold it a few years ago, but do still have pictures of the page. The page was from New Titans #57 and was page #6. The page came with an overlay which is shown in the first picture. The overlay showed Jericho moving into the girl while the normal page is missing that along with some of the words. which you can see in the second photo.

New Titans #57

New Titans #57, page #6

New Titans #57, page #6 (with overlay)

Art Auction Nets $68,620 from Wizard #117

Here an article from Wizard Magazine #117 (Jun 2001)

ART AUCTION NETS $68,620

Pérez, Linsner pieces score bucks in ACTOR’s first outing

Wizard Magazine #117 (Jun 2001)

How do you like to own that amazing George Pérez promotional piece for the upcoming JLA/Avengers crossover? You know the one—it's been all over the Internet and was featured in Wizard #116.

That piece of original art sold for $4,100 at the inaugural ACTOR auction March 3 at the MegaCon in Orlando, Fla. And a Dawn original cover by Joseph Michael Linsner—the first published Dawn cover ever available—went for $6,000. ACTOR (A Commitment To Our Roots) is a non-profit foundation started by a consortium of current publishers, among them CrossGen's Mark Alessi, to give financial aid to old-time comic creators who need it. "For many years, a lot of the people who created the framework of this industry largely lived month to month,” said Alessi, “This foundation is designed so that those of us in the creative community now can send more than good wishes out to those who came before us.”

With original art donations from such creators as Alex Ross, Joe Kubert, Michael Turner and John Romita Sr. and Jr., the MegaCon auction snagged $68,621 worth of good wishes in about two and a half hours—that’s $27,000 an hour! “It was a very good first step,” said Alessi, “You haven't seen anything yet; give us a whole year to plan the next one. I'd be surprised if we don’t break $150,000 or a quarter million.”

The next scheduled ACTOR auction is set for next year’s MegaCon, but Alessi says there may be some ACTOR activities at some of the other big cons. With ACTOR’s likely growth and the recent demise of the Sotheby's original art auctions, don’t be surprised if ACTOR becomes the pre-eminent platform for buying original comic art.

■ JIM AREHART

Source: Wizard Magazine #117 (Jun 2001)

Top 100 Trade Paperbacks from Wizard Magazine #131

Here an article from Wizard Magazine #131 (Aug 2002)

Wizard Fills Its Bookshelves with the... TOP 100 Trade Paperbacks of all time by the Wizard staff

Wizard Magazine #131 (Aug 2002)

Excerpt:

80. CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS (DC softcover)
The mast ambitious comic project ever could fill another volume with its body count. Marv Wolfman and George Pérez’s Crisis aimed to clean up DC's cluttered 50-year-old continuity by merging the handful of its parallel Earths into one, but not before a being called the Anti-Monitor destroys an infinite amount of worlds in the process, This cover, penciled by Pérez and painted by Alex Ross, is easily one of the most beautiful ever produced and worth the purchase alone, “It was actually the first series ever followed,” says writer Geoff Johns, who was 12 at the time. “For me, it really shaped the DCU. I doubt would've read many DC comics before Crisis”

79. AVENGERS: ULTRON UNLIMITED (Marvel Softcover)
The perfect killing machine has just received an upgrade, courtesy of creators Kurt Busiek and George Pérez. Ultron, one of the Avengers most powerful foes, returns with an appetite for destruction and holds the European country of Slorenia in under three hours, Earth's Mightiest Heroes must really never before in order to put a stop to this reawakened threat. But do they have what it takes to send this maniacal killing machine to the scrap heap once and for all?

Source: Wizard Magazine #131 (Aug 2002)