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