Friday, April 20, 2001

AVENGERS PENCILER UPDATE

Marvel Comics announced on Thursday that Manuel Garcia will be drawing Avengers #44-46, the three issues after Alan Davis' run is completed.

It was originally believed that Rick Leonardi would be drawing three issues of Avengers; Marvel did not address Leonardi's future on the book in its press release on Garcia.

"Manuel's an unknown to most of the U.S., but I've been seeing his work for quite a while now," Avengers writer Kurt Busiek said. "His agent coordinated a con trip I took to Spain some time back, and since then I've been seeing what Manuel's been up to. A few months back, I saw his latest batch of samples, and was very impressed -- we didn't have anything for him to do at the time, but Tom and I gave him some advice on how to make some fine work even better, and those revised samples got him his first American assignments over at DC. Then he just kept getting better and better, and as luck would have it, he was there and ready when we needed someone to step in.

"His work is very strong -- a lot of power, a lot of excitement, and his enthusiasm comes through. He's exactly the kind of strong draftsman and dynamic storyteller who should be doing books like Avengers. And he's a treat to work with, on top of it all -- he's eager to make each page better than the last. It's a rare day that I log on to the Internet without having his latest pages waiting in e-mail, and a request for how he can kick it up a notch further, how he can make it even better.

"I'm especially eager to see how his bold, visceral drawing combines with the crisp inking of Karl Kesel -- that's something we'll know real soon.

"As for what happens in those issues, well -- as Manuel comes on to the book, the Avengers are up to their necks in trouble on three fronts, and there's more trouble waiting in the wings -- and Kang looming over it all as a still greater menace! The first few pages Manuel got to draw were the return to action of a long-inactive Avenger, and he goes on from that to Thor and Warbird cutting loose -- and we'll be seeing a war council with the Avengers and the Joint Chiefs, new players on the board, an ever-increasing threat level and even a little breathing space for the Avengers, as new friendships are formed and old bonds are tested. And that's before the government decides to step in in the fight against Kang...

"It'll be hectic, active, involving and a lot of fun. And with Manuel and Karl on the case, it'll look great, too!"

WRITERS PLAY DCU GAME

D6Legend, producers of the West End Games line of DC Universe Roleplaying Game, are joining DC Comics at both WonderCon and the Pittsburgh Comicon to present the chance for fans to play alongside three comics writers.

At both shows, fans in attendance can enter for a chance to win a spot in a demonstrationversion of the DC roleplaying game. Devin Grayson and Greg Rucka will be participating in Oakland at Wonder Con and Ed Brubaker will be at the Pittsburgh show.

Fans at both shows must enter the contest at the DC Comics booth. Each demonstration will have four fan participants playing alongside the professional comics writers. Participants also will receive a prize courtesy of West End Games.

"As an avid gamer and, of course, a huge fan of the DCU, the invitation to participate in the debut of this DC RPG program was irresistible," Grayson said. "After already having crammed these characters into systems as diverse as Villains and Vigilantes and Rifts, I can't wait to play them in a format designed just for them!"

The DC Universe Roleplaying Game, which includes a range of products from dice, to city guides, has been popular with many of the creators and editors at DC since it debuted in 1999.

Demonstrations at WonderCon will be held Saturday from 1-3 p.m. with Grayson and 3-5 p.m. with Rucka. WonderCon demonstrations on Sunday will occur from 1-3 p.m. with Rucka and 3-5 p.m. with Grayson.

Brubaker will be participating in a DC Universe Roleplaying Game demonstration at The Pittsburgh Comicon from 12:30-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. The convention is being held April 27-29 at the Pittsburgh Expomart in Monroeville, Penn.

FIRST LOOK: JLA #53

JLA #53 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Mark Waid, with art and cover by Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"All over the globe, dreams are coming true at an alarming rate -- even those of the JLA. But who is responsible? And can the World's Greatest Heroes set things back to normal? With things going so well for Superman, Green Lantern and the rest, do they even want to?"

JLA #53 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: CODENAME: KNOCKOUT #0

Codename: Knockout #0 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Robert Rodi, with art by Louis Small, Jr. and George Freeman and a painted cover by Joe Chiodo.

Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Vertigo's sexy spy thriller satire debuts with a special teaser #0 issue. Angela St. Grace and her sidekick Go-Go Fiasco become embroiled in their very first case in the lead story. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at early design sketches by Louis Small, Jr. and commentary on the genesis of Codename: Knockout by Robert Rodi."

Codename: Knockout #0 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.50.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

FIRST LOOK: ACTION COMICS #778

Action Comics #778 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from DC Comics. The issue is written by Marv Wolfman; art by Paco Medina and Walden Wong; cover by Dale Keown.

Here's how DC describes the issue, wich is part four of the "Infestation" story arc:

"The planet-devouring Viroxx comes to claim Earth, and Superman has his hands full. Can he stop Korsa -- driven mad by his thoughts of revenge - from killing Lois, an anti-body of Viroxx who is holding onto her last shred of humanity?"

Action Comics #778 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

BRIEFLY