THE SKINNY

Some answers to many of the questions we have been receiving:

Fear Agent: We still have one more arc of Fear Agent to wrap the big story up (issues 28-32) and put the book on hiatus while Tony, Jerome and I go and do our very best work possible for Marvel. This arc is well underway with Mike Hawthorne, Tony Moore and John Lucas working as a tag team supreme. It’s the best looking arc yet.

It’s important to give every project your 100% all — no matter if it’s creator-owned or not. The readers deserve our very best work, not something we rush out after over committing. So in that spirit we are devoting all of our time and energy to these Marvel projects.

It’s not something we take lightly. The readers deserve our best; we are lucky to have them and will do our best to never produce a diluted and voiceless product. Comics are expensive, it’s our job to see to it the comics with our names on them are worth the cost of admission. Regardless of this fact, Fear Agent, The End League and Gigantic were coming to their endings at these points anyway.

As for some reader’s feelings towards our Marvel work (most of those complaining have not read any of it) — Contempt prior to investigation is low thinking.

This isn’t a war you need to choose a side in. Mainstream/indy… it’s comics. Made by people. Some people can’t translate what they do from one side to the other, sure. But before you decide we’re among them, read the issues.

We are making the exact same books at Marvel that we make on our own. That’s why they wanted us at the company, to do what we do.

I stand behind our Punisher work as much as I do Fear Agent. Fear Agent will be back.

Gigantic and The End League are both ending as planned. Nothing has changed. The story you get by the end is the story I wanted to tell. They are both complete.

Fear Agent as well. By issue 32, when the book goes on hiatus, we will have hit the end of the original series bible outline. And if you ask me, 32 damn fine issues that were never compromised. Late, yes. But looking at the work, I’d rather see the books as our best foot forward every issue than look back at perfect shipping.

Marvel gave us a clause to continue these books if we desired to, but as I said, the books were reaching their conclusion. It’s not Marvel telling us to wrap these up. Marvel has simply allowed us to work on the characters in their stable that we’ve always wanted to — we couldn’t be having more fun. If you like Fear Agent, you’ll love what we’re doing in Punisher. If you like Strange Girl, You’ll love Doctor Voodoo.

I still have a new creator-owned series in the works. Last Days of American Crime will launch in October from Radical Comics. It is amazing, Greg Tocchini is the next big thing in comics, his pages are works of art. Alex Maleev turns in some of the best covers of his career.

Anyway, it’s important people not misunderstand this stuff of take a cynical point of view about it. If you have a jones for my creator-owned books, there are over twenty trade paperbacks worth you can find on Amazon right now.

I’d recommend Night Mary or Black Heart Billy.

Thanks for the support,
Rick

REMENDER & CANETE ON “THE END LEAGUE”

When Rick Remender and Mat Broome debuted “The End League” at the beginning of 2007, their take on a desperate group of superheroes making a final stand in a world ruled by villains met with immediate critical success and an enthusiastic readership. The Dark Horse series enters its second arc this month with the publication of issue #5, arriving in stores this week. With the new storyline comes a new artist, a new monthly schedule, and, well, a few less surviving heroes than when the series began. CBR News spoke with Remender and incoming series artist Eric Canete about what’s coming up in “The End League.” MORE

Booster Gold for DC!

BOOSTER GOLD #13
Written by Rick Remender
Cover by Chris Batista & Mick Gray
Art by Pat Olliffe and Jerry Ordway
When Booster Gold’s ancestor mistakenly captures a strange-looking starfish for his would-be girlfriend, all hell breaks loose! After being possessed by Starro the Conqueror, a Time Master travels through history spreading body-snatching clones in order to take over Earth one era at a time! Can Booster save humanity from an invading alien force?
On sale October 15th 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Punisher War Journal #20

Punisher War Journal #20
Written by Matt fraction & Rick Remender
Art by Howard Chaykin
Cover by Alex Maleev
G.W. Bridge’s heartbreakers and lifetakers–Domino, Silver Sable and Contessa Valentina Allegra di Fontaine of S.H.I.E.L.D.– come gunning for The Punisher. Kid Punisher goes on another major rampage. And Jigsaw’s noose tightens around Frank’s neck as he puts a 100 million dollar bounty on Frank’s head. Every bounty hunter in the Marvel U is gonna come gunning for the Punisher and there’s only one place for him to run…underground. By Matt Fraction (IMMORTAL IRON FIST, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN) and Rick Remender (Fear Agent, The End League), with art by Howard Chaykin (WOLVERINE, WAR IS HELL: THE E FIRST FLIGHT OF THE PHANTOM EAGLE).
32 PGS. / Parental Advisory $2.99

Atom #24

All-New Atom #24

Written by Rick Remender
Art by Pat Olliffe & John Stanisci
Cover by Ladronn
As The Atom fights the reprehensible Worm, past and future become entangled, hurling The Mighty Mite into a dismal universe dominated by the twisted new Chronos. And what is Ryan Choi’s real connection to Ray Palmer? The truth will leave the fate of the world on the shoulders of The Atom! Guest starring Booster Gold!
On sale June 4, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US