COMICS: New DAREDEVIL Series In The Works, New AVENGERS Artist

Axel Alonso on Daredevil: Dark Nights

AXEL:First let me say a little bit about Lee, who was one of the first artists I worked with when I came to Marvel. He’s a master storyteller and classic-clean draftsman in the mold of John or Sal Buscema. I couldn't think higher of him, and I’m personally thrilled he’s getting a chance to writw and draw the 3-issue arc that kicks off this series.

AXEL:Mark Waid’s "Daredevil" is hot and we figured Marvel fans are hungry for more stories about Daredevil and his world so we tapped creators that either knew the character intimately or had a great story to tell. The result is "Daredevil: Dark Nights," an 8-issue limited series, launching in June, that features three evergreen stories -- all present-day and in-continuity -- by different creative teams.

AXEL: Daredevil is, no doubt about it, a great character to anchor an anthology, but I'm a sucker for anthologies in general. I love the experience of reading one comic book that offers multiple stories or a series that turns over the creative reigns to new creators every few issues. And as an editor, I think the unique canvas of the anthology format -- the creative latitude, shorter story lengths -- results in extra-inspired work from creators. Back when I worked for Vertigo, I was able to lure Richard Corben to mainstream comics, Jim Lee to draw his first story for DC Comics ["Rocket Man" in "Flinch"] and Brian Bolland to write and draw two excellent stories ["The Princess and the Frog," in "Heart Throbs" and "The Kapas" in "Strange Adventures."] And when I came to Marvel, I got superb stories by Peter Milligan and Duncan Fegredo ["Flowers for Rhino"], Greg Rucka and Eduardo Risso ["Severance Package"] and, if I recall, two stories by Darwyn Cooke ["Open All Night," "’Twas the Night Before Christmas"] -- to name just a few -- in the anthology "Spider-Man’s Tangled Web." There was something about the blank canvas of the anthology that brought out everyone’s A-game.

Axel Alonso on Avengers
Alonso: We wouldn't have assigned Stefano to our flagship title if we didn't think he was an appropriate follow-up to -- and complement to -- Jerome, Adam [Kubert] and Dustin. Stefano's a rising star -- I personally love his work -- and while this casting might raise eyebrows, I have no doubt readers are going to see why we did it. We pride ourselves on having the best stable of artists, and we do our best to put them in positions to succeed and grow. Not to mention, the issues Stefano will be doing serve as a prelude to Infinity!