Fan Friday Creator Spotlight: All-New Marvel Young Gun Valerio Schiti (Late again, maybe this should just be called Creator Spotlight?)

We are rapidly approaching the new convention by Reed Pop, Special Edition NYC. Previously announced at C2E2 and receiving a big promotion and spotlight at Special Edition are Marvel's All-New Young Guns, a collection of artists who they see as being the future of their comics. And what an almighty list it is. I decided with Special Edition around the corner and San Diego also not to far away that for the next 5 weeks I will spotlight each of the Marvel All-New Young Guns, what have I read by them? What haven't I read? What everyone should definitely check out.

So first up is Valerio Schiti. I've been a big fan of Valerio Schiti's work since reading Journey into Mystery with Katherine Immonen I've also done a little research so there won't just be the stuff I have read, which in some cases unfortunately is very little so lets begin.

What I've read by Schiti to date;

The first time I came across the work of Valerio Schiti was when reading Journey into Mystery by Kathryn Immonen, himself and the ever popular colorist Jordie Bellaire. This series received good acclaim from many corners of the comic internet, both for the storytelling by Kathryn and visual storytelling by Schiti. He got to work with many characters on this series, including the likes of Superior Spider-Man, Beta Ray Bill and proved that no character was a challenge for him. He brought a great stylization to the character and with Jordie Bellaire's colors the emotions he visualized were truly brought to life. It was sad to hear when this series was ending, and one of my first thoughts was where would Schiti be heading next, this surely can't be his last work at Marvel, and it wasn't, he has gone on to be a fill in artist on certain series, Mighty Avengers, Avengers A.I. and also did some fill in art for an issue of Guardians of the Galaxy with Sara Pichelli, one of his fellow All-New Young Guns. His work on Mighty Avengers, being the only issues I enjoyed, no disrespect intended but Schiti's art work is far more pleasing to the eye that Greg Land's.

What work had he done before;

Dungeons & Dragons

I can't say much at all about Valerio Schiti's earlier work, I personally have not read any of this and the images in this post all come from his back catalogue from the previews pages on the Comic Book Resources website. It is evident thought that Schiti began his work at IDW. Among his list of works are Battle Beasts, Dungeons & Dragons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, another fan favourite title where he worked on a one shot containing the story of one of the turtles. So if you fancy checking any of his earlier work out here are some of the titles where you could begin.

Battle Beasts

Where can you find him next?

Since being announced as one of the All-New Young Gun's at this years C2E2 Schiti is now working with fan favourite writer, Jonathan Hickman, and the man currently responsible for Marvel's hottest property in the Avengers. The specific title Schiti is currently working on is Hickman's New Avengers which contains the current incarnation of the Illuminati, containing Iron Man, Beast, Mr Fantastic, Dr Strange, Namor, Black Panther, Bruce Banner/ Hulk and Black Bolt, so he has been given the responsibility of working with some of the biggest characters in the Marvel Universe and also one of the biggest on-going storyline's which effects will finally be coming to fruition this September in "8 Months Time Runs Out". I hope that Schiti will become the regular artist on this series, he has already illustrated issue 18 and as you can see from the related images he will be working on issue 19 and the current arc where the Illuminati have come across another Super Hero team during one of the incursions, his style really brings great life to the characters. One thing of note for me is how awesome he draws Dr. Strange and with the film confirmed and an obvious solo title on the way, I hope Schiti may be with in a shot for illustrating that title. This looks to be the current project taking up Schiti's time and although in August Kev Walker is solicited on the issues for New Avengers and Deodato Jnr is back for the September issue I do hope that Schiti will be returning to this title or bigger things.

You can find Valerio Schiti on twitter and Tumblr which I strongly recommend checking out, there are some awesome sketch studies for the characters within the Illuminati which certainly prove why he has been given the chance on this book. I can't wait to pick up this weeks issue of New Avengers to see more of his art work and strongly recommend anyone interested in his work to pick up the trade copies of Journey into Mystery.

Fan Friday Creator Spotlight: Natasha Allegri

A day late on this one, and that's a little frustrating as I had got all the pics and videos set up before hand and all I needed to do was write what I had to say. But here I am now and here I go. Natasha Allegri is the brains behind Bee and Puppycat a new animated TV series coming to Cartoon Hangover on YouTube she is also the creator of Fionna and Cake, gender swapped versions of Finn and Jake in Adventure Time. Not only that she is also a storyboard revisionist for Adventure Time itself. Well if that isn't enough credits to her name she has also dabbled in comics alongside animation but we will go more into that further on. But if you haven't heard of Bee and Puppycat make sure you check out the video for the first Bee and Puppcat animated episode, which spearheaded the new series to come later this year.

Not only did Natasha create the gender swapped characters for Adventure Time she has also written and illustrated a 6 issue limited series, "Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake". This was an incredibly popular book, I have struggled to find and back issue copies of this as unfortunately it wasn't until it had been out some time that I found both Adventure Time and the comics related to the programme. If like me you missed this limited issue run BOOM! Studios will be collecting all six issues into one of the fantastic Mathematical Editions, check out the cover below. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy and be able to read the adventures of Fionna & Cake, unfortunately due to not knowing about the programme until recently, or mainly watching it when it appeared on Netflix and couldn't stop watching,  I have only seen the one episode of the TV show containing these characters as I was able to get my hand on copies of Season 1 to 3 on Blu-Ray. This is Natasha Allegri's first comic work I am aware of and it is only earlier in this month that her new comic for her creator owned Bee and Puppycat came out.

After getting confirmed to be receiving a series on Cartoon Hangover, the same YouTube channel that brings us the brilliant Bravest Warriors, one of the first announcements was that Bee and Puppycat will be getting its own comic alongside other familiar Kaboom! imprints such as Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors. Bee and Puppycat pairs up a young female character who can't hold a steady job and has just been fired by her employer when she comes across this dog, cat thing, Puppycat of course. Now I don't want to say to much more in case you are still yet to check out the video at the beginning of the post. But if you are a fan of Adventure Time and also a fan of the likes of Bravest Warriors and other Cartoon Network, Cartoon Hangover animated works then I strongly suggest you check this out. Natasha brings the same humour and brilliant expressions to the comic as were in the first animated shorts for her characters. This comics also feature a back up that closer link into that first episode. So for me Natasha Allegri is certainly someone to be keeping an eye on, with her creator owned TV series still to come later this year and her comic just starting I can only imagine this is an exciting year for the young creator.

Fan Friday Creator Spotlight: Gerry Duggan

So I had been thinking about who I would have as this weeks Creator Spotlight, and while checking out the solicitations for Marvel's titles and with a press release before hand  it was announced that Gerry Duggan would be taking on the Gamma Radiated Green Giant that is Hulk from Mark Waid in August as the Original Sin tie in brings Mark Waid's run to an end. Gerry Duggan is a writer who if I am honest the only work I am familiar with is his Marvel work, first of all alongside Brian Posehn as part of the successful duo on the Marvel NOW! Deadpool and since on his work with Nova.

Thats not to say though that I am not aware of work he has done previous to arriving at Marvel. Now truth be told I am still to read these two books but I have only heard good things. The Last Christmas recently got the deluxe hardcover treatment from Image Comics. Like Deadpool Duggan worked alongside Posehn on this comic and, please don't quote me on this, Rick Remender was on art duties for this comic. Duggan also worked on The Infinite Horizon with Phil Noto once again through Image Comics. From the get go Duggan has had the experience of working with several top creators, including himself, in Phil Noto and the now and the now very familiar name in comics, Rick Remender.

Even though I can't say much for Duggan's earlier work I certainly can for his recent Marvel titles. Duggan is one half of the fan favourite duo on Deadpool. Duggan and Posehn have really put Deadpool through his paces since taking on the Merc with a Mouth. This is where it became evident for me that Duggan is a writer who can develop a story that challenges your emotions, even for a character like Deadpool, and gets you invested in what is going on. There are some very clever twists within this title. But the stories of note for me was the first Dead Presidents arc with Tony Moore, of Walking Dead and Fear Agent fame, and one of my all time favourite arcs of recent time The Good, The Bad and the Ugly where Deadpool teamed up with Cap and Wolverine for a gripping story which makes you feel for Deadpool and how he became to be what he is now, but I don't want to say to much and will just say you should definitely pick this one up, its a title I recommend to all my friends, with the added bonus of some fantastic art from another duo Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire, but more on them in a future post.

Duggan and Posehn are also responsible for finding Deadpool a Wife, yes a wife, this is a storyline that is on my must read list, unfortunately financial constraints really take there toll on what you can and can't buy and difficult choices have to be made.

Now to some writing projects where Duggan works solo, but brings much of the same format you would expect, stories that get you invested in the character but added and clever humour that breaks the tension. Duggan had the responsibility of taking over Nova from Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness who previously had the responsibility of introducing this new character during the Marvel NOW! Now being well established and with a fan base behind him picking up this book, Marvel really are pushing there "Sci-Fi" lines right now, Duggan was given the responsibility of fleshing out this new character further. Introducing a really great concept which had the character Sam Alexander collecting the helmets of dead Nova's, Duggan has put the character through his paces and has really shown a growth and maturity in this characters heroics, also using another fan favourite in Beta Ray Bill, to give a little I would almost say hostile tuition, at least at first. Marvel clearly have a lot of faith in Duggan and he has definitely proven why, and this is further evident in the stories he will be telling during the current Original Sin event.

Duggan will be responsible for telling the Original Sins of both charcters in his current on going series'. Deadpool will see him delve back into Deadpool's past to bring us what appears, from the teaser image, to be the sad demise of Deadpool's family. He will also have the responsibility of telling Sam Alexander's, Nova's, story who is not only going to be reeling from the death of his friend and silent mentor The Watcher but also the hunt for his Dad who with one of his last appearances the watcher made Sam realise is still out there and still alive. I just can not wait to see what Duggan does with these two stories and concepts and look forward to seeing them come to life when the issues are released.

Finally as mentioned at the beginning of the post, and what is really more evidence of the faith Marvel are putting in Duggan, he will be taking over the "Hulk" from Mark Waid in August, and in yet another out there concept we will see, with a Hulk story titled "The Omega Hulk" which will see the Hulk/ Banner hunting down other men and women who like him have special powers from gamma radiation and its also promised we should expect to see every character with Hulk in their name. I for one will be looking to pick this up come August and I really look forward to seeing what Duggan can do with one of Marvel's more A-List characters, originally created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. I hope this is yet another stepping stone to Duggan bringing his fantastic storytelling to other Marvel titles.

So to summarise if you haven't been reading any of Duggan's current Marvel titles I strongly recommend you head to you Local Comic Store and find there trade paperback section and grab yourselves a copy of the Deadpool volumes containing the "Dead Presidents" arc and "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly". And for good measure why not grab a copy of Nova Vol. 3: Nova Corpse.

Fan Friday on a Wednesday Creator Spotlight: Becky Cloonan

My first experience of the work of Becky Cloonan was during her collaboration with Brian Wood on Conan the Barbarian at Dark Horse. There was something about her style that really suited the character and story being told. It's safe to say that from this point on I was hooked.

From this point onward I would regularly check her blog for posts and updates on titles and projects she was working on. It's no surprise to me that Becky has seen a rapid rise from both her independent work and work for hire. It was from researching this I found she had previously worked with Brian Wood on a Vertigo title, Demo, along with another Vertigo project with a different collaborator on American Virgin.

Becky Cloonan has worked with some of the biggest names in the biz right now, with Scott Snyder on Batman, the first female artist to do so, and his creator owned work American Vampire contributing to an Anthology issue peppered with other great creators. She has also worked with Kieron Gillen on his and Jamie McKelvie's critically acclaimed Young Avengers. Not to mention her most recent project alongside Gerard Way at Dark Horse, True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. And from conventions it appears to me that these aren't just collaborators or work for the sake of hire jobs, these are people who she is friends with and people she enjoys collaborating with.

But for me her biggest success story has been her creator owned work. I first came across this by accident while checking her blog, to be truthful the first I saw was The Mire which was in fact her second creator owned title after Wolves, and although not available from the UK at that time I grabbed myself a couple of copies from her online store. It was safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed both these titles, and it obviously wasn't just me as she went on to win an Eisner for her comic The Mire. In between all her "mainstream" projects she continued working on her next creator owned issue in Demeter which is my favourite to date, and once again I believe nominated for an Eisner! I immediately grabbed myself a regular copy and silk screen printed copy.

If you happen to be a fan of Becky's work from reading the main stream titles you are in luck as she has released a collection of the three titles in one place, By Chance or Providence, which while with limited stock should be available from any reputable comic store, however the moment I saw this on Twitter I pre-ordered mine from her online store and received the good news yesterday that it has been shipped and is on its way. Speaking of which as you will see at the bottom of this post Becky Cloonan is currently touring to promote the book and doing signings at various locations and GOSH! Comics, a fine establishment in London, has a launch party and event in London this Friday, 23-05-2014. I'm hoping to get along to that and if your a fan I recommend you should too.

1 Berwick Street

London W1F 0DR

Fan Friday Creator Spotlight: Francesco Francavilla

I’ve always wanted to do a series of small short posts spotlighting some of my favourite creators in the comics industry a short summary, images of their work and links to their sites and where you can see their work for yourselves. To begin this new series of posts I begin with one of my favourite artists from the past few years, Francesco Francavilla.

Franceso Francavilla is an Eisner winning Cover Artist who has fast become a familiar and easily recognisable sight on our comic book shelves with his unique art style and fantastic cover work. I first came across Francavilla when reading Black Mirror by Scott Snyder, himself and Jock. He brought his unique ‘noir’ style to the character and a tone that complimented the story.

I immediately had to do a little more research and found his Blogger, which is well worth checking out although like many he has now moved to Tumblr, where he makes regular posts with more artwork and one of the highlights for me was his illustrations made while watching episodes of Doctor Who, these would summarise the episode in one image and would have been great posters for the episodes, quite obvious why IDW decided to get Francavilla to create variant covers for there Doctor Who 50th anniversary series Doctor Who Prisoner of Time.

Scott Snyder isn’t the only high profile writer Francavilla has worked with, he has been on many of my favourite comics from Guardians of the Galaxy where he worked with Brian Michael Bendis for the titles Infinity tie in and the much loved Hawkeye with Matt Fraction. He is currently the regular interior and cover artist for Afterlife with Archie, alongside his other variant cover work for various publishers. 

He isn't just an artist though he has also taken a turn at writing with his critically acclaimed creator owned series Black Beetle published by Dark Horse which is up for an Eisner this year for Best Limited Series so good luck to him. Francavilla continues to receive high praise and this is only evident in him receiving yet another Eisner nomination, I am sure there will be plenty more to come from him.

I would certainly recommend checking out his work on Black Mirror, which alongside Francavilla's great artwork it is also a brilliant Batman story. Black Beetle is a fun read, I am still to get Necrologue but thoroughly enjoyed No Way Out. Click the links above to check out his Blogger and Tumblr.