Marvel Comics is very pleased to announce the extension of Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada's contract that will keep him guiding the Marvel Comics line as he has the last three years, in addition to two key promotions within its editorial staff, and the creation of a new office dedicated to freelance talent relations.
Quesada - the Marvel Knights founder who began his distinguished run as Editor-in-Chief in the summer of 2000 - has overseen the creative and commercial revitalization of such key Marvel franchises as Spider-Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, and the X-Men, as well as the collected editions department, which continues to be one of Marvel's fastest growing publishing initiatives.
Known for straight-talk and bold moves, Quesada's remarkable tenure has also included the creation of important new publishing initiatives, such as the flagship ULTIMATE MARVEL line and the mature readers Marvel MAX imprint, and under his stewardship Marvel has ascended to become the industry leader with 41% percent of the comic book market share.
"I'd like to thank everyone at Marvel for the vote of confidence and I also want to thank all of our creators and fans, because without them I could never have achieved what I have," said Quesada.
"I've had nothing but a blast my first three years here at Marvel but what really gets me juiced is the fact that we've only just begun this long amazing journey. There is no greater job in the world and I promise that the next few years are going to be historic! What you've seen the first three years is just kid's stuff compared to what I've got up my sleeve. It only gets better from here."
"Joe is an amazing editor and an amazing human being," said ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, ULTIMATE X-MEN, DAREDEVIL and ALIAS writer Brian Michael Bendis. "It's an honor and privilege for me to work with him. We can all look forward to a very, very bright future for the entire industry with Joe at the desk he was born to sit behind."
"This is the best news possible," added AMAZING SPIDER-MAN & SUPREME POWER writer J. Michael Stracyznski. "I came to Marvel specifically to work with Joe Quesada, based on his reputation and his creative instincts, and I'm happy to see that this relationship will continue. Joe is the best in the biz, willing to take the kinds of chances that other major publishers won't. He's done an exemplary job in turning Marvel around and once again making it a place friendly to creators."
"Joe Quesada is a good man, a good friend and, obviously a great Editor-in-Chief," said Straczynski's AMAZING SPIDER-MAN partner, John Romita Jr.
Quesada will be supported by one of his first hires as Editor-in-Chief - Senior Editor Axel Alonso - who has been promoted to the position as Marvel Executive Editor. Alonso, known as a 'creator's editor' in the comics' community and for his cutting-edge style, has guided the rejuvenation of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and THE INCREDIBLE HULK, doubling their sales during his tenure and transforming both into consistent critical and commercial hits.
Alonso will be adding more key titles to his office later this year, including a major relaunch of THE PUNISHER and a bold, new creative direction for CAPTAIN AMERICA.
"I'm glad to continue my relationship with Marvel," says Alonso. "Editing SPIDER-MAN and HULK has been tremendous fun, and I look forward to the challenges posed by CAP and THE PUNISHER. It's no secret how much I've wanted to edit either of these titles, and now I've got my chance."
In addition, Mike Marts has been promoted to the position of Senior Editor, where he'll continue to oversee the best-selling X-MEN franchise, which will be subject to a series of bold new creative moves in the coming year.
Also integral to the future of Marvel editorial is the establishment of a Talent Relations Office. Under the guidance of Managing Editor David Bogart and headed by editor CB Cebulski, the new office will seek to recruit new talent from all creative disciplines, manage talent to assure complimentary creative teams are matched with projects best suited for their skills, and to address freelancer concerns and issues that arise during the creative process.
"Joe Quesada has brought vision to Marvel's editorial process and has built a world class team to support him," said Marvel Enterprises, Inc. President and CEO Allen Lipson. "We feel we are very fortunate to have him and his entire staff committed to growing our business for the years to come."
Marvel Comics is very pleased to announce the extension of Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada's contract that will keep him guiding the Marvel Comics line as he has the last three years, in addition to two key promotions within its editorial staff, and the creation of a new office dedicated to freelance talent relations. 