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Brandon Peterson, Mike Weiringo Sign Exclusive Contracts with Marvel

Posted: Wednesday, November 26
By: Markisan Naso

Brandon Peterson Signs Exclusive with Marvel
Press Release

Superstar artist Brandon Peterson — who rose to industry fame as one of Top Cow's most popular artists and for the last few years served as an artist, Art Director and Vice President of CrossGen Entertainment — has signed an exclusive creator agreement with Marvel that will keep him with the House of Ideas through the year 2006.

Brandon will begin drawing covers on such key titles as ULTIMATE X-MEN and then move on to several high-profile new assignments that will be announced in the coming weeks.

"I've known Brandon for quite some time now, he is one of those rare talents that can do it all and he does it all at a Master's level," said Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada. "He's also one of the most enthusiastic people I know and I'm thrilled that he's bringing that energy to Marvel.

"We have some amazing stuff planned for Brandon including the reinvention of a classic Marvel character that will have fans talking for years to come. There aren't many people in the comics industry that can draw with his ability and energy so I'm thrilled for us and for our fans everywhere that he'll be dedicating his amazing talents to the pantheon of Marvel Heroes."

"Over the last few years while occupied at another job, I've observed the incredible progress Marvel has made with the editorial leadership of Joe Quesada," said Peterson. "Marvel has really undergone a renaissance with things like Marvel Knights, the Ultimate universe, and the rejuvenation of the core titles. I appreciated from a distance the hard work and skill that they and everyone at Marvel have shown.

"After I had left my former job, Joe and I talked at length about some of the great projects Marvel had planned, and I found myself getting caught up in the infectious enthusiasm he has for the company. It didn't take too long to see we were on the same page and Marvel was the place for me to be. Marvel has a great support staff and everyone has been really positive about me coming aboard, especially C.B. Cebulski who has been instrumental in helping Marvel and me come together."

Peterson mostly looks forward to the opportunity to work on Marvel's most popular and well-recognized characters. "A creator typically wants as big an audience as possible for their efforts, and Marvel has the biggest audience around," continued the creator. "I also have many friends who are regular Marvel creators, and it'll be fun to be part of that community of artists.

"I would speak more, but I've been sworn to secrecy on some of the things I've got coming up. It's going to be exciting, fun projects that I've been wanting to do for a very long time!"


Mike Wieringo Signs Exclusive with Marvel
Press Release

Fan-favorite artist Mike Wieringo, who along with writer Mark Waid has built one of the industry's most passionate and loyal fan bases with their work on the FANTASTIC FOUR, has signed an exclusive agreement with Marvel, keeping Wieringo with the Marvel team through the year 2005.

Known affectionately to his fans and fellow pros as "Ringo", Wieringo's fun, energetic art and strong storytelling skills has graced books such as DC's THE FLASH (with his FF partner Mark Waid), his own Gorilla/Image series TELLOS, and SPIDER-MAN and the X-MEN at Marvel. Wieringo will continue to work with Waid on FANTASTIC FOUR, which starts a key new story arc in January with FANTASTIC FOUR #509.

"While it's no secret to folks who keep up with comics news that the summer was pretty 'eventful' for me, I'm really happy to say that things have worked out for the best in the end," said Wieringo. "I'm proud and excited that Marvel thought enough of my work that they would be want to offer me an exclusive agreement to draw for them for the next couple of years. Working with Mark Waid, [FF editor] Tom Brevoort and Joe Quesada has been a blast — and it's a wonderful thing that it's going to continue.

"As cliché as it might sound, illustrating FANTASTIC FOUR has been a dream-come-true," continued Wieringo. "I grew up reading the FF, SPIDER-MAN, the X-MEN and all the other wonderful characters that fill out the Marvel Universe, and I've been fortunate to work on many of them. My experience on FF has been a special one," however. "It's been really thrilling to work on Marvel's flagship title — the one that started the whole ball rolling. And having the opportunity to work with Mark, and to be given the opportunity to add our spin to these incredible characters has been an honor.

"So, thank you, Marvel. And thanks to those who have enjoyed what we are doing."

"I've been a fan of 'Ringo's work for years," said Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada. "As an artist his clean line work and wonderful characterization has made me envious of his skills for way too many years. And I think that fans will agree with me when I say that Mike's work on the FF has redefined the look of the characters and book in a way that has made it accessible to a whole new audience!

"I'm thrilled that Mike has decided to stay at Marvel and make it his home for the next few years. Along with li'l Marky Waid, fans of the FF and Marvel fans in general are going to be in for many more issues of great comics entertainment from the World's Greatest Comic Magazine!"

FANTASTIC FOUR #509, the start of the three-part "HEREAFTER" story arc goes
on sale January 21st. Readers, ask your local comic book retailer to reserve
your copy!