DC Entertainment Announces Vertigo Editorial Promotions

Shelly Bond has been promoted to Executive Editor of the Vertigo imprint for DC Entertainment. Joining Bond in her new leadership role are Will Dennis, who has been promoted to Group Editor, Vertigo and Mark Doyle who has been promoted to Editor, Vertigo. All three staffers have spent years under the guidance of outgoing SVP & Executive Editor Karen Berger, creating a continuity in editorial experience.

 

“I've been incredibly lucky to have worked for many years with these three smart and talented editors. Shelly has been by my side since the beginning of Vertigo, so I couldn't be happier about passing the baton to her,” Berger said. “She brings so much creativity, passion and professionalism to everything she edits with special note to the wildly successful FABLES, which she launched and has overseen for over 10 years. Will is a highly regarded story editor of many critically acclaimed series including 100 BULLETS, DMZ and SCALPED and has procured many European and South American artists for our titles. Mark has a great eye for new writing talent, and his avid interest in up-to-the-minute fiction has been a real asset to the line. I look forward to reading many great comics and graphic novels from these three for many years to come. Vertigo is in the best of hands.”

 

Bond began her career at Vertigo in 1993 as Assistant Editor. Her unique pop culture sensibility and love of all things British – plus a knack for discovering new, uncompromising and inspired talent – helped launch some of the most beloved Vertigo series and OGNs, including FABLES, FAIREST, THE INVISIBLES, LUCIFER, HEAVY LIQUID, SLOTH, iZOMBIE, AMERICAN VIRGIN, DEADENDERS, HOUSE OF SECRETS, YOUNG LIARS, THE SANDMAN: ENDLESS NIGHTS and DEATH: AT DEATH'S DOOR. The list of talented creators Bond has worked with over the years is equally long and impressive, including Michael Allred, Mark Buckingham, Mike Carey, Howard Chaykin, Becky Cloonan, Neil Gaiman, Peter Gross, Gilbert Hernandez, James Jean, Phil Jimenez, Peter Milligan, Grant Morrison, Paul Pope, Steven T. Seagle, Jill Thompson, Bill Willingham and many more.

 

Before DC, Bond was a video/film editor and talent agent. She also served as the editor for THE ELEMENTALS – a comic book by Willingham. The friendship and working relationship continues to this day, as FABLES celebrates 10 years of publication.

 

"It’s been a great privilege, both personally and professionally, to work with Karen Berger since Vertigo’s inception,” says Bond.  "I look forward to honoring her legacy by continuing to push the imprint to arresting new heights ably abetted by a fiercely talented editorial team.  Expect nothing but the deft storytelling, incomparable artistry and the bravado that has made Vertigo an industry leader."



 (Photo of Shelly Bond)


Dennis has had a long and critically-acclaimed editorial career at Vertigo and DC Comics, which saw him form long-lasting relationships with some of the most renowned creators in comics, including Jason Aaron, Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo, R.M. Guera, Jim Lee, Denise Mina, Eduardo Risso, Brian K. Vaughan, Brian Wood and the legendary Joe Kubert. Dennis has edited a number of award-winning ongoing series and special projects for the imprint, such as 100 BULLETS, SPACEMAN, SCALPED, THE LOSERS, PRIDE OF BAGHDAD, DONG XOAI: VIETNAM 1965, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, NORTHLANDERS and DMZ to name a few. Additionally, Dennis has edited many best-selling projects outside of Vertigo, including the JOKER graphic novel, Azzarello and Lee's SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW and the current BEFORE WATCHMEN mini-series.

 

A lifelong fan of crime fiction and music, Dennis began his career at Vertigo as Assistant Editor. Prior to Vertigo, Dennis worked at a boutique music and film publicity agency. One of his first jobs was at his local comic shop after college. Dennis points to his current gig as "the best job I've ever had." While he's worked with some of the best and brightest talent the comic book industry has to offer, Dennis says few come close to the experience of working with one of comics all-time greats, writer/artist Joe Kubert, describing it as "a dream come true."

 

Doyle began his career at Vertigo as Assistant Editor in 2006. Always on the lookout for new talent, he launched Scott Snyder’s first ongoing comic book series AMERICAN VAMPIRE with Stephen King and award winning artist Rafael Albuquerque in 2010. He has worked on such titles as SWEET TOOTH, THE NEW DEADWARDIANS, NORTHLANDERS, THE EXTERMINATORS and AMERICAN SPLENDOR by Harvey Pekar and currently assists on the current BEFORE WATCHMEN mini-series.

AMERICAN VAMPIRE celebrates summer blockbuster story “The Blacklist” with five variant covers.

This one changes everything.
 
I know you hear that all the time in comics, but we REALLY mean it this time. This summer’s blockbuster AMERICAN VAMPIRE storyline is called “The Blacklist,” and the whole gang returns to the place where it all started—Hollywood. But this time it’s the 50’s, so instead of flappers and silent films, tinsel-town is drenched in the fear and paranoia of the Communist “Red Scare.”
 
Massive turning point. Game-changer. Point of no return…call it what you want, but this one really does change everything.
 
And because this is such a massive story, we’ve decided to celebrate with not one but FIVE variant covers! Some of the biggest, best names in comics, paying tribute to the various decades, characters and locations we’ve covered in AV so far…
 
Starting this June with AMERICAN VAMPIRE 28 we have our first variant cover by Scott Snyder’s partner-in-crime over on BATMAN—Greg Capullo! Greg kicks it off with this bad-ass portrait of everybody’s favorite greaser vampire-killer Travis Kidd!
 


After Greg we have killer covers coming from DAVE JOHNSON, JOCK, FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA and DUSTIN NGUYEN! Come back here each month for more cover reveals.
 
Speaking of Dustin, don’t forget to check out our awesome new mini-series also starting this June—AMERICAN VAMPIRE: LORD OF NIGHTMARES. Written by Scott Snyder with sensational art by Dustin, this mini is a great jumping-on point for new readers, and also deepens the mythology for long-time fans.
 
So it’s another big, fang-filled summer from AMERICAN VAMPIRE and remember—this one changes everything!

--Mark

All Good Things Must Come To An End

“All good things must come to an end” I gave you that clue back in January. Smart readers guessed right, I was talking about NORTHLANDERS. I did not develop NORTHLANDERS from the start, I inherited it from editor Will Dennis, but I was always a fan and I’ve been very proud to work on this book with Brian Wood and an amazing list of artists over the years. Speaking of amazing artists, we have one of my all time favorite artists bringing this series to a close—DANIJEL ZEZELJ. If you don’t know his work, pick up NORTHLANDERS 48 (in stores this WEDNESDAY 2/8!) For part 1 of the stunning conclusion to this epic series. I promise you’ll want to go back and see more of Danijel’s work after this. He is a giant. The beginning of the end starts now…

Groundhog Day

Groundhog day is coming up later this week. This is the day when we hope for an early spring and re-watch one of the greatest movies of all time (“This is pitiful. A thousand people freezing their butts off waiting to worship a rat…”) But I’d like to take a moment this Groundhog Day to pay homage to another fuzzy little fella who likes to burrow in the ground—BOBBY. Bobby is my favorite SWEET TOOTH character and today I’d like to share with you one of my favorite panels of him from the upcoming SWEET TOOTH #31: Look at that little ear twitching! I love this guy. Here’s hoping for an early spring! And don’t forget SWEET TOOTH 30 in stores this WEDNESDAY 2/1!

Gold

Longtime AMERICAN VAMPIRE fans know that there are many different strains of vampires and they are all vulnerable to something different. Sometimes wood…sometimes silver…sometimes… But the vamps spawned right here in the good ol' US of A (a species known as HOMO ABOMINUM AMERICANA if you want to get technical about it…) like SKINNER SWEET and our gal PEARL are only vulnerable to one thing: GOLD. A fact that Pearl learned WAAAAY back in issue 5. Remember that. It’s important. Crucial information to know for AMERICAN VAMPIRE 23 in stores THIS WEDNESDAY 1/25. Trust us, you do NOT want to miss this…

What was the first… by Editor Mark Doyle

MARK DOYLE, editor of AMERICAN VAMPIRE, SWEET TOOTH and more, shares his firsts with us.

Convention you attended as a fan?
No idea. But it was in Boston. Some dark basement of a hotel. And I remember saying to my friend, “damn, this place smells like sweaty pizza.” Cons have come a long way...

Convention you attended as a pro?
I think MOCCA? It did not smell. It was in the Puck Building and it was really nice.

Job in the comic book Industry?
Assistant Editor. Vertigo.

Comic book you worked on?
Assisted on Neverwhere, The Exterminators, and The Alcoholic to name a few.

Comic book you read?
It was an issue of Wolverine. Don’t remember the number. He got swallowed by some yellow, globulous thing and he hacked and slashed his way out. I thought that was pretty rad and knew immediately I wanted more comics!

Graphic novel you read?

I don’t know. Never made that distinction in my mind. They’re all comics.

Series you collected?
Wolverine. X-Men. Spider-Man. Sorry DC. I hope I don’t get fired. Oh wait! And Batman!

Writer you followed?

Garth Ennis

Artist you followed?
John Romita Jr.

Piece of original art you bought?
Never purchased a piece of original art. Although I am honored and humbled to say that I have a page of “Scalped” (issue #29, Page 5 featuring my favorite character, Officer Falls Down) that was given to me by that handsome genius Mr. R.M Guera. And “American Vampire” (#5, page 28) given to me by that talented little demon Mr. Rafael Albuquerque.

Digital comic you downloaded?
They make Digital Comics now?! That’s awesome! I’ll have to get on that.

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Scott Snyder talks about the AV team Winning their first Eisner

Sitting with the AMERICAN VAMPIRE team of Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque and Editor Mark Doyle along with, Vertigo’s Executive Editor, Karen Berger at the Eisner’s last Friday night, we were all anxiously waiting for the winner of Best New Series to be announced. Now, over to series writer and co-creator Scott Snyder to tell you what it means to him to win.

There was a moment I was worried my Eisner was going to be taken away. This was at the San Diego airport, at security, when the woman behind the scanner demanded to know what was inside it. I told her I didn't know.
"You don't know," she said, an eyebrow raised.
"No. I mean, nothing is in it. It's just a trophy."
"Why's it so heavy then?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know if something's in it, or you do?"
"I do."
"Then what's in it? Why can't you just answer the question?"
At which point, I started to stammer and trip over my answer. What did she mean? I didn't know, but she had the Eisner in her hand and she didn't look like she was going to give it back and so I said something that sounded like a joke but wasn't, something that was the only thing I could think to say to her question of what's inside that ball-topped trophy: "What's in it is all of my nerd dreams, ma'am. All of them. Now can you please give it back?"

It was true, too, about my nerd dreams. Sitting in the ballroom at the awards ceremony, wearing my lucky Elvis shirt beneath my button down, I couldn't get over how nervous I was. I knew I'd be nervous, but not that nervous. I could barely eat anything, barely drink. And then when our name was called... In the end, all I want to say is that I can't thank you all enough. Everyone out there who reads AMERICAN VAMPIRE and AMERICAN VAMPIRE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. I've never had more fun or been more in love with a story than the one we're telling through this crazy series of ours. For one, I believe in the story we're telling whole-heartedly. It's about everything I love writing about, monsters, Americana, American history, early music, rock and roll... But more than this, it's a collaboration with guys I've come to call some of my best friends. Not just in comics, either. Rafa (my co-creator) and Mark Doyle (our editor) have become two of my best friends in the world. Nothing is more exciting than getting to tell stories with them. Not to mention other friends we've made along the way - the godfather of horror, Stephen King, whose contributions to the series are immeasurable. Dave McCaig, our amazing colorist, Sean Murphy artist on AV Survival of the Fittest, Dave Stewart... The legendary Karen Berger and Will Dennis of Vertigo for believing in vampires who will never ever sparkle... Again, AV is a labor of love, made among friends who enjoy working together. And I couldn't be more grateful to them, or you.

Which brings us back to the airport, really. Because like I said, my answer to that woman at security was true. The Eisner does hold all of my nerd dreams. But not dreams of some kind of recognition or acclaim; dreams of getting to tell a story you love more than anything, with a bunch of guys and girls you love working with. What could be better? And in the end, the people that make that possible - the biggest friends of Skinner (and us) - are you, the fans of the series. So again, a HUGE thanks to all of you. As a way of thanking you I can promise that the best of American Vampire is yet to come. The stuff we have planned, between the Indian Wars, the rockabilly 1950's, the revelations that are coming for Skinner and Pearl and Henry, too... The new characters, the new vampires (and new ancient ones). This series is our baby and we'll never stop giving it 100%.

As for the Eisner itself. It did eventually make it through security. Right now, it's on my son's shelf, among his toys. He's 4, and he likes using it as a trophy for the winner of our nightly sock-fight (he invariably defeats his father with some new, experimental move). And I like seeing it there, as I turn off his light, knowing that maybe it's beginning to collect his nerd dreams, too.

Thanks again to everyone.

Scott Snyder
7/27/11

Mark Doyle talks STRANGE ADVENTURES: ULTRA THE MULTI ALIEN

Editor Mark Doyle shares how Jeff Lemire’s ULTRA THE MULTI ALIEN story in STRANGE ADVENTURES (on sale now) came about.

Take it away Mark.

“You should call Jeff Lemire,” former Vertigo Editor, turned-Hollywood Mogul, Pornsak Pichetshote said to me. “He’s crazy about all that old stuff.”

That’s how “Ultra The Multi-Alien” started. It was all PP’s idea. The man is an idea machine (that must be why they plucked him from the dark halls of Vertigo to go work for the West Coast brain trust).

So I called Jeff. Told him we were doing a Vertigo Anthology with a sci-fi theme. Told him we were thinking of using one of those wacky old Mystery-in-Space-type characters. Told him about Ultra.

“Oh, I love that guy.” Of course you do, Jeff. Of course you do.

Here’s the thing about Ultra The Multi-Alien—he’s a joke. He’s been a running joke in the DC halls for years. I mean, look at the guy! What a mess! Everybody always jokes about Ultra (even Conan O’Brian took some jabs at Ultra. The VERY day I talked to Jeff about Ultra, ol’ “gravy leg” was on Conan that night. True story. Google it.) Everybody joked about doing an Ultra story for years. But nobody was ever serious.

Except Jeff. Deadly serious. See, he has a love and a reverence for all of the old DC characters. Cool and not-so-cool alike. Especially the not-so-cool. He likes to look deep into the characters, find out what makes them tick, show us why they are sympathetic. Why we should maybe take a closer look. As Jeff and I were talking about Ultra I was flipping through the DC Encyclopedia. Told Jeff that his girlfriend’s name was Bonnie. That was it. Jeff was off and running. He had his story.

I’m very proud of “Ultra The Multi-Alien.” I think it’s a beautiful, heartbreaking story. It’s like Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” Trippy, but, totally heartfelt too. That’s because Jeff loves all that old stuff. And now, thanks to you, Jeff, we do too.

And if you haven't seen it, check out the LOS ANGELES TIMES/Hero Complex preview here.

AMERICAN VAMPIRE heads to the South Pacific

It’s been a year since we launched AMERICAN VAMPIRE. We’ve had a ton of great press, buzz and awesome feedback from you, the fans—it’s all been so amazing. But would you believe me if I told you we’re just getting warmed up?

What began in the 1880s American West, to the Hollywood of the 1920s, to the beginnings of the Las Vegas we know today, to the building of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s, now heads to the South Pacific in the 1940s! I just finished looking at some incredible pages from RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE from the new, EPIC storyline we’re calling GHOST WAR. This story is the PERFECT jumping-on point for new readers, and it starts with issue 13 in stores tomorrow! It’s WWII in The Pacific, vampires, Pearl, Henry and that bastard we love to hate—Skinner Sweet—at the heart of it all!

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And if that's not enough, I just saw some incredible pages from SEAN MURPHY for the new mini-series we’re launching, called AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.

So get ready for all the action of AMERICAN VAMPIRE Year Two. We’re just getting warmed up…

-Mark

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