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Jim Steranko – New Comics And A New Way Of Telling Comics From IDW

Jim Steranko talked at the IDW panel at NYCC announcing his Artist Editions. Talking about his current relationship with the comics industry. He talked about pitching Marvel publisher Dan Buckley a Captain America series recently in what he called a brand new comics format, something he's always tried to do. "We've been chewing on the same iceberg for years… I'm telling you there are a thousand new formats you could read comics in."

He had previously pitched a six issue series for SHIELD to Joe Quesada, and was asked for an outline, and that Quesada said that one plot aspect was against the way the Marvel Universe worked. This came up, talking to Buckley, to not violate anything in the Marvel Universe. And Dan told him he had to wait over San Diego, but Jim didn't hear anything. Until one person at Marvel he didn't know emailed Jim to tell him that his ideas wouldn't work. Jim didn't respond. And thought that was the end.

A year later, he pitched Dan DiDio a Batman line, and was told no. That they didn't need him on Batman, already selling through the roof, but they could use him elsewhere. So he pitched new ideas for Superman in. New comics format, which Dan liked, with an idea that they could treat it as the basis for future comics, as Kirby did for DC. But that DiDio said he only understood standard comic book pages. Steranko said he wasn't interested in that he wanted new formats. DiDio said he couldn't do it, "all I know is comic book pages".

This Monday, Steranko made a phone call to IDW. A three minute pitch for something new. A new way of telling comics. After ninety seconds, they said yes. And that is why Jim Steranko is at IDW.

Chris Ryall at IDW said a big thank you to Marvel, DC and the two Dans. Scott Dunbier qualified that as their most valuable partners.

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