Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: boom studios, Comics, entertainment, george perez, she-devils

Talking With a Titan about Boom and Devils – George Perez Makes A Rare 2014 Con Appearance

Published Mon, 17 Mar 2014 19:00:00 -0500

By Ian Melton

There are few comic book artists who are well known for squeezing in as much detail or as many characters in a single page, or even panel, as George Perez. In alums of comic book artists few have helmed projects that are as well-known as Crisis on Infinite Earths, the New Teen Titans, and JLA / Avengers. Perez's run's on several long running comic book series are held up as watershed high marks such as his runs on Avengers, Wonder Woman, and Brave and the Bold. What doesn't get as much attention is Perez's work on creator-owned projects, despite Perez having helped create or co-create characters that are known to fans and children all over the world such as the Teen Titan characters Raven, Starfire, and Cyborg. Perez made a rare convention appearance on the West Coast recently, where Bleeding Cool got a chance to speak with him.

Perez had two major events happen last year that have changed his career. First, he decided after his exclusive with DC was done to reenter the comic marketplace with Boom! Studios focusing on a brand new creator owned series titled She Devil. Second, he had severe problems with his left eye after he had signed with Boom! while he had to undergo surgery and treatment on his eye to recover. His output during 2013 was sparse and Perez is looking to fix that.

Right now I'm doing covers for Boom. So far I did one for Daymen and I have two more coming, one for Adventure Time and another for Hero Bear. For anyone who has thought my covers of late have not been my normal fare, the Hero Bear one will blow everyone away. There is so much detail in that cover that it is just classic Perez!

His comments about his work for Boom are very jovial and light-hearted as he is loving working for and with Boom! on his latest work.

When I shopping around for a place to take my new work I was very nervous going to Boom. However, I needed to get away from just doing work for the big companies. I mean they have treated me very well, especially DC. The royalties I get for having created characters, from the video game work alone, helps me a huge amount every year. But lately when I would work on things my wife says she just didn't see the joy that I've had for so many years. So when we went to Boom I was nervous shopping around, but Boom was so receptive and positive and I could really tell they wanted me to set up shop with them. (Laughs.) During the process they asked me, 'Wait you think we are interviewing you? We thought you were interviewing us!' They have been beyond a joy to work with and owner Ross Ritchie has told me that as the work comes in he isn't really going to look at it. He wants to be surprised like everyone else when he reads issue #1 complete and done.

In having the trouble with his eye Perez continued to speak very fondly of Boom! Studios.

When my medical problems came up Boom was a great help since I now have medical with them, but I wasn't giving them any work in return which made me feel bad. I'd get e-mails and they were just the nicest in the world, just asking how I was and if I needed anything. Very no-pressure, and when I'd tell them I'd like to do some work they would ask over and over again if I was sure since they said it was more important I get better. So this year, as I'm feeling better it is so important to me to get back to work and really amaze my fans, Boom, and the industry. My wife is just happy to see how excited I am to sit down at the drawing board now!

Part of that commitment to getting more work out for Boom! and getting She-Devils ready for publication which means Perez is looking at cutting back convention appearances: "Wizard wants me to go to many more cons but I'm going to have to cut back so I can get work done."

However, even with few convention appearances planned for 2014, Perez's love for the fans is beyond apparent. While speaking with Bleeding Cool, he continued to sign comics and do sketches of those characters he is well known for including Nightwing, Raven, and even a sketch of the Thing. And that love of fans is really going to show in She-Devils. Showing the promotional image he did last year for the series, which he had as a print at the con, he comments that each character is based on someone he knows, and most of them are fans.

I love the cosplayers and the fans so much and one thing is when She-Devils comes out I want the women who the characters are based on to be able to cosplay as the character so they can get some of the love and credit from the other fans. One of the characters is based, including appearance, on my wife, another is based on my niece, but all the rest of the cast is based on female fans and cosplayers I've met over the years. My ideal goal is really to have these women cosplay as these characters and be able to sign things, with me, or on their own, based on their characters.

She-Devils does not have a set publication date and Perez and Boom! do not want to put the series out before it is ready. "I'm super excited about it. Boom is super excited about it, and I really enjoy talking about it and getting the fans ready. I'll be super excited when we are ready to publish it and let everyone see it!", he said.

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