JAE LEE TO FINISH HELLSHOCK, DF TO COLLECT IT

[MattBrady]

One of the early books from Image, Jae Lee's Hellshock had gone to ground for many years - until now. Now, the series will finally be completed - and collected - by Dynamic Forces.

When speaking to Newsarama a year ago, Lee discussed the Image series, saying:

NRAMA: At the time where you said you began with photo reference, and really began working on the detail, is that when you lost speed on Hellshock?

JL: Actually, that had very little to do with the art. I never had a problem with the art - it was always the story. I was rewriting it, and rewriting it and rewriting it. I would draw a page, rewrite it, and then have to redraw it. So I kept taking the book in different directions, and I couldn't make up my mind. It was never the artwork.

NRAMA: Still on the Hellshock tangent, do you find it interesting that now, people are praising Hellshock and wishing you'd come back to it, when before, say, when the book was coming out, your name was pretty much mud and synonymous with everything that was wrong in the industry?

JL: It's nice now, and I do want to go back to it, but it's funny that now, after all this time, how things become exaggerated. The first Hellshock miniseries for example - everyone will tell you that it was late, and one issue came out every six months. I read stuff like that all the time, and it's ridiculous. The firsts issue was one month late, and every issue came out one month after the one before it.

NRAMA: And on the second series?

JL: Well, that's a different story. The first issue came out on time, the second issue came out a month after that, and the third issue came out a year later.

But yeah, I do love when people come up to me at conventions and ask me to bring the character back.

NRAMA: Nothing concrete for that, just…someday?

JL: Someday.

DF's press release reads:

One of the great, unfinished series of the ‘90s will finally be completed, and collected for the first time ever by Dynamic Forces!

Jae Lee's Hellshock was originally published as a two volume mini series by Image Comics, one in 1994, and the other in 1997. However, the second series was never completed by Jae. Enter Dynamic Forces President Nick Barrucci, who is planning on issuing the completed tale.

"Jae and I have been in the Hellshock business for almost 12 years together. The character first appeared in DF's Creators Universe Trading Card set, and I had been a sounding board for Jae during the first series and the unfinished second series,” Barrucci explained. “That second series was a true master work, and it’s a real crime that it’s taken this long to get it completed, but fortunately, DF has been able to convince Jae to release his masterpiece as a complete tale in one amazing collection – to be released both as a hard cover and a soft cover collection! This collection will be the complete and definitive collection, a la “Director’s Cut DVD”, with the behind the scenes and artists commentary!, but I’ll let Jae take it from here!”

“I’m incredibly excited about returning to Hellshock,” added Hellshock creator Jae Lee. “This project was a turning point in my career. I believe that without Hellshock, I would never have evolved as an artist. I would have been mired in the flashy splash of the early ‘90s.”

The artist went on to say that, “This won’t be a mere reprint of the series. Fans will finally be able to read issue #4 of Hellshock Volume II in its entirety. Half of the issue was done 5 years ago. The other half will be done now. There will also be tons of behind-the-scenes materials. If you’re at all interested in what it takes to put a comic book together and the chaos that can follow, you’ll be able to read my first hand account of the story behind the story of what really happened during the making of Hellshock -- It’s insane. It’ll be but one of the many bonus materials that will be included in the Hardcover collection.

Look for more details and information in the weeks to come regarding how you can reserve your copy.

For more information on Dynamic Forces specialty merchandise, product art, exclusive creator interviews and upcoming releases - including more Marvel Comics Product, please visit the Dynamic Forces website at www.dynamicforces.com

[morty5]

looks cool

[csGuy]

This IS quite shocking! Though I have to wonder about the price and am somewhat wary about getting anything from DF based on some current rumblings.

[Aquaboy]

woah...
the series i never expected too see again! somewhere in my collection i have both series. the differences are quite striking. series 1 was very Image kewl 90's material. when Lee returned to his character, he reimagined it with some stunning artwork and writing. i remember lingering over the gorgeous artwork and villarubia's colors.
it's worth locating the 2nd series, i always found his work on hellshock series 2 the strongest.

[Cray_ws]

I was quite impressed with Jae Lee's second Hellshock series, it was miles ahead of anything on shelves. Today it would sell very well because alot readers are ready for that kind of deep storytelling.

However I'm extremely put off by Dynamic Forces as they have done nothing but foister the collectors market. I refuse to buy anything from them. Even their attempt to camoflauge their products as charity causes.

If Nick Barrucci wants to save this industry, He'd stop selling limited edition collectors items.

[Marker]

Shocking indeed! I love Jae Lee's art style. Im going to have to dig up the old issues and give it a read again.

I sure wished he would have stuck with this creator-owned series, I'll give the DF collected edition a try just to complete the series out.

[Sammycomic]

FUCKING A!

FINALLY! I've been waiting for this news for years. Hellshock was easily one of my favorite titles Image has ever put out. This made my day.

Thanks Jae!

[Steve72]

I always thought Jae should finish this project with Paul Jenkins writting off of Jae's plots, since the writting seemed to slow him down and the two worked great together on the Darkness prelude and Inhumans and the Sentry. If anyone can write top notch suspense stories, it's Mr. Jenkins.

[Frans Blix]

Say ... what's it about?

[Damian]

Originally posted by Cray_ws

However I'm extremely put off by Dynamic Forces as they have done nothing but foister the collectors market. I refuse to buy anything from them. Even their attempt to camoflauge their products as charity causes.

Yeah, how dare Dynamic Forces make money. The bastards.

They foister the collectors market because there's a market of collectors. Nobody's forcing people to buy that shit.

They certainly didn't have to collect Hellshock or Stray Toasters. In fact, I sort of wonder if DF even makes money on these collections, at least in the direct market.

I say, if the company has to pimp life size PVC statues of the White Queen's rack or whatever to make money, but brings
awesome creator owned series like these back into print, pimp away pimpers! It's like Fantagraphics with their porn comics.

Um... I do also realize "pimpers" is not a word. I have no real good excuse for that one.


Damian Duffy
rehab25.net
Publishers of WHISP : The best junky psychic comic on the market today! Look for Chapter 2: "Opening Windows" in finer comic shops on May 19th!

[StefanDam]

WHOA! I was just thinking about this series the other day. One of my all time favs!

[Skyldt]

Originally posted by Frans Blix
Say ... what's it about?

wondering the same thing.

[YDLM]

I have to concur with the earlier cmment about Jenkins lending Lee a hand. They work so beautifully together. They are comicbook soulmates.I loved the look of the book in the old days and Jae Lee has become so much better since than but the writing wasnt a strong point. Wait and see, I guess will be my policy on this one.

[mrhelm]

This is amazing news. I'll actually have to buy something from DF when this comes out...

The only thing I'm wondering about is the fact it only does issues 1-4 of the second series. They'd solicited up to issue #11 when issue 3 came out...

[Nerby727]

Loved his stuff on Captain America so I might just have to look into this Hellshock.

[Ruffy6080]

Originally posted by Nerby727
Loved his stuff on Captain America so I might just have to look into this Hellshock.

I love Jae Lee and his artwork on Captain America and the 1990's Hellshock! Pah! The Hellshock is coming back to complete the series but for DF. I admit to you, I am not that pleased with DF's idea in marketing the comics to the collectors at higher prices but what can I do?
I would love to spend a $20 gold coin, flip the coin into the wishing well and make a wish that Jae Lee can bring the Hellshock back once again with Image or whatsoever. Adored his character and the storytelling, it was so deep and dark...his art was hypontizing for a darker mood of reading.
Jae, bring it back, puh-lease! Start the brainstorming for a new story arc for the Hellshock!
To the fans, tell Jae to start it!!!!

Be back real soon!
Kevin

[hellshock333]

I didn't know what kind of reaction this news would get. I just wanted to thank everyone for welcoming Hellshock's return with such open arms.

It's always scary bringing something back from the dead. You never know if people will run away in fear or if they're happy to see you return.

Thanks everyone.

-Jae Lee

[djm72]

People are a little down on DF because of their customer service. A lot of people complain about late stuff or receiving stuff they ordered. There is a threads of complaints at Millarworld about this. Also, Darwyn Cooke jumped into the mix with this story:

"When Cat #1 was solicited, DF offered a version signed by Ed B and myself. No big deal, I suppose, they offer stuff like this all the time.
The thing is, no one from DF had EVER contacted me to see if I wanted to do this, let alone tell me what it was worth, when it would happen etc. In other words, they advertised product that would be personalized by me without any prior contact or consent. I assumed they'd contact me at some point, but the three months came and went, and DF never did get a hold of me.
Finally one day, Ed leaves me a message saying he's signed the books and is ready to ship them to me. This is out of the blue,so to speak.
At this point, I have to take it upon myself to track down DF, and put in a call to Nick Barucci. When he finally returns my call, I asked him if he was in the habit of advertising product without contacting the talent. I asked him several questions actually, and the net/net was;
they did this type of thing all the time (advertize unconfirmed signed product), 'cause basically everyone is happy to sign product for Df promotions.
I asked him what Ed's and my participation would be on a 30$ retail product and found the amount ridiculously low, industry standard or not.
I told Nick I wasn't thrilled with having my name attached to any product I haven't agreed to endorse or be a part of, and asked him to make sure he kept that in mind in the future.
I agreed to sign the books because the product had been advertised, and Ed had already done so, and if it helped push Cat, well then great. But I did tell Nick that this was the one and only time.
A few days later, the books show up UPS, with over $140.00 due in customs fees.
I EXPLICITLY tell the delivery dude I do not accept delivery, do not want the package, and will not sign for it.
10 days later, a bill arrives from UPS. And another, and another.
Contact UPS, explain it all to them, they tell me fine. Call Barrucci several times, get no return call. Finally get an assistant who says they'll look after it.
The next bill comes from a collection agency hired by UPS. So, it was my credit rating, or Nick Barrucci's fucking customs bill."

Then Ed Brubaker followed up:

"Darwyn, I never knew you hadn't agreed ahead of time to sign, because I heard about this through DC as if it was a done deal for both of us, not even understanding what DF even was, and then a bunch of books arrived one day to sign, with no tags to ship them to the next destination, so there was some hassle trying to get their account info for shipping. I remember my wife's unhappy phone call from UPS, who were refusing to send on DFs account for some reason, and I had to call them to get another account number or something. Big hassle.

This kind of thing happened to me three or four times, and I finally wrote to Nick to tell him I didn't want to sign any more comics, and to stop sending them.

Nick is a really nice guy, but their business was so haphazard, always forgetting to enclose the return pick-up tags, books arriving that I never said I'd sign, and I honestly hate instant collectables. "

[Daedelus]

Thank YOU Jae! I'm all over this, just give me a date and a price! I have very issue of this from both volumes and always wanted a conclusion. Have to agree with mrhelm though, was soliciting up to #11 done by image, or did Jae really have stoys planned for that long? I'll support what ever he does, always loved his work.
I look forward to the extras and commentaries too. Always nice to hear honest commentaries on the difficulties of the industry...

[hellshock333]

I believe I solicited up to issue 7 or 8. And yes I did have a long term story planned.

-Jae Lee

[FIG]

Can't wait to buy this seeing how I dropped it early on due to my budget. Awesome news, thanks Jae for making it happen

[Godfather]

I'll be looking forward to this, I fell in love with your work the minute I saw Transformers/GI Joe (right as I got back into comics).

[Aquaboy]

Originally posted by Frans Blix
Say ... what's it about?

ok, i'm going to try to remember the 2nd series. bear with me... it's been years.

a young intern at a psychiatric ward/asylum encounters a young man named alex. there is something to alex that no one can quite figure out. then the issues played out some amazing dream sequences/subconscious stuff.
the original incarnation of hellshock was the offspring of both a demon and an angel. caught between two worlds, he was ur average Image Spawn-esque anti-hero battling demons.

i recall a nun who was hellshock's mother being pivotal in the 1st series and then she became the intern in the 2nd series.

[hellshock333]

Let's not attack Nick here. There's not a single person I know who's had bad dealings with him.

He's been behind Hellshock since day 1 and he's the one who's convinced me to finish it after all these years. He's probably one of the most honorable people in the buisness. He loves comics. Since he can't write or draw, he has to do SOMETHING to stay in the comic business.

-Jae

[hellshock333]

Originally posted by Aquaboy
ok, i'm going to try to remember the 2nd series. bear with me... it's been years.

a young intern at a psychiatric ward/asylum encounters a young man named alex. there is something to alex that no one can quite figure out. then the issues played out some amazing dream sequences/subconscious stuff.
the original incarnation of hellshock was the offspring of both a demon and an angel. caught between two worlds, he was ur average Image Spawn-esque anti-hero battling demons.

i recall a nun who was hellshock's mother being pivotal in the 1st series and then she became the intern in the 2nd series.

The patient's name was Daniel.
The nun from the first series has nothing to do with the intern from the second series.
-Jae Lee