TOM RANEY SIGNS TWO-YEAR EXCLUSIVE WITH MARVEL

**MattBrady** · 11-29-2004, 02:40 PM

Press Release

“I’m absolutely loving the energy that’s pervading Marvel these days!” says penciller extraordinaire Tom Raney. Tom, the artist of past mighty Marvel titles such as Thor, Mutant X, Warlock, and a bevy of X-Men projects has been rewarded for his efforts with a 2-year exclusive contract with Marvel Comics…and he’s one happy camper. “There’s so much cool stuff going on! I’m thrilled to be part of it!”

Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada is pretty happy himself. “Tom Raney can always be counted on to deliver high quality work, and the fans love him for it.”

“Marvel’s just as thrilled as Tom about his coming aboard,” says Dan Buckley, Marvel Publisher. “We’re ready to see some more of that beautiful artwork!”

Raney is currently working on a What If?! X-Men 5th week book with X-Daddy Chris Claremont, to be followed by a few issues of Uncanny X-Men, also with Claremont. Tom added “I’d love to tell you what’s up after that, but everybody’s got to have a few secrets.”

Raney's most recent work was Outsiders at DC, where he had been exlcusive, and it was announced by DC that he had renewed for another two years in September of 2003.

Prior to coming to DC, Raney had been exclsuive to Marvel, where he drew Thor, among other projects.

Reportedly, this anouncement is the first of several exclusivity announcements coming from Marvel this week.

When asked about the apparent overlap of the two exclusive contracts, a DC spokesperson confirms that Tom Raney's exclusive contract was renewed for one year in 2003, not two, and the press release was worded incorrectly.

Jack Burton · 11-29-2004, 02:51 PM

Well that stinks for DC. I really liked Raney's Outsiders work.

GuitarSmashley · 11-29-2004, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Burton
Well that stinks for DC. I really liked Raney's Outsiders work.

I concur but word on the street is that CrissCross will be taking over outsiders so Its not so bad

MatthewSmith · 11-29-2004, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
Reportedly, this anouncement is the first of several exclusivity announcements coming from Marvel this week.

That line has got me a bit nervous.

pfunk70 · 11-29-2004, 03:05 PM

So, does DC still have another few months of Raney work left in his contract? September 2003 until now seems a bit short on two years, granted he's probably working 4 months ahead but it would seem he still owes 3-5 more months.

Kon-EL · 11-29-2004, 03:06 PM

Ok so wait if he signed a 2 year exclusive contract with DC in September of 2003 shouldnt that mean he has to stick around until August of 2005? How is it that hes already signed a new contract with Marvel?

pfunk70 · 11-29-2004, 03:08 PM

He's alright as artists go. Rather see Chris Batista as he seems more suited for a team book. Like to see his take on Nightwing too.

adwomack · 11-29-2004, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kon-EL
Ok so wait if he signed a 2 year exclusive contract with DC in September of 2003 shouldnt that mean he has to stick around until August of 2005? How is it that hes already signed a new contract with Marvel?

I'm guessing that the key to the statement about 2 years starting Sept 2003 is the "reported" in front of it. Did anyone ever confirm it with the creator or DC? It could have just been a one year contract with a mutual option of a second year or something like that.

Chris Hunter · 11-29-2004, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
Raney's most recent work was Outsiders at DC, where he had been exlcusive, and it was announced by DC that he had renewed for another two years in September of 2003.

So does his current contract with DC last until September 2005?

Isn't this a little early to announce a new exclusive contract?

csGuy · 11-29-2004, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MatthewSmith
That line has got me a bit nervous.

Same here. Makes me wonder which artists they're about to steal. DC's core writers are locked up for quite a while still methinks.

Rob Helmerichs · 11-29-2004, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adwomack
I'm guessing that the key to the statement about 2 years starting Sept 2003 is the "reported" in front of it. Did anyone ever confirm it with the creator or DC? It could have just been a one year contract with a mutual option of a second year or something like that.

What it said was, "it was announced by DC that he had renewed for another two years in September of 2003."

bob_at_york · 11-29-2004, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Hunter
So does his current contract with DC last until September 2005?

Isn't this a little early to announce a new exclusive contract?

The time seems about right since his first Marvel book comes out at the end of the month. I guess DC was padding the numbers on the press release for that contract. I really would have liked to see him stay on Outsiders but I am also curious what he will do next. How about a run on Spider-man?

Tinnitus Tim · 11-29-2004, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
Press Release

“I’m absolutely loving the energy that’s pervading Marvel these days!”. “There’s so much cool stuff going on! I’m thrilled to be part of it!”

In the words of Marvel: Wha? Huh?

CATMAN3 · 11-29-2004, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Burton
Well that stinks for DC. I really liked Raney's Outsiders work.

Me too.

Jed Saxon · 11-29-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada is pretty happy himself. “Tom Raney can always be counted on to deliver high quality work, and the fans love him for it.”

"... but expect fill-in artists or late books after issue #3."

Quote:

Originally posted by guitaryoni
I concur but word on the street is that CrissCross will be taking over outsiders so Its not so bad

For me it is. Not that I would drop the book but I can think of better artists.
Anyway: Didn't the leave this soon-to-be-cancelled-book because he couldn't hold a monthly deadline?

Somebody · 11-29-2004, 04:19 PM

So is he the "TOP SECRET!" (!! !!) guy doing the NA6 variant then?

If he is, why have him do the Golden Age Handbook cover and not embargo that?

Derek Ruiz · 11-29-2004, 04:20 PM

Don't worry the exclusive contract game changes every two years...DC was two years ago now Marvel gets a wack at it. The only thing in comics you can depend on is Kevin Smith not working on the books he's suppose to be working on.

Hopefully Marvel lets Raney get on Avengers....He'd be a good edition to the Ultimate X-Men art team.

I want Ian Churchill to replace Raney on Outsiders.

SHABBAZZ · 11-29-2004, 04:21 PM

I think Raney was a poor fit at DC, especially on Outsiders. Crisscross is a much better choice in my opinion. Outsiders needs a more youthful style and Raney is better suited for X books and such.

mavinga · 11-29-2004, 04:21 PM

And so the Talent Wars continue...

SHABBAZZ · 11-29-2004, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Derek Ruiz

I want Ian Churchill to replace Raney on Outsiders.

Man I hope not, I can't stand Churchill's style.

I wonder if people are buggin' out in advance of DC's rumored big revamp/Crisis scheduled for next year...

Scooby2099 · 11-29-2004, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Reportedly, this anouncement is the first of several exclusivity announcements coming from Marvel this week.

Oh swell... more exclusive bullcrap from the House of Marvel. Sigh...

SHABBAZZ · 11-29-2004, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mavinga
And so the Talent Wars continue...

What's up JP?

It's your old SCAD buddy Joe here, your site looks great BTW.

DanteHicks1972 · 11-29-2004, 04:37 PM

I met Tom Raney at WWE and he was great to meet. Marvel is picking up a real good addition. I really enjoyed his Outsiders work, he gave the Outsiders a unique feel. Maybe they can get Derenick to take over I think his Outsiders issue was as good if not better than Raney's.

**MattBrady** · 11-29-2004, 04:41 PM

Just added to clarify: When asked about the apparent overlap of the two exclusive contracts, a DC spokesperson confirms that Tom Raney's exclusive contract was renewed for one year in 2003, not two, and the press release was worded incorrectly.

MattB

grphxkindaguy · 11-29-2004, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jed Saxon
"... but expect fill-in artists or late books after issue #3."

For me it is. Not that I would drop the book but I can think of better artists.
Anyway: Didn't the leave this soon-to-be-cancelled-book because he couldn't hold a monthly deadline?

As much as I enjoy Raney's art, he never sticks around long on *any* book. Here today, gone tomorrow...

IIRC his OUTSIDERS run was the longest job he did in awhile. Unfortunately, he seems to be a slow artist, having more fill-ins than most.

I think CrissCross' art is quite lacking. I read the first issue of FIRESTORM and thought it was one of the ugliest books I've read in years. If he's in on OUTSIDERS, I'm out...