QUESADA ON 2004's 3 FANTASTIC FOURS

[MattBrady]

With the announcement of the return of Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo to the regular creative duties on Fantastic Four, Marvel EIC Joe Quesada found himself with one too many FF teams. His answer is a simple one, though – in a conversation with Newsarama Quesada outlined 2004’s three FF titles.

First off, on the return of Waid and Wieringo, Quesada’s explanation was simple – Marvel made a really bad decision.

“As I’d said before, we really screwed the pooch on this one,” Quesada told Newsarama. “A week before San Diego, I went out to LA and spoke to Mark personally. I told him that we’d love to have him back, and we were very sorry about the screw-up. People are human, and we screwed up. There was no two ways about it. Although the decision was ours to make, the way we handled it was completely incorrect and inappropriate, and we all knew that.”

In speaking with Newsarama this summer about his then-pending return to Fantastic Four for two or three issues past #508, Waid said: “Joe's heartfelt apology went a long, long, long, long way. Joe, to his credit, was great about coming back to me even before San Diego and explaining that he felt, in retrospect, they'd made a mistake in booting us. He offered us the book back, which was a great gesture.”

So, from the very start, Quesada and Marvel wanted the team back. “We had spoken about this with Mark at length, and knew we had some fences to mend, but we were hoping we could get Mark and Mike back to do the book,” Quesada said. “At the same time, we were also looking at Roberto [Aguirre-Sacasa] and Steve’s [McNiven] Fantastic Four and we realized that this particular kind of FF story deserved a different style of branding than just regular Marvel Universe.

“I spoke to Bill [Jemas] about it, and we were all on the same page and we wanted to get them back on the book. In Chicago, Mark said that there were some interesting FF announcements coming up, and at that point the announcement was that we were going to extend their run by three issues, so that Mark could tie up some loose ends. At that point, he wasn’t sure if he was returning to the book, he’d already started making commitments to other companies and other projects. Eventually, we just had to wait around and see our offer would convince them, and thank God, they decided to come back and work on the FF. They’re a great team – they really are.”

And while the week following the revelation that Waid had been fired from the Fantastic Four will be one that will go down in history for sparking an outcry from fans against Marvel, Quesada said that his main motivation for getting the team back on the book was personal, and not overly influenced by the uproar. In a way, Quesada found himself in an odd spot for an Editor-in-Chief – agreeing with the fans who were complaining about the decision.

“Fan outcry does influence a lot of decisions from time to time, depending on what they may be, but in this case, it really was just the fact that I felt like crap,” Quesada said. “I really felt bad about the decision, and I really felt bad about the way we handled it. I wanted to make that right.

“All things aside, if Mark and Mike never returned to Fantastic Four again, I had to make that right. So that’s what was really troubling me after the whole thing. Then, while we were in the discussion of making things right, we just brought up the idea of just keeping things going, and it all worked out. But the decision was just silliness on our part.”

So, what to do with Aguirre-Sacasa and McNiven? After all, they had begun work on what they thought was going to be their run on the series. Again, Quesada took the simplest route – given them a series.

“One of the things we decided, even while Mike and Mark were making up their minds as to whether or not they wanted to do more than three issues on FF was that after reading Roberto’s script, which is by the way, wonderful, that his take on the Fantastic Four was more akin to a Marvel Knights take on the team, because it dealt with issues that you don’t necessarily see with an FF project – it’s a little more grounded, a little more earthbound. I don’t want to say darker, but definitely more humanistic. We felt there was a definite difference between what Roberto was doing, and what we could do in an FF ‘imaginauts’ style book.”

You counted right – along with Ultimate Fantastic Four, the Marvel Knights Fantastic Four will be the third, ongoing Fantastic Four series coming from Marvel. That said, Quesada doesn’t see too much of a problem, given that the three books will have their own feel.

“The first story arc by Roberto and Steve is definitely different take on the FF,” Quesada said. “I don’t know how far Roberto is through the arc, but the way I see it is a phase the FF went trough – the way I see it is that this a story that happened between the cracks, or between the issues of the regular Fantastic Four run. There’s nothing to say that Roberto won’t change gears and get into a more ‘fantastic’ FF as well, but I think it will be an easy, plausible distinction for fans to make with this particular book.

“So there you have it - we decided about a month and a half ago that Roberto and Steve were going to get an FF Marvel Knights, separate series, while we were waiting on Mark and Mike to decide. Had Mark and Mike not decided to come back on, we would have been fishing for another creative team for the regular Fantastic Four book. Thank God the chips fell exactly as we hoped they would.

“There’s a nice delineation between each one of these books, so it’s a perfect world for us – Mark and Mike will be coming back to do the high adventure, ‘imagainauts’ style, and then Roberto and Steve will be doing the grounded, alternate look at the FF. And then we have the Ultimate Fantastic Four, which is a compete revamping of the idea.

“And yeah, it is sort of a departure of what we’ve done in the past, to offer up an alternate take while the regular book is going on, but…let’s see what happens. That’s the beauty of publishing at Marvel – there is never any spoon, so to speak, to steal a reference from the Matrix. We’re always trying different things, and look – the worst thing that can happen is that it doesn’t work. What are we left with then? A good team we can put somewhere else, and in the meantime, it’s a great showcase for all of the talent involved.”

Quesada admitted that part of the motivation to bring out a third FF book in 2004 was due to the forthcoming Fantastic Four movie, likening the creative energy going into the property to that of bringing J. Michael Straczynski onboard Amazing Spider-Man prior to the movie, Grant Morrison to New X-Men after the first X-Men film, and Bruce Jones to Incredible Hulk.

“It’s absolutely part of gearing up for the movie,” Quesada said. “What’s really wonderful is that for years it had been tough to get one good creative team on the Fantastic Four, and now we’ve got three Fantastic Four books with three amazing creative teams on them. If you’re a Fantastic Four fan, it’s your time. Everybody involved with the Fantastic Four right now, from Mark to Ringo, to Roberto, to Steve, to Millar, Bendis and Adam Kubert - everyone has a spotlight on them, the characters have a huge spotlight on them, and it’s going to prove to be a good time.

UPDATE

Friday afternoon, Marvel released the following:

In 1961 a rocketship carrying four friends was launched into the unknown of outer space and the Marvel Age of comics was launched along with it. Now beginning this December, the industry's #1 publisher will again place the First Family of comic books - the FANTASTIC FOUR - at its rightful place at the 'fourfront' of Marvel Comics' 2004 plans. Three ... (yes, THREE) major launches featuring three diverse interpretations of the "World's Greatest Comic Magazine" are in the works, again signifying the launch of a resurgent creative and commercial era at Marvel Comics.

The three-month event kicks off in December with the launch of ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, by the all-star Ultimate creative team of Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Millar and Adam Kubert! More details regarding the debut of this fourth cornerstone of the Ultimate Universe foundation can be found in this month's MARVEL PREVIEWS (#2) and WIZARD (#145), and even more details and previews will be released as its December unveiling gets closer.

In January's FANTASTIC FOUR #509, Marvel welcomes "back" the fan-favorite regular creative team of writer Mark Waid and penciler Mike Wieringo (along with inker Karl Kesel), before they ever got a chance to leave! The special "THEY'RE BACK" issue kicks off a brand new story arc called "Hereafter".

According to Mark Waid, "The story is about the Fantastic Three ...whoops, did I say 'Three'? ... the Fantastic Three taking their greatest adventure yet by storming a realm new to them, one they've heard of but have never before seen.

"Yes, the Fantastic Three..."

"Fandom spoke and so did our own hearts, and we listened to both," said Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada, regarding the creative team's less-than-popular exit a few month's ago. "Never let it be said that at Marvel we can't own up to our mistakes. I'm just thrilled that Mark and Mike decided to stay after all the craziness that went down. Fandom rejoice, it's salad days for the FF you know and love!"

"The way Joe's apologized in public for what he feels was, in retrospect, Marvel's rather odd decision certainly went a long way in getting us back," commented Waid. "Mike and I had discussed other projects elsewhere, but in the end, the pull of the FF and the fun we're having there was indisputable. We look forward now to trying to outdo our FIRST (but now, not our last) year. Next up: Diablo!

"...Just kidding."

Waid's return to the FF will also pay dividends for eager readers in another venue later in 2004. But fans will have to wait a while for more details regarding a just-approved project called ... (wait for it) ... "FOURIGIN"!

The reloading of the FANTASTIC FOUR franchise heading towards the major 20th Century Fox motion picture doesn't end there, however. Continuing the embarrassment of riches, in February a brand NEW FF ongoing series debuts, under the always-popular MARVEL KNIGHTS banner founded by Quesada before his ascension to Marvel E-i-C. This new series is created by the up-and-coming team of writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Steve McNiven.

Aguirre-Sacasa and McNiven's take on the FF - more grounded, earthbound and edgy in comparison to the Waid/'Ringo "Imaginauts" style - is in the spirit of projects before it like FF: 1 2 3 4, and makes it a perfect fit for the Marvel Knights banner.

"What I love about Roberto and Steve's upcoming FF MK title is that no one knows what to expect or what they're in for," said Quesada. "It's going to be fun watching these two incredibly talented young guys rise to superstardom. Mark my words, this title will be a hallmark event."

"As far as I'm concerned, this is the best time to be writing the world's greatest characters - with not one, but TWO new titles spotlighting Marvel's First Family: THE ULTIMATE FF and Steve and my Marvel Knights series," said Aguirre-Sacasa. "There's tons of great stories to tell about the Family Fantastic, and so far it's been an amazing experience to work with an artist like Steve (who draws the hottest Sue EVER) to showcase the more human, down-to-earth adventures of the FF."

"It used to be tough just to get one quality team on FF, today we have three," added Quesada. "There must be something in the air!"

And while now there IS certainly more FF to choose from, like Aguirre-Sacasa, all the creators involved are quick to point out none of them is seeing this as a competition.

"I'm a big fan of the current FANTASTIC FOUR book, I love Mark's writing and Mike's art, and it's truly an honor to be working on Reed, Ben, Johnny and Sue at the same time they are," said the writer. "Ditto the superstars creating THE ULTIMATE FF. Different visions guide the three books, but what I hope comes across in all of them is our love and respect for what Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created 40 years ago."

"I consider my former CrossGen colleague Mark Waid a good friend so I welcomed the news that Marvel was bringing him back to a book he writes so well," commented McNiven. "It seems to me like Mark & Mike were just getting warmed up creatively so this seems like a great thing for everyone as far as I'm concerned.

"I know first-hand how rewarding working on a well-written Fantastic Four book is, now being a few issues into the Marvel Knights FF with Roberto. It's a real lucky break for me to have hooked up with such a talented young writer and on top of that, to get a chance to put our stamp on four of Marvels greatest heroes."

"Now the FF has the best of all possible worlds - a Marvel Universe book, a Marvel Knights book drawn by Steve McNiven (not only a friend but an amazing artist who deserves to be comics' next superstar), and an Ultimate book," concluded Waid. "And while each creative team may have a slightly different approach, there'll be no competitive sniping, no rivalry, because we ALL know what, at heart, the FF is all about - family, support, and teamwork."

[pmpknface]

...and the plot thickens...

I just hope we get some good stories out of this whole mess. If the stories are a good as the gossip we should be all set!

[jawaplumber]

...just like I said, let's wait and see before we start crying for Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Steve McNiven Everyone gets what they want and deserve, and fans get a THIRD FF series. Sounds cool to me.

Now, all of that said, can the FF sustain two ongoing series set in the regular Marvel Universe? FANTASTIC FORCE didn't exactly swim for long, did it? LOL I think what Marvel should do here is keep this a sort of LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT-style series, sort of in or out of continuity on a case-by-case basis. Like Joe said, this can be considered a story that happened along the way, a "lost" story. I'd like to see more stories of the FF like this, from all throughout their history. We could go back to the Stan and Jack days for some arcs, we could even jump to possible futures for others. The possibilites are endless. Personally, I'm quite excited by what the future holds for the FF

And man, that Steve McNiven art looks tremendous!

[ENNIS ELLIS]

I dropped FF after #502 because, well, I had to cut back the number of books I was buying, but I was determined to pick up the trade of Waid & Ringo's last story arc. And after that i didn't think I'd bother with the FF.

I think I'll be picking up future trades, I'll be buying Ultimate FF (I'm too much of a Bendisfanatic not to!), and McNiven's artwork on the Marvel Knights book looks gorgeous. Worth a look.

So i guess the joke's on me. Thought I'd be down to a trade, and then nothing, now it looks like I may be following all 3 books.

In whatever format!

Well done Marvel for pulling that one back from the brink!

cheers,

Ed.

[Razak]

the Marvel Knights Fantastic Four will be the third, ongoing Fantastic Four series coming from Marvel

I think this is a mistake. I can understand wanting to make sure that the intended replacement creative team still get a shot at doing their FF stories, but having an "alternative" series running concurrently with not only the original series but yet another "re-imagining" series as well? I just think it's superfluous at best. And putting the FF, Marvel's First Family, under the Marvel Knights? Didn't Marvel learn anything with Captain America?

I'll hold out on making a final judgement until seeing the final product, but I just can't see this boding too well for now.

[Spider-Bob]

It must suck for Joey Q to be Bill's fixit man, but it seems he's up to the task. I don't know if the Fantastic Four can sustain three separate titles at one time, but I will give the MK and Ultimate titles a look. And as he said, if it doesn't work out with the MK title, they may have found new talent they can use elsewhere. Of course with the news from CrossGen, Marvel and DC may soon be drowning in talent.

[ajrobles51]

Well, I have to say Marvel got it right. I'm glad that no-one got screwed on this, especially the fans. I'm happy Waid and Ringo are staying on FF, and I'm looking forward to reading the MK FF by Sacassa and McNiven.

[fournwah]

I'm glad that the second creativeteam's work won't go to waste, but I'm not sure if this is the right solution. I don't believe this will affect the Ultimate FF, since the Ultimate line stands on it's own. I just think that the FF idea, however much of a mainstay it has been in Marvel history, has never been such a fantastic (pardon the pun) concept that it could support two ongoing series. And while this will give people two different takes on the characters, it could possibly dilute the audience, weakening sales on each book. I would have preferred a mini-series, even if it was 12 issues or something like that.

[Hdefined]

coughcoughOVEREXPOSUREcoughcough

Is there really demand for TWO FF books, let alone three? I'm not even interested in any.

Well, at least Quesada fessed up, wish we could hear the same from Jemas, but at least it's something.

But . . . god . . . three books? Stop aiming at your own foot, people.

[Hdefined]

Wait! Why stop with three books? It's the Fantastic FOUR! They need another!

[intmd8r]

Wow. McNiven's work is gorgeous. I'm sure we'll be picking this up.

[Sam M.]

Well this is really good news.
I kind of feel bad for Joe though. He's always like, "WE made a horrible mistake". You know he'd just like to go "It's not my fault! It's Bill! He's nuts!". heh heh
It seems as if the power may be shifting back to Joe now, and that's GREAT. They're really going to need him with the Didio backed DC. This could be a lot of fun for fans. I hope Marvel start fixing some of their other mistakes(story padding etc.).
Let's see what happens. I've gotten more optimistic with this announcement.

s/m

[Chris Hunter]

This is great news!! McNiven's FF looks beautiful!

Way to go Marvel and Joey Q!!!

[Techno R]

This is so cool! Regular FF, Knights FF, Ultimate FF, Tsunami's Human Torch... What next? Epic relaunching 2-in-1 or the Thing?

FF's getting some major dues right now. My poor wallet. My favorite series, four hits a month. Bliss.

[Robot H Brian]

Originally posted by Hdefined
Wait! Why stop with three books? It's the Fantastic FOUR! They need another!

If you count the Human Torch solo book, they already do.

[MurrayC]

Originally posted by Razak
...but having an "alternative" series running concurrently with not only the original series but yet another "re-imagining" series as well?

It can work... here are two examples:

Uncanny X-Men - Regular series

New X-Men - Alternative series

Ultimate X-Men - Re-imagining series

******

Amazing Spider-Man - Regular series

Spectacular Spider-Man - Alternative series

Ultimate Spider-Man - Re-imagining series


All we need is a name for the Alternative series

[Razak]

Originally posted by Hdefined
Wait! Why stop with three books? It's the Fantastic FOUR! They need another!

Ssshh.. No need to give Jemas any new ideas, you know..

[Mason]

This sounds like excellent news.

Waid continueing a run i've been enjoying, a second Fan Four title that, from the preview art, looks like it could be pretty spiffy and Ultimate FF as well.

The market may not be able to sustain three Fan Four titles (plus a Human Torch one) but it should be interesting to find out.

Thumbs up all round.

[tralfaz]

Originally posted by Hdefined
Wait! Why stop with three books? It's the Fantastic FOUR! They need another!

the 4th book should be solo adventures of the fantastic four


three books of the FF? I think it's too much and something will go wrong. Very nice of Joe to admit how much he screwed up and it would be even sweeter if we get to hear Jemas admit he was at fault as well... ah well, get what you can take i suppose.

at any event, looks like Ill be picking up FF again but i wont be picking up the Ultimate Fantastic Four, isnt one adjective enough?

And this Marvel Knights FF may be interesting if it actually displays the virtues of what makes a "Marvel Knights" book, down and dirty street level stories. The art sure looks great

[jawaplumber]

Originally posted by Razak
And putting the FF, Marvel's First Family, under the Marvel Knights? Didn't Marvel learn anything with Captain America?

I'll hold out on making a final judgement until seeing the final product, but I just can't see this boding too well for now.

What happened with CAPTAIN AMERICA could have happened at any publisher, under any imprint. Just because it was at Marvel Knights has nothing to do with it.

[middleton]

Steve McNiven is a monster. Look at that line work! Damn you, Steve, damn you to hell. You were only meant to ride my coattails, not surpass me.

Soon I will have my revenge...

J

[GOSD]

I agree.

This third title will fail. Horribly!

So...because Q-ball screwed up, they're going to give a bunch of unknowns a new FF title? WTF?

That by far is the dumbest idea I've heard in quite awhile.

Am I wrong on this? They are giving brand new creators a chance on a new title when they've yet to even get their feet wet?

With Superman/Batman, DC had two proven players in Loeb and McGuiness. Fans liked their work before and they obviously like it now (S/B #1 was a sellout!). I seriously doubt these two newbs will ever sellout a title!

The only reason why Waid and Ringo are coming back is because Qbert and Jemass begged them after the backlash they received from us!

God, those two idiots couldn't be more moronic! (Bill and his dog, Joe!)

Guys, how about another Spiderman/Doc Ock miniseries?

So stupid!

[Razak]

Originally posted by MurrayC
It can work... here are two examples:

Uncanny X-Men - Regular series

New X-Men - Alternative series

Ultimate X-Men - Re-imagining series

******

Amazing Spider-Man - Regular series

Spectacular Spider-Man - Alternative series

Ultimate Spider-Man - Re-imagining series


All we need is a name for the Alternative series

Oh, I agree that it can work, I just don't think that it can work with the Fantastic Four. That's not a dig at the book or the creative teams, I just don't think the market is there for it. Plus I still think that putting the FF in the Marvel Knights realm is a bit of an antithesis to what the core of the book has always been about, at least to me anyway. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[Carrie]

Originally posted by Spider-Bob
It must suck for Joey Q to be Bill's fixit man, but it seems he's up to the task. I don't know if the Fantastic Four can sustain three separate titles at one time, but I will give the MK and Ultimate titles a look. And as he said, if it doesn't work out with the MK title, they may have found new talent they can use elsewhere. Of course with the news from CrossGen, Marvel and DC may soon be drowning in talent.

I have to say, I agree about Quesada's roll in this. I does seem like he is out there trying to fix a mistake that wasn't entirely his (if he had any part in it at all other than being the messenger). I will say, however, that the way he is handling it has given me a whole new level of respect for a man that I already had a great deal of respect for. I appreciate the fact that he is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure Marvel is putting out the best product possible, even if it means putting himself on the line to take all the crap from the fans.

[Michael Heide]

Originally posted by jawaplumber
Now, all of that said, can the FF sustain two ongoing series set in the regular Marvel Universe? FANTASTIC FORCE didn't exactly swim for long, did it

Easy. Whichever book sells best, stays. Though I agree that the McNiven art is cool, I have a strong feeling that Waid is going to win.