TOM DERENICK SIGNS EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT WITH DC

[MattBrady]

Seventeen years in, and Tom Derenick can call himself a DC exclusive creator.

Derenick informed Newsarama that he has signed a two-year exclusive contract with the publisher, which officially began on June 1st.

Known best for his pencil-shaded works, as well as his more recent work on JLA, Shadowpact and licensed artwork for tie-in products, Derenick started off at Cry for Dawn Productions and Malibu and has worked at virtually every publisher since.

We spoke with the artist about the new arrangement.

Newsarama: What brought this new agreement on – was it something that you were looking for, and asking about, or was it a surprise?

Tom Derenick: It was kind of just a curiosity thing. I was at the New York show in February and a number of creators asked me if I was exclusive so when I visited the offices in April I mentioned it to Dan DiDio in conversation and he asked me if I'd like to be exclusive. He went down this list of benefits of signing and it was too sweet to pass on, especially since I'm very happy with the company. They've treated me very well.

NRAMA: That said, you’ve pretty much been working at DC full-time for a while now. Why?

TD: Well, like I said, I've worked for DC for a few years now and it's been nothing but a pleasant experience. The company's been great to me and I enjoy drawing the characters very much. Plus the pressures of having to hunt for the work are more or less gone with the exclusive. Not that I've had to hunt for the last couple of years, there seems to be plenty these days but I'd rather spend my time on my art than trying to figure out where my next assignments coming from.

NRAMA: Was there anyone at DC or anything that specifically was the straw that broke the camel’s back with this deal, so to speak?

TD: I'm kind of a workhorse, I can handle between 12-16 issues a year and I think Dan and the editors I've worked for appreciate that about me. For me it was just security with a company I very much enjoy working for.

NRAMA: Currently, you’re on Shadowpact - what else is on your horizon?

TD: Well Shadowpact's my regular gig, I've been told it's good for a while at least and I enjoy drawing it quite a bit. Bill Willingham tests my abilities with just about every issue. Aside from that I help out where I'm needed. I just did issue #47 of Countdown and I did some pages for the Sinestro Corps one shot as a buffer for Ethan Van Sciver. I've seen his pages by the way and Ethan has knocked it out of the park with this.

After that I go where I'm needed.

NRAMA: Speaking of that, would you prefer to land on a big character’s title, and stay, or a smaller profile series, or perhaps start up something new? Which suits you best?

TD: The big characters are fun to work on but I also enjoy trying to define the look of the lesser known characters as well. They all have their own set of positives and negatives. I'm an either or kind of guy so as long as I'm having fun and earning a living I'm happy.

My editor and I have discussed the possibility of writing something in the future though so there's a possibility there for me to spread my wings a little and explore something new.

[Dragavon]

I love Derenick's art on Shadowpact so "Yaaay".

[Chesscub]

His growth over the years has been amazing. I really like his stuff on Shadowpact right now. I do wish he'd do more Nightside for Marvel.

Jeff

[Rawkingbird]

This is awesome news for Tom. I'm always happy to see a local boy (Tom, Scott Beatty, Jay Faerber) do good.

[Force Commander]

Pics like the one above make me appreciate Zatanna (sp?) mch more than I ever did as a kid in the 70s.

[thefourthman]

Shadowpact has been one of the most entertaining books for well over a year now. The only thing that would be better would be a Detective Chimp Solo book, I can never get enough Detective Chimp!

[I am MODOK]

Shadowpact is one of my favorite comics every month. More people need to check this out.

[khuxford]

I was just admiring his work on Countdown last night and thought he deserved to be considered one of DC's better artists. This is great news.

[Disco Cookie]

Loving Tom's work on Shadowpact (loving Shadowpact for that matter...) so this is very welcome news...

[Speedball93]

"I did some pages for the Sinestro Corps one shot as a buffer for Ethan Van Sciver."


Why would EVS need a fill-in on a one shot? Is he working on other projects too? I can't see having 2 artist do just a one and done issue even if it is double sized?

[durkadurka]

I didn't dig his work on Countdown as much as some of the other stuff i've seen in Countdown. I'm not saying it was bad at all, mind you. The man draws a fine Dark Mary Marvel. Woooooo

[Crusader K]

Originally Posted by Disco Cookie

Loving Tom's work on Shadowpact (loving Shadowpact for that matter...) so this is very welcome news...

Me too to both!

Tom's art is very dynamic so I hope he stays on for a good while!

[Rawkingbird]

Originally Posted by Speedball93

"I did some pages for the Sinestro Corps one shot as a buffer for Ethan Van Sciver."


Why would EVS need a fill-in on a one shot? Is he working on other projects too? I can't see having 2 artist do just a one and done issue even if it is double sized?

Could be working on Plastic Man? Could just have been up against a deadline, too. Based on everything I've seen from the book so far, I don't begrudge him the help, as it's been pretty epic.

[Mundungus]

Alright alright alright, god, I'll finally pick up an issue of Shadowpact next time I'm in the store.

[sniperboy65]

I am glad to see DC picking up another creator who knows how to do quality work on schedule. Good for DC!


Where is PEZ DISPENSER??

[Kevenn]

Well what took DC so long? Tom has been pretty much their go-to guy, and he's been doing a lot of really good work. I like his art, but I'm also interested in seeing how he grows as an artist. I'm always happy to see someone get signed as an exclusive, because that mens health benefits, and in America, getting sick and not having health coverage is a suck-ass situation that too many people in the country are in.

Congratulations!

[matchesmalone]

His pencilling and layouts are very dynamic - everything looks big big big and alive.

PS - yep that's pretty pathetic, needing a guest artist on a one shot ...

[Aaron]

This is awesome news! Tom's got an old-school/classic style that's VERY appealling to this old-school fan. Plus, he's dependable and manages to give each of his characters a unique, yet interesting appearance.

Well done, DC!

[SHIM'TAR]

I wish they would get Zatanna out of that silly outfit. Can't stand that top hat. Yuck!

[greenflameuk]

Originally Posted by Speedball93

"I did some pages for the Sinestro Corps one shot as a buffer for Ethan Van Sciver."


Why would EVS need a fill-in on a one shot? Is he working on other projects too? I can't see having 2 artist do just a one and done issue even if it is double sized?

Dave Gibbons is also doing art for the one shot.

[Jose DeArmas]

Glad things are going well for Tom. Been a fan of his since BEFORE he became a professional. Here's a link to the Comic Art Community page dedicated to his art. From there you can link to his own website.

http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gal...php?cat_id=348

[Kolimar]

Good news. Congratulations and good luck, Tom.

[Mezzrow]

Keeping a strong artist on a title like Shadowpact will help insure that it keeps up an audience. I have been loving this series... Bill Willingham has made the "magic" side of the DCU his own.

And since people have been talking trade paperbacks lately, how about the initial run of Blue Devils own title. It was pretty damn funny (at least until Paul Kupperburg started doing the art and the writer ((Mishkin? Cohen?)) seemed to lose interest afterwards).

Ghad, come to think of it, whatever happened to Paris Cullens?

And, this is my first post. Give love to the noob.

[Zig Zag Wanderer]

Congratulations, Tom!

Love the Shadowpact stuff.

[JLAJRC]

Shadowpact RULES!