ADRIAN ALPHONA NAMED NEW SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE ARTIST

[MattBrady]

by Vaneta Rogers

note - art by Takeshi Miyazawa from issue #6

When Marvel announced in Philadelphia back in June that Terry Moore will be the new writer of the ongoing Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane series, the publisher wasn't sure who would be the new artist.

At this weekend's Toronto Fan Expo, Marvel announced that the decision has been made.

Adrian Alphona, best know for drawing Runaways during his run with writer Brian K. Vaughn and currently working on a one-issue Avengers Fairy Tales story with C.B. Cebulski, will be the new penciler for Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. The series, which fans were worried might disappear when writer Sean McKeever left the title earlier this year, will relaunch with a new #1 issue as Moore and Alphona take over.

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane takes place in a "separate-from-continuity" universe where Mary Jane is in high school with all the traditional Spider-Man characters -- including MJ, Peter, Gwen Stacy, Liz Allan, Harry Osborn and Flash Thompson, as well as some surprise guests from time to time. And although the teen drama is collected in digest-sized volumes and is aimed at a female teen readership, many of the more traditional Marvel Comics fans (in other words, not-so-teenage dudes) have found out that the title's unique take on Spider-Man's universe can be enjoyed at any age.

Alphona is one of those fans who discovered the charm of the comic, and the artist took some time out of his schedule at the Toronto convention to talk to Newsarama about the new gig on Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane -- and why he wanted to work on the title.

Newsarama: How did you end up getting Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane? Was this something Marvel offered you?

Adrian Alphona: I expressed my interest in it. Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane was something I always thought I would enjoy doing, so i asked Joe [Quesada] if they hired an artist yet for Terry Moore's run. The schedule seemed to line up perfectly.

NRAMA: So you were familiar with the series?

AA: I'd often hear about the book through Christina Strain, so I picked it up and found it really engaging. The dialogue, the pacing, the art... everything felt so natural. I hope to keep a lot of that intact. And [former series artist] Takeshi [Miyazawa] is just crazy.

NRAMA: Are you familiar with Terry Moore's work?

AA: Familiar, but not familiar enough, so I’m working on it. I've only just begun reading Strangers In Paradise, and a few of my friends are huge fans of his, so I’ve already heard a lot about him. All of a sudden, I'm cool to them.

NRAMA: Have you had a chance to talk to him about the series? And how do you feel about working with him, particularly considering he's usually penciled his own stuff in the past?

AA: We haven't spoken yet, but as an artist forever in training, i'm looking at this as a great opportunity to learn a few things. I'm really looking forward to it.

NRAMA: Are you a Spider-Man fan? How would you describe your Spidey?

AA: I was a little disappointed in the way I drew Spider-Man in Runaways. I felt I could've done better, so I'm a little hungry to get my paws on him again. I really liked the way Valentine DeLandro did Spider-Man in his fill-ins. Kinda old-school-like. It fit very well, so I think that may influence my attempt . Or it may not. I don't know yet. A lot of my approach on the book will depend on Terry's scripts.

NRAMA: Well, I probably should have asked -- are you a Mary Jane fan? After all, she's the main character. How would you describe her and what you hope to bring to her character?

AA: Definitely a Mary Jane fan. Loved how she dealt with her insecurities and especially her interactions with Liz. There was a quirkiness I found in the character that I really latched onto, but I can't really explain it.

NRAMA: So are you looking forward to drawing MJ's friends?

AA: I mentioned Liz already. She's an early favorite for me to draw.

NRAMA: Why do you think your art fits well with the tone of this series? The series is marketed toward a younger audience, and Runaways is also something ideal for younger readers. Do you think your art is particularly appealing to that age group?

AA: I'm not sure. It'd be nice if it is. I grew up on Saturday morning cartoons. Hanna-Barbera. Looney Tunes. Animaniacs. All of that. So there's a lot of playful elements and stupid things I tend to draw. What really started me drawing was Mad Magazine, and my approach probably hasn't changed all that much. I think a lot of that showed through in Runaways.

NRAMA: This is also a series that, possibly because it's marketed toward younger readers, hasn't caught on as well with the older mainstream audience of comics readers -- something Runaways was able to do after it was relaunched. Are you hoping that, with the relaunch of the series featuring your art and Terry's stories -- that might change?

AA: The more readers the merrier, but if the older mainstream generation isn't feeling it, then that's cool too. As long as we're putting out a quality book that helps to add some variety to the medium, I'll be happy.

[sillythekid]

I loved the first SMLMJ hardcover, and now it looks like I'll have to start buying the singles. This is great news.

[John Drake]

Great choice!

[Tobias]

This is quite wonderful news. I'm definitely looking forward to this.

[artiepants]

this is an astonishingly fantastic team they're putting on this!!!

[The Escapist]

I still worry a bit about Moore, since some of his writing outside of SiP hasn't really done it for me (HUGE SiP guy though...). I do hope it works, as I've loved this title under McKeever

...and the art news makes me giddy like a little schoolgirl!!!

Love, LOVE, LOVE Alphona's work!

[DennyColt]

What is this I hear? Adrian Alphona will be drawing a book that I never had any previous interest in? Guess I'll be adding it to my pull list. I've also heard good things about terry moore so that is a plus.

[amlah6]

Wow, it's great to see how committed Marvel is to this series.

[seesoul]

Holy cow, that's quite a team. Awesome.

[LikeaPhoenix]

So glad that the series will continue and with a new issue #1 relaunch. The best news of all is Adrian will be the artist for the series. Been wondering what happened to him after he and BKV left Runaways.

[nightw1ng]

no! i love adrian alphona! why'd he have to start doing a comic i don't currently read? now i have to check it out...

[ouroboros]

holy crap.
you HAVE to buy this

[Mundungus]

Must. Add. To. Pull. List.

[<sage>]

____ YES!

[LucasSiegel]

If you want to hear more about how this happened, click Here for the Shots in the Dark interview with Adrian Alphona and Christina Strain. It was done about 6 hours before the conversation with Joe Q, and we were nice enough to hold it until the news came out. Enjoy.

[vicvondoom]

Damn.
That's a strong creative team.
Must buy this.

[MichaelH]

Terry Moore was enough to keep me buying the book but now I'm really looking forward to it.

[gwangung]

....basically this is the only place you'll be able to see Mary Jane from now on?

[HNutz]

Dang... that's a team with some SERIOUS street cred!


Just might have to check it out, now!

[Supreme Convoy]

Alphona on Spidey Loves Mary Jane???? That's awesome!

If it's going to be a new #1, will it have a new title?

[vbartilucci]

Gee, it's a shame they're gonna break Peter and MJ up, thus invalidating this book.

Right?

[Arion]

Originally Posted by Supreme Convoy

Alphona on Spidey Loves Mary Jane???? That's awesome!

If it's going to be a new #1, will it have a new title?

Good news. Alphona is good.

[motteditor]

Moore and Alphona? Wow. If only I were a bigger Spider-Man fan, or cared about his supporting cast. I'll give it a look and hope for more Firestar, since I can get behind her.

Now Moore's just got to put in a beagle or find a way to work in a telepathic raptor from the future.

[RedRonin]

Damn. That's a rather high profile team for a book I wouldn't expect. Great news though.

[BanMan]

Things just keep looking up and up.