BALTIMORE COMIC-CON 07: SCOTT KOLINS SIGNS EXCLUSIVE WITH DC

**MattBrady** · 09-08-2007, 08:02 AM

He made his name at DC, teaming, most notably with Geoff Johns on a acclaimed Flash run, and then – Scott Kolins moved over to Marvel for a couple of years to try his hand at the characters of the Marvel Universe. And now, the artist is coming back to DC, and has signed an exclusive contract.

We spoke with Kolins for his insights on returning to DC and his new relationship with the publisher.

Newsarama: Scott, first off what brought this change-up about? Last readers saw, you were at Marvel and handling a variety of projects over there. How'd you end up back at DC?

Scott Kolins: Plans change and my plans didn’t hook up with Marvel’s plans right now. Seems like a good time to change arenas. Geoff Johns, Joey Cavalieri, Dan Didio and every one else at DC has welcomed me back with open arms. It feels great.

NRAMA: That said, why the exclusive? Obviously, you could have just chosen to work at DC and not accepted work from Marvel - why the extra step?

SK: I’ve got a family and a mortgage – so contracts can be really nice to add benefits to the page rate. I’m very fortunate have DC make such a nice offer.

NRAMA: Creatively speaking, what does an exclusive do for you? Is it a situation where, without that regularly worry about the next gig - there's a bit less stress at least - does that come through in your work?

SK: It does feel more comfortable having a contract and it does give me an extra sense of faith that the company really believes in my art and what we can accomplish together. I hope that comes through in the work. But even if I didn’t have a contract – I strive very hard to separate the business end of this … business, and keep my head focused on the page when I’m working on it.

NRAMA: So what are you going to be tackling upon your return? Anything specific?

SK: Well, as announced I am drawing Countdown #26 (thank you Mike Carlin & Dan Didio!), but that came about while I am waiting for another DC project to be ready. Something Geoff and I will tackle together. Something I’m totally excited about. Oh, and DC has also kept me busy with a bunch of covers that are coming out soon – including the variant cover for Salvation Run. That cover speaks volumes for what lies ahead.

NRAMA: On that Countdown front, any hints you can give as to who's in issue #26?
SK: The same major players you’ve seen in the book already – though some are new to me, that’s for sure. Keith Giffen did ratchet this issue up a notch. The book really starts to play into what’s coming at DC. It’s big. Really big. And it’s a mountain of reference for me. I’ve never worked on something this large in scale.

NRAMA: You've made your name as a stable, dependable artist who meets his deadlines. That said, DC does have more issues of Countdown coming - are you looking to land some more of those, or are you looking to move to a new gig?

SK: Nice to know people are paying attention to my work ethic! Yeah, I’m one of those 12 issues a year guy – a rare breed these days. Though I hope “stable and dependable” aren’t the only adjectives that come to mind in relation to my work. As for more Countdown work? – That’s up to DC. They’re lining up great stuff for me and if more Countdown comes my way – I’d be more than happy!

NRAMA: In that vein, you had a long run on Flash at DC, and then were somewhat here and there at Marvel on a variety of projects. Which do you prefer - landing on a book for a good long run, or keeping things moving and a little more shaken up?

SK: That was one of my problems at Marvel, and I told them this. I did have a lot of fun over there but I much prefer a stable regular home to build some great stories and really try to add to the mythos. I think Geoff and I did that on Flash, and I hope to do it again. (Fingers crossed)

NRAMA: Any specific characters that you know you want to get to during this period?

SK: Too many to name, though I won’t chicken out and name some: Aquaman, Hawkman, Omac, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Atom, Shazam! and I’d even like to visit the Flash again or even the Legion. I’d love to do a book on some DC monsters. Give me Gorilla Grodd or Solomon Grundy and I’ll give you some really good comics. I could go on and on. I love so many of the characters.

Oh – and as for that collaboration with Geoff Johns that Scott was talking about? Well, it can’t be announced just yet, but Johns did want to say a word or two in support of his friend.

“For the last few years, Scott and I have obviously kept in touch and talked about working together, but exclusives kept one of the most talented pencilers and artists in the business bus elsewhere,” Johns said. “I'm extremely excited to be able to partner up with Scott again. He's professional, a storyteller in his own right and the kind of guy you feed off of creatively. It's been a few years since we worked on The Flash together and who says you can't capture lightning in a bottle more than once? We aim to try with the project we've begun to work on.”

LazarusMan · 09-08-2007, 12:11 PM

Stupid DC. I loved his work on Omega Flight and Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes and Marvel Team-Up and the Thor mini and was really looking forward to him trying out more characters and continuing on with Marvel.

Whatever. I won't be following him to DC at all. I guess I can just hope someday he comes back to Marvel where I can enjoy his work again.

weaselwelch · 09-08-2007, 12:12 PM

Congrats there Scott. I'm happy to see his work at DC or Marvel.

Muppety Odin · 09-08-2007, 12:13 PM

SK: Nice to know people are paying attention to my work ethic! Yeah, I’m one of those 12 issues a year guy – a rare breed these days.

How true is that? It's a shame that guys like Scott are now the exception and not the rule.

Congrats, from one Scott to another

Nas-Vell · 09-08-2007, 12:15 PM

Awesome! Not only will Countdown get a boost in art (I've only been impressed with one of the pencilers on Countdown so far, and he only handled a single issue, as far as I know) for at least one issue, but DC has once again nabbed a great artist from Marvel.

Scott Kolins' work is really cool and different. I hope to see him working on an ongoing real soon. And is Geoff hinting that they'll be back on Flash? Or on a new Impulse/Kid-Flash story? Hmmm. I sure hope so.

Nas-Vell · 09-08-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LazarusMan

Stupid DC. I loved his work on Omega Flight and Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes and Marvel Team-Up and the Thor mini and was really looking forward to him trying out more characters and continuing on with Marvel.

Whatever. I won't be following him to DC at all. I guess I can just hope someday he comes back to Marvel where I can enjoy his work again.

You make it sound as if DC kidnapped the man or something. He wasn't completely happy with the way work was being dished out to him at Marvel (and I'm by no means turning this into an anti-Marvel tirade) so he went back to DC, who offered him an exclusive contract.

No one's at fault here. He just went to work somewhere else for a while. It happens regularly.

Godfather · 09-08-2007, 12:18 PM

Nice couple of ignorant posts to start out this thread.

Twigglet · 09-08-2007, 12:33 PM

I don't normally like his stuff, but Omega Flight was wicked cool.

MTU rocked, but his art wasn't always amazing.

Good luck Scott

Don Mega · 09-08-2007, 12:38 PM

Well that ist disappointing.

I mean, it´s good to see that Mr. Kolins gets his exklusiv contract and all but it´s just with the "wrong" publisher.

For the second time this year Marvel loses someone with great potential.

Well, good luck at DC Mr. Kolins. But I won´t follow. I´ll re-read Omega Flight and Beyond until you come back to "my universe".

dinohin22 · 09-08-2007, 12:49 PM

this post has little to do with scott and more with all the people that are always bashing either dc or marvel.whats the point in that. i've been collecting comics for about 25 years now and have enjoyed both.

right now i do pick up more dc than marvel. (about a 75/25 split) but that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy reading comics from BOTH universes. both have quality comics coming out each month.

my mom always said if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all

Rich L · 09-08-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBrady

SK: I am waiting for another DC project to be ready. Something Geoff and I will tackle together. Something I’m totally excited about. Oh, and DC has also kept me busy with a bunch of covers that are coming out soon – including the variant cover for Salvation Run. That cover speaks volumes for what lies ahead.

Please, please, please let that mean Geoff and Scott on a Rogues project!

Congrats to Scott on the exclusive - he was always a better fit with the DCU than Marvel.

Legerd · 09-08-2007, 12:55 PM

Scott's work on Omega Flight was fantastic! Congrats to him for snagging a contract and to DC for picking up the ball that Marvel dropped.

AC Rempt · 09-08-2007, 12:59 PM

I love how he draws Spider-Man, so I'm kinda bummed, but I'm sure he'll be back. They always come back.

Hokeyboy · 09-08-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LazarusMan

Stupid DC. I loved his work on Omega Flight and Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes and Marvel Team-Up and the Thor mini and was really looking forward to him trying out more characters and continuing on with Marvel.

Whatever. I won't be following him to DC at all. I guess I can just hope someday he comes back to Marvel where I can enjoy his work again.

michaelman9 · 09-08-2007, 01:03 PM

I'm happy for him. It seems like he went to Marvel to work on a steady, fun title and things just didn't pan out. If he can find what he is looking for at DC, then more power to him. Either way, I look foward to his next stuff. And man, I love when he draws the rogues...

Jack Burton · 09-08-2007, 01:10 PM

Geoff and Scott together again? Awesome. I hope they do a Rogues or Flash story. Johns's Flash run was strongest when Kollins was on art duties.

melperfect · 09-08-2007, 01:10 PM

Congrats on being able to choose your next project and collaborate with who you want to creatively scott!

Not a lot of folks in the comics business can say that.

bcondray · 09-08-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LazarusMan

Stupid DC. I loved his work on Omega Flight and Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes and Marvel Team-Up and the Thor mini and was really looking forward to him trying out more characters and continuing on with Marvel.

Whatever. I won't be following him to DC at all. I guess I can just hope someday he comes back to Marvel where I can enjoy his work again.

Wow...what a postive note to start this thread on.

theodoros · 09-08-2007, 01:19 PM

I usually like his work. Congratulations.

Usually he inks his work. But there is something I don't like in this procedure. He inks his pencils with one-size-all ink pen. There are not different Thickness in the ink brush. I hope my english are good enough for everybody to understand my thoughts. I think Sal buscema used to ink his own pencils with the same result.

bcondray · 09-08-2007, 01:20 PM

Awesome...I cannot wait for #26,.....

I love the energy in Mr. Kolins art.

RDuarte · 09-08-2007, 01:23 PM

As with any creator going exclusive, I'm glad he's going to get the recognition and benefits he deserves. I am sad, however, to see Marvel lose his services. Still, with regards to Kolins, it seemed like his talents were really underutilized at Marvel. He had some nice work with some mini-series, but he never caught on as a regular artist (or perhaps Marvel never gave him a shot at being a regular artist) on any high profile books. I'd rather see him on Spider-Man, than say Chris Bachalo (whose work I love, I just don't see as being a right fit for SM), for example. Congrats Scott.

tralfaz · 09-08-2007, 01:35 PM

what the fuck is this bullshit that he signed with the wrong publisher? DC is where he made his name and he actually was on an ongoing series. Marvel delegated him to minis and specials and never let him have a hand at one of their big books. I loved his work on the Avengers, Thor,and Beyond minis and was surprised he wasn't put on the Spidey team which his art is really suited for.

Marvel's loss is DC's gain

now if only DC would give Middleton more work

md62 · 09-08-2007, 01:36 PM

I'm hoping for either Shazam or an Impulse series.

spidey 85 · 09-08-2007, 01:44 PM

dude bart return is a sure bet lightning in a bottle (clue)

ElijahSnowFan · 09-08-2007, 01:53 PM

Scott Kolins said: Nice to know people are paying attention to my work ethic! Yeah, I’m one of those 12 issues a year guy – a rare breed these days. Though I hope “stable and dependable” aren’t the only adjectives that come to mind in relation to my work.

speaking for myself: i like his art a great deal, but the fact that he is professional with his output makes me respect his work all the more.