KHOI PHAM: ON MOVING TO MIGHTY (AVENGERS)

[MattBrady]

by Steve Ekstrom

(Newsarama Note: Image at right is variant cover to Incredible Herc #113)

Following his stint on Marvel’s The Incredible Herc (#112-#115), Khoi Pham is moving on up in the world—next stop: Mighty Avengers. Following Mark Bagley’s guest-penciller run on Mighty Avengers, Khoi Pham will begin regularly penciling Mighty Avengers starting with issue #13. Details are sketchy at this point pertaining to the details of Pham’s first story arc with Marvel’s Mightiest group of super troops.

Newsarama spoke with Pham about the challenges of an artist’s first time on a high profile book and he was also more than happy to play coy with the particulars of his upcoming run on Mighty Avengers.

Newsarama: Fresh off of your run on The Incredible Herc, how does it feel to move to the Mighty Avengers?

Khoi Pham: Naturally I'm pretty stoked about taking over such a high profile book, and even more stoked about working with another industry giant in Brian [Bendis]. Plus, following Frank and Mark's awesome runs, I just hope to do the book justice.

NRAMA: What's it like to work with Brian Bendis? How does his style of storytelling differ from the likes of Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente?

KP: You know, I really can't tell without getting a few books with him under my belt first. I'll get back to you on that!

NRAMA: From your experiences in the industry thus far, who has been your favorite creator to work with?

KP: I love them all equally but differently. Can you tell I'm a dad? Seriously, I think of myself as a student of the graphic storytelling craft, and I am grateful to everyone I've worked with for allowing me to learn something slightly different with every project.

NRAMA: Have you found any new challenges as an artist since you've started working on Mighty Avengers?

KP: Not any new challenges. Just the continuous challenge to produce something better than the last thing I put out--but nothing particular to the project. I love to draw new and crazy things, so new equals good for me.

NRAMA: When drawing a larger cast, are there any elements or dynamics that you are constantly aware of?

KP: Well, working with a larger cast makes it a bit tricky to creatively set a scene. You know, every time the team enters a room, there are only so many ways and angles to set them in relation to each other and to the background. It can get pretty difficult to be innovative in this regard. On the plus side, more people means less background to draw. (laughs)

NRAMA: Who is your favorite member of the team to draw?

KP: I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I love Frank's design for Ares, so he's gotta be my favorite right now. I suppose I like Ares because I'd drawn him before the Incredible Hercules books and now again on Mighty Avengers; so I'm likely to shift allegiances once the novelty wears off. To me, my favorite character is always the one that I have yet to draw.

NRAMA: Is the new Captain America one of the members of The Mighty Avengers?

KP: I plead ignorance on this. Not because I can't tell you, but because I really am ignorant.

NRAMA: Backing things up, how did you become involved with Mighty Avengers?

KP: You'd have to ask the powers that be at Marvel about the details. All I know is that I asked about signing an exclusive and I got a major title on top of it. I really should try asking for more stuff. Funny story, actually—Chris Allo from Marvel knew early on and couldn't tell me, so he hinted to me that it was a book that began with the letter "M." So for a while, I thought Marvel was starting a Mockingbird title. Cosmic Awareness is clearly not one of my powers…

NRAMA: [laughs] Are there any classic Avengers characters or villains that you want to draw?

KP: I tend to like obscure characters, characters so obscure and forgettable that they would render someone incapable of recalling their mere existence if ever asked.

NRAMA: Can you tell readers anything about your first arc on Mighty Avengers? Who's the villain?

KP: The Beyonder…just kidding. I'll leave that one to Brian, in case anything changes.

NRAMA: Do you have any advice for young and aspiring artists who are trying to get their foot in the door with companies like Marvel and DC? What are some key elements that an artist's sequential work showcase? How effective can websites like Digital Webbing be for young artists?

KP: That's a topic that could take up several pages. Plus, there are several resources way more helpful than me, so I'll try to keep it to a couple simple rules: SHOW ONLY YOUR BEST WORK, and BE AVAILABLE. Meaning, if you look at your portfolio and think, "Hmmm, that thing right there could be better, but its good enough for now," then it's not your best work. Don't show it to Marvel or DC, because feedback on what you already know can be improved is senseless. By all means, post it online and share with other artists for ideas, but don't put it in your portfolio. And "be available" means just that. Have a website that's easy to find that allows someone interested to easily view only your best work. Go to conventions and make yourself available. Make yourself available on sites like DW. But like I said, there are tons of resource materials that are way more helpful; and frankly, if what I just said is new to you, then you really need to do more research before even putting pencil to paper. Just call me Dr. Khoi—it’s all about the tough love, baby.

[AC-WEB]

I just hope he gets the books out on time.

[TF_Loki]

Originally Posted by AC-WEB

I just hope he gets the books out on time.

Is he a slowee then? Don't think I've seen his stuff before but that cover looks good.

[Mr. Kayak]

his work on on x-factor was mediocre at best, but looking at the incredible herc's previews it looks like pham is a better artist than that. let's hope so! anyway, good luck to him.

[CaptainCanad]

Originally Posted by TF_Loki

Is he a slowee then?

Not that I know of. They called him in to fill-in for Raimondi on X-Factor hurriedly last year, which was where I first heard of him. And he's got issues of Incredible Herc solicited through until March. So he seems to be pretty fast.

Pham's had a pretty quick rise from doing a second-string X-title to one of the flagship books.

[KoozyK]

the only thing keeping me on this book was the art. first cho. second bagley. i'm not a fan of this art one bit. may have to drop...

[pez dispenser]

I'm likin' that cover.
Welcome aboard, Mr Pham. I'm looking forward to your run.

[OCM]

Originally Posted by KoozyK

the only thing keeping me on this book was the art. first cho. second bagley. i'm not a fan of this art one bit. may have to drop...

Seconded! Although I really love the premise behind Inc. Herc. so I'll be getting that despite the artwork.

But, Mighty Avengers has characters I don't particularly like AND a writer I really can't stand to read. This would make 3 strikes on that title! (Ok ok I like Ms. Marvel and Wondy but I can get Ms. Marvel in her own book anyway!)

[POWRSURG]

I thought Incredible Herc was just a shortened version of the actual title, Incredible Hercules, for the (I believe) Art Adams homage cover for the first issue. Is Incredible Herc the real title for the book? I think the shortened name worked for a single issue, but as the actual title of the book? eh... When do we get Spectacular Spidey and Wolvie: Origins? Why isn't the debut issue of the new Captain America in the renamed: Cap series?

[Gorgeousaur]

I was hoping for Andrea DiVitto but Pham is good too.

[SpyGuy]

Originally Posted by POWRSURG

I thought Incredible Herc was just a shortened version of the actual title, Incredible Hercules, for the (I believe) Art Adams homage cover for the first issue. Is Incredible Herc the real title for the book? I think the shortened name worked for a single issue, but as the actual title of the book? eh... When do we get Spectacular Spidey and Wolvie: Origins? Why isn't the debut issue of the new Captain America in the renamed: Cap series?

The actual title for the series is THE INCREDIBLE HERCULES, but the title for the first story arc is "The Incredible Herc." Hope that helps.

And yes, I think it's confusing as well, especially when the inevitable hardcover/trade collection could end up as THE INCREDIBLE HERCULES: THE INCREDIBLE HERC.

[80Pork]

Originally Posted by Gorgeousaur

I was hoping for Andrea DiVitto but Pham is good too.

Andrea DiVito would have been nice, but he's working on the new Wolverine: First Class comic with Fred Van Lente.

[Clem]

Pham didn't really fit on X-Factor. He was bright and cartoony where it needed dark and mysterious.

Mighty Avengers sounds like a better fit though. I'm happy to give it a shot.

[Predabot1]

Who the heck is Khoi Pham??

And since when is he supposed to be the equal of Frank Cho and Mark Bagley??

I'm a bit skeptical... Does he really have what it takes? Normally I'd be in favor of giving a new artist a chance, but this, this is not a title that can afford any kind of lack-luster art. Everything needs to be on the absolute top.

[Duke Jupiter]

Originally Posted by Gorgeousaur

I was hoping for Andrea DiVitto but Pham is good too.

I sure as heck wasn't hoping for DiVito. It's interesting that Marvel couldn't pull a superstar onto this book. Hey, I hope Kham does well...I'll be reading...for now.

- DJ

[Thacher]

Originally Posted by POWRSURG

Why isn't the debut issue of the new Captain America in the renamed: Cap series?

The idea of a comic on the shelves with the title "Cap series" is hilarious.

But it should be about hats.

[eforextinct]

This is pretty good news. Cham was pretty good in X-Factor. If he's late one month though I'm officially dropping the book.

[Jeremy Williams]

I'm willing to give the guy a chance but wow I miss the Bill Jemas days when Marvel was all about blockbuster deals and announcements, hiring the top stars, etc...

[I am MODOK]

I got a great commission of Giant-Man from Koi at Chicago last year. I was really impressed how great his stuff looked. I remember being unimpressed by X-Factor, but his commissions and his Herc stuff looks fantastic!

I think he'll do a great job.

Here's the Giant Man commission:
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryP...511&GSub=45613

[Kahn]

Shame on some of you. Khoi Pham isn't a big name, but that Herc issue looked excellent. I think he'll be a much better fit than DiVito.

[stasisbal]

Pham was okay on X-Factor. I can certainly imagine that work being rushed. The pages I've seen from Herc look great. I have zero interest in picking up that title so it's nice that I'll be able to see his stuff in Mighty Avengers.

I'm assuming these issues of Mighty will be Secret Invasion tie ins. There's been talk of Mighty being canceled after the event, but maybe this announcement suggests it's another title that's going.

[Dave41Fan]

Originally Posted by Predabot1

Who the heck is Choi Pham??

And since when is he supposed to be the equal of Frank Cho and Mark Bagley??

I'm a bit skeptical... Does he really have what it takes? Normally I'd be in favor of giving a new artist a chance, but this, this is not a title that can afford any kind of lack-luster art. Everything needs to be on the absolute top.

Welcome to issue 13 of a Marvel title, where they don't need to give you a "big name" artist to sell the book. See also the current trend where Marvel gets a "big name" writer to co-write or plot the first arc of a series before handing off to a second-tier writer. It's a shame that they can't just launch "Iron Fist by Matt Fraction!" or something like that without attaching Ed Brubaker to the project... but obviously the formula works. Fans continue to buy into it, likely more than they would without the big name there.

All cynicism aside, Khoi Pham will probably do a good job, and you can continue to enjoy Bendis' writing. It's not like he's Ashley Wood or something.

[Marius665]

THIS BOOK ISN'T CANCELED YET???

[Colonsus]

Ick. Pham's X-Factor issues were abominable. Frank Cho to Mark Bagley to... Khoi Pham?!?!?

Wow, that's a huuuuuge downgrade. I am off this title at #13!

[-Armando523-]

congrats, Khoi.
knock 'em dead!