FRANK FRAZETTA JR. JOINS IMAGE'S FRAZETTA COMICS

[MattBrady]

In light of the success of Image Comics' Frazetta Comics line, Frank Frazetta Jr. himself has announced he's going to begin his very own, all-new series. While most details are still under wraps, Frazetta Jr. will both be writing and creating original painted covers for each issue.

"When we first envisioned Frazetta Comics I never imagined we'd not only expand on the legend, but also carry on the legacy," Frazetta Comics editor Jay Fotos said. "Having Frank Jr. get into the mix is something truly special. It's already very hard to keep what he's got brewing a secret, but I have a good feeling the wait will be very worth it."

Newsarama was able to speak briefly with Frank Frazetta, Jr.

Newsarama: You're known for your fine art pursuits, but this marks the first time you've delved into comics. What was the impetus for you to create a book of your own?

Frank Frazetta Jr.: First, I really appreciate the opportunity to have my comic published by a group of great guys. It's an offer that's impossible to pass up.

Second, when the opportunity came up, I became very motivated to finalize a sci-fi story that will be of interest to all age groups. What I envision is a story that's powerful, believable, but unique in its own rights. The cover art will tell the story and if you like what you see, I think you'll love the story.

Growing up in Brooklyn, I looked forward walking down to the local candy store and see what new comic book would make me reach out and drop 12 cents down on the counter-top, running home flipping through the pages anticipating how this may be my next favorite comic story. It truly was a fascinating experience and one I looked forward to every weekend. My hope is to create the same level of excitement for this generation of readers.

NRAMA: Is your passion for comics a relatively new interest or has this been brewing for some time? What comics were your biggest inspirations, both growing up and for the book?

FFJr: Like many of us, comics were a large part of my youth along with collecting baseball cards. But now that I have a successful career, a wife and being blessed with two sets of twins, there isn't ample time to enjoy what I once loved so dearly. With my fathers comic, The Death Dealer doing so well, it made me go up in the attic and pull down many of my favorite comics.

I think my favorite was Turok, the prehistoric related comic, because the cover art which was done so well; much like how many fans bought my fathers books for the cover art alone. Unfortunately, most of the time the interiors never measured up, so I'm very conscious of making the comic every bit as exciting as the covers.

NRAMA: Given your father's experience in the fantasy field, did you consult or collaborate with him at all?

FFJr: Although I did tell my father about the story, he did not take much interest. But I will say, what lack of interest he had with the story line, was made up 50 times over with the cover art. This is something that he so dearly wants me to pursue, painting. He loved the cover and made just minor constructive comments as he always does with anything I've done.

NRAMA: While we know details are mostly under wraps, is there anything you can share?

FFJr: I'd love to give the readers a heads up on the story, but it will be sometime before it's published and I'd rather wait till we get within a few months of its release. I will say though, similar creatures have been written about and made movies of, but they always fell short in the story and creatures look. With my creature coming from another planet, a very advanced civilization, one that could destroy earth in a blink, they fear these animals so much, they have travels thousands of light years in their UFO's just to dump them off here on earth so they have no chance of getting back to where they came from. They are massive in size, extremely intelligent and so vicious we, the military, will have our hands full trying to stop them from taking over our planet.

[Jimmy Palmiotti]

This is awesome news. I buy all the books or anything connected with franks work and enjoy the hell out of them. Can't tell you how many ideas his work has inspired in me.

Met frank a few times and was lucky enough to spend a very memorable day at his house and get to know him better.

Great to see frank back doing some new work!

JIMMY PALMIOTTI

[doom]

I'm not suggesting that it detracts from the news at all, but that is Jr, not Sr. writing and doing covers.

I could be wrong, but it looks like J.P. thought it was the elder Frazetta.

[Jimmy Palmiotti]

you are 100% right...i thought it was sr....my mistake.

I see the name and get all fanboy!

cant wait to see what franks kid can do with the old paint set...wish they had a piece here to see.

[genetic freak]

First Neal Adams' son teased us with some possible comic work (not in an article here but in the talkback section posting answers himself!) and now Frazetta jr!?! Kewl!

[J O R Z A C]

I too wish they had preview art...............wanna see if the apple doesn't stray far from the tree.....

[HazMatMan]

Based on the likes of the Kuberts, the Romitas, the Adams... I'm sure it's in Frank Jr's genes. It'll be no less interesting to see the final product.

[JoshuaOrtega]

Thanks for all of the kind words on the Frazetta books, Jimmy...great to hear that you've been enjoying them, and we'll be looking forward to hearing what you think of Frank Jr.'s book!

[Weiser_Cain]

Anyone have some of his previous art?

[jayfotos]

Thanks folks!

This was more of an intro for Frank, everything is still in the development stage and I promise as stuff comes in we will show it off.

[Generic Eric]

Originally Posted by Weiser_Cain

Anyone have some of his previous art?

I saw a Frank Franzetta documentary that showed a few pieces of Frank Jr's art. Good stuff.

[Apocrypha]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Palmiotti

you are 100% right...i thought it was sr....my mistake.

I see the name and get all fanboy!

cant wait to see what franks kid can do with the old paint set...wish they had a piece here to see.

At least you didn't say "First" so it's all good. :-)

I agree. I was hoping to see a sample myself. See if he is really a chip off the ol' block so to speak.

[Doc Holiday]

I really enjoyed Death dealer, and am looking forward to reading this week's new Frazettaverse comic.

There was recently an article here about how to attract new readers to comics, and most of the pros suggested genre diversification. I find that there are a lot of very interesting westerns and sword opera comics out there, but most of them are published by the independents.

That said, this new announcement is exactly the kind of thing the pros were suggesting.

And also it must be said that Mr Palmiotti and his partner Justin grey consistently write excellent comics of all genres__western (Jonah Hex), superhero (Uncle Sam), jungle action (Shanna) and beautifully-realized takes oon the formuula such as Monolith. DC does more experimentation than does Marvel, it seems; putting out beatiful genre books.

But again I get my kicks by buying liberally among the indies, and Death Dealer was a delightful surprise last year. Beautifully drawn and strong characterization. So I will be following the forthcoming titles from Image.

[Doc Holiday]

I really enjoyed Death dealer, and am looking forward to reading this week's new Frazettaverse comic.

There was recently an article here about how to attract new readers to comics, and most of the pros suggested genre diversification. I find that there are a lot of very interesting westerns and sword opera comics out there, but most of them are published by the independents.

That said, this new announcement is exactly the kind of thing the pros were suggesting.

And also it must be said that Mr Palmiotti and his partner Justin grey consistently write excellent comics of all genres__western (Jonah Hex), superhero (Uncle Sam), jungle action (Shanna) and beautifully-realized takes oon the formula such as Monolith. DC does more experimentation than does Marvel, it seems; putting out beatiful genre books.

But again I get my kicks by buying liberally among the indies, and Death Dealer was a delightful surprise last year. Beautifully drawn and strong characterization. So I will be following the forthcoming titles from Image.

[jayfotos]

Thanks Doc, very nice post and I'm glad you can see what we are trying to do.

We plan to hit all spectrums with Frazetta Comics, come closer to home like Swamp Demon(out next month) that is directly tied into the Death Dealer series giving more of a "background" on the supporting characters in that series. To independent titles such as Dracula Meets the Wolfman a straight "ol'school" horror book and Creatures, a fun Indiana Jones meets Men in Black meets Ghostbusters kinda thing.

Westerns are on my list as well, at this point we are building a solid foundation with the retailers and fans so we can carry on for years to come.

Jay

[doom]

Originally Posted by Weiser_Cain

Anyone have some of his previous art?

iirc, the documentary that was made a few years ago about frezetta (and i highly recommend watching it, even if just to see how he switched his art to his left hand from his right after a stroke), some of his son's art is show and it looks good, along the same lines as his dad's.