MAT BROOME ON LEAVING THE END LEAGUE

[MattBrady]

by Chris Arrant
Earlier this month, it was announced that artist Eric Canete was taking over for Mat Broome on the Dark Horse Comics' title The End League with writer Rick Rememder. It was Remender and Broome who originally created this title, and it marked a return for the artist back to the fold of comics after years in the video game field.

It was comics in which Mat Broome made a name for himself, working in the mid- to late 1990s for Marvel, DC and Wildstorm. He began in comics on X-Force, just before joining Jim Lee's Wildstorm Studios in 1994 and working on titles such as WildC.A.T.S., Stormwatch, DefCon 4 and later on the Wildstorm/Marvel crossover Wildcats/X-Men. So it's kind of prophetic of where Mat Broome is headed next.

But we’ll say no more. Instead, let's let Mat speak for himself on leaving The End League and where he's headed next.

Newsarama: It was sad to hear you were leaving The End League Mat. What led to that decision?

Mat Broome: Thanks for the kind words. Leaving The End League was something that we've been discussing for months. Dark Horse and I actually went over details for me leaving the book when I told them about moving on to a project at Marvel three months ago when a writer contacted me about doing a series there, and after reading almost 60 pages of research he'd done and the first 3 plots that really got me excited that he knew where he wanted to take the book and the characters involved.

I wanted to be sure and get the entire first story arc done on The End League before I left the book. The End League is years of hard work and is our baby I enjoyed it big time , but I'm looking forward to what's next.

Rick, Dark Horse and I all agreed on the direction of where the book was going to bring someone in to do the book on a monthly basis to keep it fresh on the shelves monthly after issue 4 so this was a group decision that we were all excited about. We tossed around some names and ideas and it was pretty painless. Dark Horse is smooth that way. A great place to go for creators and a really liberating environment for comics.

NRAMA: Even though you're leaving, you've already left an indelible mark in comics with your return to comics in the pages of The End League. How's the experience been, having The End League be your ticket back into comics so to speak?

MB: I had other options to on how to return with other projects, but I really felt the best way to come back and warm up the pencil would be something creator owned. I love doing team oriented comic books, and it's always going to be challenging no matter what because there are so many things you need to research and design. Making a new book in this climate where crossovers and established team books dominate the top 10 from the Big Two, I knew we would have an uphill battle to get some attention and readers on the book especially considering that Dark Horse doesn't have any other superhero team titles. I couldn't be happier about the outcome and I love the challenge also working on something new was a blast. We needed to do a book that felt familiar and at the same time put our spin on it.

Fun stuff.

Coming back to comics with The End League has been everything I wanted it to be, and has really opened me up to some other great projects, and a chance to work with some writers that I've been a huge fan of for the almost 20 years I've been in the game. I can't believe that the opportunity is available and if it weren't for the great job that Rick, Dark Horse and Sean Wendy did it wouldn't be possible. These people put a lot of work into the book and should be praised for their hard work.

There was one simple thing I asked everyone to do on the art team, and that was make sure that every issue we did better work than the last and be sure to make people feel that it was time well spent. We did our best and look forward to showing what we're working on at Marvel.

NRAMA: As one artist leaves, another must enter, and for The End League it's artist Eric Canete. What can you say about his artwork coming in to follow-up the work you've done?

MB: The first time I heard about Eric and even saw his stuff was actually when our editor at Dark Horse mentioned his name. I told him I needed to Google him and looked up his work on Iron Man: Enter The Mandarin and I thought it was cool. Rick sent some links to his stuff we both liked the work and agreed he would be good to bring on the book.

I'm always excited to see what the next team brings and the different take they have for a book. I also love the different style its cool to see someone else take on your creation.

NRAMA: You've mentioned the word 'Marvel' in your immediate future. Can you tell us about?

MB: I'm working on a series at Marvel that I started and also in discussions to work on some other stuff I'll be busier with new projects over the next several years than I've been before.

Marvel has their own PR department for announcements etc. so I need to be careful not to step on their toes but I'm very excited to being working with characters that I love and having a chance draw them personally. Reading over the first 3 issues alone has just gotten me pumped up for the books.

The next year is going to be a blast to say the least and its great to be back in the House of Ideas. Marvel is doing some awesome stuff and really likes to mix things up and that's exciting.

There's nothing more exciting than waking up every morning knowing your going to be illustrating some of the most recognized characters in the world.

[GuitarSmashley]

Happy the end league will be monthly but sad to see mat leave. Hopefully Eric can keep up the greatness that is this book.

[johnny.blaze]

Originally Posted by GuitarSmashley

Happy the end league will be monthly but sad to see mat leave. Hopefully Eric can keep up the greatness that is this book.

Agreed. Though i hope in the series final arc (whenever that is) Broome comes back to draw it.

Canette is crazy good. Loved Iron Man: Enter The Mandarain

[jwagz03]

Matt Broome on a Spider-Man arc perhaps?

[Shonborn]

Canete is awesome, and is one of only two artists that I own original art from. I will be getting this for his art, and am glad to see him getting gigs.

[bgtimber75]

I don't really buy comics anymore, got Ultimates v3 1 and 2 just because I love Mad Dog but I'm all over any Marvel work that Broome does. He was up there with Maduria, Lee, Portacio, and Tony Daniels and artist that I would buy anything from.

[pete_woods]

Maaaaaaaattt!! End League looked so purty! Looking forward to your Marvel stuff!

Mat is a great guy and it's so nice to have him back in comic book world.

[Sean Parsons]

I couldn't be happier that Mat's work(and mine by association) has been so well received on The End League. #1 was cool, and 2 was better. Three some how managed to top that and #4 is even better still.

But wait till you guys see what Mat has cooked up at Marvel. Clean your kitchen floor cuz I think your jaw will hit it when our first book debuts.

Sean Parsons

[Crump's Brother]

So, he's going to be on X-Force?

Anyway, sad to seen him leave TEL. Great work so far.

[FnordSerious]

Been enjoying End League quite a bit so far. I like what I've seen of Canete's work. I just hope the change in style isn't too jarring, resulting in a loss of readers. Be glad to have End League monthly, though.

Best of luck to Broome in his work at Marvel!

[painters_eye]

...wish the powers that be could have dropped a hint on the future project...like X-men-related, Avenger-related, etc. Oh well. Love his art and will follow wherever he goes.

[Doc_doom79]

Good luck to ya Matt...

Although for a change, I'd like to see some DC work from ya.

Can you imagine Outsiders or Doom Patrol by Broome?

[DaVeO]

The End League was your baby Matt. How can you leave it before even it's pre-school years were done? *sigh* I'm sure Marvel had a nice juicy contract, but it's a shame that you have to leave your own creative stuff for a Marvel property. I'd MUCH rather see you stay with End League because your enthusiasm was really coming through on the page.
Ah, well, as long as your happy, it's all good.

[elgato]

Ah sad to see ya go on EL stuff, looking forward to the Marvel stuff. Just means another book to add to my pull.

[mat9ball]

Hey guys,

Just got the heads up that the article was up and thanks again for the kind words. I love the book and hopefully will be back down the road.

Working on TEL was a blast and I look forward to continuing to read the series and seeing where these characters go. Black intrigues me like no other character in this book because we'll learn more about him in the future.

Cool stuff for sure.

There are a couple of opportunities to work on characters I've never had the chance to illustrate before and this project was something that REALLY compelled me to go back to Marvel.

I cant wait to put the stuff out their and share, but I promise I'll try to continue to be my own toughest critic and improve each book as best I can.

Thanks again to everyone and PETE WOODS whats up DUDE!!!

[Doc_doom79]

Originally Posted by pete_woods

Maaaaaaaattt!! End League looked so purty! Looking forward to your Marvel stuff!

Mat is a great guy and it's so nice to have him back in comic book world.

Mat, use your connections and GET PETE WOODS MORE MONTHLY GIGS!

Artists that are good AND TIMELY like you guys? It is CRIMINAL that more gigs arent thrown your way.