CSN @ NEWSARAMA: BAGLEY TO LEAVE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN

**MattBrady** · 08-16-2006, 07:07 PM

by Cliff Biggers, Comic Shop News

With Ultimate Spider-Man #100 due any week now and the record-setting Ultimate Spider-Man #103 establishing Brian Bendis & Mark Bagley as the record-holding creative team at Marvel (having produced more consecutive issues of any superhero series in Marvel history, surpassing the 102-issue Stan Lee-Jack Kirby run on Fantastic Four), it appears that the end of an era is soon approaching. Mark Bagley has confirmed his plans to leave the series after Ultimate Spider-Man #110.

“I’ve had an incredible time with Ultimate Spider-Man,” Bagley told CSN, “but I don’t want to stagnate. Right now, Brian and I are doing some of the best work we’ve ever done on the comic, and I think it’s best for me to leave while we’re on the top of our game.”

While Bagley is moving on to other projects, Bendis will remain with Ultimate Spider-Man, although Marvel has not chosen an artist to take over the title. Of course, there are very few artists working in comics today who can match Bagley’s prodigious output; the artist has produced as many as eighteen issues per year and has still found time to do additional work for Marvel.

So what’s next for Bagley? “I’m not sure what I’ll be doing next,” he said. “I’m talking with Marvel, and they have several books they’re evaluating to see just where they feel I will fit best.” Once that decision is made, of course, you’ll hear about it in CSN!

Ferris4469 · 08-16-2006, 07:16 PM

Say it ain't so!

Wow, end of a legendary team.... congrats on an amazing run!

R.McKegan · 08-16-2006, 07:16 PM

Sad news. Above the great stories and character interactions, it was Bagley's artwork which made this series for me. I'll be sorry to see him go.

The Bry · 08-16-2006, 07:16 PM

Whoa, never thought I'd hear that...man he's an incredible artist I love his stuff on USM...so glad I'm getting the trades

JeffDyer · 08-16-2006, 07:18 PM

Mr. Bagley is one of the best artists in comics.

I had the chance to meet him a few years ago and he drew a wonderful Spidey sketch for me. The Bendis-Bagley Ultimate Spider-Man is, in my opinion, one of the greatest runs in comic book history...not just one of the LONGEST, but one of the very best in QUALITY, too!

In this era of comics when six issues is considered a "run", 110 issues is nothing short of a miracle. Bravo, Mr. Bagley! Your professionalism and dedication to your craft are MUCH appreciated! I wish you all the best in your next endeavor! (How about coming over to DC and drawing Superman or Batman? Hint, hint!)

Jeff Dyer

HartyPotter · 08-16-2006, 07:19 PM

aw, that's a little sad, but I definitely think Bagley should be given the excitement of pencilling a new book after so long on USM. As for his replacement, they might as well keep it in the USM family and have Mark Brooks start drawing the main series.

Nobody · 08-16-2006, 07:19 PM

Not a fan, but seriously, good run.

Mark Brooks · 08-16-2006, 07:21 PM

Sorry to see Mark go and I wish him the best of luck on his next project! Having gotten to sit talk to Mark personally, I can say it's rare that I meet someone so dedicated to the craft of creating comic art. Whoever comes after him on this title has some very big shoes to fill.

-Mark

Marchie77 · 08-16-2006, 07:22 PM

I didnt think it would last too much longer after the record...

Well done bags... lets get you on Mighty Avengers!

MR2525 · 08-16-2006, 07:22 PM

Stay on!! Stay on!

Ironhorse · 08-16-2006, 07:23 PM

Even I've never read a single USM issue, (seriously, never), it's a shame, Bagley is an incredible artist, the first thing I read from him was in Thunderbolts, pretty sure the book is not gonna be the same. Peace.

SpawnJr · 08-16-2006, 07:23 PM

Please put him on Wolverine Origins for the love of God!

JohnnyONeal · 08-16-2006, 07:24 PM

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Seriously, I'm so sad. I didn't like Bagley's art the first time I saw it, but I got hooked after a few issues of USM. He's just such an incredible storyteller, an expert at making anything -- from superhero brawls to quiet conversations -- visually dynamic. He's so closely associated with the book that reading it with another artist might feel like watching a TV show with an entirely new cast.

At least he's going out on a strong note. I'm loving the "Clone Saga" arc!

Marchie77 · 08-16-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Brooks

Sorry to see Mark go and I wish him the best of luck on his next project! Having gotten to sit talk to Mark personally, I can say it's rare that I meet someone so dedicated to the craft of creating comic art. Whoever comes after him on this title has some very big shoes to fill.

-Mark

What size feet do you have

artiepants · 08-16-2006, 07:25 PM

I'm kinda crushed.
Far more upset about this then the whole Bru-ha-ha over Civil War.
Ultimate Spider-mna brought me back to comics and Bagley was a big part of it.

still, i think it's going to go down as one of the greatest runs in comcis, a run of unparralled consistancy and quality, and i can't wait to see what Bags does next. Hope it's something with a writer i'll read.

EmeraldGuy32 · 08-16-2006, 07:26 PM

wow....I honestly wasn't sure I'd live to see the day...

syxxpakk · 08-16-2006, 07:29 PM

The real question is who do you follow up with?

Mike Weiringo is the only person who can match the tone I think.

Goldenboy · 08-16-2006, 07:30 PM

The tricky part now is finding an artist that fast, and that good.

You can't put someone like Bryan Hitch onto the title now, you need to find someone who can get out atleast 15 issues a year, and keep the quality. Mike Weiringo and Salvador Larocca spring to mind.

Bry Kotyk · 08-16-2006, 07:30 PM

This is certainly the worst news I've heard today. After 110 straight issues, though, I can understand the man wanting to move on to something new.

It's hard to imagine the book with anyone else drawing it, though. It just seems wrong, y'know?

Bendis and Bagley had an amazing run. 100 uninterrupted issues in six years is quite a feat, especially in today's industry, and especially at that level of quality.

THEQuestion · 08-16-2006, 07:30 PM

Congratulations to Mark Bagley, an amazing run(so to speak) Who knew after seeing this new artist do some fill in work on the New Universe that he would be a part of the longest continuous run on a title at Marvel.

Great job!
Looking forward to his next project.

Now about that replacement.

Kryptons_Sun · 08-16-2006, 07:30 PM

Get Steve McNiven on Ultimate Spider-man....

BWHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

jedifish · 08-16-2006, 07:31 PM

Great job on your run Mark. It's been very enjoyable and I look forward to it each month.

I hope they get an artist with a similar style, but hopefully not Mark Brooks, because his stuff is just too cartoony and all his characters have those big manga eyes. I was very disappointed he did the 2 USM annuals, which were so far below Bagley's standard.

Police-dude · 08-16-2006, 07:32 PM

WOW!

That is some BAD NEWS!!!!

I really like ( and first bought Ult. Spi. because of) his art, in fact i think its one of the best artists in the branch, i really don't like him leaving

Marchie77 · 08-16-2006, 07:33 PM

I'm gonna start the chant now...

RAMOS!RAMOS!RAMOS!RAMOS!

bigstumpy · 08-16-2006, 07:34 PM

Yeah, agreed with most of the above. First became a fan of Bagley on Thunderbolts years ago and grew to love his stuff on USM. No clue who to take over, hopefully someone who will be on the book for a significant amount of time.