MIKE MARTS MOVES TO DC

[MattBrady]

Later this month, one of Marvel’s longstanding faces in editorial will take his leave of the company. Editor Mike Marts has accepted a Senior Editor position at DC, and will soon trade the X-Men for the Justice League, Spider-Man for Superman, and move from Marvel to DC.

“Simply put, I’ve accepted a new job as Senior Editor at DC Comics,” Marts told Newsarama. “Sometimes you just feel in your gut that it's time for a change. This is one of those times.”

And no, it’s not a case of Marts being a disgruntled employee. “Far from it,” Marts said. “In fact, things have been very good at marvel for me the past several years--I’ve worked with some of the best creators in the business, the editorial staff is top notch, plus, for the first time in a long time, I feel as though the X-books have all the right creators working on them and are headed in a great and exciting direction. And I can’t say enough good things about my bosses at marvel. Both Dan Buckley and Joe Quesada are the best of the best, and I’ve learned a great many things from both guys.

“But, all that being said, I’ve been at Marvel a long time, and the urge to try new things, to face new challenges has been very strong.”

Marts will mark the first DCU editorial hire above the assistant or associate level since Dan Didio joined the company. “Mike not only comes with a great resume of books that he’s worked on, but also comes with the highest recommendations from the talent that’s worked with him, so we’re looking forward to him coming in, and bringing a fresh set of eyes to the DCU,” Didio said.

Marts wasted no time in crediting Didio with playing a key role in his decision to move across town. Dan Didio has been an acquaintance of mine for the past several years...someone I chat with at softball games and conventions and airports...and it's been exciting to watch him come in and literally change the face of the DC Universe over a few short years. It's like watching a great story unfold right in front of your eyes. The cool thing now is that I get to be a part of that story, and work with Dan on a day-to-day basis. There are exciting things happening at DC right now, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

History lesson time – for those keeping track in their Marvel Universe – Editorial Versions at home: technically, Marts will be leaving his second stint at Marvel for DC. Originally, Marts joined Marvel in 1993, working as an Assistant Editor while still in college, editing titles such as Iron Man, War Machine and Fantastic Four.|

“After three years of assisting, I left to finish college, and then worked at Wizard Entertainment and Acclaim comics for a period of about three years,” Marts said. “Near the end of my time at acclaim in 1999, Bob Harras [then Editor-in-Chief of Marvel] asked me to come back to Marvel, to serve as the editor on the satellite X-Men books such as Gambit, Bishop, Deadpool, etc.

“A few years later in 2002, Joe Q was cool enough to promote me to the main X-Men editor spot, and I graduated to the core X-Men books...which is where I've been for the past four or so years.”

As for Marts’ greatest hits?

“Origin remains by far the best special project I’ve ever worked on,” Marts said. “Daring to take a chance and finally tell Wolverine's origin might seem commonplace now, but was extremely risky at the time. The intense collaboration of Paul Jenkins, Andy Kubert, Richard Isanove and Joe Quesada was some of the best comics I’ve ever witnessed being created.

“Also, getting to work for so many years with my childhood hero, Chris Claremont has also been an extremely high point. There's no one on this earth quite like Chris...and I will really miss working with him. As X-Men editor, I often thought as myself as the shepherd of these great characters...but Chris is the creator for so many of them. He's the man.

“Exiles is a high point. For a series that was barely approved to begin with, we're now running 85 issues strong and issue #100 is right around the corner. Great characters, great concept.

"Grant Morrison's New X-Men is a high point.

"Joss Whedon and John Cassaday's Astonishing X-Men. I have never had the chance before to work with two people who produce perfection on so regular a basis and I’m not sure if I ever will again.”

And just so he’s not sleeping on the couch tonight…

“Of course, the highest of high points of my time at Marvel is that I got to meet my wife there, only a few days after beginning my second stint there. She has always been and always will be my ‘best moment.’”

Altogether now….awwwwww.

The move (which, by the by, Marvel is completely supportive of, according to Marts) will see the editor trading one universe for another…and he’s been cramming like a middle school student facing down mid-year tests…

“It'll be a little tough, in all honesty, but I like the challenge,” Marts said. “DC is a new world for me and I look forward to diving head-first into it.”

If that didn’t sound like an invitation for an impromptu quiz…

Newsarama: Can you name Batman's butler?

Mike Marts: Jarvis. Now wait – Alfred!

NRAMA: Who founded the Legion of Super-Heroes?

MM: Paul Levitz

NRAMA: Where does Wonder Woman come from?

MM: Joss Whedon.

Okay – a pass for now (counting extra credit on #2, and a near waffle on #1). At DC, Marts won’t be diving into the deep end of the continuity well just yet, as he’ll be joining Group Editor Bob Schreck in working on the All Star line of titles – including All Star Wonder Woman with Adam Hughes – as well as some new projects, and projects he’ll be bringing to DC, working with talent he’s familiar with and worked with previously.

“I'm extremely excited about it,” Marts said. “Adam Hughes has been one of my favorite artists for a long time, and it will be great to finally work with him on All Star Wonder Woman. And of course, there are other exciting things I’ll be working on, but if I mentioned them here, Dan might reconsider his offer!”

Oh, and just to kill the rumor – Marts’ joining DC has nothing to do with the fact that he nailed DCU Coordinating Editor (and softball pitcher) Jann Jones with a line drive at the Marvel vs. DC softball game in San Diego this summer. “I thought a simple ‘I'm sorry’ would suffice, but that didn't cut it.” Marts lamented.

“Yeah, Mike is probably going to want to watch out for Jann in his first few weeks,” Didio joked.

Kidding aside, Marts said he views the move to DC as the next logical step in his career, and is already viewing DC as home. “By coming here, I hope to end up doing the same thing I’m doing now – making the best comics possible with the best creators available.”

[Prometheus3]

Interesting. Well good luck to Mike Marts.

[TonyBedard]

DC picked up a great one here, and it looks like it happened for all the right reasons.

Good answer on the Legion question, too!

[Rawkingbird]

Given the sloppy continuity in the X books, All-Star is a perfect fit for him.

Though I did like the answer to the Legion question.

[Beheader]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Oh, and just to kill the rumor – Marts’ joining DC has nothing to do with the fact that he nailed DCU Coordinating Editor (and softball pitcher) Jann Jones...

That's not going to be taken out of context.

Good luck to Mike.

[ejulp]

Pretty big news, actually...so all this Marvel Zombie has to say is, good luck over at DC you traitor ...all jokes. I'm sure i'll be reading many of your DC edited books, as I did your Marvel ones (just don't take too much of the Marvel talent with you). That aside, this begs, who will replace him at Marvel, he's been a solid fixture on important titles there for a long time (right before i started college i think).

[Simon DelMonte]

This is a good move for DC, not just because Marts has a strong track record at Marvel, but also because DC needs new editors. It's astounding that there haven't been any new editorial hires by DC in all the time Didio has been running the show. (And I doubt I am the only one underwhelmed by the editors at DC these days.)

I hope that down the line Marts gets to move over to the regular DC line, since they don't need two good editors on the All-Star stuff while there are places good editors are needed desperately in the DCU.

Now, if only DC could steal Breevort.

[Billy Tucci]

Mike was the captain of the Marvel softball team... what do I do now? I can't play for anyone else!

Seriously, good luck Mike, I know you'll do great things at DC!

Billy

[BillReed]

Oooo.

[Ace]

I don't know if that'd be a good decision. Tom B's said before that DC became too like Marvel in the 80s and gave up a lot of what made it special.

Of course, when I love DC the most is when it outdoes Marvel at being the Marvel I grew up with.

It's sort of like how Tom's said that most X-Men fans wouldn't like him on X-Men, since it's not their X-Men that he likes. I think Tom does well where he is.

I'm interseted to see what Marts brings to the table for DC. Now someone, give Schimdt a promotion.

[jza1218]

Congratulations

[longshot7]

DC > Marvel. Easy math.

[Chris Eliopoulos]

Mike Marts is one of the best editors I've ever worked with and a good friend to boot. DC is extremely lucky to have him and I know he'll do nothing but great things!

[Starpilot]

Classy responses with no parting shots. Good luck, Mike Marts!

[EmperorJoker]

The All Star Books? Wow, this guy is gonna have a lot of free time.

[nightw1ng]

congrats to Mike Marts and thank god he's off the X-titles. although he's got an eye for talent, some of the worst stories and continuity gaffes have come under his editorialship like Chuck Austen's X-Men and the mess that is Xorneto.

[MrNEWZ]

Originally Posted by Beheader

That's not going to be taken out of context.

Good luck to Mike.

Yes, the first thing I thought when I read "nailed... " is "bad word choice..."

[Ironhorse]

Nice move, congrats to Mike , who knows, maybe he can fix some of the problems between Marvel and DC. Peace.

[neil kleid]

INteresting.

Congrats, Mike. DC's in for some good times.

[Blackbeard]

Congrats to Mike and DC!
This is big news.

[JoePruett]

Great hire by DC. Mike is one of the classiest guys in comics. Great guy and great editor. Best of luck, Mike!

Joe

[BruceVane]

But if he's working for DC who's going to run the offense in Detroit??? Come on, comic geeks have to know other things than Marvel cannon right? Can you tell I don't read all 86 monthly Spidey titles if I don't know who Marts is?

[imwithcap]

im happy for mike, but im worried about what is going to happen to the X-Books? are we gonna get somebody whos going to revamp them AGAIN? and even though i don't want that, i don't want them to get stagnant, so im sad......

[genetic freak]

Congratulations to Mike Marts

[Darren J. Gendron]

Originally Posted by Billy Tucci

Mike was the captain of the Marvel softball team... what do I do now? I can't play for anyone else!

Seriously, good luck Mike, I know you'll do great things at DC!

Billy

Well, DiDio HAD to do something after managing that errorfest.

Oh, and Billy? See to it that the next manager for Marvel's team actually gets y'all some numbered jerseys.

Also, when will DC, Marvel, and the Indys put together a bowling tournament for a convention?