An entry from my Marvel.com blog of long ago, this one printing a letter written to me my an unnamed creator in the field and also pimping for a then-recent poster release.
December 3, 2009 | 1:00 AM | By Tom_Brevoort | In General
Starting today with some brief shilling. In case you haven’t noticed it, we recently released Olivier Coipel’s interconnected covers to TALES OF ASGARD as a single, stunning wall poster that’s in stores now. This sucker is huge, the size of six normal posters-it literally dominates any wall it’s affixed to. Plus, you’ll want to remember the way Asgard used to look after SIEGE hits in a few short weeks. The super-cool kickoff book SIEGE: THE CABAL is in stores today and sets the stage, with some crucial happenings in a couple other places in the next few weeks as well. Also in stores today, DARK AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 is on my short list of the five best Avengers issues Brian Bendis has written, with absolutely stellar art from Chris Bachalo.
I got this letter a few days ago from an industry professional, and I feel like sharing. I’ve removed his name so as not to cause him any embarrassment or attention. It’s always lovely to get this kind of thing from a creator you respect:
Just a quick note to tell you that I am LOVING the Avengers books right now.
Even though Bendis lives in Portland and we have mutual friends, we really don’t know each other, and he certainly doesn’t know who I am when we do cross paths, but I gotta say– the man can write comics. I love the tapestry he constantly creates with his books, where events overlap in different issues, and/or are seen from different perspectives. In many ways, it reminds me of what Kirby did with his Fourth World books, where each story stands on its own, but becomes so much richer when all the parts are taken together. (Which, let’s face it, is really the heart of the Marvel Universe, isn’t it?) I’m also constantly impressed with how SATISFYING Bendis’ issues are. Even when, objectively and/or plot-wise, very little happens, the books hold my attention from beginning to end. His dialogue is always sharp and engaging, and there’s a thrilling urgency to every issue.
And the art ain’t bad, either.
Slott’s work is great, too, BTW. Although I’m not totally sold on the “Scientist Supreme” idea– it seems to be too much like when they say “And now the Flash can run FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE!” which really doesn’t mean anything. To me, at least. But other than that, his Avengers is always at the top of my pile whenever a new issue comes out.
And looking at the Bigger Picture, I’ve also been very impressed with how Marvel, as a whole, has moved from Civil War to Secret Invasion to Dark Reign– each emerging very organically from what came before and propelling the Universe forward in what seems, to me, to be a very logical, unforced progression.
The last few years is the best Marvel has been in decades.
Keep it up!
More later,
Tom B
The Tom Brevoort Experience 
A Blah Blah Blog post isn’t the right place for this, but I’m not on any social media to ask in a better context: an article from earlier today on CBR mentioned Joe Madureira being asked to redesign the Avengers for a relaunch in the mid-90s, before Heroes Reborn. I’m fairly sure that’s before your time in that office, Tom, but is there any truth to it?
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Yes, and the results were in the Avengers books prior to Heroes Reborn. He designed the Wasp’s more monstrous form, for one.
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Ah, that makes perfect sense. The article on CBR made me think his work might have went unused. Thanks for answering.
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