From the moment we learned that former Marvel Editor-in-Chief/CCO/Savior Joe Quesada would be hosting the Mad Cave 10th Anniversary panel, we knew something was up. Then as we entered the room, videos played advertising “Idaho’s #1 Comic Book Company.” Wait a minute… Mad Cave is in Idaho? No, as Quesada and Mad Cave president Mark Irwin joked, “we’re based in Miami, San Diego… who really knows?”
So a tone was set along with a mystery. Quesada played host, and in some ways that alone made perfect sense that after retiring from Marvel, he’d just help get some publicity for old friends. And if you haven’t been paying attention, Mad Cave deserves the publicity. It’s the perfect name for the publisher, with a line-up of books that (almost) defy categorization, though having acquired Papercutz and licensing venerable characters like Flash Gordon and Dick Tracy helps.
Now, they’re doing something amazing.
As in, Quesada was really there to announce he’s coming out of retirement to head Amazing Comics. Once that cat was out of the bag, like a superhero he tore off his outer button down shirt to reveal a t-shirt with his imprint’s logo. It’s a collaboration among Mad Cave, legendary European publisher Dupuis Édition et Audiovisuel, and Quesada to create great original graphic novels for a world-wide audience.
Along with Irwin, Dupuis Editorial Director Stéphane Beaujean and Senior Editor Olivier Jalabert talked about their excitement for the collaboration.
So why Idaho? For four years, that’s where Quesada has lived. As an editorial aside, it clearly agrees with him. I’ve seen him at many panels over the years and briefly spoken to him a few times. He has never looked more relaxed. This is the Joe Quesada who worked with Jimmy Palmiotti in his early career, but without the need to prove himself. He’s done it all — almost.
Calling Amazing Comics a “mom and pop operation,” Quesada introduced his wife Nancy as Editor-in-Chief, and his daughter as Social Media Manager. For more than old times’ sake, he’s also brought colorist Richard Isanove to work with him. The other smart move at this panel was officially announcing the first project from Amazing. Rather than talk about a slate of titles, this is an imprint going project by project to bring the best stories they can deliver to Amazing readers.
That first book caught my attention immediately. Disciple will see Quesada co-writing with Charles Dorfman, art by Wade Von Grawbadger (a long-time favorite of mine), and colors by Isanove (also a long-time favorite). In a press release afterward, Quesada explained the book thusly:
“The true origin of Disciple came about when I met Charles Dorfman, a talented writer with a passion for graphic storytelling. Charles pitched an adaptation of Hamlet, which sparked a creative journey that led to the unique version of Disciple we have today. This project blends Shakespearean elements with contemporary genres, creating a rich, mythological world for our readers to explore that begins as a prequel to the original, set in a whole new world.”
At the Mad Cave booth today, copies of Disciple: Quarto, a short preview edition, will be available while supplies last and again at New York Comic Con in October.
In that same press release, Jalabert talked about the partnership:
“Dupuis Publishing and Média-Participations are both very proud and excited by the editorial joint venture between our group and the formidable team of Mad Cave Studios to undertake an unprecedented and historical endeavor in the graphic novel space, banding together with comic book legend Joe Quesada and his Amazing Comics team to produce innovating creative content for the worldwide audience.”
Irwin added:
“Mad Cave isn’t just a comics company; we’re a publisher specializing in graphic storytelling. This collaboration with Joe and Dupuis allows us to break new ground worldwide and bring something fresh and exciting to the market.”
Quality over market share. If you build it, they will come. As I have — Mad Cave has not let me down yet. (And they also just won an Eisner for The Mushroom Knight, which must be read.)
I’m finishing up this post and heading over to the convention center for a conversation with Quesada, and hopefully soon with Dorfman. Promise me you’re starting with a riff off Shakespeare? Indeed, that dost be my jam. (But the book will not be in iambic pentameter.)
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