Buckingham contributes to Gaiman story

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Ellis called the following an updated "partial" list...

Chris Weston, Matt Howarth, Carla "Speed" McNeil, Michael Avon Oeming, Cameron Stewart, Steve Pugh, Jacen Burrows, Brian Michael Bendis, Steve Lieber, Jill Thompson, Eric Shanower, Judd Winick, Phil Winslade, Mark Buckingham and Paul Pope.

Source: Delphi Message Forum

Here's an excerpt of the interview:

Craig Lemon: "Miracleman was certainly a labor of love for you, would you say that that is the work you are most proud of?"

Mark Buckingham: "Well, I used to say that, yes. The excitement of youth, the freshness of being let loose to do my own thing on the art, I felt I was capable of anything on this book. But, in reality, I'm never really proud of any existing piece of work - my best work is always the next thing I do."

For the whole interview click here

Source: Silver Bullet Comics

The Sandman Presents: The Deadboy Detectives, a mini-series by writer Ed Brubaker and artists Bryan Talbot and Steve Leialoha, will begin the spring. The mini-series features The Sandman characters Mad Hettie and Hob Gadling. The book is described by DC as "a Hardy Boys-meets-Philip-Marlowe detective yarn that combines elements of Harry Potter with a tongue-in-cheek hard-boiled style."

The Sandman Presents: The Thessaliad will be written by Bill Willingham and illustrated by Shawn McManus. Thessaly (from The Sandman: A Game of You) is known for her ruthless yet practical approach to magic. For the first time in history, the most powerful Thessalian witch meets her match.

Some important questions are addressed in the 48-page one-shot The Sandman Presents: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Dreams But Were Afraid to Ask, written by Willingham with artwork by Kevin Nowlan, Mark Buckingham, Jason Little, Duncan Fegredo and others. This book addresses several oft-asked questions regarding the nature of Dreams and The Dreaming in a series of humorous vignettes featuring Nuala, Merv, Lucien, Goldie, Gregory, and other inhabitants of the Dreaming.

Other projects in development feature such characters as The Corinthian and The Furies.

Source: Comics Contiuum

The 48-page book will feature a cover by Frank Miller and art by Eddie Campbell, Matt Wagner, Kevin Nowlan, Mark Buckingham, Jason Little, John Totleben, Jim Aparo, Mike Allred, Eric Shanower, Arthur Adams, and Terry Austin.

Source: Comics Continuum

Source: Your Man @ Marvel

Mervyn Pumpkinhead, Agent of Dream will be a 48-page prestige format book written by Willingham and drawn by Mark Buckingham (Titans). Willingham said that in the spirit of a comic featuring a carved pumpkin as its main character, it's planned for release just before Halloween of this year. Willingham described the story:

"A new character named Quivering Annie, the archetype of erotic dreams, escapes from The Dreaming after stealing something powerful from the palace. Merv is sent into the waking world to bring her back. Along the way he gets embroiled in an elaborate plot to take over the world, terror on the high seas, secret meetings of the lost colony of Roanoke, the destruction of one of history's great monuments, travel to exotic places, sex, danger, car chases, gun battles and shark attacks. All the standard stuff."

The special began it's life as a two-issue story in The Dreaming, to give readers a story that would contrast the usual mood of the title.

"Since the main writer of that series, Caitlin R. Kiernan tends towards stories of a dark and gothic nature, I thought mine should go pretty radically against that, as if to clear the pallet between large servings of heavy food. For that reason, Shelly Roeberg (the editor of The Dreaming) and I started tossing ideas around about some of the sillier members of The Dreaming cast," Willingham said.

"Fortunately there were a goodly number of silly characters to choose from and ideas aplenty were tossed, bounced, dropped, scattered, fumbled and otherwise spread around her office," he continued. "At one point Shelly mentioned something along the lines of Merv Pumpkinhead as a dashing and seductive secret agent, along the lines of that James Bond feller. The notion was too ridiculous not to try, so I did. Then somewhere along the line Paul Levitz (DC high mucky-muck) got wind of the story and suggested it be a one-shot prestige issue, rather than two normal issues of The Dreaming. For some reason his suggestions seem to carry some weight at that company, so we went with it."

Readers will still be getting some lighthearted moments between Kiernan's stories, however, as Willingham has also written a tale about the heroic adventures of a brave and daring assistant librarian. That story, called "The Further Adventures of Danny Nod," is scheduled for The Dreaming #55.

Source: Psycomic

YM@M: How did it feel to be asked to draw the world-famous wall-crawler?

MARK BUCKINGHAM: It's a great honor. I read my first Spider-Man comic when I was six years old and ever since I've dreamt that I might one day draw him. This is a key moment for me in my career and for the first times since my days on Miracleman, I feel I'm able to really show what I'm made of as an artist.

YM@M: What's your favorite thing about drawing the web-head?

MARK BUCKINGHAM: Spidey is the most energetic and athletic character in comics. How can you not enjoy drawing a hero whose feet never touch the ground? Walls and ceilings are much more fun! Also, Spidey also has one of the best costumes in comics. His mask is simple, distinctive and instantly recognizable, and yet it can also be very expressive.

YM@M: Okay, here's a two-parter:
a) Who do you look to for inspiration as you begin your run on Spider-Man?
b) Who is your favorite Spider-Man artist?

MARK BUCKINGHAM: a) For inspiration, I'd have to say Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Mike Mignola, Steve Rude, and John Romita. I've also been delving into my own early work to help shake off some of my more recent influences. I really want my Spider-Man to be fresh and original. I have also been following the Spider-books, particularly closely since they were relaunched... and for those looking for comparisons, I see my work as taking the immediacy and organic bounce of John Byrne's work and combining it with the atmosphere and pacing of John Romita Jr.'s.

b) A difficult decision... but Steve Ditko and John Romita are high on the list. More recently I also enjoyed Mike Wieringo on Sensational Spider-Man and Byrne on Amazing.

YM@M: What kinds of stories and/or characters are you looking forward to drawing?

MARK BUCKINGHAM: I can't wait to draw some of Spidey's great villains like the Green Goblin, Sandman, and the Vulture. But Paul Jenkins and I are also keen to explore Peter Parker's character in more detail. More than ever, I want Peter to be the hero every reader can identify with.

Flash forward a month later, and Jenkins is holding true to his word. Marvel's online Yourman@Marvel announced today that Jenkins, along with former Titans penciler Mark Buckingham are the new creative team of Peter Parker: Spider-Man as of June's issue #20.

"About a month ago I was telling anyone who'd listen that there was no way I was going to take on any new books, not for a long while," Jenkins said. "I can remember casually mentioning that if offered, I'd possibly write Spider-Man because I feel that character is so full of potential. He's such a tragic figure because he's striving to rectify a mistake he once made - namely the death of his Uncle Ben - but there's no way he can make up for it. The only way would be to somehow bring Uncle Ben back to life, and that can't happen. But this poor guy, he's going to keep trying no matter what... and while he's at it, he'll take the occasional moment to thumb his nose at all the obstacles placed in his way. What a great character."

"So, of course, who should call me up but the bold Ralph Macchio to ask me if I'm interested in writing Spidey on a monthly basis. The rotten swine. Sleep is overrated anyway."

"To me, it's all about character, character, character," Jenkins continued. "There are certain elements that should always be in a Spidey comic: action, humor, fisticuffs, bad guys with outrageous costumes, crazy futuristic weaponry, boatloads of gorgeous women... and Aunt May's meat loaf. So, never fear, those elements will be in the book. But if anyone has ever read my stuff they'll know I feel it's very important to take time to understand the characters."

Asked what kind of stories he's like to tell, Jenkins replied, "I want Doctor Octopus to dress up in a snorkel and flippers and a tutu and take up swing dancing. Seriously, I'm planning on telling more single-issue and two-issue stories than are currently appearing in the Spidey books. My stories will mostly resolve pretty quickly. If Howard Mackie continues the current intrigue with Senator Ward and the stalker and so on over in Amazing Spider-Man, then people will have two types of quite different Spidey books to choose from. I think that's a good thing."

Yourman did not address how this move will affect Amazing Spider-Man. Loyal readers are aware the artist John Romita Jr. recently left Thor to become the penciler of both monthly Spider-Man titles. With Buckingham now onboard Peter Parker, could rumors that Amazing could turn into a regular bi-weekly title with the creative team of Howard Mackie and Romita be accurate? Romita has announced his first five Spidey issues will be consecutive bi-weeklyy issues of Amazing...

We'll bring you details as we get them...

Source: Daily Buzz

Faerber Regular on Titans

Jay Faerber said he will join Devin Grayson as regular co-writer of DC Comics' The Titans as of issue 17, which ships in May. Faerber also said that Mark Buckingham's last issue as artist will be The Titans #16. Adam DeKraker is drawing #17-19.

Faerber also writes Marvel's New Warriors and will be handling two teams at the same time for a second time (he used to write Marvel's Generation X). But he said he'll have no problems with all of The Titans characters.

"I've been reading Titans longer than any other comic. I know 'em like the back of my hand," Faerber said.

Source: Daily Buzz

No More Titans for Mark Buckingham