US publisher IDW Publishing has announced it will publish a special Artist's Editions of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen, produced under license from DC Entertainment.
For the first time ever, readers will be able to enjoy Gibbons' intricately designed and beautifully realized pages, as they never have before – as close as possible to how they looked on his drawing boards.
Also in the pipeline is a Artist's Edition of Jack Kirby's New Gods, offering fans of this US artist, whose art has influenced many creators down the years, the opportunity to see up close Kirby's energy and dynamic storytelling.
Jack Kirby's New Gods Artist's Edition will be released in March 2014 and feature five complete issues of Kirby's inaugural Fourth World book. Kirby, often called the King of Comics, is arguably the most important and influential US comics creator of all time. His work on New Gods, which he wrote as well as drew, clearly reinforces that notion. Filled with amazing imagery and giant concepts, this book will measure 12 x 17 inches.
The Dave Gibbons' Watchmen Artist's Edition will debut later in the year. Watchmen, by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, is the story most often cited as the greatest US graphic novel ever published. This Artist’s Edition will be atypical in that the stories will not be complete, and will be an Artifact Edition, the first released by IDW. It will be produced to the same exacting standards as an Artist's Edition, and will feature a cornucopia of individual pages and covers from Watchmen, each image a testament to Gibbons' elegant and nuanced style. This book will also measure 12 x 17 inches.
“IDW’s Artist’s Editions are among my very favorite comic art books of all time, so I’m thrilled that they’re publishing a Watchmen collection,” said series artist Dave Gibbons.
“We’re equally thrilled,” said IDW President Greg Goldstein. “Watchmen is obviously one of the most acclaimed and influential series of all time, and New Gods is arguably the greatest of Kirby’s works during his tenure at DC. It’s a true privilege to publish these books.”
“Wow,” added IDW editor Scott Dunbier, “there's not really a lot more to say, is there?”
IDW's Artist's Editions present complete stories with each page scanned from the actual original art.
While appearing to be in black and white, each page was scanned in color to mimic as closely as possible the experience of viewing the actual original art – for instance, corrections and blue pencils. Each page is printed the same size as drawn, and the paper selected is as close as possible to the original art board.
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics - Books, Comic Art, Comic Creator Spotlight, Creating Comics