PEREZ TO END AVENGERS RUN
Wednesday, May 31, 2000

George Perez told The Continuum Tuesday night that upon the termination of his contract with Marvel Comics in July, he will not be continuing as artist of Avengers. His final issue will be Avengers #34.

"The primary reason for my decision is because I need to get my health back to normal," Perez told The Continuum. "My most recent check-up indicated that my blood pressure was still elevated and my blood sugar levels -- I'm a Type -2 diabetic -- are still too high. I need to establish a more aggressive exercise routine and lower my stress. In order to accomplish that I have to get out of the monthly grind for a while.

"I have received many offers from various companies and I've already lined up enough work to keep me busy for over a year. There's also the remote possibility that I could remain on Avengers for a little longer in a diminished capacity -- doing layouts for another penciller as I did years ago for Kerry Gammill on Action Comics -- to help finish the stories Kurt (Busiek, Avengers writer) and I started, but that's a decision that Kurt and editor Tom Brevoort would have to make depending on who would immediately follow me.

"I've had a good run on Avengers and will miss working on the characters, but even the best things end sooner or later. I apologize to the fans who were hoping I'd stay on longer, and up until last week that was my intention, but priorities needed to be made."

Perez said Avengers #34 will be a double-sized issue. "So I should go out with a bang," he said.

Perez said he will be continuing on his Crimson Plague book from Image Comics and Gorilla Comics and will be announcing his future plans shortly.

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