THE PÉREZ ARCHIVES PROJECT
3/29/01 7:46 pm
"THE PÉREZ ARCHIVES"
LOOKING FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Few modern comic book artists have garnered both the fan appreciation
and skill level of artist George Pérez, whose first mainstream comic work
appeared in 1974 in Marvel's Astonishing Tales. Pérez is famous (some
say infamous) for his work on books with large casts of characters,
including memorable runs on Avengers and Justice League of America, as
well as New Teen Titans, UltraForce, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Wonder Woman, and many other projects.
Since the early 1980s, comic writer and journalist Andy Mangels has kept
an archive of work by Pérez, and has published complete checklists of his
work in publications such as Focus on George Pérez and Amazing Heroes.
Mangels has interviewed Pérez for many magazines, including the
mammoth Comics Interview #50, as well as in spotlight panels at the
San Diego Comic Con.
This summer, at the 2001 San Diego Comic Con, Mangels will be
presenting a special publication dubbed "The Pérez Archives," as a
benefit for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF). The project will
include a complete checklist of every item which has featured artwork by
Pérez in the comic book field, the book publishing arena, licensing,
theatrical productions, and other areas. Currently, the book is planned at
approximately 100 pages, with a very small print run.
"The Archives book will also feature a selection of artwork by George,"
says Mangels, "including convention sketches, unpublished pages from
previous projects such as JLA/Avengers and a Teen Titans graphic novel,
pin-ups, covers, character designs, and more."
This latter area is where Mangels is looking for help from fans and
collectors throughout the world. "When he has attended conventions,
George has often done sketches for fans, and sold original artwork. For a
short time, he also did commissioned sketches by mail. I am looking for
high-quality photocopies of ALL Pérez artwork for this project, and for the
main archives I maintain. This would include any convention sketches as
well as cover artwork, pin-ups, or interior pages which George has
pencilled or inked." Mangels notes that editors or writers who have
worked with George in the past are also asked to contribute any
materials which might help the project.
In 2000, Pérez was awarded the Defender of Liberty Award by the CBLDF
for raising a large amount of money for the organization, mainly by
producing the afore-mentioned sketches at their convention tables. "I am
truly flattered and amazed by all the work that my friend Andy Mangels
has done in producing this massive checklist," the Pérez says about the
Archives project. "There are items listed here that I'd all but forgotten.
From the famous to the obscure, from the better to the worse, it's all
here in one impressive volume."
"While my ego is definitely stroked by this project," Pérez continues, "I
am more excited about the money this could raise for the Comic Book
Legal Defense Fund, an organization near and dear to my heart and one
that deserves the support of everyone who has ever read and enjoyed a
comic book. Without the freedom of creative expression, comics, like all
art forms, are an endangered species."
"For those who've enjoyed my work throughout the years this is a book
you'll want to have. For those, like me, who simply love the comics,
CBLDF is the group you'll want to support."
Anyone who wishes to contribute artwork to "The Pérez Archives" is asked
to make high-quality photocopies or stats of the work at 8.5x11" size,
and send them to Mangels at the following address:
A.M. Publications, PO Box 3226, Portland, OR 97208-3226.
Those wishing to find out further information about the project as it gets
closer to publication may email Mangels at XFsWriter@aol.com.
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