THE COMPLETE GEORGE PEREZ
April 6, 2001
The Pérez Archives Benefits CBLDF
Big art, big heart.
Artist George Pérez is well known for bringing some of comics' biggest moments to the page. Heck, he's the guy who'll be drawing the DC/Marvel JLA/Avengers crossover, and he once penciled 562 characters for DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths hardcover without batting an eye.
Pérez is also well known for helping others. He serves on the board of directors of ACTOR (A Commitment To Our Roots), a fund that provides aid to old-time comic creators in need; he's been awarded the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's "Defender of Liberty" award for his fund-raising efforts there.
This summer, the two sides of George Pérez come together. The Pérez Archives, a special publication benefiting the CBLDF, will be available at July's San Diego ComiCon.
Since the early 1980s, comic writer Andy Mangels has kept an archive of work by Pérez and maintained complete checklists of his work. The Pérez Archives will catalogue every item that 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.
"The Archives book will also feature a selection of artwork by George," said Mangels, "including convention sketches, unpublished pages from previous projects, pin-ups, covers, character designs, and more."
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 noted that editors or writers who have worked with George in the past are also asked to contribute any materials which might help the project.
"I am truly flattered and amazed by all the work that my friend Andy Mangels has done in producing this massive checklist," Pérez said 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."
But Pérez says the best part lies in the charitable aspect. "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 1/2" X 11" size, and send them to Mangels at:
A.M. Publications, PO Box 3226, Portland, OR 97208-3226.
