This one's been in the making for quite a while, and now just in time for MoCCA, Marvel has released details on its upcoming anthology of independent comics creators. Announced by Heidi at The Beat earlier today, Strange Tales MAX is a three-issue miniseries that kicks off in September. Contributors to the first issue include Paul Pope (who is doing the cover), Peter Bagge, Molly Crabapple and John Leavitt, Junko Mizuno, Dash Shaw, James Kochalka, Johnny Ryan, Michael Kupperman, Nick Bertozzi, Nicholas Gurewich and Jason.
Other creators whose work has been previewed in past months, like Paul Hornschemeier and Jim Rugg, must be contributing to subsequent issues.
You can get a glimpse of Shaw's "Dr. Strange vs. Nightmare," and read the full press release, after the break:
Marvel Comics is proud to announce the release of Strange Tales MAX #1 (of 3) in September 2009, featuring the most acclaimed creators in independent comics today! This landmark three issue limited series, overflowing with 48 pages of all new stories, features your favorite Marvel heroes—from Spider-Man to the Hulk—like you’ve never seem them before! Paul Pope, Peter Bagge, Molly Crabapple &John Leavitt, Junko Mizuno, Dash Shaw, James Kochalka, Johnny Ryan, Michael Kupperman, Nick Bertozzi, Nicholas Gurewich, Jason and more unite for the all-new Strange Tales MAX!
Just what does Peter Bagge have planned in “The Incorrigible Hulk,” a story so incredible that we had to serialize it over all three issues? Will Spider-Man make it out alive of Jason’s thrilling story? This first issue comes wrapped in a marvel-ous cover by Paul Pope and Jose Villarubia!
“Flat out, this is the apex of human artistic achievement. This is it. The end. The crowning result of tens of millions of years of evolution, right here, in three packed-to-the-gills issues,” said Editor John Barber. “The philosophy of the book was to have these creators from ‘indy’ or ‘alternative’ or “literary” or ‘art’ comics come in and do what they do best. I think Marvel readers will really dig seeing radically different versions of their favorite characters, and the fans of these cartoonists will get to see the creators work in a milieu they never thought they’d get to see. It’s win-win. It’s really the best of both worlds.”
Editor Jody LeHeup added, “This book is a metric ton of solid gold awesome. The talent we've got lined up are without hyperbole some of the greatest creative minds working in comics today. I mean, who wouldn't want to read a Spider-Man story by Jason? Or an Iron Man story by Tony Millionaire? Or anything by any of the contributors we've got attached to the project? I've been reading independent comics my whole life and I've always wanted to see what those creators could do with Marvel characters if they were given free reign to tell their stories. Well, now that vision's becoming a reality and I can't tell you what an incredibly special thing it is to see the final result. If you're a fan of comics of any school, do yourself a favor and pick this up.”
Now’s your chance to experience the Marvel Universe through the eyes of the best and brightest indie talents! Don’t miss Strange Tales MAX #1 in stores this fall!
STRANGE TALES MAX #1 (of 3)
Written and Drawn by: PAUL POPE, PETER BAGGE, MOLLY CRABAPPLE &JOHN LEAVITT, JUNKO MIZUNO, DASH SHAW, JAMES KOCHALKA, JOHNNY RYAN, MICHAEL KUPPERMAN, NICK BERTOZZI, NICHOLAS GUREWICH, AND JASON
Cover by PAUL POPE
Explicit Content …$3.99
On-Sale In September!