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As you may or may not know, DC Comics have signed artist David Finch from Marvel to an exclusive contract for the next two years. Rumors(ignited by previous convention panel discussions) have been circulating that he's going to be working on a Batman related title. Personally, I think he'll end up on Justice League with either Geoff Johns or James Robinson writing. Finch's signing is relevant because he's the first of what seems to be a raid of talent by DC Comics. Now comes word that a second artist will be coming to DC exclusively via Marvel. What's more interesting(and relevant) is Bleeding Cool's Rich Johnston is saying that this new artist is going to be working on this Grant Morrison Wonder Woman project!!
Now before we get too excited, Rich brings us down a level by also saying that said artist still has some (months worth of) work to finish up at Marvel. Rich also says "As a result the Wonder Woman Morrison run has had to be delayed until he is free." Am I the only one who think that's perfectly okay? Here's the way I see it:
- Mystery Artist has lets say 5 months of work to complete at Marvel.
- But in 7 months time, we have the grand daddy of all comic conventions, San Diego Comic Con. Giving Mystery Artist 2 months to work on something of a start for the Amazon princess.
- San Diego Comic Con is also home of the major announcements. If Mystery Artist is anything worth bragging about, then we'll have an announcement way before then. But here's the idea. DC holds off on naming the project. Its David Finch all over again. You tease the fans with the initial "steal" of Mystery Artist, and withhold what project he'll be working on.
- Announce Mystery Artist on Wonder Woman in early July. When SDCC rolls around, you promote the lining out of that book! By then, Mystery Artist would have had at least 2 months of solid work put into the series, so delays be damned! If 3 months ahead of schedule is all JH Williams needs, then that should be the DC Comics standard for their artists.
- Also of note, giving half of 2010 to Gail Simone is a good way of ending her run. "WarKiller" was a great arc for the most part and 5 months should be enough to cap off anything she had left undone, right?
Now that we have the reveal planned, lets take a look at the positives once more. Rich goes on to say "Grant really really wants him." OH BOY! The only artists (that we know) Grant Morrison drools over are Frank Quitely, Cameron Stewart, and Frazer Irving. That's damn good company there Mystery Artist, you should be proud. Another positive?
"how about – this is not the first time the artist will have worked with Grant Morrison…"-Rich Johnston
AND THE HUNT BEGINS!!!!!!!!!!! Lets quickly look at what we think we know so far:
1. Grant Morrison really wants this artist and is willing to wait.
2. Works at Marvel now, and will be for the next few months.
3. Has worked with Grant Morrison before.
Now a (very) quick check of Grant Morrison's bibliography points me immediately to his New X-Men work which featured too many artists, and where some Marvel artists would still be around. One name that caught my eye is Chris Bachalo. Now this isn't any sort of confirmation, but its certainly a good look for DC Comics. As far as I've heard, the guy is great. And looking some of his inked pages (by Tim Townsend), there's no questioning his talent....but is he good for Diana? That, I'm not sure of. Although for all those keeping score, that's who I'd bet my money on. The again, I was all too sure that Ethan Van Sciver was a sure thing.
Who else could DC take from Marvel that has worked with Grant previously?