"The Pérez Archives" Project 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. 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says Mangels, "including convention sketches, unpublished pages from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, 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.
