Joe Quesada
Joe Quesada | |
---|---|
Midtown Comics Times Square in Manhattan | |
Born | Joseph Quesada January 12, 1962 New York City, U.S. |
Area(s) | Writer, Penciller, Editor |
Awards | 1993 Diamond Gem Award for Best Cover[1] Inkpot Award (2014)[2] |
Spouse(s) | Nanci Quesada |
Children | 1 |
Joseph Quesada (
In 1998 he became an editor of Marvel Comics'
Early life
Quesada was born in New York City to Cuban-born parents, and grew up in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens,[4] 15 blocks from Shea Stadium, which his father help build as part of the construction crew.[5] The first comic book he became an ardent fan of was The Amazing Spider-Man, which he began reading around issue #98,[6] the last issue of a historic[7] anti-drug storyline, which garnered his father's approval. As the character resonated with him (in part because both grew up in Queens), Spider-Man remains a character he particularly enjoys drawing.[6]
Quesada majored in illustration at the
Career
Writer and artist
Quesada's comics career began in 1990 when he was hired by DC Comics on the basis of his 12-page portfolio, which was composed of three three-page sequences, plus a cover for each. These included a Superman story intended to show reviewers from DC Comics that he could handle their characters; an X-Men sequence to display both his ability to depict the characters of Marvel Comics and his ability to handle groups of characters; and a vignette of two people having coffee, which Quesada included to show his ability to illustrate non-superhero stories.[9]
Among Quesada's earliest widely distributed work was for
Later, Quesada and his inking partner Jimmy Palmiotti, formed a publishing company, Event Comics,[6] and co-created Ash, a firefighter with superpowers.[13][14] Quesada cites his editorial experience with Event, and the creators he formed relationships with during that period as that which best prepared him for the later role of Marvel's editor in chief.[6]
Marvel Comics
Marvel Knights
In 1998, Marvel Comics, which had just filed for
Editor-in-chief
Two and a half years after starting Marvel Knights, Joe Quesada became editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics[6] in 2000, following Bob Harras's departure from the company. At the same time, Bill Jemas succeeded to the presidency of the company. The relationship culminated in the establishment of the Ultimate line of Marvel titles, which were aimed at new readers and took place outside of the restrictive continuity of the Marvel Universe.[16]
In the mid-2000s, Quesada imposed a moratorium on the practice of creatively bringing back characters thought to be dead, known as "dead is dead." In a January 2008 interview in which he was questioned about numerous characters that had since been resurrected, Quesada clarified that the policy was for writers to exercise forethought and caution before killing off characters or resurrecting them, so that such plots were not produced too frequently or without gravitas, and not that it be entirely prohibited.[17]
Joe Quesada's predecessor as Marvel editor-in-chief, Bob Harras, canceled and restarted all of Marvel's titles that were not either
Quesada was involved in the creation of three successful Marvel imprints:[19]
- Marvel Knights, aimed at telling standalone tales, with Jimmy Palmiotti (before his tenure as editor-in-chief)
- MAX, aimed at adult-only readers, with Brian Michael Bendis
- Ultimate, aimed at new readers, with Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Millar
Critics of Quesada's policy of emphasizing trade paperbacks charge that they cannibalize monthly comic book sales, because readers may opt to forgo monthly series in order to wait for the cheaper collections, not realizing that monthly sales are an indicator to publishers of interest in such collections.[20]
When confronted with a backlash by fans due to his decision to dictate a controversial
In June 2009 Quesada began writing a weekly column for Comic Book Resources called "Cup O' Joe", in which he answers questions every Friday from readers or provides information on Marvel projects.[24]
On February 10, 2010, Quesada issued a public apology for the content of Captain America #602, which had drawn condemnation from national Tea Party leaders, for its depiction of an apparent Tea Party protest, and the black superhero Falcon, reacting to it by saying that he would not be welcomed by a crowd of "angry white folks." Also at issue was the slogans on some of the signs held by the protestors. Quesada stated that future reprints of that story would have the offending material omitted.[25][26]
Chief Creative Officer and continued art
On June 2, 2010, Marvel announced that it promoted Joe Quesada to
On January 4, 2011, Quesada stepped down as editor-in-chief, and was replaced by Axel Alonso. After being given the additional job of CCO, in 2010, Quesada explained to Comic Book Resources, "With my increased travel schedule over the last year plus, I've only been able to work with the publishing division in a more macro sense, or as you put it, a more, "big picture," sense. During this time, Tom and Axel have been handling the more detailed functions of the stories within our comics. My role has been one in which I work on the larger stories and the overall flavor and feel of our books and universe."[28][29]
Quesada later elaborated on this decision in a 2011 interview with Visual Arts Journal, a publication of his alma mater, the
With the October 2019 Marvel reorganization that named Kevin Feige as Chief Creative Officer across Marvel Entertainment and Marvel Studios, he would continue to work for Marvel Entertainment with his position re-titled as executive vice president and creative director for Marvel Entertainment.[30] On May 31, 2022, Quesada announced he would part ways with Marvel.[31]
After leaving Marvel, Quesada was recruited to
Techniques and materials
When illustrating, Quesada begins with sketches much smaller than the actual size at which he will render the final drawing. He employs a Cintiq
Media appearances
In Kevin Smith's 1995 film Mallrats Quesada is credited as an artist for the opening sequence featuring fictional comic books covers. He also appears in the closing scene of Smith's Chasing Amy, alongside frequent collaborator and inker Jimmy Palmiotti, signing comic books at a convention. He later appeared as a pizza delivery man in Smith's 2001 film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.[35]
Quesada was one of a number of comics creators that appeared in Once Upon A Time The Super Heroes, a 2002 documentary about the creation and evolution of comic book superheroes.[36]
Quesada voices Joe, the owner of the "Q's Cup O' Joe" coffee shop, in the 2017 Spider-Man animated series. The character is modeled after Quesada.[37]
Awards
- 1993: Diamond Gem Award for Best Cover, for X-O Manowar #0[1]
Personal life
Quesada lives with his wife, Nanci and their daughter, Carlie, in a loft in the Flatiron District.[5][38]
Quesada is a fan of the New York Mets.[5]
Bibliography
DC Comics
- Azrael/Ash(1997)
- Batman: Sword of Azrael, miniseries, #1–4 (1992–1993)
- QuestionQuarterly #3, 5 (1991–1992)
- The Ray, miniseries, #1–6 (1992)
- Spelljammer #8–13, 15 (1991)
Covers
- Batman #500 (1993)
Marvel Comics
- The Amazing Spider-Man #544–545, 601 (full art); #639–641 (along with Paolo Rivera, also writer) (2007–2010)
- Daredevil, Vol. 2, #1–11, 13–14 (full art); #50 (among other artists) (1998–2003); #12 (writer) (2000)
- Daredevil: Father, miniseries, (also as writer) #1–6 (2004–2007)
- Deathlok, Vol. 4, #1 (2013)
- Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #24 (2007)
- Iron Man, Vol. 3, #26–35, Annual 2000 (writer) (2000)
- Marvel Knights Double Shot (Punisher) #1 (2002)
- Midnight Sons Unlimited #1 (1993)
- Marvel Legacy #1, (with Jason Aaron and various artists, Marvel, 2017)
- Miracleman #1–2 (cover only, 2014)
- NYX, miniseries, #1–7 (writer) (2003–2005)
- The Sensational Spider-Man, Vol. 2 #41 (2007)
- Sleepwalker #12 (1992)
- What The--?! #13 (1991)
- X-Factor #87-90, 92; Annual #7 (1992–1993)
- X-51 #87–92; Annual Vol. 1, #1 (1999)
Covers
- 2099 A.D., Vol. 1, #1, #3 (variant cover only, 1995)
- Adventures of the Thing, Vol. 1 #3 (1992)
- A Moment of Silence, Vol. 1, #1 (2002)
- Age of Ultron, Vol. 1, #10 (variant cover only, 2013)
- The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1, #592–594 (2009) #545, 601, 638–641, 656, 700 (variant cover only, 2008–2012)
- The Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows, Vol. 1, #5 (variant cover only, 2015)
- Avenging Spider-Man, Vol. 1, #1 (variant cover only, 2011)
- Avengers Assemble, Vol. 2, #9 (2012)
- Avengers vs. X-MenInfinite #1 (2012)
- Avengers vs. X-Sanction, Vol. 1, #1 (2012)
- Angela Asgard's Assassin, Vol. 1, #1 (2014)
- Cage, Vol. 1, #1 (2016)
- Black Panther#1 (1998–2003)
- Cable and X-Force, Vol. 1, #1 (variant cover only, 2012)
- Captain America, Vol. 7, #1 (variant cover only, 2012)
- Life of Captain Marvel, Vol. 2, #1 #3 (variant cover only, 2018)
- Daredevil, Vol. 5, #1,#600 (variant cover only, 2015)
- Darth Vader, Vol. 1, #25 (variant cover only, 2015)
- Deathlok, Vol. 3, #1 (variant cover only, 1999)
- Doctor Strange #1–2 (variant cover only, 2013)
- Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, #600/Vol. 4 #1 (variant cover only, 2011)
- Siege #1–4 (variant cover only, 2010)
- Spider-Man: Get Kraven #1–5 (Marvel, 2002–2003)
- The New Avengers #1 (variant cover only, 2005)
- The Superior Spider-Man, Vol. 1, #1 (Marvel, 2013–2014)
- Venom #1, (2011–2013)
- Wolverine #29; #33 (2006)
- Wolverine: Origins #1–8, #13–15 (Marvel, 2003–2009)
- X-Factor, Vol. 1, #92 (Marvel, 2005)
Other publishers
- Ash #1, 1/2 (also writer) (Event, 1994–1997)
- Ash: The Fire Within, miniseries, #2 (also writer) (Event, 1997)
- Deathmate: Epilogue (Image, 1994)
- Commando #4944 (DC Thomson) (full art)
- Ninjak #1–3 (Valiant, 1994)
- Painkiller Jane #1 (writer) (Dynamite, 2006)
- Painkiller Jane Zero #0 (writer) (Event, 1999)
- X-O Manowar #0 (Valiant, 1993)
References
- ^ Spiderwebart. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ Inkpot Award
- ^ Comics Buyer's Guide #1650; February 2009; page 107
- ^ Jennings, Dana. "New York Action Hero". The New York Times. November 23, 2003. Retrieved May 28, 2009. "Mr. Quesada also falls squarely in comics' up-by-your-bootstraps, Ellis Island lineage. He grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens (Spider-Man's home borough), the comics-seduced child of Cuban immigrants."
- ^ a b c Mala, Elisa (September 30, 2011). "Espresso and the Incredible Hulk". The New York Times. September 30, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glaser, Brian. "Q+A: Joe Quesada". Visual Arts Journal. School of Visual Arts. Fall 2011. pp. 50–55.
- ^ Cronin, Brian (September 24, 2009). "Comic Book Legends Revealed #226". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012.
- ^ "In the Press: Joe Quesada in The New York Times" Archived November 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. School of Visual Arts. October 12, 2011
- ^ "Joe Quesada on How to Succeed as an Artist on Marvel LIVE! at San Diego Comic-Con 2016". Marvel Entertainment/YouTube. 6:56 mark. July 21, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^ Weiland, Jonah. "Father and Child Reunion: Joe Quesada's 'Daredevil: Father'". Comic Book Resources. February 2, 2004
- ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9.
Longtime DC writer/editor Jack C. Harris reworked the Golden Age character of the Ray into a new hero, assisted by future superstar artist Joe Quesada.
- ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 255: "Azrael, one of the most important characters of the modern Batman mythos, was dropped right under the noses of an unsuspecting reading populace in the debut issue of Batman: Sword of Azrael by esteemed bat-scribe Denny O'Neil, talented young penciler Joe Quesada, and inker extraordinaire Kevin Nowlan."
- ^ Brady, Matt. "Josh Brolin in Line for Jonah Hex". Newsarama. October 10, 2008
- ^ Ash Omnibus. Barnes & Noble. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
- ^ Stone, Sam (April 30, 2020). "Daredevil: How Smith, Quesada & Palmiotti Saved the Man Without Fear". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Ultimate Bill Jemas & Joe Quesada, Part I". Comic Book Resources. November 4, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ Weiland, Jonah (January 28, 2008). "The 'One More Day' Interview with Joe Quesada - The Fans". Comic Book Resources.
- ^ This was also later done with Daredevil, as well as with Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America for each books' respective 600th issues. In the case of Avengers, this reversion to the "original" numbering was short-lived; at writer Brian Michael Bendis's request, Avengers ended with issue 502 and was almost immediately restarted as New Avengers.
- ^ "Exclusive: Interview with Joe Quesada Part 1". Comic Book Daily. September 7, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ David, Peter (October 21, 2003). "WHAT'CHA WANNA KNOW?". peterdavid.net. Writer Peter David expressed this sentiment in a question-and-answer thread on his blog, in response to an October 21, 2003, 5:45 a.m. post.
- ^ Weiland, Jonah (January 2, 2008). "The "One More Day" Interviews with Joe Quesada, Pt. 3 of 5". Comic Book Resources.
- ^ Khouri, Andy (October 13, 2008). "DeFalco Confirms Amazing Spider-Girl Cancellation". Comic Book Resources.
- ^ "Spider-Girl Returns In Marvel Digital Comics". Comic Book Resources. March 18, 2009
- ^ Quesada, Joe (June 12, 2009). "Joe Quesada Joins CBR!" Comic Book Resources.
- Fox News Channel. February 10, 2010.
- ^ Itzkoff, Dave. "Stars and Gripes: Tea Party Protests Captain America Comic". The New York Times. February 10, 2010
- ^ "Marvel's JOE QUESADA Promoted to Chief Creative Officer". Newsarama. June 2, 2010
- ^ Moore, Matt. "Marvel Promotes Axel Alonso to Editor-in-Chief". ABC News. January 4, 2011
- ^ Phegley, Kiel. "Alonso Named Marvel Editor-In-Chief". Comic Book Resources. January 4, 2011
- ^ Otterson, Joe (October 15, 2019). "Kevin Feige Named Chief Creative Officer of Marvel". Variety. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ComicBook.com. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (March 30, 2023). "Amazon Recruits Former Marvel Bigwig in Push for Comic Book Films, TV Series". The Hollywood Reporter. PMRC.
- ^ Quesada, Joe (June 12, 2009). "The Making of the Cover for 'Amazing Spider-Man' #593". CBR.com.
- ^ "Cup O' Doodles" Archives. CBR.com. January 10, 2011. Archived October 17, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Pappu, Sridhar (April 29, 2002). "As the $139 million Spider-Man debuts in movie theaters, Joe Quesada, the trash-talking editor in chief of Marvel Comics, spins". The New York Observer. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "Once Upon A Time The Super Heroes". 2002. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2012 – via YouTube.
- ^ Dinh, Christine (July 15, 2017). "PREMIERE DATE AND VOICE CAST FOR NEW ANIMATED SERIES 'MARVEL'S SPIDER-MAN' ANNOUNCED AT D23 EXPO". Marvel Comics.
- ^ Quesada, Joe (September 24, 2010). "Marvel T&A: Tributes & Teasers". CBR.com.
External links
- Quesada's homepage
- Joe Quesada at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Joe Quesada at IMDb
- Joe Quesada's blog on Marvel.com