The second release from the Abrams ComicArts and Marvel Comics collaboration, Marvel Arts, will be Patrick McDonnell’s comic retrospective/memoir entitled The Super Hero’s Journey.
McDonnell (the creator of the syndicated comic strip Mutts) calls The Super Hero’s Journey “…my graphic novel love letter to the 1960s Marvel Super Heroes and their legendary creators. It was a childhood dream come true to have my art play along with the work of the great Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko. I tried my best to capture the magic, fun, and cosmic energy of those early comic book masterpieces in this arty mashup,”.
McDonnell incorporates panels from Silver Age Marvel comics written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Don Heck, and Vince Colletta and his own artwork into a story that expresses how comics changed his life and eventually led him to become a cartoonist.
In classic Marvel fashion, McDonnell’s story begins with Uatu, The Watcher observing the goings-on of Earth when he discovers Doctor Doom’s plan to spread negativity around the globe by taping into the energy from the Negative Zone. From there, Reed Richards (and McDonnell) embark on a meta journey through the pages of classic comic books and also across some familiar and unexpected scenes.
Editorial Director of Abrams ComicArts Charles Kochman sees McDonnell’s unique graphic novel as a continuation of their first project: Fantastic Four: Full Circle by Alex Ross, saying that “…we promised that Marvel Arts was a line ‘where nothing is impossible and anything can happen.’ With The Super Hero’s Journey, Patrick McDonnell delivers on that promise, creating something truly unique.”
The Super Hero’s Journey will be available in finer comic shops and book stores everywhere on September 26 (in a hardcover format) for a suggested retail price of $29.99.
Check out the cover below and stay tuned to Conskipper for all of your classic comic nostalgia needs.
