When DC Comics Fell For Jae Lee

[Rich Johnston]

Amid all the Before Watchmen hype, the appointment of Jae Lee as the artist on theOzymandias series is an interesting development, if only because for years, he has been considereda Marvel and an Image boy -- and mostly Marvel at that.He's basically had just one DC book --Jekyll And Hyde -- from seven years ago.

His work for Marvel with Paul Jenkins --The Inhumans and The Sentry --were incredibly well reviewed titles, giving Marvel their first Eisner win for years. His work for Stephen King's Dark Tower saw him become the most successful Marvel artist in trade paperback and hardcover form.

Then, last year, he basically disappeared from Marvel -- quietly and without any fuss. All we saw were the illustrations for Stephen King's new Dark Tower novel. And now we know what he's been working on all this time.

Jae did much of his high profile work with colourist Jose Villarubia, including The Inhumans, Hellshock and The Sentry. Jose is also a long time collaborator of Alan Moore, working on Mirror Of Love and Promethea.

I wonder what he makes of the whole affair?

[CammyKnoxville]

I love it when artists disappear for long periods of time, work on something secret, don't go blabbing about what their project is, then come outta nowhere and deliver. Secrets are sexy. I look forward to seeing what Lee does with it.

[Roho]

Then, last year, he basically disappeared from Marvel

I think he did not disappear but he stopped doing sequential work, he did covers for Marvel as recently as Wolverine 16:
WOLVERINE 16 | Marvel Images | Downloads & Extras | Marvel.com

And Dynamite:
Product Details: Kirby Genesis Silver Star #3 lee cover

Also I think it is interesting to point out that he did not finish the Jekyll and Hyde series I think they had Sean Phillips finish the miniseries
DC Comics | Graphic Novels

[Comicsfan101]

Lee's work on the Dark Tower series has been amazing. Definitely looking forward to seeing what he does here.

[Wallabee Champ]

This is the only announcement that disappointed me. I have just about all of Lee's work except for a few Image books and I enjoy seeing his art. But I won't be buying this. I'd *much* rather see something original from him again. Hellshock was too long ago....

[pulpfriction]

Even for Bleeding Cool, this was an extremely poorly-written story.

[OMAR]

Even for Bleeding Cool, this was an extremely poorly-written story.

Gee, why would you say that?

Working with Paul Jenkins, The Inhumans and The Sentry were incredibly well reviewed titles, giving Marvel their first Eisner win for years, and his work for Stephen King's Dark Tower saw him become the most successful Marvel artist in trade paperback and hardcover form.

[ahlhelm]

This is quite the grab for DC. Jae's a great talent and was basically ignored by Marvel as soon as he started on Dark Tower, a series that after its first incarnation, seemed to be a success despite Marvel's best effort to ignore it.

[JPalmer567]

"Jae did much of his high profile work with colourist Jose Villarubia, including The Inhumans, Hellshock and The Sentry. Jose is also a long time collaborator of Alan Moore, working on Mirror Of Love and Promethea.

I wonder what he makes of the whole affair?"

Rich, you might try contacting him to ask. He isn't difficult to find.

[Mike H.]

Is there supposed to be some sort of play on words going on with the title of this article? It sounds to me like DC simply hired Jae to draw a book for them because he's a good artist with a solid track record and not because they're enamored somehow.