Steranko envisions THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA
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the U.S.A., Captain America made a spectacular appearance at exactly the right
moment in 1941–when we urgently needed a new kind of hero to champion the cause
of American ideology. He was a powerful icon that dramatically represented the
national fighting spirit, one which endured even after WWII, when most
superheroes faded into cultural limbo.
Until September 11th.
For
the past 10 months, Americans have been exhibiting their patriotism in a
multitude of ways, from flags to bumper stickers to t-shirts. Their battle cry
has been echoed by renowned artist Jim Steranko who has reteamed with the
character he calls “the quintessential comic book super-patriot.” Steranko, who
visualized Captain America for Marvel in the late 1960’s and whose work is
currently collected in a series of sell-out volumes, saw his favorite hero as
the perfect protagonist to aid those who suffered in the wake of the terrorist
attacks. Says Diamond Distribution President and CEO Steve Geppi, “Since
September, we’ve seen first hand how many people in our industry have taken the
initiative, stepped up, and created something positive in the aftermath of the
attacks on our country. I’m truly honored to be involved with Jim Steranko in
bringing this patriotic image of Captain America out for such a worthy
cause.”
Focusing on children who lost loved ones in the 9/11 tragedy,
Steranko is establishing a special Art Scholarship Fund (possibly in connection
with New York’s prestigious School of Visual Arts) through the sales of a
Limited Edition Print visualizing the life and legend of Captain America in a
breathtaking red, white, and blue panorama that combines epic action and
cultural mythology. Steranko calls the painting his “definitive statement”
on
Captain America.
Produced in a cooperative effort by Marvel Comics,
Vanguard Productions, and Diamond Distribution, THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA is printed
on archival, acid-free, PH-balanced paper and is available now at comic shops
across the country.
The wholesale proceeds of the print will be a 100%
donation to the Scholarship Fund, which will be available to the children of
terrorist victims by providing all those who might otherwise be unable to pursue
their artistic dream with an opportunity to experience the finest instruction
available in the art world.
Steranko says the goal is to raise $100,000
for the Scholarship Fund–a heroic undertaking that would make Captain America
proud.
ls that any
seasoned Lone Ranger or Big Little Book collector or historian would have
caught.<br><br>Have you spotted an out-of-time detail like this in a TV show or
movie? Drop us a line and let us know what you’ve seen and we’ll report the
results in a future edition of <i>Scoop</i>!<br><br></div>
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i> contacted </i>Avengers<i> writer Geoff Johns (</i>JSA<i>,
</i>Flash<i>) and editor Tom Brevoort to get the inside news about the
involvement of the artist who had just completed his run on Top Cow’s
</i>Midnight Nation<i>. Frank, also noted for a previous run on </i>Incredible
Hulk<i>, will be illustrating </i>The Avengers #61<i> and </i>62<i>.You can also
read more about Geoff Johns in this issue’s Superstars.</i><br><br><b>Were there
any difficulties logistically in the transition between outgoing regular writer
Kurt Busiek and Geoff Johns as the new regular writer for <i>The Avengers</i>?
</b><br>Tom Brevoort: Not really, no. Kurt and Geoff spoke before he started, s