Fellowship Previews: Walt Simonson Returns To Marvel, AVENGERS

Comics legend Walt Simonson will be handling the art chores on AVENGERS starting with issue #25. This is a part of the AVENGERS VS. X-MEN event and is also Brian Michael Bendis last arc on the title.

"This is truly one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me at Marvel. When I was a young, strapping lad trying to break into comics, I'm talking years and years ago, I met Walt at a convention. I showed him my childish sketches and he treated me like a peer. He was so generous an empowering and set me on a course to be where I am now. He would keep sending me letter of encouragement and critique. That was the moment I knew I wanted to do this. He is one of the most important people in my creative life. I always made it very clear if he was ever back at Marvel I would love to work with him. I'm so happy he decided to come join us and when I asked what he wanted to do, Avengers was a big pile of everything he wanted to do," said Bendis.

"I got to write Avengers back in the late 80's with John Buscema and Tom Palmer. I didn't really get to draw the book though," said Simonson. "I've never really gotten to draw the Avengers. I'm excited to draw them. But really, I wanted to work with Brian. We've always said it would be fun to work together, but I've been at DC. Now I'm back on the freelance trail and called Brian up. I did not expect to be handed a whole story arc. And when Brian said 'There are a lot of characters' I didn't really realize how many characters."

Simonson added, "I'm really interested in drawing cool looking stuff. Quake looks really cool to me. The Jim Cheung AvX poster that Brian sent me looks great. I'm pretty excited to draw Wolverine again. I enjoy referencing and researching. It will come out looking like my stuff. I'm interested in the challenge. And drawing the guys from A.I.M. I get to draw Thor. His new threads might be old by now, but they're new to me."

AVENGERS VS. X-MEN and AVENGERS #25 come out in April.