The Aftermath of Aftermath:
a Superhero Universe that Could Have Been
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| Did you know that twenty years ago Devil’s Due brought together the likes of Marv Wolfman, Ron Marz, Chuck Dixon and Joe Casey to launch a superhero universe conceived by myself, and developed alongside then senior editor Mark Powers? For some of the books, in house DD bullpen artists like Tim Seeley threw in some sketch concepts and ideas as well. |
| The roster of contributing artists included Skottie Young, Clement Sauve, Dave Ross, George Pérez, Stefano Caselli, Leniel Francis Yu, and several more. |
| You win some and you lose some, and this one was an admitted failure to launch, but how often do you get to work with a team like this? Honestly how it failed was a bit of a mystery as well. We had some choice talent, and big plans for a crossover series after the first year, but orders just didn’t stay high enough to see it through. Possibly a little too ahead of its time. Now though, these comics are like little diamonds hiding deep within the mines of comic book longboxes in personal collections, waiting to be unearthed. |
| As for why there were superheroes in the world, we never revealed and it was too good of an idea not to keep to myself for later use, so you’re not getting that one, but as for the others: |
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| Defex: I initially conceived of a group of teens who unlocked their own powers by self experimentation. Upon learning of super-powered humans in the world, they discover that each of us has these innate abilities hidden deep within our DNA. Who better than Teen Titans co-creator Marv Wolfman to take the reins from there! |
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| Seen here, Defex member Jack, who sometimes had an inability to shut off powerful sexual attraction pheromones. Skottie Young cover created as an exclusive for Graham Crackers Comics, Chicago. |
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| Infantry: My core concept was simple enough. What if a Captain America type of super-soldier woke up in the middle of the experiments that made him, only this soldier wasn’t aware of what was happening, and in a drugged-up haze, murdered everyone in the facility who could answer his questions when he came to? From there he is hunted, and the story begins. For this one, Joe Casey accepted the mission to bring Infrantry to life. Art by the late, incredible, Clem Sauve. |
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| Another Skottie Young Cover for Graham Crackers. |
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| The Blade of Kumori: The super power behind Kumori was simple enough – at some point in her lifetime of training, she began to harness her chi and display the literal powers of your favorite martial arts flick. Gracefully flying through the air with each jump kick, gliding atop tree branches – and all while those around her could not do the same. Her back story, however, belonged to an ancient cult of Samurai dedicated to continue their ancient mission of defending Japan from its enemies – regardless of whatever government is running the day to day society. Ron Marz joined this title to see it throughout its run, and develop the world of Kumori into one of intrigue, espionage, and martial arts action. Artwork was provided by Studio Grafiksismik |
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| Yup, another Skottie cover. We knew ‘im when! Hey, is that a little but peeking out?! |
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| Breakdown: For Breakdown I wanted to combine the idealism of a character like Spider-Man, and put him through such a tragedy that he takes on a newer secret identity as an unhinged Punisher type of vigilante – one with augmented powers. That’s when veteran Superhero writer Chuck Dixon, and veteran artist Dave Ross came in and pushed it even further, with the once beloved hero Paradigm falling from grace, and losing his family in a terrible attack. Completely broken and rising from the ashes of his former life as the vengeance seeking Breakdown. |
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| I hope this was a fun trip down memory lane. We do have a few of these sitting around and have put some on the webstore, but there’s a chance they may be hiding in a comic box at a comic shop near you! |
Josh Blaylock
Head Demon at Devil’s Due Studios |
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