LEAN AND NIMBLE: ROSEMANN TALKS THE 'NEW' CROSSGEN

[Eric J. Moreels]

It's getting back to business at usual at CrossGen Comics as the dust settles from its recent restructuring and the speculatory fires are doused with official announcements (see 'CROSSGEN CANCELS 9 TITLES, ANNOUNCES NEW BEGINNING'). However, throughout all the changes, one aspect of CrossGen remained constant - Bill Rosemann.

Recently promoted from Marketing Communications Manager to Senior Vice President - Publishing, Rosemann continues to find himself as the public face of the company - a role he became accustomed to after spending over ten years with Marvel Comics as "Your Man @ Marvel".

ComiX-Fan recently sat down with Rosemann to find out the extent of the CrossGen restructuring and what the future holds for the publisher.

COMIX-FAN: First and foremost, I guess, is what happened at CrossGen? There was much speculation, rumour and hearsay which made it difficult to separate fact from fiction - could you clarify what happened?

ROSEMANN: While the chain of events could fill several columns, the short answer is that CrossGen underwent a restructuring to make the company financially efficient. It's a painful process, and one that's still ongoing, but the goal - just as it was when I experienced the same thing at Marvel - is that the company will move forward with it's mission of creating great comics.

COMIX-FAN: How did your promotion come about?

ROSEMANN: CrossGen wanted to strengthen its Publishing division by having one voice direct and coordinate the creation and promotion of its comic books and graphic novels. They felt I was the person for the job, so now I'm doing my best to help steer us towards the kind of stories we should tell, and then make sure that the world knows about them!

COMIX-FAN: Why was it decided to cancel nine of the "Sigil-verse" titles? Wasn't the original plan for 5 years? And why did some of the Sigil-verse titles (Brath, Sojourn, Way of The Rat) remain?

ROSEMANN: We know that every title is someone's favorite, so we didn't make the decisions lightly. But, in more ways than one, the series' time had come. In most cases, each book's characters had - or would soon - complete their story arc. After years of build-up, the grand saga of the Sigil-Bearers vs. The Negation Empire is reaching its finale in The War... so ending those titles tightly entwined with it made creative sense. At the same time is the fact that art is often tied to economics and, after three years, if the necessary audience doesn't respond to a title, it's time to give other concepts the spotlight. But remember, just because a series is ending, that doesn't mean that a character is gone for good.

COMIX-FAN: Speaking of The War, how did that come about? What's the intent behind the series, and what impact (apart from that which we already know) will it have on CG's books?

ROSEMANN: The world-smashing battle machine from the twisted Negation Universe is invading our own, and the only thing standing between utter domination by this evil empire is a gathering of heroes.

The War is, literally, why all of the heroes were created. From the very beginning of CrossGen, this was the intended finale of the Sigil-Bearers - back in 2000 our universe-builders actually layed the groundwork for this cosmic collision. Of course, it's arrived sooner than initially anticipated - partly because the story taken on a momentum all it's own (Sam, for example, has been battling them for nearly 6 months in the pages of Sigil) - but the time is finally here. For nearly four years, readers have been teased by hints and clues, so now we're pulling out all the stops to deliver a massive pay-off. At the same time, we're also creating an adventure that people unfamiliar with our characters - or who have never read a single CrossGen comic - can enjoy. Every day we ask ourselves, "Okay, what if I know nothing of CrossGen history. Does this make sense to me? Is it entertaining in and of itself?" It answers many questions while also setting the stage for where we go from here. So on one hand it's an ending... but also a beginning, so we're really excited to tell this story.

And soon I'll have even more info - and art - to share with everyone! Cool stuff, my friends!

COMIX-FAN: So will there ever be a return to the Sigil-verse characters who are now without titles?

ROSEMANN: It's too soon to make concrete promises... but just because Ruse is over doesn't mean Simon Archard and Emma Bishop are done solving mysteries. And just because Meridian is ending doesn't mean Sephie won't fly again.

COMIX-FAN: Moving on to the the company's financial situation, and have those freelancers owed monies been compensated as yet?

ROSEMANN: It's an unfortunate situation that was only made worse by miscommunication and the way we handled it publicly. So as we'll now continue to work things out privately, I can say that over the last few weeks, we've been able to send out some money to freelance creators. Now, money hasn't been sent to everyone, and it's not everything that's owed, but it's what we're able to do currently with the ebb and flow of incoming funds. Personally, I want to take this opportunity to apologize to the creators affected and say that I hope - as we continue to catch-up - that it's satisfactorily solved as quickly as possible.

COMIX-FAN: Why did CrossGen suspend acceptance of submissions? Will CG begin accepting them again any time soon?

ROSEMANN: Due to our restructuring, we just don't have the necessary resources to give people's submissions the attention they deserve. And rather than have submissions sit in a pile and gather cobwebs, we made the decision to suspend submissions until we could devote the attention that hopeful creators deserve.

COMIX-FAN: Will the comic book cancellations affect the CG role-playing game, trading card game, and Indy HeroClix miniature games, and any planned expansions for those games?

ROSEMANN: Right now the Fast Forward role-playing and trading card games are right on track for their late '03 release. As for future HeroClix figures, that's something we'll discuss with WizKids... but I know I'd like to see a mini
Thraxis!

COMIX-FAN: What of the effort to bring CG's characters to the big screen? Will the cancellations affect that at all?

ROSEMANN: All of our characters continue their journey from the printed page to the silver screen. And when they get there, retailers will still have a library of graphic novels to sell. And who knows... maybe the arrival of a movie will trigger volume two of Scion or Mystic.

COMIX-FAN: What's the status of the trade paperback program? How has that been affected, and when is it expected they will be caught up and the schedule returned to normal?

ROSEMANN: As with the publication of our comic books, we've experienced delays in the printing our graphic novels... but we're addressing the situation and hope to have an updated release schedule to share with you soon.

COMIX-FAN: What of the Code 6 and CGE lines in general? How have they been affected?

ROSEMANN: We've also reduced our Code 6 and CGE activities... but I'm really looking forward to what J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog are cooking up in Abadazad. And wait until you hear what's next for Lady Death!

COMIX-FAN: Will the Digital Comic Books program with Intec Interactive be continuing?

ROSEMANN: Thanks to brisk sales, I'm told that Intec went back to press on all 10 of the Digital Comic Books. Seeing Sojourn, Meridian, Scion, Negation and Way of The Rat on TV was cool... and I'd love to see titles like Brath and Route 666 make the jump, so we'll see how things progress.

COMIX-FAN: Will this affect MegaCon in any way?

ROSEMANN: It's full speed ahead for the convention in March. And I just heard that booths are being booked quicker than ever, so it should be a fun show! Especially with cool guests like Allison Mack and Brian Michael Bendis!

COMIX-FAN: In general, what's the gameplan for 2004? Can fans expect more "non-Sigil" titles along the lines of El Cazador and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang?

ROSEMANN: CrossGen is now a lean and nimble publisher that, while continuing to learn from our past, will also build on our successes. So far, the response to El Cazador has been strong. The first issue sold out in a week, then issue #2 and the 2nd printing of issue #1 shot to the top of Diamond's reorder chart. And now we just learned that orders for issue #3 topped those for issue #2. So all of that tells us that people are enjoying Chuck Dixon and Steve Epting's story... and Chuck and Steve are having a blast! Likewise, the buzz on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is encouraging, as Tony Bedard and Mike Perkins are having a ball hatching up naughty adventures for Sir Charles Basildon and Stephanie Shelley. The plot to issue #1 was one of the best first issues I've ever read... and every day Mike brings me pencils that are just gorgeous.

In both cases, it's exactly what I learned from Joe Quesada while I was at Marvel - and it's what they're doing over at DC right now: if you unleash great creators on stories they've always wanted to tell, odds are they'll create magic.

COMIX-FAN: Thinking in longer terms now, has the restructuring changed anything in terms of goals and focus?

ROSEMANN: We've definitely changed the way we make decisions, but we're following the same vision: invite fantastic creators to tell amazing adventure stories that a worldwide audience will love. It's the same goal, we're just using different muscles and tools to reach it.

From the quirky chills of Route 666 to the epic battles of Sojourn, we continue to create great-looking stories filled with noble heroes, horrific villains and jaw-dropping settings. So whatever you're hungry for - pirates, aliens, barbarians, secret agents or talking kung fu monkeys - we've got a comic for you. Our creative staff may be small, but it's loaded with talent, and with these incredible creators at the wheel, I know that there's plenty of thrills waiting just beyond the horizon.... and it's my hope that the ComiX-Fan community will join us for all the fun!

[Merlin]

Who is drawing The War
I heard that it was originally George Perez but he said it would be unfair for him to work and get paid at Crossgen while other writers/ artist and staff at Crossgen were not getting paid.
Brainstorm: Why doesn't he still draw the war, since he is finished with JLA/Avengers which has made his name even bigger than it already was if he did The War for Crossgen it would sell with high numbers. And all that success and money would definatly help out crossgen.

[Pear Tree]

I'm kind of leery about trying Crossgen right now. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they're great (everyone says so), but how do I know a title will last?

Granted that I don't know ANY title will last, but given CG's recent restructuring, it just makes me feel uneasy trying any new titles.

If there were some way to know the titles would last at least one year, I think I'd consider it. I could deal with a title being cut off after a year...you still got at least the 12 issues.

Anyways, good luck to Crossgen, and maybe I'll pick up a trade of El Cazador if it's not "traveller" sized. I loved the first issue.

[Corey Blake]

Good interview, Eric!

Everyone can check out the brand-new CrossGen Bios in ComiX-Fan's Resources section.

[Wolverine]

Sounds luke crossgen might get their at together soon

[Matt Lazorwitz]

Originally posted by Merlin
Who is drawing The War
I heard that it was originally George Perez but he said it would be unfair for him to work and get paid at Crossgen while other writers/ artist and staff at Crossgen were not getting paid.

The current artist is, according to today's edition of Lying in the Gutters, not Bart Sears, as previously announced, but Paul Pelletier. And Ron Marz will no longer be writing it, but Tony Bedard. But that IS just a rumor.

[CrazyFool83]

Darn, wrong thread. Hate when I do that.

[CrazyFool83]

I really hope Crossgen makes it, this interview gives me some hope. I only started reading a few weeks ago thanks to Comicsontheweb.com and it's no wonder they're cancelling the books. Yeah, I expected most of these to have ends, but besides that, most of those books are too inaccessable to new readers, and some are even hard to read if you don't read other Sigil titles. (I've yet to read Negatin, but I bet that's a good example)

And to anyone interested in Crossgen but either unable to spend money on buying trades or picking up issues or unwilling to for fear of Crossgen folding in the near future, I highly recommend comics on the web. http://www.comicsontheweb.com I highly recommend giving this a try for those interested. Shortest deal is 3 months for $6, give it a try if you're really interested. I went for the $20 for a year package, and already feal that I've gotten my money's worth.

[petar_g]

Could anyone tell me who the characters are in that "Call 2 Arms" poster, and which comics they're from?

Also, is there any connection between those specific characters?

Petar

[CrazyFool83]

From left to right, Ethan from Scion, ???, Obregon Kaine from Negation (I believe), Samhandal Rey from Sigil, Arwin from Sojurn, Obo San from The Path, and Brath from Brath. I honestly can't tell who the first lady on the left is. My gut instinct is Giselle from Mystic, but the look isn't right. Yala from The First is a definite possibility. ANy help on that one would be much appreciated.

EDIT: Scratch that. I'm now inclined to say it's Capricia from Crux. Pretty sure, now.

[Corey Blake]

Believe it not, it's actually Sephie from MERIDIAN.

[petar_g]

Any reason why those specific characters were selected? I'm not really familair with all that is CrossGen, but wouldn't you think they'd include a character from Mystic, one of their first titles?

Or is there something specific connecting the above characters?

Petar

[Michael Wimmer]

I have said it before and i will say it again. When Marvel lost Bill Rosemann it hurt thier public imgae more than people think. I think Mike Doran is pretty good but Rosemann was always able to ease fan's fears. Just like here. Will i try out CG. Maybe when Kiss Kiss Bang Bang comes out. I especially like the fact that they are moving away from the sigils. I was never interested in that.

[MidnighterUK]

Originally posted by Eric J. Moreels

COMIX-FAN: What's the status of the trade paperback program? How has that been affected, and when is it expected they will be caught up and the schedule returned to normal?

ROSEMANN: As with the publication of our comic books, we've experienced delays in the printing our graphic novels... but we're addressing the situation and hope to have an updated release schedule to share with you soon.
next for Lady Death!

It seems we've heard this so many times before. Crossgen have been promising an an updated release schedule of graphic novels for some time now, it would be nice if we saw it any time soon. After all Ruse Vol. 3 is about 4 months late and the way it's going it won't be long before Sojourn Vol. 4 and Route 666 Vol. 2 are that far behind!

[Michael Wimmer]

Well MidnighterUK you probably wont ever see the trades. I just read the All the Rage this mornng and basically Crossgen is on its last legs. They sold MegaCon and i guess a bunch of artists are quiting. I hate Rumor columns as they are just junk but i think this is legit. I was gonna try Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Brath and Route 666 but now i dont see a reason too. especially if when i just start liking them the books and company are gone.