AfterShock Shakes Things Up With New Comics

After serving as Marvel Comics' Executive Editor for about a year, it came as some surprise when Mike Marts announced via Twitter he would be leaving Marvel to join the brand new AfterShock Comics. However, once fans looked into AfterShock's mission statement and staff (Marts is launching the company with another former Marvel writer, Joe Pruett, of Negative Burn fame), any doubt was erased.

AfterShock is celebrating it's inaugural launch this December with four titles from a stellar pool of some of the industry's top writers and artists: Replica (OCT151049) from Paul Jenkins and Andy Clarke, InSEXts (OCT151051) from Marguerite Bennett and Ariela Kristana, SuperZero (OCT151053) from Amanda Connor, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Rafeal de Latorree, and Dreaming Eagles (OCT151055) from Garth Ennis and Simon Coleby. PREVIEWSworld talked to Mike Marts about the launch of new titles, his role, and the future of the publisher.  

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PREVIEWSworld: What would the mission statement be for Aftershock Comics? What vision drives the company?

Mike Marts: Our company is built on three major principles: story, quality, and intelligent risk. Story always comes first. AfterShock looks for the most innovative and challenging stories to tell on a daily basis. Every day we receive new pitches and ideas for projects, and we only greenlight the best. Which leads us to quality. We strive to collect the best possible talent in the industry to work for our company, whether they’re experienced professionals who have been doing it for twenty years or more, or that rising star rookie whose stock is about to explode. And then there is the concept of intelligent risk…everything we do, every story we tell, every project we undertake involves some degree of risk. If there's not a challenge involved, AfterShock may not pursue it. Readers will soon learn that our company is looking to boldly go where others fear to go--whether it involves content, the choice of creators, or even the format in which we are delivering the story.

PREVIEWSworld: What are your responsibilities as Editor-in-Chief for Aftershock? What projects do you oversee? 

Mike Marts: As Editor-in-Chief of AfterShock Comics, I wear many hats. I am creatively involved in all projects that we initiate. I'm acting as a recruiter, a talent scout, an art director, a story editor, as a company liaison, and much more. I'm very happy to say that I am 100% proud and confident about each of the projects that we have in development.

PREVIEWSworld: Are the books being published by Aftershock sharing the same “universe,” or do the properties live separate from each other?

Dreaming Eagles #1 (OCT151055)	SuperZero #1 (OCT151053)

Mike Marts: At this point in time, the comic series that AfterShock is developing all fall under the creator-owned banner. We don't yet have stories set in a “shared universe”, though that may be something we strive for eventually. Each of the series that we are currently developing exists on its own and are primarily driven by each series’ creators.

PREVIEWSworld: With writers like Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti, Paul Jenkins, and Marguerite Bennett on board to launch three new titles, you have a very impressive roster of talent to offer readers new to Aftershock. How were they brought into the fold? And what can you tell us about what it’s like working with such talented individuals? 

Mike Marts: Most of the creators that are involved in AfterShock’s launch are writers and artists that either Joe Pruett or I have worked with in the past. Each creator brings something unique to the table--these are people we trust. People who speak the same language as us, people who share the same vision as us. They are partners with AfterShock as we launch this exciting new endeavor.

Replica #1 (OCT151049)	InSEXts #1 (OCT151051)

PREVIEWSworld: How do you see Aftershock moving forward as a publisher? What can fans expect in the future?

Mike Marts: This is honestly just the beginning. We have so much more in store to announce soon. New creators, new projects, new challenges and more. To me, this is one of the most exciting times ever in the comic book industry and I'm proud that AfterShock Comics will be at the forefront of this exciting new wave of creativity. The best is yet to come.