Here’s another lost comic: a Killraven miniseries by the dynamic duo of Robert Kirkman and Rob Liefeld. Although FIVE issues were finished, it has never been printed and doesn’t look that will change any time soon. In 2007 Kirkman told CBR all about the series:
It won’t be just Martian adversaries opposing Killraven and his allies fight for freedom. “There’s kind of a twist at the end of issue one where we see that he’s going to be going up against somebody that’s fairly familiar to Marvel Universe fans,” Kirkman explained. “There are a number of characters that would still be around years into the future.”
“Killraven” will be a story that’s packed with both superhero and post-apocalyptic action. “I’m a big fan of end of the world type stories,” Kirkman remarked. “So there’s going to be a lot of those elements in there. And Rob is known for balls-to-the-wall action comics, which is what we’re definitely doing here.”
Although the king of the Walking Hollywood now, Kirkman was a bit of an underperformer at Marvel, so don’t look for this to be resurrected, even if Kirkman’s name alone might sell a few books. [Via Liefeld’s Twitter]
As I understand it (based on the Tweet war earlier this year between Liefeld and Brevoot) Liefeld completed his pencils on the series years ago. Two issues were even colored. Everyone seems to agree on that much.
But Brevoot wanted all the issues in house, inked colored and completed, before they solicited the first issue.
While Liefeld wants the series solicited before he turns it over to his inkers/colorists.
It all seems rather silly.
It also seems there’s a difference between “done” and “delivered.”
In the modern digital pre-press era, it’s possible to show your work via low-res scans without the publisher having anything they can print from.
How much that affects things here, I don’t know.
Great timing Heidi! I’m talking to Rob for a new Word Balloon podcast, and planned on bringing this project up anyway. No I have more info based on these images.
Thanks!
Judging by the sales figures for the first issue of Liefeld’s HAWK & DOVE series for the DC 52, looks like no one cares to see Rob’s art anymore.
Marvel therefore did a smart move on pulling the trigger on this mini…
“Kirkman was a bit of an underperformer at Marvel”
Oh gosh, you’re right. I remember that huge failure called Marvel Zombies.
And when Ultimate X-Men sold considerably more than the new relaunched book does now.
This series needs to get printed. I don’t know why Marvel and Liefeld have so much bad blood between them right now. I wish it was not the case. But I have always liked Killraven and the duo of Robs Kirkman and Liefeld is fantastic. The pages look incredible and lots of fun.
When did Marvel get the rights to use Kip Winger as Capt. America — this definitely should’ve been printed. This is funnier than any issue of Mad or Milk and Cheese!
As someone who has been a fan of this series since 1973, I hope and pray this never sees the light of day.
You’re not helping by putting this out there…
I know I’m probably the only one, but I’m really enjoying that Infinite book Kirkman and Liefeld are doing right now. It’s just good, solid sci-fi fun. So, I’d probably give this a read if it came out.
What Johnny Bacardi said.
This stuff looks vile.
Like Conan meets Captain America.
Oh, more alternate versions of heroes. Sigh…
I really wish someone would make a Liefeld comic generator. It would only take a few drawings to do too.
Someone pointed out to me the other day how poorly Liefeld draws people holding things. No I can’t unsee it. Look at Hawkeye pulling back that arrow.
How come all of Liefeld characters look the same. Look at Hawkeye and Killraven, they look like twins.
e.s.
11/11/2011 AT 5:48 PM
“Kirkman was a bit of an underperformer at Marvel”
Oh gosh, you’re right. I remember that huge failure called Marvel Zombies.
And when Ultimate X-Men sold considerably more than the new relaunched book does now.
Actually E.S. Marvel Zombies 1 didn’t sell that well compared to the fred Van lente written marvel Zombies series that followed.
Saying ultimate X-men was a success because of Kirkman is a bit misleading also. All of the Ultimate books at that point sold well in 2005. Kirkman got onto the books at a good time. Are they doing as well now? No, but seven years later neither are New Avengers or Supergirl and those books were selling 100,000 or better.
“eallengd
11/13/2011 AT 5:56 AM
How come all of Liefeld characters look the same. Look at Hawkeye and Killraven, they look like twins.”
Because he can only draw three body types. Still he’s a decent storyteller and has a lot of energy in his work.
As Jeremy noted, there was a bit of a scuffle a few months back over the definition of “finished”. Tom Brevoort said he’d publish the books when he had the colored pages (only 2 were done), Liefeld argued that Marvel was establishing a double standard.
I tend to appreciate what Marvel did. Liefeld has a… spotty record of making it past the first issue or two of a series (which I’ve cynically attributed to the fact that the royalties drop). But he seems to be doing well on Hawk and Dove and Infinite, so who knows.
Ah, the gritted teeth and the mouth fully open, how we miss thee!
Most of Liefeld’s other Marvel work of the past few years came out on time(X-Force, Shatterstar, Deadpool Corps) – the only exception I can recall is an Onslaught miniseries.
Despite the reported advance figures of the first printing, DC has said that the new Hawk & Dove is one of the New 52 titles that’s sold over 100,000 copies.
A Killraven story without empathy is poor fare. But he needs to be in that post apocalyptic setting reminding us of the best of humanity to really work. I dislike Liefield’s lazy artwork and the fact he had such a profoundly ruinous effect on Trimpe’s artwork no matter HOW much Herb thought it liberated him. Lesner’s attempt was good. Davis’s poor by his standards. FREE EARTH!
Look at the purple dude’s pouches. LOL. Hate Liefeld art. Don’t get me wrong, I could never draw anything near as good as Liefeld: he is an artist, I am not. But, I’ve never seen comic book art by an artist I’ve liked less than his.
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