By Jim Beard
What is Young Guns Reloaded? To put it simply, it's a vision of things to come. Six talented artists, overflowing with creativity, are being rocketed into what Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada calls the "red hot spotlight"…and the comic art landscape will never be the same. This is the new class of Young Guns, and their time has come to show the world what makes them rock.
Could there be anything better than to be the artist of Marvel's
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR?
If there is, Spanish-born penciller Pasqual Ferry doesn't know what it could be. Sitting on top of the heap with one of the House of Ideas' wildest and most imaginative titles, Ferry basks in the glow of his success, but also takes the weight of responsibility the Young Guns position brings very seriously.
"Young Guns is the opportunity to have the best promotion," notes Ferry. "It's important in these days of the comic book industry for an artist to be able to show his work in the best way possible, and especially to the greatest number of people. Just being professional in your work is not always a guarantee of success, but being promoted by Marvel to this incredible team of artists is, I think, the very best way to try for it. So, for me to be a 'Young Gun'," he laughs, "when I'm not actually young in age, is a really wonderful chance, and a gift from Marvel after so many years of drawing comics."
Some of Ferry's first work as a comic artist may have gone unseen by American fans, as it was published mainly in Spain. After a stint with Marvel UK, he transitioned to the US side of Marvel and won his first regular series, the second incarnation of
HEROES FOR HIRE. From there, the talented penciller has gone from one exciting project to another, throughout the comic industry, including 2099: WORLD OF TOMORROW and WARLOCK for Marvel.
"WARLOCK will always be one of my most favorite past projects," muses the artist. "I really enjoyed drawing that series like crazy. Action with Joe Kelly was one of the most incredible experiences of my career, and Adam Strange was also a real pleasure. It was an opportunity to develop a new style and have the freedom to draw in a way I always wanted to."
Before his fans think that Ferry is one to dwell on his past work, let it be said that he is a man who also looks to the future and always seeking ways to improve his art. "Next year by this time, I want to be still drawing
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR and continue to develop all the stuff I'm doing with grey tones. I want to improve what isn't working well in my art and also to continue to enjoy imagining different worlds and concepts."
"While I am on UFF, my fondest wish is to give the book one of the highest points it will ever reach."
