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Veteran comic artist Ron Frenz is no stranger to the world of superheroes. His work for Marvel and DC includes illustrating many of the Big Two’s iconic characters that have grown to become fan-favorites over the years. Frenz was the regular artist on Marvel’s Amazing Spider-Man alongside writer Roger Stern when the wall-crawler’s black suit was introduced and continued on the title to illustrate the saga of the alien symbiote. In addition to drawing Marvel’s web-slinging hero, Frenz is also responsible for the co-creation of both Spider-Girl and The New Warriors and served two runs on DC’s Superman in the late 80s and 90s.
In an exclusive interview with CBR, Frenz discussed his newest comic project, The Heroes Union, which reunites him with Amazing Spider-Man writer Roger Stern. Published by Binge Books, the new comic focuses on the titular group of heroes in an all-new universe, offering a nostalgic feel that harkens back to the fun and innocence of earlier eras. Frenz discussed what fans should expect from the series, the mood he and the other creators aimed to produce, and why comic book fans of all ages will find something to love in The Heroes Union.
CBR: What can you tell us about The Heroes Union?
Ron Frenz: It’s going to be the best comic book around, and it’s debuting on Aug. 11 in comic book shops all across the planet. The book is produced by myself, Darin Henry, Roger Stern, and Sal Buscema. Roger and Sal are legends as far as comics are concerned, and it’s a terrific project that I’m proud to be a part of. It involves new superheroes, a new superhero team, and an entirely new superhero universe.
CBR: How would you compare this project with your previous projects?
When Darin approached me to work with him on this project, it appealed to me because it’s very similar to the work I’ve enjoyed doing in the past. It’s all-ages accessible, PG-rated, and most importantly, fun. It’s not a dark and depressing story filled with deconstruction and dark characters. It’s about people trying to do the right thing who sometimes succeed and sometimes fail. In that way, it’s very similar to the type of work I’ve always enjoyed doing and have been fortunate enough to produce.
CBR: You worked previously with Roger Stern and Sal Buscema on Amazing Spider-Man. What’s it like working with them again now?
Roger and I worked together on a few projects, but we’ve never worked on anything from the ground up before. Working with him is always a pleasure because he’s a highly-trained and experienced pro. He writes solid stories that have well-drawn characters with a solid beginning, middle, and end. He’s a very good, solid, and creative writer, and I’ve been fortunate enough to work with him on this and other projects.
Sal was always one of my idols, and having him right there at arm’s length working over my stuff is an incredible educational experience that will only help me get better. Working with your idols and getting to know them as people, and realizing they’re every bit as wonderful as human beings as they are creators is a blessing. Working with Roger and Sal just feels right. Roger is a very good writer, and he’s slowly getting more comfortable with the comic. He was able to describe what he needed for the book, and I was able to give it to him.
CBR: What would you like fans to know about this series?
This is a comic that is fun and will make you feel good. If you’re a fan of the Marvel movies or the comics from the late 60s or early 70s, you will enjoy this. If nothing else, you will get a complete sixty-seven-page story for the comparable price of a regular comic, which is only around twenty pages. You’ll get a complete story arc executed by trained professionals. I guarantee you, it will be a good, positive experience.
CBR: Does your existing status as a beloved and popular artist put any pressure on your current work?
No, I don’t feel any pressure to live off of somebody else’s view of what I have contributed in the past because another person’s opinion is always very subjective. If there’s one thing you learn working in this industry for thirty years is that one person’s treasure is another person’s garbage. You can put your heart and soul into a project and it could be just as easily ignored as embraced. I don’t let something like that affect the next project.
CBR: Were any of the characters in The Heroes Union designed by you, and which ones are your favorites?
Darin and I worked together on the designs. He would find all these wonderful, disparate images on the internet, and I would take as many of those elements as possible and use them as a starting point in designing these characters. When it worked it was fantastic, and when it didn’t work it was a learning experience. Out of all the characters, my favorite is probably Blue Baron. I was also very happy with the design of Startup. They’re all kind of like my children, and there’s something I like about all of them.
CBR: What can fans expect to see next from this universe?
Fans can expect more fantastic storytelling. We’re committed to getting the best material to fans in a very short span of time. I’m currently working on The Heroes Union #2 and Blue Baron #4 at the same time, so there will be plenty of new adventures coming up for these characters. I’m committing my full time to working on these titles, the Binge books, and comics in general. At the moment, these books are receiving our full attention, and we are all dedicated to putting out the very best stories we can.
The Heroes Union #1, by Roger Stern, Ron Frenz, Sal Buscema, and Chris Nye, will be available on Aug. 11 from Binge Books.
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