A Whole lot of Chaykin Goin' On

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A Whole lot of Chaykin Goin' On
By Philip Schweier
September 15, 2003 - 08:50

While Howard Chaykin's American Century just finished its 27-issue run, he certainly isn't letting the grass grow under his feet. In the months to come, we can look forward to seeing his handiwork on a number of projects from DC.

Currently his artwork can be seen on the covers of the Cinnamon: El Ciclo. The 4-issue mini series is written by Jen Van Meter, with art by Francisco Paronzini and Robert Campanella.

Coming in February, just in time for Valentine's Day, is his long-awaited Mighty Love, a 96-page graphic novel.

"It's basically You've Got Mail with super-powers," says DC's coordinating editor Ivan Cohen. Delaney Pope is a hard-nosed cop, and also a costumed hero Skylark. Lincoln Reinhart is a public defender by day, and the Iron Angel by night. "They don't get along in their secret identities like regular people, but when they're in costume they have this crazy, weird, kinky we-wear-costumes flirtation going on. It's Howard drawing like he used to and writing like he still does."

Previously announced, Chaykin will also be writing and drawing a new Challengers of the Unknown. "It's coming out next year, it's out of Wildstorm, and it's going to be real different from any Challengers book we've done before," promises Cohen.

Also on tap for 2004 is Bite Club, the blood-soaked odyssey of a crime family of vampires. The new monthly series will be co-written by Howard Chaykin and David Tischman, with art by David Hahn.

"Dave sits across from me," says studio mate Drew Johnson, current artist on Wonder Woman. "Our desks butt up against each other at the studio back in Portland. I do want to state that they are doing incredible work on this book. This guy is such an amazing talent, he's really worth looking at. I really can't say enough good things about what he draws for us."

Praise and adulation? Scorn and ridicule? Email me at philip@comicbookbin.com