Donny Cates, writer of “Buzzkill” and “Ghost Fleet” from Dark Horse, Image’s “God Country” and “Redneck,” and “Babyteeth” from AfterShock, has signed an exclusive contract with Marvel. His first project for the House of Ideas is taking over “Doctor Strange” along with Eisner Award-nominated artist Gabriel Hernandez Walta and colorist Jordie Bellaire, both late of “The Vision.” The first arc of the book will feature Loki as the new Sorcerer Supreme.
Cates first wrote for Marvel more than two years ago, penning the ‘Ross Against the Machine’ story in “Secret Wars: Battleword” #2. More recently, Cates shared writing credits on “Captain America: Steve Rogers” #18 with series writer Nick Spencer.
In the accompanying press release, Marvel praised Cates for his “explosive storytelling” and “sharp approach to the heroic” characters. Cates described the agreement as a dream come true. “I’ve never been more excited to tell the stories that I’m telling today. I feel like a kid again. Albeit a kid who is inflicting… just terrible things upon all your favorite characters.” Finally Cates talked a little about what we can expect when he takes over the title: “There’s a new sheriff in town…and he’s not really the trustworthy type.”
Marvel did not explain the extent of the agreement, although Cates responded on a tweet that his creator-owned books will keep coming out without any worries. His first issue of “Doctor Strange” will drop in November. See the full press release below.
Marvel Announces Exclusive Agreement With Writer Donny Cates
Donny Cates joins the House of Ideas as the new writer of Doctor Strange!
New York, NY—July 18, 2017—Marvel Entertainment is excited to announce that writer Donny Cates, who has brought his talent to comic powerhouses such as Image (God Country, Redneck), IDW (Star Trek), and Dark Horse (The Paybacks, Ghost Fleet, Buzzkill), will now bring his explosive storytelling to Marvel in an exclusive agreement.
“I’ve wanted to write for Marvel since I was a little kid, so the opportunity to come into this incredible world and play with all of these amazing characters is a dream come true for me,” said Cates. “Everyone at Marvel has been great to work with, and we’ve put our collective heads together to make some really special stories for the fans. I’ve never been more excited to tell the stories that I’m telling today. I feel like a kid again. Albeit a kid who is inflicting…just terrible things upon all your favorite characters.”
Today, Marvel can also reveal that Cates, along with artist Gabriel Hernandez Walta, will be the new creative team on DOCTOR STRANGE taking over the title in November. And with this new team comes a new Sorcerer Supreme- Loki, the Norse god of Mischief!
“There’s a new sheriff in town…and he’s not really the trustworthy type,” Cates teased. “That’s right, kids…Loki has taken the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme from our good Doctor! What does that mean for Stephen? And what lengths will Strange go to see his title and his home returned to him? I’ll say this….you can guess all you like, but there is absolutely no way anyone will see the answers to these questions coming. As a dedicated Marvel fan myself, I can confidently say the events of this arc are some of the most shocking things in Marvel comics to date. I’m so excited to see what everyone thinks!”
Exclusively at Marvel, Cates is prepared to bring his powerhouse ideas and sharp approach to the heroic, well-known characters of the Marvel Universe.
“Donny brings big ideas to the table, and that’s going to be immediately apparent in his first projects,” said Marvel EIC, Axel Alonso. “We expect him to be a major contributor to the Marvel Universe’s evolution in the coming year…and beyond.”
