In a move that should dispel rumors that have been circulating on various comics boards and Websites, Marvel today announced that it was extending the contract of Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada.  In his three years as EIC Quesada has overseen a remarkable turnaround in Marvel's key editorial franchises including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Hulk and Daredevil.  Quesada has also beefed up Marvel's previously anemic trade paperback program and developed it into one of the publisher's fastest growing units.  Known as an outspoken straight shooter, Quesada has lured numerous top creators to Marvel reversing the talent hemorrhage that began when the Image founders left Marvel a decade ago.

 

In a related move, two of Quesada's chief lieutenants, Axel Alonso and Mike Marts received promotions.  Alonso, who oversaw the successful reclamation of The Amazing Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk, has been promoted to the position of Marvel Executive Editor, where he will be supervising a major re-launch of The Punisher and a new creative direction for Captain America.  Mike Marts has been promoted to Senior Editor and will remain in charge of Marvel's best-selling X-Men franchise.

 

Marvel has also established a Talent Relations Office, which will be headed by editor C.B. Cebulski, who will work under the guidance of Managing Editor David Bogart. Cebulski, who was one of the pioneering American manga publishers, had a major hand in the development of Marvel's Tsunami line.