Marvel has announced that it has signed veteran artist Alan Davis to a three-year exclusive contract.  Davis has an extensive list of credits including the cult favorite comic series DR & Quinch, which appeared in 2000 AD, as well as JLA: The Nail and its sequel JLA: Another Nail from DC and Captain Britain, the Fantastic Four, X-Men, Avengers, and Excalibur for Marvel UK and Marvel.  Davis' first project under his new agreement with Marvel will debut in the spring of 2004.

Coming on the heels of management changes at Marvel (see 'Marvel Announces Buckley As Publisher'), could this agreement be yet another sign that the battle for top talent is heating up?  Early this year, it was DC Comics that took the initiative and signed a number of artists and writers to exclusive contracts (see 'DC Signs Grant Morrison et al').  Now Marvel appears to be answering by grabbing Alan Davis, who is just finishing up JLA: Another Nail for DC.  Marvel EIC Joe Quesada said in the announcement, 'Welcome to the Marvel Reload; every week we're just adding to our arsenal.'