Deluxe Upgrade for Allred's Madman
by Trevor Soponis, PW Comics Week -- Publishers Weekly, 6/26/2007
Mike Allred's Madman, long a cult favorite among indie comics fans, is enjoying a popular renaissance thanks in part to a new publishing deal with Image Comics. So far, the arrangement has produced Madman Atomic Comics, a new monthly series, and Madman Gargantua!, a deluxe, hardcover compilation of past stories from the series, is coming soon. With the long-anticipated movie version finally in development, Madman is set to emerge from the comics underground onto the pop culture stage.
The hero of the series, Frank "Madman" Einstein, was created innocuously enough in 1992, when Allred published a three-issue series with Tundra, the now defunct comics imprint launched by Kevin Eastman, creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. "I'd created the Einstein character for a short story," explained Allred in an e-mail interview with PWCW. "Then, feeling nostalgic for the super heroes of my childhood, I threw a costume on Frank and Madman was born."
The surprise success of those first issues allowed for three more issues with Tundra before Madman moved to Dark Horse for a 20-issue run. A slew of crossovers ensued, before Madman appeared in the Atomics, on Allred's self-published AAAPop imprint.
While it's difficult to convey the tongue-in-cheek humor and beautiful pop art-influenced graphics of Madman, Allred provides a window into this peculiarly funny comic with this description of the basic story line: "Brought back to life with enhanced reflexes and instincts, Madman goes on various adventures, rubbing shoulders with crazed scientists, aliens and his groovy girlfriend, Joe, while contemplating the meaning of life."
When Image Comics Publisher Erik Larsen, offered to put out an oversized hardcover collection, Allred jumped at the chance. The result is Madman Gargantua! with a hefty 852 pages and a steep $125 list price. Despite that, the title has sold more than half of its print run before publication. Except for the crossover stories, the full-color book will contain every Madman appearance to date.
While giving fans the chance to catch up on past exploits, Allred also wanted readers to have a chance at new adventures with a new series, Madman Atomic Comics. Started in April of this year, the new monthly series is designed for new readers. The first issue sold out, and a second printing is on the way.
Never one for understatement, Allred claims the monthly series will be "THE place to spill all my creative juices. Hopefully, I'll be creating something with the kind of electric spark that will continually build an enthusiastic audience of massive proportions." Image's director of marketing, Mark Haven Britt, credited the title's popularity to Allred. "He's an amazing artist," said Britt, "with an established character and a loyal fan base."
A persistent Internet rumor for years, Madman the motion picture is now inching closer to reality. "I just turned in the screenplay," Allred said. After an exchange of notes and a final draft, Allred is waiting for the green light from Dimension Studio before casting can begin. With acclaimed director Robert Rodriguez behind the project, Madman may finally make it to the screen.
Despite limited exposure, Madman continues to be a popular character, and Allred believes the fans can detect his own affection for the series. He described Madman as an "affectionate nod to pop culture mixed with characters that I deeply care about. Hopefully, that comes across on the page."
