TJ Disavowed - Fantom (Wraith Origin) Backup story from 31 - 33

Mark, Tim and Jay continue their look at the Disavowed era with the Wraith backups story - "Fantom" part 1-3 from 31,32,33.

Attached is the column in the back of the book where Devils Due Creators are asked what damage they inflicted on their GI Joe toys.

Questions asked:

- How long can the Talking Joe team possibly talk about a story that is just 12 pages long?

- What relevance could the inking style of Danny Miki possibly have to the issue at hand?

- How did we mutilate our own GI Joe toys when we we young?

- And what does the team think of this new crazy cat on the GI Joe scene, Wriath?

Story: Brandon Jerwa,

Art: Talent Caldwell,

Inks: Jason Gorder,

Colors: Christina Strain

Publicity Blurb from 2004:

Devil’s Due Publishing has chosen Aspen Studios to design WRAITH, a new major villain for the G.I.Joe comic book series. The studio will create a 3 part BACK UP story starting with G.I.Joe #31 . Devil’s Due has worked with Aspen in the past (on covers for G.I.Joe #22 and the COBRA REBORN incentive cover) and is happy to expand the relationship between the two publishers.

Talent Caldwell will be providing the designs for the character, as well as art for the back up stories and two covers. Michael Turner will be illustrating the cover for the finale, with issue #33. Brandon Jerwa, who will provide the script for the story (entitled FANTOM), created WRAITH.

Devil’s Due President Josh Blaylock is certain that the innovative new character will excite fans, while simultaneously acquiring new readers. “Brandon pitched this character to us over a year ago, and we’ve just been waiting for the right time. By bringing the Aspen guys on board, we’re sure to have a hit on our hands, and create a character that will be around for years to come. It’s gonna rock.”

When asked about working with Devil's Due and helping to design Wraith, the new G.I. Joe character, Talent Caldwell said, "I'm really excited to be working on this project. I've always been a huge Joe fan, and being asked to design a new major character like this is really flattering. I've been wanting to do some work on G.I. Joe for a while, and this special story wound up being the perfect fit. It's been a lot of fun and I hope everyone enjoys what we have in store for them!"

Talent Caldwell

Talent Caldwell went to a Charlotte, NC comic con in 1997 and showed off his artwork for the first time. He was told to become more like the established artist like Michael Turner and Marc Silvestri. He took the words to heart. He moved from his hometown of Clarksville, TN to move to L.A. to try to get into his passion of film. Talent only did music videos and his first was in 1999, Sevendust “Denial” and then later Destiny’s Child “Bug-a-boo”. Talent realized he didn’t enjoy dancing and went back to drawing. At a comic con Talent was discovered by Michael Turner and offered a chance to show his stuff to Marc Silvestri. On January 12, 2000, Talent officially started working as a professional artist. He did background work on Fathom. Only to move onto the creation of the miniseries Fathom: Killian’s Tide. Later Talent left Top Cow to join Michael Turner forming Aspen Comics. After a lawsuit between Top Cow and Aspen comics, Talent’s Fathom: Dawn of War miniseries was published. He co-wrote and drew the artwork for it to be published in 2004. After the release of the miniseries, he broke away from Aspen comics to do freelance work. He has done artwork for Marvel and DC comics. Talent worked on Wildstorm and Gen 13 comics during his freelance career.