We’ve speculated quite a bit here recently, wondering how artists like Al Barrionuevo and Tim Seeley are able to draw so many heroes and villains in a single comic (and often, a single page.)

Another question, however - how does one prepare themselves to WRITE that many characters into a story? There are several fans out there with an encyclopedic knowledge of the WSU (at least a few of you are regulars in our comments section) - but I know at least I’d need to go back and do a LOT of reading just to make sure I’m able to keep everyone straight.

Over at Broken Frontier, upcoming WildCats writer Adam Beechen explains how he was able to prep himself to write a comic story that includes hundreds of the WSU’s characters. Check out his column here.

In the last issue of Killapalooza (on sale this week), Adam Beechen and Trevor Hairsine’s band of super-powered assassins/heavy metal rockers look to bring down the house. (And by the looks of the cover, they literally bring Madison Square Garden down with them.)

Earlier this year, Adam Beechen and Tim Seeley promised their epic run on WildCats will includes hundreds of characters from the WildStorm universe. You guys chimed in with your guesses at who might show up in an earlier open thread, and George Perez’s amazing split cover gave you a hint at a few of the people who you’ll be seeing. Want another peek?

Here’s a shot from the upcoming WildCats #19. I’m really not sure how Tim’s able to draw that many characters in one splash - does he take time to eat? Sleep? But, wow. His pain is our gain, I guess.

Starting with issue #33, Cruddie Torian will take the art reigns on Gen13. He’ll be joined by Adam Beechen, who’ll be handling the writing duties for two issues.

The book’s in good hands. (Just check out below.)

At Comic Con this year, Adam Beechen said he and Tim Seeley will be making their upcoming run on WildCats one of the biggest team-up books we’ve ever seen, and it sounds like they’re holding to that promise. If you read Shannon Eric Denton’s editorial post last week, he mentions that “[he has] asked Tim to draw at least 70 characters on each page and so far he’s doubled that every time.”

Wow.

Please, Shannon - please, please send me those pages when they’re ready.

I can only guess who’ll be popping up - including a few characters that have been MIA for a little while.

Which WildStorm Universe characters are you most hoping to see?

Admission: I’m a sucker for this stuff. I love seeing pencils, inks, sketches… Any sort of unfinished pages. I’m the guy who’s straining to peek over the editors’ shoulders as they’re discussing work with artists at the various comic shows. I’m jealous that they always get to see the whole creative process - though, I don’t envy all the blood, sweat and tears it takes to deliver the polished books. I’ll leave that to them.

I think Team WildStorm has caught on, because now and then they’ll kick little gifts over my way in the form of jpegs. When they do, I’m grateful. And you should be, too - more often than not those pages end up here on The Bleed.

I originally broke into this business as a penciler. There were a few artists who were breaking big at the time and I so wanted to do what they were doing. One of those artists was Jim Lee. So after a slight (14 years in Hollywood!) detour, here I am. Getting to work with the characters I originally fell in love with some 15 years ago.

In my mind, WildStorm is home to all of Jim’s creations. I’m hoping, now that I’m in the sandbox, we can further establish why these creations are not only incredibly relevant but…fun. I’m having fun. The teams I’m assembling for this are having fun. We’re all answering the battle call to create something fun. Something we’d want to read. Hopefully something you’ll want to read. Blasting from the uber-awesome events of World’s End, we’ll be continuing the charge!

We’ll take a new look at some familiar characters—but also reveal where EVERYONE who was ever in a WildStorm book is currently. Hey, I bought everything WildStorm before starting here…I had questions. Fun thing is now I’m the guy who gets to answer them.

Starting with an epilogue in issue 17 of THE AUTHORITY, Marc Bernardin & Adam Freeman are bringing the interstellar widescreen drama along with superstar artist Al Barrionuevo. This book is going to continue to address the big questions—and, more importantly, provide the big answers in ways you never expected.

On the stellar front, with issue 19 of WILDCATS, Adam Beechen is prepared to give ’Cats fans more action and more characters than they could ever have possibly imagined. Joining him is New York Times bestseller (for Hack/Slash) and powerhouse artist Tim Seeley. I have asked Tim to draw at least 70 characters on each page and so far he’s doubled that every time. This is widescreen action at its very best. It’s everything John Woo dreams about and then some!

So there ya go. As a fan, I’m happy. As a comic book professional, I’m happy. And we’re all hoping you join us for what’s about to be WildStorm’s best year ever!

Storm out!

-Shannon Eric Denton

A lot of fans who weren’t able to spend five days in sunny San Diego this past week have been asking when they’ll be able to get their hands on the This Is Wildstorm Universe #0 giveaway book I’ve been previewing.

Here’s the good word: TIWU #0 (which I’ve so elegantly abbreviated) will be hitting
comic shops this week, so make sure you grab it along with your copy of WildCats #13 - as well as your Cassaday Planetary #27 promo poster, if you haven’t picked one up yet!

For those of you who aren’t partying it up out here in good ol’ San Diego, we’ve got a ton of news coming. We had so much to talk about on the panel this year that I’m only able to cover some of the WildStorm Universe highlights:

- WildCats has a new regular team with issue #19 - none other than Adam Beechen, writer of WildStorm’s own Killapalooza, and artist Tim Seeley.

- Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman take on The Authority with issue #17. Artist Al Barrionuevo joins the team a month later with issue #18.

- Phil Hester and Cruddie Torian jump in on the Gen13 action with issue #33.

- Welcome to Tranquility is back with a new miniseries! Gail Simone and Horacio Domingues revisit Tranquility in One Foot In The Grave - with covers by the always top-notch Neil Googe.

So much to say, so little time. Tune in next week for more details!

The final issue of Mysterius the Unfathomable is now on shelves, bringing Mysterius and Delfi’s first story to an end. (Blog@Newsarama has a nice tribute to this excellent series over here.) Miss out on Mysterius the first time? Look out for the trade paperback this spring.

Speaking of Newsarama covering great creator-owned titles, here’s an interview with Adam Beechen about his new series, Killapalooza.

The Examiner has a profile of Ex Machina’s (and so many amazing comics) Brian K. Vaughan.

Check out a preview of StarCraft #2 (on sale this week) over at the StarCraft II website.