The acclaimed writer-artist duo, known for their work on ‘Daredevil,’ is collaborating once more for the first time since 2016.
Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, the celebrated writer and artist pair, have joined forces again for an upcoming six-issue miniseries titled “Masterpiece,” set to be published by Dark Horse Comics.
This marks their first collaboration since 2016, and it promises to bring Bendis back to his crime storytelling roots while introducing a cast of vibrant, original characters complete with the writer’s trademark snappy dialogue.
The story revolves around Emma, a brilliant 16-year-old orphan known as “Masterpiece” due to her webcomics and inventive creations. Her life takes a dramatic turn when one of the world’s wealthiest billionaires informs her that her parents were legendary criminals who stole from him.
Seeking revenge, the billionaire pressures Masterpiece into orchestrating an impossible heist. To outsmart this cunning adversary, Masterpiece rallies a group of her peers and her parents’ former associates.
The first issue of “Masterpiece,” featuring Ian Herring as the colorist, is scheduled to be released on December 13.
Brian Michael Bendis initially made a name for himself in the 1990s with crime comics before achieving stardom at Marvel. Despite his superhero work, his fascination with crime stories, particularly those based on real events or people, has never waned.
One idea that intrigued him was exploring the impact on a family left behind when a member commits a high-profile heist and then vanishes into thin air, akin to D.B. Cooper, the infamous plane hijacker who demanded a ransom before parachuting away and disappearing.
Bendis explained, “I had been talking with Alex, coming up with lots of ideas for characters, then I found a story engine that put them in one universe.”
The comic once again places Bendis in the role of guiding the voice of a young protagonist, a territory he is no stranger to, having relaunched Peter Parker with Ultimate Spider-Man, introduced the young Spider-Man Miles Morales, and created Riri Williams, the youthful heroine known as Ironheart.
Bendis finds this age group particularly ripe for drama, though he doesn’t categorize his work as young adult.
“It’s the time when you discover how great love can be, how awful people can be, and how much the world can suck. It’s the most passionate and raw time,” Bendis commented.
Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev are recognized as one of the most acclaimed writer-artist duos in comics, embodying the synergy and mastery reminiscent of iconic pairs such as Chris Claremont and John Byrne on Uncanny X-Men or Marv Wolfman and George Perez on Teen Titans.
Bendis and Maleev notably collaborated on Daredevil from 2001 to 2006, earning multiple Eisner Awards for their run. This, along with Bendis’ extensive work on Ultimate Spider-Man, solidified his status as a major comics author.
Bendis described his over 25-year friendship with Maleev as “the most crucial professional relationship in my life.” Following Daredevil, the pair worked on Spider-Woman, Moon Knight, and various other titles.
While “Masterpiece” boasts high-concept storytelling, a diverse cast of unique characters, and Bendis’ characteristic rapid-fire dialogue, the writer isn’t focused on potential Hollywood adaptations during the creative process.
“I’ve learned not to chase the Hollywood dream through comics,” Bendis stated. “Comics thrive when creators view the medium as the ultimate goal and purpose. That’s what all my heroes have taught me.”