POVonline

The DNAgents came about one day when my pal Will Meugniot and I went to lunch and started talking about what kind of comic book we'd like to do together.  Will was and is a tremendous talent I met while writing Tarzan and Korak comics.  He drew some of them but later showed he could draw (or even write) just about anything, good-looking women in particular.  We talked themes and ideas and the kind of things we longed to do.  I kinda wanted to do a super-hero group.  I think I've set some sort of record among comic writers of my generation for avoiding super-hero work — and therefore, of course, high sales figures.  But DNAgents came together very nicely, I thought, and sold quite well for a time there.

The book — which about half the folks I've met insist on pronouncing "DNA-Agents" — is the story of five genetically-concocted special agents...Surge, Rainbow, Tank, Amber and Sham.  At the time they debuted (1983), genetic engineering seemed to be a century away.  Now, of course, it looks to start edging out Starbuck's as the industry of its era.  Though the agents were grown and "programmed" by the Matrix Corporation, they somehow refused to be as inhumanly obedient as the company had planned.

Will drew it for a year and a half (with fine inking by Al Gordon, Will Blyberg and others), then left to do some animation projects.  I carried on for a few years with some terrific artists, including Chuck Patton, Mitch Schauer, Erik Larsen and Richard Howell before the readers and I lost interest.  But I was proud of many issues and of a Surge mini-series drawn by Rick Hoberg...and I was really proud of a spin-off called Crossfire, which I did with Dan Spiegle.  One of these days, we're going to bring some of these characters back, Will and I keep telling each other.

The DNAgents and all related characters and artwork
are Copyright © 2010 Mark Evanier and Will Meugniot

Front Page

NEWS from me

NEWS Archives

NOTES from me

Hollywood

Broadway

Las Vegas

Animation

Comics

• Jack Kirby

• The Jack FAQ

• Alternate Covers

• Convention Guide

• Groo

• My Comics

• Other Comics

TV & Movies

Comedy

Miscellaneous

I.A.Q.

Links

ABOUT me

BUY me

Info/E-MAIL me

SEARCH

© 2011 Mark Evanier

Hosted by Dreamhost