Thursday, April 2, 2009
Daily Diversion / Silverman Hometown Boy Makes Good: Marvel Comic Author Jim McCann at Great Escape Saturday
Posted by Jack Silverman on Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 2:40 PM
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Fresh on the heels of the success of New Avengers: The Reunion, comic book author Jim McCann heads to Nashville for a reunion of his own when he appears Saturday at The Great Escape.
McCann grew up in Nashville and attended Father Ryan High School. After graduating from Xavier University, he returned to Music City and co-founded the Nashville Theatre Company, for which he directed many plays and served as artistic director from 2000-2004.
In 2004, McCann got a job at Marvel Comics in New York City, where he currently works in media relations. After writing a few one-shots and special issues for Marvel, he was tapped to pen New Avengers: The Reunion, which features the return of two of Marvel's most beloved characters, the former husband-and-wife duo Hawkeye and Mockingbird.
The first issue, which premiered on March 4, sold out in one day, and Marvel announced a second printing. The second issue of the four-part series hit the stands yesterday. If New Avengers' popularity continues, it could lead to an ongoing series.
Before his signing, McCann will reunite with his old classmates at Centennial Park. "As a native Nashvillian, it is a surreal experience to be coming back to my hometown, to the scene of the crime as it were, the place I bought my first comics, now to be signing my own," McCann tells the Scene via email. "The irony of my book being named 'The Reunion' having sparked a reunion among friends who hadn't seen or talked to each other in 15-20 years is not lost on me, and I am beyond thrilled that so many of us who grew up together will now get to see each other as adults and reconnect."
McCann will sign New Avengers from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at The Great Escape, 1925 Broadway; the store will have copies of both issues available for purchase.
