New Mutants Epic Collection: The Demon Bear Saga

Collects New Mutants (1983) #13-31 and Annual #1.

Industry legend Chris Claremont is best known for his epic sixteen-year run on Uncanny X-Men. Claremont’s focus on the themes of prejudice and tolerance struck at the hearts of comics fans, and he built an unparalleled following during the next three decades. Under his pen, the X-Men franchise spawned a vast array of spin-offs, many of them written by Claremont himself. His other credits include Iron Fist, Ms. Marvel, Power Man and Spider-Woman. Claremont has returned to the X-Men universe in New Exiles, GeNext, X-Men Forever, Chaos War: X-Men and Nightcrawler.

Bill Sienkiewicz has had a major impact on the comic-book field with his innovative blend of collage, illustration techniques and storytelling. His influential work has garnered industry-wide acclaim and earned him nearly every major comic-book illustration award in the United States and abroad. His credits include a groundbreaking collaboration with Chris Claremont on New Mutants; Elektra: Assassin, for which he received the prestigious Yellow Kid Award; the Marvel Graphic Novel Daredevil: Love and War; and the critically acclaimed Stray Toasters, which he wrote and illustrated. In addition to his work in the comic-book industry, Sienkiewicz has added his talents to TV and movie projects, including the film Unforgiven and the animated series Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, for which he received two Emmy nominations. Sienkiewicz was also selected to produce the artwork for the critically acclaimed painted biography Voodoo Child: The Illustrated Legend of Jimi Hendrix, published by Viking Press. He divides his time between comic books and classic illustration, with his work continuing to inspire a new generation of innovative artists.

After a start as inker to his older brother John, Sal Buscema penciled Captain America, Defenders, Incredible Hulk and more. Famed for his ability to meet tight deadlines, he spread his talents across multiple genres. His 1970s work ranged from Ms. Marvel and Nova to Sub-Mariner and Spider-Woman’s first appearance in Marvel Spotlight. He was the uninterrupted artist on Spectacular Spider-Man for more than one hundred issues and penciled the web-slinger’s adventures in Marvel Team-Up, in which he and writer Bill Mantlo introduced Captain Jean DeWolff. After handling more team-ups in the Thing’s Marvel Two-in-One, he reunited with brother John on Steve Englehart’s Fantastic Four. He later provided inks for Tom DeFalco’s Spider-Girl titles and Thunderstrike miniseries.