Thanks to the assistance of my pal Tom Smith who was now the colorist to the new AVENGERS title in 1998 I was informed earlier that year that the editors of said book were in the process of finding a suitable inker for George Perez’ pencils. By contacting the office I was able to receive pencils photocopies of George’s work from a 3 page sequence for an upcoming THUNDERBOLTS annual to be inked by Karl Kesel. Other contenders that I was aware of were Keith Williams, Al Vey and I think Scott Hanna and perhaps Karl himself. I got word that George preferred the inker to not go changing the art so I played it more conservative than usual. I had the pencil copies converted to non-photo bluelines at a drafting/print shop and then proceeded to ink over the 2 pages in mostly brush (we had the option to ink any 2 out of the 3 pages offered). I found out later that George personally chose from the group and decided on Vey, partially he added to the art…D’oh! I may have missed out on my much-coveted dream assignment but I can at least say that I was a contender. And at least I would get to ink part of the inker jam cover for the AVENGERS: SUPREME JUSTICE TPB three years later, again thanks to the assistance of Tom; I did Thor and Wasp on that trade cover with Tim Townsend doing Cap and Norman Lee doing Iron Man and Antman.