John Nee: From UCSD’s student impresario to Marvel Comics maestro

Congratulations to John Nee for his high-profile hire as the leader of Marvel’s comic-book pack, where he’s taking over as publisher in the wake of Dan Buckley’s promotion to president of Marvel Entertainment. “As the Marvel publisher,” writes ComicBook.com (which got the exclusive), “Nee will oversee the health of the comics line both print and digital [and] be tasked with ensuring the quality of the line, managing budgets [and] guiding marketing.”

John has been a legend in the comics world for decades. He ascended to president of WildStorm Productions, then joined the executive team at DC Comics when DC bought WildStorm in 1999. John rose to Senior Vice President of Business Development at DC before staking an independent claim as co-founder of Cryptozoic Entertainment in 2010.

Like the rest of the heroes portrayed on this blog, John Nee arrives at his new job with his own Che Underground origin story.

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Opening Kings Road Cafe

Detail: Kings Road Cafe opening party flyer (collection Jason Seibert)Jason Seibert’s generous donation of early-’80s San Diego flyers offers a prime opportunity to open discussion of the Kings Road Cafe (née the International Blend), a small venue that played an enormous role in fostering and showcasing an eclectic mix of bands.

Detail: International Blend flyer, Dec. 22, 1981 (collection Jason Seibert)The Seibert Collection represents a slice of life at Kings Road in the summer of 1982, starting in June when the club morphed from the I-Blend under the management of Peter “English” Verbrugge. Other artifacts, including a July 1982 calendar (with membership card offer!), highlight the variety of performers that visited 4034 30th St. that summer, both San Diego regulars and up-and-coming out-of-towners.

Detail: Kings Road Cafe flyer, June 25, 1982 (art by Bobby Lane, collection Jason Seibert)Detail: Kings Road Cafe July 1982 calendar (collection Jason Seibert)Detail: Kings Road Cafe flyer, July 3, 1982 (art by Clayton Colgin, collection Jason Seibert)Detail: Kings Road Cafe flyer, July 9, 1982 (art by Clayton Colgin, collection Jason Seibert)Detail: Kings Road Cafe flyer, July 31, 1982 (art by Bobby Lane, collection Jason Seibert)

 

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