The following is an interview with Len Mihalovich regarding the release of comic book series, Avenger (New Blood). In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Mihalovich about his creative process in adapting a prior work for modern audiences, what he feels will be most appealing to new readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the launch of Avenger (New Blood) #1! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you share with us about the premise of this new series?
Len Mihalovich: Thank you! Avenger (New Blood) #1 is an exciting project for us, bringing a 1950s character from the golden age of comics into a modern light. The Avenger was originally a very straightforward, anti-communist hero—typical of the era—with no superpowers, relying instead on physical training, wealth, and scientific knowledge. He was, in some ways, a lesser-known, almost Batman-like figure, but without the rich complexities that we expect in today’s characters. Since he’s fallen into the public domain, most publishers have avoided trying to revive him, likely because updating his story in a way that resonates with today’s readers is quite a challenge.
At Lenovations Press, however, we saw this as a unique opportunity. We wanted to take this character and make him engaging for modern audiences, giving him depth and relevance while honoring his original roots. Our goal is to capture the grit and intrigue of the golden age but also explore new layers of the Avenger’s persona and motivations. With Avenger (New Blood), readers can expect an action-packed journey that respects the past but isn’t afraid to forge something entirely new.
Also being our 25th comic during our 10th year of publishing comics makes it even more special to all of us at Lenovations Press.
To give you a little back story on Lenovations Press:
Lenovations Press was launched in May 2014 with the release of Adventures of Track Suit Man #1. At that time, it was largely a one-person operation, with some last-minute help from a few of my former comic colleagues. It was always meant to be a part-time endeavor, and our motto, “Comics Done For Fun,” reflected that spirit. Honestly, at the time I didn’t think it would grow beyond that single comic.
However, after the release, Phil Miller and Mike Kelleher shared how much they enjoyed the process and the excitement of seeing their work back in print. They both expressed a strong interest in continuing, particularly by reviving our original Section 12 series from the 1990s. Luckily, we had a solid archive of completed artwork from Phil, which provided us with an excellent starting point.
Now, over a decade later, while still working on this part-time, we’ve released 25 issues across nine different titles, covering a range of genres including humor, action, sci-fi, and westerns. I never would have imagined we would achieve this level of output.
BD: The creative process of approaching an adaptation of a prior work can be a daunting experience. How would you describe your approach to breathing new life into a public domain character, and what did you find to be most rewarding/challenging about the process?
LM: I initially turned to public domain (PD) characters because I thought it would be exciting to reprint these classic stories. But as I considered the time and effort required to properly restore the old artwork, I realized I didn’t want to invest resources into simply republishing someone else’s stories. Instead, I started to wonder if I could do something new and better with these characters.
There’s a lot I could say here, but I’ll keep it concise. These original comics were published in the 1950s, and we’re now in the 21st century. Today’s readers, both new and longtime fans, have more sophisticated tastes and higher expectations for storytelling.
When working with PD characters, creators typically choose one of two paths: either they revamp and update the character for a new audience, or they attempt to continue the original storyline. Both approaches have their pros and cons. Which route did we choose? Well, read on to find out!
BD: What do you feel will be most appealing to new readers about The Avenger’s adventures as seen through the eyes of his future legacy
LM: The exciting thing about Avenger (New Blood) is how it brings a classic character into the modern world, offering a fresh perspective that both honors the original series and makes it relevant for today’s readers. When we started, I thought a straightforward revamp would be the way to go, but as the story unfolded, it developed a unique life of its own, blending the charm of “the golden age of comics” with the complexity of today’s world.
The original Avenger series, with its 1950s focus on battles against “Commie” spies, isn’t exactly what modern readers might find relatable. But in Avenger (New Blood), we introduce a compelling new sidekick, Martin “Booker” Roberts, a photojournalist and reporter chronicling the Avenger’s exploits for a novel he’s writing.
What’s makes this really unique is that these stories are told as flashbacks, with Booker narrating his experiences to his granddaughter through his films and old recordings. Booker’s voice brings a fresh, contemporary lens to these adventures, asking the tough questions that today’s readers might ask of a comic from the 1950s. He reveals hidden truths and uncovers unexpected consequences, transforming what might seem like straightforward tales into stories filled with nuance and complexity.
Instead of the black-and-white morality of the 1950s, Avenger (New Blood) offers a world full of gray areas—where not everything is as it seems, and every action has layers of meaning. It’s a journey that challenges perceptions and invites readers to see a classic hero in an entirely new light.
BD: How many issues do you have planned for the first story arc of the series?
LM: We currently have three brand-new issues in development, each at different stages, and I’m beyond excited for readers to experience them! The beauty of this series is that it’s designed to be ongoing, with each issue standing alone as a complete, “done-in-one” story. You can jump in at any point and enjoy a thrilling, self-contained adventure. At the same time, there’s a deeper, interconnected plot thread running throughout, creating a rich and immersive universe that will captivate readers who follow the entire journey.
This project has taken a bit longer to launch, but that’s because we’ve expanded our creative team to make it truly special. In addition to me, we have incredible talents like Phil Miller, Jeff Austin, Mano Ardal, and Periya Pillai contributing their unique styles. Dean Juliette and Nimesh Morarji have crafted stunning cover art for the first issue. This is a great team who pulled together to help create one of our best comics ever. The second issue will feature a cover by Dominic Racho, along with much of the same creative team working on the interior pages.
Whether you’re a new reader or a long-time fan, Avenger (New Blood) promises a world filled with immediate excitement and a larger, unfolding mystery. Each issue is packed with twists, turns, and that will keep you guessing!
BD: Are there any other projects that you would like to highlight for our readers?
LM: We’re putting a lot of effort into expanding the Section 12 universe, which now includes three different titles: Section 12 (Flashback), which covers the original adventures; Section 12 (Declassified), a modern-day storyline; and Section 12 (Lost Adventures), a fun team-up book.
We also launched our first Section 12 mini-series this year. It’s a crossover with Antarctic Press, featuring their flagship character, Tomorrow Girl.
As I mentioned 2024 marks our 10th year of publishing comics! To celebrate, we’re offering two Section 12 issues for free on our website. Later, we plan to launch of our new YouTube channel, where we’ll take you on ‘deep dives’ into the history, characters, and stories that shape our comics, giving you an exclusive look behind the scenes.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Avenger (New Blood)?
LM: If you’re excited to dive deeper into the world of Section 12, Avenger (New Blood), or any of our other public domain revivals, I’d love for you to join us on Patreon! It cost nothing to join as a free member. You’ll be the first to get exclusive sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes content, and insider updates on all our upcoming projects.
And that’s just the beginning! By becoming a paid member, you’ll not only enjoy all these perks, but also get physical copies of our comics delivered straight to your door before they go on sale anywhere else. Plus, you’ll be part of an amazing community of fans and creators, helping to shape the future of our stories.
Your support on Patreon directly fuels our creative journey and keeps the adventures going!
Join us today and become a crucial part of the Avenger (New Blood) universe — we can’t wait to share what’s next with you!
https://www.patreon.com/lenovationspress
Thank you for your time!
