Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment, announced today on Marvel’s website that Vice President, Executive Editor Axel Alonso has been promoted to Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Entertainment. In his new role at Marvel, Alonso will oversee all day to day aspects of Marvel’s publishing division, including advising on the editorial creative direction, developing new storylines, and brainstorming new initiatives. He will also be working on bigger corporate initiatives featuring Marvel’s stable of characters.

Quesada stated, “It’s with tremendous pride that I announce Axel Alonso’s promotion to Editor- In-Chief. For over a decade, Axel’s been instrumental in bringing fresh new voices to Marvel and reinventing our biggest characters like Spider-Man, the X-Men, Wolverine and so many more. He’s fought to create unique imprints like Marvel MAX while also bringing fresh new voices to the Marvel family.”

Alonso came to Marvel in 2000 as a Senior Editor and was responsible for runs on Amazing Spider-Man and X-Men as well as helping to create X-Statix and Rawhide Kid. Alonso was also responsible for a recent partnership between Marvel and ESPN: The Magazine for an NBA preview issue.

“Marvel has a great history of the most dynamic and memorable EiCs in comics history and I’m honored to step into this role,” said Axel Alonso. “I’ve been blessed to work with some of the most creative men and women in the world, bringing to life some of the most compelling stories you’ll find in any medium. This new role provides me with exciting challenges and prospects I’ve never encountered before, but I know one thing””Marvel’s getting even bigger in 2011.”

Joe Quesada as Chief Creative Officer will now refocus his time on Marvel’s film projects, television, publishing, and digital media. Getting some new blood behind the reins could be just what the doctor ordered (and by doctor, I mean Donald Blake) to breathe some new life into what’s currently a bloated Marvel Universe. Can we do something about all of these Avengers books please, Mr. Alonso?