“Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger, a confessed superhero fan, wants digs similar to Batman’s. So he’s building a batcave in New Mexico. Designs of a hidden underground tunnel entrance recently hit a snag because of state building codes, but the getaway is supposed to be livable within a couple years. An underground garage and surrounding moat are expected. “He likes to dabble in different things,” says his agent, Mark Bartelstein”.
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Warner Bros. issued a press release today reminding everyone that they still own DC Comics, and that they intend to eventually get around to making other superhero movies besides Batman. Maybe. They also do not foresee this as affecting them.
In regards to the TokyoPop thing, I believe that is big news, though not unexpected. I seem to remember seeing a while back that Kodansha was looking to publish their own books when current contracts expired. The tone of that press release was interesting. Especially the last line, “We hope to see these series completed some day…. However, if they are ever published again, they will not be published by TOKYOPOP.”
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WB is will purchase Archie Comics and Peanuts soon.
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Yeah, what happens to DC?
On the Marvel deal – did anyone see it coming?
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I think WB is going to be thinking long and hard about what their next move with DC will be. Hopefully, whatever they think to do, it won’t cause a lot of suffering amongst the DC staff.
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The other shoe: DC Comics buys Diamond.
Tokyopop disappointed they won’t be able to finish publishing series?
hoo hoo ha ha bwa ha ha hahaha hee hee hoo…
Ah… I love irony. It’s proof that God is a comedian.
It seems that Tokyopop has cancelled quite a few series lately. Symptom?
Searching Books In Print, the only titles forthcoming direct from Kodansha (not via Del Rey) are:
Akira 1-935429-00-0 (the first book for this ISBN prefix…)
Ghost in the Shell 1-935429-01-9
(three volumes of Akira announced, two for Ghost in the Shell)
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DC has a corporate history of purchasing other properties (Plastic Man, Shazam, Blue Beetle…)
In comicbooks, Harvey and Archie are the only other original properties with recognizable characters.
In comicstrips, there’s Garfield and Peanuts. (Calvin & Hobbes is not merchandised.)
“Hopefully, whatever they think to do, it won’t cause a lot of suffering amongst the DC staff.”
What do you mean Christopher? my understanding is that the film have next to nothing to do with the comics staff beyond trying to get some marketing benefit out of producing comics they hope people seeing the film will like.
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Well, the PBS series Reading Rainbow is ending its 26-year run. Various parties, including PBS and CPR, preferred focusing on how to read, instead of why reading is good. I hope that doesn’t become a trend in elementary schools.
Re Marvel/Disney: Given that Disney is reportedly concerned with the young male demographic — suppose that Disney decided to make all of Marvel’s mainstream titles “Marvel Adventures”-type titles, aimed at teens and younger readers. Would that sever your personal connection with the Marvel characters and cause you to stop reading Marvel comics, or would you tolerate juvenile content simply to stay in touch?
SRS (who notes that Tom Spurgeon was undoubtedly busy yesterday)
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I’ve been saying since I heard the news yesterday…and will continue saying: The most potentially exciting part of Disney buying Marvel? X-MICE!!!!!
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Charles, I just mean I hope WB doesn’t panic and start a mass firing over at DC in an attempt to seem as bold as Disney, or whatever. This isn’t just about films. This is about all aspects of their intellectual properties being as viable as Marvels, in the face of a bold and very well publicized move. I mean, I saw a piece about this on ABC World News, and they only do the really big news. WB will react, and the effects, for better or worse, will be felt far and wide.
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“suppose that Disney decided to make all of Marvel’s mainstream titles “Marvel Adventures”-type titles, aimed at teens and younger readers. Would that sever your personal connection with the Marvel characters and cause you to stop reading Marvel comics, or would you tolerate juvenile content simply to stay in touch?”
I would probably bail, but I wouldn’t be so disappointed at this point. There are a lot of things out there I’d like to read. I could finally catch up on the stack of indy books I have sitting on my nightstand. I’ve cut back on my Marvel titles (and DC for that matter) already. Actually, I’d continue to buy the Marvel Adventures Avengers title since it’s pretty damn good. This, of course, is a silly hypothetical. I can’t imagine Disney cutting off Marvel’s nose to spite its face. I’d love to see them push the Marvel Adventures line in their Disney stores to try and reach more kids. My stepson loves those books.
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Charles, I just mean I hope WB doesn’t panic and start a mass firing over at DC in an attempt to seem as bold as Disney, or whatever.
That’s unlikely. There are reasons why David Hinckley, for example, thinks of Marvel as being the edgier, more daring, more innovative comics publisher, compared to DC. One might think he’s full of it, when Marvel’s calculated approaches to events and reliance on Marvel zombies are considered, but that’s Marvel’s public image. DC is the source of Super Friends, the publisher of the stories of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, et al., and always will be. DC publishing a MAX title would be as odd as Disney releasing an NC-17 film. DC has everything to lose and nothing to gain by trying to change its image.
SRS
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RE: Reading Rainbow
It was after my time (learned to read via Spider-Man on the Electric Company… Morgan Freeman is to blame), but it was co-produced in Nebraska, and was always a source of pride for this librarian. Reading the Wikipedia article yesterday, it seems that RR has been in trouble for some time, with Lavar Burton severing ties a few years ago, and the series in reruns.
Sad, but a public television show, promoting the joy of reading, lasting twenty-six years? Amazing.
RE: The “Adventurization” of Marvel. Well, let’s see… The only Marvel superhero titles I currently buy are those geared towards a younger audience (MA Spider-Man, Spider-Man Family) or those with some humor or quirkiness (Pet Avengers, Franklin Richards, Fin Fang Four). Hand me a trade of other stuff, and I’ll read it, but I’m not gonna spend money on it. (Yes, I even read the horrible Onslaught trades…what a mess.)
People ask me what sort of comics I like to read. My favorite genre? GOOD comics.
My biggest criticism is that Marvel does not produce comics for beginning readers. I have a four-year-old nephew, and even the Marvel Adventures stuff is too difficult in content. The Mini Marvels… humor relies on in-jokes. And the Super Hero Squad? Maybe. Until then, I’m buying old issues of Spidey Super Stories.
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“DC has everything to lose and nothing to gain by trying to change its image.”
Well, I’m not so sure about that. I think DC could do with better printing for starters. MAX was Marvel’s answer to Vertigo, and I think DC has a lot of room for change, without compromising their flagship franchises, and changing out their staff is one of them. That’s a lot of people losing jobs they’ve had for a long time, which would be very sad. Hey, I can worry for them. I hope your right about it not happening, but SOMETHING is going to happen. I just hope it’s a good thing.
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I can’t imagine Disney cutting off Marvel’s nose to spite its face.
* Marvel will be unable to compete with the darker films from rival studio DC and Warner Bros.
* Certain existing properties may get an unwanted revamp.
* Subliminal Disney marketing may pop up in your favorite comics.
I’m guessing that such fears aren’t atypical. It’s not difficult to think that Disney execs will believe that the market for “adult” superhero titles is declining steadily and irreversibly, and that it would make sense to adjust the content of Marvel’s titles to fit Disney’s public image and seek growth among young readers. FWIW, I’ve never bought a Marvel Adventures issue and never will. There’s no point; it would be like, IMO, buying a “Danny Dunn” book in order to read SF.
SRS
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“I saw this piece about fears of Disneyfication after writing the post”
Wow. That’s one of the most uninformed pieces of writing I’ve seen. That’s pretty bad. That’s just someone trying to get people worked up. To think that Disney only produces family friendly material is just ignorant. They have tons of subsidiaries that produce material aimed and older teens and adults. Why is it assumed that Marvel wouldn’t be treated like those other subsidiaries? Especially since older teen is a market they specifically said they are trying to reach and a big reason why they bought Marvel.
“FWIW, I’ve never bought a Marvel Adventures issue and never will.”
That’s a shame, because some of it is pretty good. It’s old school superheroes. I have to admit that I probably wouldn’t have picked them up if I didn’t have kids, though.
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“MAX was Marvel’s answer to Vertigo”
I’m not sure that claim stands up, even from the start, vertigo was pushing material like Mercy and Sebastian O, while as far as I aware, Max has been superheroes with swears and boobs.
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“suppose that Disney decided to make all of Marvel’s mainstream titles ‘Marvel Adventures’-type titles, aimed at teens and younger readers. Would … you tolerate juvenile content simply to stay in touch?”
Just because Marvel has gotten “dark” doesn’t mean that the majority of its current storylines are anything but juvenile already.
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“MAX was Marvel’s answer to Vertigo”
I’m not sure that claim stands up, even from the start, vertigo was pushing material like Mercy and Sebastian O, while as far as I aware, Max has been superheroes with swears and boobs.
Well, no one said it was the right answer.
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Charles, that’s not saying it was a good answer, Alias Excluded.
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A search on “Marvel” and “Disneyf*” (Google used “Disneyfy,” “Disneyfied,” etc., on its own) yielded about 109 hits. Some opinions will be more informed than others.
SRS
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Expecting Warner to make big changes because Disney bought Marvel is just unrealistic. Warner has owned DC long enough that any changes they might have wanted to make are already done ages ago. This is just unreasonable speculation. Warner isn’t going to do anything, and isn’t going to start having massive firings.
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… and I hope you’re right.
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….I wouldn’t mind if DC changed a couple of things.
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Clutch Cargo is gone, but Sony is eyeing Space Angel….
Expect a PSP version with a more adult Crackle.com movie in the works…
(and if any of you actually believe this is true – ha!)
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Yeah Torsten – DC is also notorious for graverobbing properties too. No sooner did John Carbonaro’s body has yet to turn cold under the ground – does Didio resurrect THUNDER Agents.
In addition to Clutch Cargo, could Sony purchase Calvin & The Colonel while they’re at it?
This: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090831-tokyopop-Kodansha.html
probably the end of Tokyopop.
wow – I’m not into Manga but that’s big news right?
As I am still trying to catch up on all of the news (both comics and not), then I maintain that it’s still Monday!
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. :)
Btw, did you see this brief article from the WSJ :
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125168195801971383.html
“Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger, a confessed superhero fan, wants digs similar to Batman’s. So he’s building a batcave in New Mexico. Designs of a hidden underground tunnel entrance recently hit a snag because of state building codes, but the getaway is supposed to be livable within a couple years. An underground garage and surrounding moat are expected. “He likes to dabble in different things,” says his agent, Mark Bartelstein”.
Warner Bros. issued a press release today reminding everyone that they still own DC Comics, and that they intend to eventually get around to making other superhero movies besides Batman. Maybe. They also do not foresee this as affecting them.
In regards to the TokyoPop thing, I believe that is big news, though not unexpected. I seem to remember seeing a while back that Kodansha was looking to publish their own books when current contracts expired. The tone of that press release was interesting. Especially the last line, “We hope to see these series completed some day…. However, if they are ever published again, they will not be published by TOKYOPOP.”
WB is will purchase Archie Comics and Peanuts soon.
Yeah, what happens to DC?
On the Marvel deal – did anyone see it coming?
I think WB is going to be thinking long and hard about what their next move with DC will be. Hopefully, whatever they think to do, it won’t cause a lot of suffering amongst the DC staff.
The other shoe: DC Comics buys Diamond.
Tokyopop disappointed they won’t be able to finish publishing series?
hoo hoo ha ha bwa ha ha hahaha hee hee hoo…
Ah… I love irony. It’s proof that God is a comedian.
It seems that Tokyopop has cancelled quite a few series lately. Symptom?
Searching Books In Print, the only titles forthcoming direct from Kodansha (not via Del Rey) are:
Akira 1-935429-00-0 (the first book for this ISBN prefix…)
Ghost in the Shell 1-935429-01-9
(three volumes of Akira announced, two for Ghost in the Shell)
DC has a corporate history of purchasing other properties (Plastic Man, Shazam, Blue Beetle…)
In comicbooks, Harvey and Archie are the only other original properties with recognizable characters.
In comicstrips, there’s Garfield and Peanuts. (Calvin & Hobbes is not merchandised.)
Oh, and apparently Archaia has published the first comicbook designed specifically for the Kindle.
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090831-archaia-kindle.html
“Hopefully, whatever they think to do, it won’t cause a lot of suffering amongst the DC staff.”
What do you mean Christopher? my understanding is that the film have next to nothing to do with the comics staff beyond trying to get some marketing benefit out of producing comics they hope people seeing the film will like.
Well, the PBS series Reading Rainbow is ending its 26-year run. Various parties, including PBS and CPR, preferred focusing on how to read, instead of why reading is good. I hope that doesn’t become a trend in elementary schools.
Re Marvel/Disney: Given that Disney is reportedly concerned with the young male demographic — suppose that Disney decided to make all of Marvel’s mainstream titles “Marvel Adventures”-type titles, aimed at teens and younger readers. Would that sever your personal connection with the Marvel characters and cause you to stop reading Marvel comics, or would you tolerate juvenile content simply to stay in touch?
SRS (who notes that Tom Spurgeon was undoubtedly busy yesterday)
I’ve been saying since I heard the news yesterday…and will continue saying: The most potentially exciting part of Disney buying Marvel? X-MICE!!!!!
Charles, I just mean I hope WB doesn’t panic and start a mass firing over at DC in an attempt to seem as bold as Disney, or whatever. This isn’t just about films. This is about all aspects of their intellectual properties being as viable as Marvels, in the face of a bold and very well publicized move. I mean, I saw a piece about this on ABC World News, and they only do the really big news. WB will react, and the effects, for better or worse, will be felt far and wide.
“suppose that Disney decided to make all of Marvel’s mainstream titles “Marvel Adventures”-type titles, aimed at teens and younger readers. Would that sever your personal connection with the Marvel characters and cause you to stop reading Marvel comics, or would you tolerate juvenile content simply to stay in touch?”
I would probably bail, but I wouldn’t be so disappointed at this point. There are a lot of things out there I’d like to read. I could finally catch up on the stack of indy books I have sitting on my nightstand. I’ve cut back on my Marvel titles (and DC for that matter) already. Actually, I’d continue to buy the Marvel Adventures Avengers title since it’s pretty damn good. This, of course, is a silly hypothetical. I can’t imagine Disney cutting off Marvel’s nose to spite its face. I’d love to see them push the Marvel Adventures line in their Disney stores to try and reach more kids. My stepson loves those books.
That’s unlikely. There are reasons why David Hinckley, for example, thinks of Marvel as being the edgier, more daring, more innovative comics publisher, compared to DC. One might think he’s full of it, when Marvel’s calculated approaches to events and reliance on Marvel zombies are considered, but that’s Marvel’s public image. DC is the source of Super Friends, the publisher of the stories of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, et al., and always will be. DC publishing a MAX title would be as odd as Disney releasing an NC-17 film. DC has everything to lose and nothing to gain by trying to change its image.
SRS
RE: Reading Rainbow
It was after my time (learned to read via Spider-Man on the Electric Company… Morgan Freeman is to blame), but it was co-produced in Nebraska, and was always a source of pride for this librarian. Reading the Wikipedia article yesterday, it seems that RR has been in trouble for some time, with Lavar Burton severing ties a few years ago, and the series in reruns.
Sad, but a public television show, promoting the joy of reading, lasting twenty-six years? Amazing.
RE: The “Adventurization” of Marvel. Well, let’s see… The only Marvel superhero titles I currently buy are those geared towards a younger audience (MA Spider-Man, Spider-Man Family) or those with some humor or quirkiness (Pet Avengers, Franklin Richards, Fin Fang Four). Hand me a trade of other stuff, and I’ll read it, but I’m not gonna spend money on it. (Yes, I even read the horrible Onslaught trades…what a mess.)
People ask me what sort of comics I like to read. My favorite genre? GOOD comics.
My biggest criticism is that Marvel does not produce comics for beginning readers. I have a four-year-old nephew, and even the Marvel Adventures stuff is too difficult in content. The Mini Marvels… humor relies on in-jokes. And the Super Hero Squad? Maybe. Until then, I’m buying old issues of Spidey Super Stories.
“DC has everything to lose and nothing to gain by trying to change its image.”
Well, I’m not so sure about that. I think DC could do with better printing for starters. MAX was Marvel’s answer to Vertigo, and I think DC has a lot of room for change, without compromising their flagship franchises, and changing out their staff is one of them. That’s a lot of people losing jobs they’ve had for a long time, which would be very sad. Hey, I can worry for them. I hope your right about it not happening, but SOMETHING is going to happen. I just hope it’s a good thing.
I saw this piece about fears of Disneyfication after writing the post:
I’m guessing that such fears aren’t atypical. It’s not difficult to think that Disney execs will believe that the market for “adult” superhero titles is declining steadily and irreversibly, and that it would make sense to adjust the content of Marvel’s titles to fit Disney’s public image and seek growth among young readers. FWIW, I’ve never bought a Marvel Adventures issue and never will. There’s no point; it would be like, IMO, buying a “Danny Dunn” book in order to read SF.
SRS
“I saw this piece about fears of Disneyfication after writing the post”
Wow. That’s one of the most uninformed pieces of writing I’ve seen. That’s pretty bad. That’s just someone trying to get people worked up. To think that Disney only produces family friendly material is just ignorant. They have tons of subsidiaries that produce material aimed and older teens and adults. Why is it assumed that Marvel wouldn’t be treated like those other subsidiaries? Especially since older teen is a market they specifically said they are trying to reach and a big reason why they bought Marvel.
“FWIW, I’ve never bought a Marvel Adventures issue and never will.”
That’s a shame, because some of it is pretty good. It’s old school superheroes. I have to admit that I probably wouldn’t have picked them up if I didn’t have kids, though.
“MAX was Marvel’s answer to Vertigo”
I’m not sure that claim stands up, even from the start, vertigo was pushing material like Mercy and Sebastian O, while as far as I aware, Max has been superheroes with swears and boobs.
“suppose that Disney decided to make all of Marvel’s mainstream titles ‘Marvel Adventures’-type titles, aimed at teens and younger readers. Would … you tolerate juvenile content simply to stay in touch?”
Just because Marvel has gotten “dark” doesn’t mean that the majority of its current storylines are anything but juvenile already.
Well, no one said it was the right answer.
Charles, that’s not saying it was a good answer, Alias Excluded.
A search on “Marvel” and “Disneyf*” (Google used “Disneyfy,” “Disneyfied,” etc., on its own) yielded about 109 hits. Some opinions will be more informed than others.
SRS
Expecting Warner to make big changes because Disney bought Marvel is just unrealistic. Warner has owned DC long enough that any changes they might have wanted to make are already done ages ago. This is just unreasonable speculation. Warner isn’t going to do anything, and isn’t going to start having massive firings.
… and I hope you’re right.
….I wouldn’t mind if DC changed a couple of things.
Clutch Cargo is gone, but Sony is eyeing Space Angel….
Expect a PSP version with a more adult Crackle.com movie in the works…
(and if any of you actually believe this is true – ha!)
Yeah Torsten – DC is also notorious for graverobbing properties too. No sooner did John Carbonaro’s body has yet to turn cold under the ground – does Didio resurrect THUNDER Agents.
In addition to Clutch Cargo, could Sony purchase Calvin & The Colonel while they’re at it?
~
Coat