Marvel

In recent weeks, we've been seeing the exclusivity monster poke it's head up on the digital platform. Marvel's exclusive with Comixology. Valiant is exclusive with Comixology. DC might as well be exclusive with Comixology. But, for the most part, there appears to be a catch: the digital exclusives seem to be just for the monthly editions. Single issues if you prefer.

People have been asking why, when Peter and MJ's marriage had to end for story reasons, Northstar getting married is okay. Editor Tom Brevoort answered this on his Formspring:

We know this post will anger comics industry journalists, but after Disney's success getting PR for their gay-themed comic onThe View, it seems Turner/WB is getting in on the synergy action too. We just received a tip from a Turner PR person for this story on the HLN (Headline News) site.

When a young fan with hearing impairment didn't want to wear an aid because he felt it'd make him stand out, his mother assembled with Marvel's staff to save the day

Here's Marvel's official PR and artwork for the gay marriage storyline, and you know...well, who doesn't cry at a wedding? (Click for larger version)

Well, after a grueling morning spent watching The View, as one might have expected, it was the nerd of the bunch, Whoopi Goldberg, who announced that "Marvel is making history with an issue on sale tomorrow, as Northstar will propose to Kyle with a gay wedding in a future issue." This prompted Joy Behar to ask "Can Batman and Robin come out of the closet now?"

It's all coming together now, isn't it? Marvel has just sent out the following advisory:

Tune into ABC at 11a/10a E/C tomorrow as the hosts of ABC’s The View exclusively reveal a major Marvel announcement! This is your first chance to get a look at the moment in Astonishing X-Men #50 that will have everyone talking!

Avengers continues rule the U.S. box office and climb up the global rankings. Avengers is now the #4 grossing film all-time in the global market and #6 in the U.S market.

Roger Langridge mentioned in a podcast that he was done with Marvel and DC (OK, he wasn't working with DC... but he's planning on keeping it that way) a little while back. The story has popped up again over at the Washington Post's Comic Riffs blog. This time out, the emphasis is clearly on Jack Kirby and The Avengers movie.

By J. M. Walter, via Cartoon Brew.

DAREDEVIL continues to be the superhero book that proves that "nice art" can be better than "house style" as Mike Allred takes over for an issue. Mark Waid continues to write.

The "Upfronts" have taken/are taking place somewhere in Hollywood and New York and although it sounds like a bra convention, what it really means is the networks are parading their new shows for 2012-13 in front of TV reporters. The big comics news was a greenlight for the Green Arrow TV show—minus the arrow—but Marvel stuff also has some motion.