Disney licenses out its properties just like Marvel does? I thought that wasn't the case based on an article I read about their Disney Princesses line, which suggested that they were in full control of the production of associated merchandise.
Anyway, Disney would be affected through sales of their Marvel merchandise, or sales of licenses to Marvel merchandise if that's how things are.
Also, I still don't see how making any changes at Marvel at all constitutes "business suicide". Since most books don't feature graphic violence or disturbing content, one imagines that the entire line would be largely unaffected, even if you think that gore has a positive impact on sales.
Disney definitely licenses its properties. It's why they have a licensing division.
Most of Marvel's titles are rated at least teen and usually have some degree of violence or gore.
You don't make sweeping changes across a business when they aren't needed. It presents an unnecessary risk and an unnecessary risk in business is, essentially, suicide. Especially when you're talking billions of dollars.
Beyond that, why do you think gore, etc would present a problem for Marvel in terms of selling merchandise. Marvel is still, and has been, operating within the status quo and their business has been doing nothing but growing.
Frankly, there's just no case for Disney to make sweeping changes. Anyone sitting in a boardroom at Disney/Marvel would realize this same thing. Anything that becomes "kid oriented" will be something either grown organically out of what already exists (ie: expanding the Marvel adventures line) or be built from the ground up.
Not to mention that kids are not the primary reader of Marvel comics. If you're buying a company for its IP, why would you then go and make changes that would alienate the main audience, whose devotion is what made the IP so valuable in the first place? It would be the reverse of buying My Little Ponies--specifically because they're so widely followed by little girls--then having them start killing each other to appeal to a different demographic.
Seriously though, I agree with Crimsondude. I think this good news rather than bad news, and it's a smart move for both businesses involved. I just hope it helps fuel the really awesome but struggling comics like Agents of Atlas, and isn't a death sentence for them.
Here’s the requisite, ridiculously oblique quote from the press release:
“This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories [i.e., selling toys],” said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company.
Translation: “We really like yer cow, so we’re gonna milk it till it sh’ts blood.”
I laughed out loud at Matt Fraction's suggestion that Wolverine's healing factor would only work if the readers clapped their hands and believed in him.
Seriously though, I agree with Crimsondude. I think this good news rather than bad news, and it's a smart move for both businesses involved. I just hope it helps fuel the really awesome but struggling comics like Agents of Atlas, and isn't a death sentence for them.
Never. The duck-Modoks just have me craving more
MetroidZoid on
Steam
3DS FC: 4699-5714-8940 Playing Pokemon, add me! Ho, SATAN!
I laughed out loud at Matt Fraction's suggestion that Wolverine's healing factor would only work if the readers clapped their hands and believed in him.
I've been thinking about it, and I really hope this means good things for Marvel Adventures. That line really seems to have the most to gain because it's all-ages and is the least worrisome to the mouse men.
And any increase in Tigra (or, actually given the impending "reboot"-ish type thing, Black Widow) merchandise is most definitely a good thing.
Disney licenses out its properties just like Marvel does? I thought that wasn't the case based on an article I read about their Disney Princesses line, which suggested that they were in full control of the production of associated merchandise.
Anyway, Disney would be affected through sales of their Marvel merchandise, or sales of licenses to Marvel merchandise if that's how things are.
Also, I still don't see how making any changes at Marvel at all constitutes "business suicide". Since most books don't feature graphic violence or disturbing content, one imagines that the entire line would be largely unaffected, even if you think that gore has a positive impact on sales.
Disney definitely licenses its properties. It's why they have a licensing division.
Most of Marvel's titles are rated at least teen and usually have some degree of violence or gore.
You don't make sweeping changes across a business when they aren't needed. It presents an unnecessary risk and an unnecessary risk in business is, essentially, suicide. Especially when you're talking billions of dollars.
Beyond that, why do you think gore, etc would present a problem for Marvel in terms of selling merchandise. Marvel is still, and has been, operating within the status quo and their business has been doing nothing but growing.
Frankly, there's just no case for Disney to make sweeping changes. Anyone sitting in a boardroom at Disney/Marvel would realize this same thing. Anything that becomes "kid oriented" will be something either grown organically out of what already exists (ie: expanding the Marvel adventures line) or be built from the ground up.
I agree with this. Why would Disney buy the brand in order to change the readership demographic? Doesn`t make sense to me.
I`m betting for the most part we don`t see a change in most marvel publications. But probably a larger amount of kids comics will be printed, as well as some of the Disney properties finding themsleves with monthly mags under marvel comics. Definitely we`ll see more marvel cartoons, Probably more film projects, the direct to video will get bigger.
Bleeding Cool has some interesting commentary about the implications of the deal in Europe, particularly in Italy where Disney is now to all intents and purposes competing primarily against itself.
Wildcat on
0
TexiKenDammit!That fish really got me!Registered Userregular
edited September 2009
Here is a good (probably more wishful thinking than anything) article form Brian Hibbs on the Disney/Marvel deal:
So Joe Quesada is making some big speech about the Disney/Marvel merger in exactly 2 hours 45 minutes and 37 seconds according to the clock CBR have counting down to it!
Kiel Phegley: In a more specific sense on the editorial side of things, some have worried aloud whether or not Marvel will be able to produce more mature comics with content that's seen as less than kid-friendly such as the MAX line or cutting edge books like Jonathan Lethem's "Omega The Unknown." Was the future of those types of stories at all discussed during all this?
Joe Quesada: As I mentioned, they have no intention of altering how we go about our business. Bob made it very clear, the reason Disney made this purchase is because they love what we do and have been big fans of it for some time. They want us to continue doing it and with their global reach, we’ll be able to do it even better.
Hmm.
This is interesting:
Kiel Phegley: And I know that one thing you've cited in the past that's been a big difference between Marvel and DC in terms of the publishing slate is DC's ability to release original graphic novels and prestige format one-shots because their corporate connection to Warner Brothers gives them more leeway in terms of spending cash upfront on long-gestating projects rather than having to serialize all their stories to maximize profits. Now that Marvel is a part of Disney, do you think you'll have the capabilities to publish more long form material in one fell swoop?
Joe Quesada: Hang on a sec. While WB may offer them this leeway, as an editor and creator, I’ve stated publicly on many occasions that I’ve never seen the benefits of original graphic novels. The economics just don’t work and are poor for both the publisher, retailer and the creator, especially during this Marvel regime when so much of what we do gets compiled into a collected edition anyway. While I would never discount doing one, I don’t see the outward benefits nor does the model work.
Just look at it from the eyes of the uninitiated, or the neophyte who walks into a comic shop or bookstore. When they decide on a hardcover, do you think it matters to them or that in some cases they even know that it’s an original graphic novel or a collection of a six-issue story?
Yet from an economic point of view it makes tons of sense to release the material in serialized form first because it then allows you to sell the product in several different formats. Also, from the point of view of a creator having their material reach the widest possible audience, the price of an original graphic novel can be too steep for many. That’s why you don’t see OGN’s selling in the hundreds of thousands of copies. Yet, if the story is strong enough, you can certainly serialize it and have that many eyeballs looking at your work in installments. At the end of the day, you can work for a year on a mini series that gets collected later or spend that entire same year on the OGN. I promise you, more people will read your mini series when it’s all said and done and that year of your life will have been spent in reaching the widest possible audience. And from an exposure and marketing point of view, you work for a year on a graphic novel, it comes out and you get one big promotional push and then it’s done. If it’s serialized, you get a push every month a new issue hits the stands and then another when it becomes a trade and then another for the hardcover.
I just wish Marvel would release all current ongoings and miniseries in trade format only. The only things that should be in hardcover format are Masterworks and over-sized collections.
I just wish Marvel would release all current ongoings and miniseries in trade format only. The only things that should be in hardcover format are Masterworks and over-sized collections.
like
you mean instead of as singles
Or do you mean singles, then skip hardcover and go right to trade
I meant skip hardcovers for stories lasting 4 to 6 or 7 issues. I don't mind stories like Utopia and War of Kings going to hardcover first because they collect 12 issues or over.
I mean it doesn't really affect me, I don't tradewait, the rereleases of Transmet are the first trades I've bought in probably a year outside of maybe an Essential or a Showcase
But the idea of bypassing singles straight to trade is just dumb with a capital stupid
There are some things I want to buy in Hardcover though. I would be very happy to see them eliminate the "premier hardcover" thing, which is just a HC version of the pending TPB. But the HC collections of multiple TPB's should be ramped up, not eliminated.
Like, I would totally buy BND if they would start putting out 12 issue oversized Hardcovers.
If you buy BND I'll send a dingo to your house, Virral!
I am capable of this!
Faynor on
do you wanna see me eat a hotdog
0
TexiKenDammit!That fish really got me!Registered Userregular
edited September 2009
Yeah, don't reward bad behavior. BND = bad, Agents of Atlas hardcover = delicious.
That interview was nothing new, really. Lowering the prices would be a nice step, or at least stop making minis $4 and stop canceling series then releasing them as minis only to charge more (Iron Fist, Ghost Rider come to mind). And Brevoort's still there.
Posts
Not to mention that kids are not the primary reader of Marvel comics. If you're buying a company for its IP, why would you then go and make changes that would alienate the main audience, whose devotion is what made the IP so valuable in the first place? It would be the reverse of buying My Little Ponies--specifically because they're so widely followed by little girls--then having them start killing each other to appeal to a different demographic.
Seriously though, I agree with Crimsondude. I think this good news rather than bad news, and it's a smart move for both businesses involved. I just hope it helps fuel the really awesome but struggling comics like Agents of Atlas, and isn't a death sentence for them.
it won't wear off until someone gives me Loki Goofy or Alice in Wonderland as Sin, Daughter of Red Skull
Never. The duck-Modoks just have me craving more
3DS FC: 4699-5714-8940 Playing Pokemon, add me! Ho, SATAN!
A challenge, eh?
Wow. If ever someone had license to yell out "I'm rich, bitch!" he does.
The DA and Bambi covers are just swell
Ok, I just did too.
Avi Arad is seriously kicking himself for selling his majority of Marvel stock right now.
Frank Castle needs to punish the hunter who shot Bambi's mom.
Nick Fury and his Rescue Rangers
Mr. Fantastic's Wild Ride
Herbie vs. H.E.R.B.I.E
Welcome to [url]Http://.com[/url]!
Though, seeing Kefka VS Dr Doom VS Goofy would be amazing.
Have no idea why you stuck Goofy in there.
Fixed.
Also, blow me.
And any increase in Tigra (or, actually given the impending "reboot"-ish type thing, Black Widow) merchandise is most definitely a good thing.
No, blow me.
I agree with this. Why would Disney buy the brand in order to change the readership demographic? Doesn`t make sense to me.
I`m betting for the most part we don`t see a change in most marvel publications. But probably a larger amount of kids comics will be printed, as well as some of the Disney properties finding themsleves with monthly mags under marvel comics. Definitely we`ll see more marvel cartoons, Probably more film projects, the direct to video will get bigger.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22818
Hmm.
This is interesting:
like
you mean instead of as singles
Or do you mean singles, then skip hardcover and go right to trade
I mean it doesn't really affect me, I don't tradewait, the rereleases of Transmet are the first trades I've bought in probably a year outside of maybe an Essential or a Showcase
But the idea of bypassing singles straight to trade is just dumb with a capital stupid
Like, I would totally buy BND if they would start putting out 12 issue oversized Hardcovers.
I am capable of this!
That interview was nothing new, really. Lowering the prices would be a nice step, or at least stop making minis $4 and stop canceling series then releasing them as minis only to charge more (Iron Fist, Ghost Rider come to mind). And Brevoort's still there.