The big news yesterday out of the Diamond Retailer Summit was confirmation of the rumored partnership between fantasy publisher Dabel Brothers Productions and Marvel Comics.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Dabels will retain full control of their company, but their books will be solicited, published and distributed by Marvel. At Newsarama, Cliff Biggers notes that DBPro “will serve as a sophisticated superhero-alternative imprint for Marvel in much the same way that Vertigo fills that niche for DC.”
Perhaps the strangest announcement at the summit also came from Marvel: a promised comic/soap opera crossover with Mighty Avengers and Guiding Light.
“This came about through our collaboration with one of Guiding Light’s designers whom we worked with for Storm’s wedding gown,” Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada tells Newsarama. “[VP of Sales] David Gabriel broached the idea with them about doing a bit of audience cross-pollination and they loved the idea. Again, this is just one more way that we’re trying to reach out beyond our usual audience in an effort to expose those who don’t know anything about the greatness of comics and hopefully come back with a few new converts.”
Marvel also revealed a line of Classics Illustrated-style comics adapting classic novels like Last of the Mohicans.
DC Comics, meanwhile, announced an indefinite delay in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier, noting artist Kevin O’Neill’s slower pace on the detailed book.
In more positive news, DC also revealed a two-volume Showcase collection of the 26-issue Who’s Who, an Absolute edition of Wildcats and a four-volume New Gods Omnibus.
Other summit news:
Quesada’s full rundown of announcements
Joss Whedon and Michael Ryan to take over Runaways
J. Michael Straczynski to relaunch Thor
Greg Pak and John Romita Jr. to helm World War Hulk
C.B. Cebulski and Karl Moline to launch Loners spinoff
Spider-Man Family goes bimonthly
Axel Alonso on Spider-Man’s return to black costume
September 12th, 2006 at 10:37 am
Crossing Guiding Light and Mighty Avengers will reach beyond their usual audience?
Ridiculous gimmicks don’t bring in new audiences. Solid writing of diverse characters and accessible art (ie, cut out the cheesecake) are what bring in and KEEP new fans.
Marvel will NEVER get this.
September 12th, 2006 at 10:50 am
Re: http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8341
Maybe I missed something here, but Alonso states that they had the thrust of Civil War planned for 16 mos prior to this, which would put it at the early Spring of last year. Doesn’t that contradict what Millar and Co have been saying about the lead time on the series and how it was sort of last minute? Seriously, not to get into the whole Civil War delay thing again, but it does seem a little odd on the surface. Again, maybe I’m just miscalculating the dates.
September 12th, 2006 at 11:10 am
Don’t feel bad, Dawn. DC largely doesn’t get it either.
And what’s up with the LoEG delay? It’s been solicited already. Couldn’t they have figured this out say four weeks ago? I suppose if it came out in serial form first, it wouldn’t have been much of a deal, but since nothing can be printed until it’s all done, the project gets the kibosh.
Another reason why the big guys are reluctant at best to go to an OGN format.
September 12th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Hey! As someone who first walked into a comic book store because of a ridiculous gimmick, let me just say that they DO bring in new audience and comic book companies, if they want to survive, need to do more of them…
though, of course, to KEEP that audience, as you say, they need that quality product thing.
September 12th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Yeah, ridiculous gimmicks get new fans. Like me!
September 13th, 2006 at 11:06 pm
This is the best thing to happen ever.
Why? because an author that i’m ADDICTED to, I mean seriously I wait months for her next books to come out is releasing an illustrated version of her Anita Blake vampire hunter novels under the new merging of two great companies. I am now going to be a loyal undying fan! I’m not big on comics but Laurell K. Hamilton has millions of fans worldwide across the world, think of how beneficial that would be to both companies. Trust I have every book she has ever written! And now we “the fans” get the chance to see her amazing mystical characters come to life on page. We get to see them the way we envisioned them! I want to say thank you!!! And here’s hoping the illustrated version of “Guilty Pleasures” First novel in the Anita Blake vampire hunter series gets released SOON!!!!