Internet fandom – co-opted by Marvel Comics! Yes, that sad day has come when random internet snark becomes just another cog in the Mighty Marvel Machine, as Michael Agrusso (creator of those “I’m a Marvel, and I’m a DC” videos that did the rounds recently) gets interviewed on the Marvel site. And how does the most recent interview post end…?:
Anyhow, we’ll have more “I’m a Marvel, I’m a DC” videos here on Marvel.com in the future. Maybe even some you haven’t seen before? Hotsy-totsy!
Nooooooooo! Someone else sells out before I do! Goddammit.
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:39 pm
You know, if I were Marvel, I wouldn’t want them on my site. If they’re out there on Youtube, that’s grass roots support. If they’re on Marvel.com… they’re just a bit bitchy.
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Marvel is just as susceptible as any other company to this sort of thing- you can’t be cool by trying to be cool. It’s sort of like Sony’s attempt to make a faux-grassroots PSP promotion site, but much less creepy-manipulative, insulting, and lame.
On the other hand, congrats to Mr. Agrusso.
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:30 pm
You know–self-deprecating humor is the most endearing–I think this might be a smart move–when you make fun of yourself first–it kind of allows you to make fun of your competition a little bit without all the ramifications.
Plus, I’m sure Agrusso wanted to just make those movies for fun–Lord knows all of us creative types love waiting tables and making minimum wage–the gratification is so much more “grass roots” when you aren’t making any money right?
Selling out is a part of the process folks don’t hate on the guy because he’s making some progress because he deserves it.
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:39 pm
So, are you are you just “angry” because you’ve been blogging for eons and still maintain your Indy Street Cred®?
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Hey, I’m not criticising Agrusso. I just don’t think it’s a very smart move by Marvel. Any official connection makes the videos less effective as PR.
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I’ve been trying to sell out for years, but no-one’s buying what I’m selling…
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:02 pm
No on wants herpes, Graeme.
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:03 pm
There’s a word for people who sell out:
Winners.
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Graeme, you’re just never on the right corner when I’m out cruising.
Seriously, though…I think the point some miss is that these shorts AREN’T self-deprecating. They, largely, laud Marvel at DC’s expense. Putting them up as a corporate production on their site?
If Bob Wayne interjects in a Bendis convention panel again, it might be to say a crossover won’t happen until Quesada is fired, chaining him up somewhere in the middle of Time Square, and publicly administering an enema. Bad blood?
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Yeah, seriously – good move for Agrusso, about whom I have nothing bad to say, but bad move for Marvel, who will seem petulant by proxy, even though they really have nothing to do with these, other than hosting them.
Is that fair? No, not really, and for once, I’d defend Marvel against its critics on this score (unless they start e-mailing Agrusso assigned talking points for his skits), but “fair” has never had anything to do with public perception.
July 3rd, 2007 at 12:03 am
I would think that Marvel wouldn’t want those videos on their site because, even with their pro-Marvel slant, Batman still owns in them.