In his latest Cup O’ Joe on MySpace, Marvel chief Joe Quesada shares a preview of Secret Invasion #7 (above), discusses the recent demise of Minx and Virgin Comics, and expresses his disappointment in a recent American Express ad (which thanks to TiVo I have never seen):
…have you seen that American Express commercial where they dis us comic fans? A guy is having a business lunch and everything seems to be going well until he puts down his credit card that has a comic character on it. The clients look at this, speak to each other in a foreign language and walk away from the meeting laughing at the guy who put down the card. I have never been more angry at a TV ad than this one, it’s really a slap in the face of everyone who likes comic books, comic based movies, and so on.
Sorry, I had to get that off my chest.
This ad totally went under my radar; apparently it’s been around since the summer, when Michael Davis had some words of his own for American Express. This is the same company that featured Superman in their ads not too long ago.
October 6th, 2008 at 9:00 am
I’ve seen that credit card several times and never thought much about it.
But really, “it’s really a slap in the face of everyone who likes comic books, comic based movies, and so on.” I think Joe needs to get a grip.
What the ad told me was, that the clients are stupid enough to care about what picture’s on a credit card. I’d be more concerned (especially in this day of financial problems) about what bank is issuing the card.
October 6th, 2008 at 9:28 am
The ad–part of a series–isn’t an attack on comics fans, it’s an attack on Capital One’s credit card program where you can put your favorite picture on your personal or business account card. The idea in that particular commercial is that you can’t take a businessman seriously if he puts a comic book character (or kittens, in another commercial) on his business credit card, and that a “true” businessperson would use a “serious”-looking American Express card to avoid embarrassment.
Geez, Joe, talk about having a thin skin…
October 6th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I just think it’s funny that he’s endorsing a DC character for President.
October 6th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
It’s both an attack against Capital One (as sroman correctly points out), and a slight against uptight non-American business people. Honestly? When I have a business lunch meeting, I pre-pay to waiter before I even sit down at the table, or I do it when I “excuse” myself to wash my hands.
October 6th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I personally liked this:
“Will the death of the Invisible Woman affect the regular Marvel Universe?
JQ: 4SAKE, it’s happening in the regular Marvel Universe, so yes, of course. ”
Then three items down we have the She-Hulk preview featuring Invisible Woman. Ha!
October 6th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I just thought the ad was kind of stupid, since I’ve found that my clients enjoy the free lunch regardless of how I pay for it.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:03 am
Yeah, I didn’t care much for that commercial either, but then again I hate a LOT of commercials.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
There is so much wrong about that commerical. Particularly that after the clients walk away the guy’s partner/boss says “let me pay for it” and uses her American Express. But why? The clients already walked away because of his card, they aren’t going to see her fancy sensible American Express and turn around and run back to her. If his card cost them business, the least it could do is get lunch.