3 Questions To Ask Marvel/DC
stu89
Posts: 9
Hi Everyone,
If you could ask the heads of DC/Marvel any three questions about the direction of their companies or why they do what they do what would they be?
If you could ask the heads of DC/Marvel any three questions about the direction of their companies or why they do what they do what would they be?
Comments
1) If money weren't a factor - and we know that it is - but if it weren't, what one character would you like to publish an ongoing title for who doesn't get enough recognition?
2) Same question, but with a movie. What character/group should get a movie but is unlikely to given they may not be as well known? Again, money or recouping costs isn't a factor.
3) While you've had some successes bringing minority characters into established roles (Ms. Marvel, Power Girl, Huntress, etc.), when do you plan to create some new minority characters with an eye toward them standing the test of time?
All great questions @Torchsong!
1. Is there a line in the sand in which the cost of publishing monthy books become too high, the costs to customers too high, and the amount of revenue too low in which you would have to stop publishing monthly books and go primarily digital? (And if so, what is it?)
2. When starting a new title, how do you project how that book will do in regards to sales? While there is always the chance of a suprise hit, there seems to be many titles published that shop owners and regular customers would almost uniformily say will fail within a short period of time, yet the books are published. Is it just a shot in the dark most of the time or is there market research? How do you adjust when that research is wrong when the market as a whole rejects a title?
3. At one time, I assume you were just a fan like me with a large to be read pile. How has being in the position as an executive of one of the top two publishers changed your fandom and overall outlook on comics?
I want those digital sales figures!
1 - Understanding that, in an age of trades and digital books, why do editor's boxes, which can actually point a reader to a product that you can still make a profit from, do you continue to to go unused?
2 - Have you actually tried to read a book printed on glossy paper?
3 - Do you honestly think that readers are really clamoring for another book about X? (OK, I wouldn't ask that one if it was an exec from Dark Horse, because I would like another book about X.
1) If money weren't a factor - and we know that it is - but if it weren't, what one character would you like to publish an ongoing title for who doesn't get enough recognition?
DC: Kamandi. We love the contributions Jack Kirby made to our company. They’re just so much fun. And we feel Kamandi should be able to draw in a younger audience.
Marvel: Squirrel Girl. No, wait, we did that one... Okay, Luke Cage. No, no, did that one too... Ooh, I've got it: Howard the Duck. What? We are? Really? Who the hell’s left? Shang-Chi? Yeah, that’s it. Shang-Chi.
2) Same question, but with a movie. What character/group should get a movie but is unlikely to given they may not be as well known? Again, money or recouping costs isn't a factor.
DC: Kamandi, just because we all want the action figures.
Marvel: The Eternals. We need to get our money’s worth from that settlement with the Kirby estate. Plus, the Celestials would look bad-ass on the big screen.
3) While you've had some successes bringing minority characters into established roles (Ms. Marvel, Power Girl, Huntress, etc.), when do you plan to create some new minority characters with an eye toward them standing the test of time?
DC and Marvel (weirdly they both gave the exact same answer): Just as soon our writers and artists will give them to us for the peanuts we pay them, instead of keeping them for themselves and their creator-owned projects. Greedy bastards.
* Okay, I didn't really ask anyone at Marvel or DC any of these questions. So sue me.
2. Marvel-Your movies are making Boku-bucks at the box office, but this doesn't seem to translate over to comic sales, why is that?
3. DC-Your cinematic efforts always seem to be trying to re-create Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy; Why do you think that just because it works for Batman, that it must also work for every other DC character?
Having to work on that side of the desk can change so much about your passions. The truth is your passions can/will change regardless of which side of the desk you are working on in comics. It is really easy to be about the business when something you love becomes your job.