MARVEL ENTERPRIES: NO NEED FOR DIGITAL LAUNCH

I was reading Warren Ellis blog last week and he was discussing the fact that Marvel has no plans currently to do a line-wide digital release of their comics like DC who will release both digital and print copies of their books when their relaunch occurs in September.

Mr. Ellis said on his blog on 6/30/2011 concerning Marvel's digital strategy: "Their digital store, then, is a big back-issue bin, with the occasional experiment in day-and-date simultaneous release in print and digital. They’re unlikely to go line-wide day-and-date like DC unless DC’s numbers are explosively successful and stay that way for six months — in digital AND print. Right now, Marvel own the comics stores in terms of dollar sales and market share, and probably see no compelling reason to risk a dilution of those figures. Those figures look good on quarterly reports. And that’s not a knock against Marvel, just an observation of the reality of their business life." (Courtesy of WarrenEllis.com. Check out his blog at http://www.warrenellis.com/).

Mr. Ellis mentions that Marvel owns the comic stores in terms of dollar sales and market share which is true but there is something else to consider. Marvel and their parent company, Disney realize that comics are no longer the optimum way to reach an audience anymore. TV and films are the best way to reach the masses.



Consider that Iron Man and Iron Man 2 have grossed millions of dollars in box office revenue since their release in 2008 and 2010 respectively. Since then there have been cartoons and action figures that have given kids a new action hero. 





Just this past Summer, "Thor" came out and introduced Marvel's counterpoint to DC's Superman. The film grossed over 400 million dollars at the box office according to the Chicago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-harrypottertre75t22t-20110705,0,5429209.story). Thor 2 has also been announced for 2013 according to comic book website newsarama.  



And of course in 2012, Marvel Studios launches "The Amazing Spider-Man" movie according to the Internet Movie Database.  




In TV news the Incredible Hulk is coming back to TV according to an article from TV Guide:http://www.tvguide.com/News/Networks-Superhero-Shows-1034938.aspx.

Right now Marvel is in a great place with its characters while DC and Warner Brothers still struggles with a planned reboot of the Superman franchise and a Wonder Woman TV show that wasn't picked up.

Maybe the reason why Marvel doesn't concern itself with the launch of digital day and date of their comic book line is because it realizes that comics no longer interests the reader as they once did with their long-form storytelling but in the age of an audience that seeks instant gratification Marvel's flawed heroes can reach a broader audience through movies and television.

Class Dismissed
The Professor