This is a look at the 25th anniversary of Marvel.Showing off the multi-faceted approach to the entertainment industry.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Marvel in the eighties:Becoming a multi-media company
In the 1980’s, America was experiencing a renaissance in music, art and culture. Marvel Publications at this time were definitely in sync with this modern movement. In 1983, film audiences saw the last of the Star Wars instalments entitled The Return of the Jedi. It was eminent that readership of Star Wars would decrease. Marvel Comics adeptly filled this possible void by publishing a new series. Instead of publishing a comic book that was rendition of a film, Marvel Comics produced an animated series that was a rendition of their comic. Marvel released GI-Joe: A Real American Hero. The comic series was created in the spirit of the war comic books from the golden age, an action figure toy line as well as St. Fury and his Howling Commandos; which was published by Marvel Comics in the 1960s. The comic series, which was complimented with a toy line by Hasbro, proved instantly successful. Soon the GI-Joe animated series was released by Marvel Productions.
In 1981, Marvel Comics purchased the DePatie-Freleng Enterprises Animation Studio (famous for Pink Panther) and renamed it Marvel Productions. Having already produced The New Fantastic Four in 1978 and Spiderwoman in 1979, the renamed studio released a Spider-man and Incredible Hulk series.
Soon after GI-Joe’s debut, The Transformers were released. This series, which was also fortified with a popular toy line by Hasbro, would prove even more popular than GI-Joe. Marvel Productions released other animation serials such as Dungeons and Dragon, Muppet Babies and Spider-man and Friends. The last title in particular was useful in presenting various Marvel Comics characters that were unknown to popular audiences. Furthering the exposure of different characters to readers and potential readers seemed to be the driving force behind the company’s marketing in the second half of the 1980s and early 1990s.
In 1981, Marvel Comics purchased the DePatie-Freleng Enterprises Animation Studio (famous for Pink Panther) and renamed it Marvel Productions. Having already produced The New Fantastic Four in 1978 and Spiderwoman in 1979, the renamed studio released a Spider-man and Incredible Hulk series.
Soon after GI-Joe’s debut, The Transformers were released. This series, which was also fortified with a popular toy line by Hasbro, would prove even more popular than GI-Joe. Marvel Productions released other animation serials such as Dungeons and Dragon, Muppet Babies and Spider-man and Friends. The last title in particular was useful in presenting various Marvel Comics characters that were unknown to popular audiences. Furthering the exposure of different characters to readers and potential readers seemed to be the driving force behind the company’s marketing in the second half of the 1980s and early 1990s.
Star Wars:The comic that saved Marvel and the emergence of the licensed comic
In 1977, George Lucas produced Star Wars. Even though its unparalleled success in popular culture was a surprise to most in the industry, Marvel Comics made a rather fortunate gamble. Three months prior to the film’s release, Marvel Comics published a six-issue comic rendition of the film. Star Wars #1 became the first million copy seller since the Golden Age. Star Wars was made into a regular series. Further success followed as the Kenner Toy Company manufactured toys based on the film. The films, toys and comic books worked together to fortify the unit sales of Star Wars products. Marvel Comics also tried to take advantage of other popular toy lines by releasing The Shogun Warriors and The Micronauts.
The success of these comics helped Marvel Comics in the late seventies to stabilize its position in the overall market. This lead to the company being able to set a new practices such as returning art and paying out royalties.
The success of these comics helped Marvel Comics in the late seventies to stabilize its position in the overall market. This lead to the company being able to set a new practices such as returning art and paying out royalties.
The 1970's:A time of expansion and controversy
Despite the growth of Marvel Comics, superhero comic books were once again on the downside. Marvel Comics had to redirect their focus. This was first seen in the form of a barbarian by the name of Conan. The rendition of Robert E. Howard’s character was illustrated by a British artist named Barry Windsor-Smith. Its success resulted in three other barbarian titles (including the female barbarian Red Sonja) by the end of the decade.
In 1971, Stan Lee was approached by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare to make a comic book about the negative effects of drug use. In the aftermath of the turbulent 1960’s, drug use was on the rise in America. This would be the first time since the formation of the Comics Code that comic books would be used as a method of education. Although Classic’s Illustrated, comic book renditions of classic novels, published reprints during the 1960’s, this would be a new step for the industry. The Spider-man story, not bearing the comic books code because it included drug use, was successful and gave Marvel Comics a little more freedom.
The result was the release of two horror titles Werewolf by Night and Tomb of Dracula. This trend would continue with seven more titles (four in magazine format). By 1972 Marvel’s sales were surpassing DC Comics. This success led to a failed attempt to buy DC Comics later that decade. Also, Goodman retired and Stan Lee took his place as publisher.
In the cinema, a new movement was emerging that involved African American heroes who hustled, fought crime and took revenge on those that “kept them down.” Because of the low budget quality, lewd language and behavior and often repetitious storylines, many have labelled this movement “blaxploitation.” Amidst the growth of this movement, Marvel Comics released Luke Cage: Hero for Hire. Luke Cage, the first African American superhero, combated criminals in their urban element. Equally important to mention, is that many of the villains and background characters were also African American as well.
The early 1970’s also saw the explosive popularity of Kung Fu. Bruce Lee’s death in 1971 led much of the world to focus on films that involved this relatively unknown martial art. Marvel Comics took advantage of this trend with The Deadly Hand’s of San Chi: Master of Kung Fu. This title led to another the creation of another character known as Iron Fist. Later Luke Cage (who would change his name to Power Man) and Iron Fist would join forces in their own title. Power Man and Iron Fist became the changed form of the Luke Cage title.
Marvel Comics released another Ghost Rider series in 1973. Although the original was a clever combination of a Western and Horror theme, this new one involved a motorcycle and a modern theme. Two major super heroes had their debut in 1974. Amazing Spider-man #129 featured a hero known as the Punisher. In the spirit of Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson, the Punisher was a vigilante embittered by a crime committed against his family.
Hulk #180 and 181 starred an obscure Canadian mutant named Wolverine. This superhero was unique in the fact that he was not only endowed with genetic power (super healing ability and heighten senses), but was physically altered as well. As a result of an operation, Wolverine’s body was laced with a fictitious, indestructible metal called adamantium. He was also given metal, retractable claws. Although his popularity was just beginning to grow, he would become a dominant, franchise figure by the end of the next decade.
Soon X-men would continue from issue #94 with Chris Claremont writing. Giant Size X-Men #1 presented a new international group of mutants consisting of Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Storm, Thunderhawk and Banshee. Colossus, a Russian farmer, could turn his body into steel. Nightcrawler, a German sideshow performer, had dexterity and could teleport short distances. Storm, an African weather witch, could control the weather. Thunderbird, a Native American Superhero, had superior strength. Banshee, an Irishman who first appeared in some early X-Men issues, had a supersonic scream. Along with Spider-man, these new X-Men would be the dominant, driving force behind Marvel Comics for the next 20 years.
In 1971, Stan Lee was approached by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare to make a comic book about the negative effects of drug use. In the aftermath of the turbulent 1960’s, drug use was on the rise in America. This would be the first time since the formation of the Comics Code that comic books would be used as a method of education. Although Classic’s Illustrated, comic book renditions of classic novels, published reprints during the 1960’s, this would be a new step for the industry. The Spider-man story, not bearing the comic books code because it included drug use, was successful and gave Marvel Comics a little more freedom.
The result was the release of two horror titles Werewolf by Night and Tomb of Dracula. This trend would continue with seven more titles (four in magazine format). By 1972 Marvel’s sales were surpassing DC Comics. This success led to a failed attempt to buy DC Comics later that decade. Also, Goodman retired and Stan Lee took his place as publisher.
In the cinema, a new movement was emerging that involved African American heroes who hustled, fought crime and took revenge on those that “kept them down.” Because of the low budget quality, lewd language and behavior and often repetitious storylines, many have labelled this movement “blaxploitation.” Amidst the growth of this movement, Marvel Comics released Luke Cage: Hero for Hire. Luke Cage, the first African American superhero, combated criminals in their urban element. Equally important to mention, is that many of the villains and background characters were also African American as well.
The early 1970’s also saw the explosive popularity of Kung Fu. Bruce Lee’s death in 1971 led much of the world to focus on films that involved this relatively unknown martial art. Marvel Comics took advantage of this trend with The Deadly Hand’s of San Chi: Master of Kung Fu. This title led to another the creation of another character known as Iron Fist. Later Luke Cage (who would change his name to Power Man) and Iron Fist would join forces in their own title. Power Man and Iron Fist became the changed form of the Luke Cage title.
Marvel Comics released another Ghost Rider series in 1973. Although the original was a clever combination of a Western and Horror theme, this new one involved a motorcycle and a modern theme. Two major super heroes had their debut in 1974. Amazing Spider-man #129 featured a hero known as the Punisher. In the spirit of Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson, the Punisher was a vigilante embittered by a crime committed against his family.
Hulk #180 and 181 starred an obscure Canadian mutant named Wolverine. This superhero was unique in the fact that he was not only endowed with genetic power (super healing ability and heighten senses), but was physically altered as well. As a result of an operation, Wolverine’s body was laced with a fictitious, indestructible metal called adamantium. He was also given metal, retractable claws. Although his popularity was just beginning to grow, he would become a dominant, franchise figure by the end of the next decade.
Soon X-men would continue from issue #94 with Chris Claremont writing. Giant Size X-Men #1 presented a new international group of mutants consisting of Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Storm, Thunderhawk and Banshee. Colossus, a Russian farmer, could turn his body into steel. Nightcrawler, a German sideshow performer, had dexterity and could teleport short distances. Storm, an African weather witch, could control the weather. Thunderbird, a Native American Superhero, had superior strength. Banshee, an Irishman who first appeared in some early X-Men issues, had a supersonic scream. Along with Spider-man, these new X-Men would be the dominant, driving force behind Marvel Comics for the next 20 years.
What make's Marvel character's Marvel?
The Avengers contained a patchwork of characters including Ant-man, Thor, Wasp, Iron Man and briefly the Hulk. The fourth issue marked the return of Captain America to the Silver Age. Daredevil, a blind superhero seemed to be another anomaly. Just as DC Comics super heroes formed an industry archetype (handsome, perfect, and mentally stable), Marvel Comics characters formed an archetype of their own. Most of these early characters possess similarities.
Most of these stories involved very intelligent people such as Reed Richards (Fantastic Four), Peter Parker (Spider-man), Hank McCoy (X-men), Bruce Banner (The Hulk) and Henry Pym (Avengers). Most character’s suffered an accident of some sort involving a little-known circumstance (radiation being the foremost culprit). Marvel characters were clumsy, awkward, sensitive and prone to becoming angry. Thus these traits made Marvel Character more relative to the psyche of modern people.
Equally worthy of mention are other colorful characters such as the Silver Surfer. First appearing in the Fantastic Four, the Silver Surfer was an intergalactic traveller. Another character that came out of a Fantastic Four story was the Black Panther. Being the first character of Negroid descent, The Black Panther was an African prince named T’challa. He would not be the last African superhero to emerge from Marvel Comics. X-Men #6 marked the Silver Age debut of The Submariner. He, the Silver Surfer and Iron Man were to have individual titles in 1968.
Stan Lee perpetuated a different routine for making comic books that would be called the “Marvel Method.” Traditionally a writer would separately draft a script and then an artist would render drawings to accommodate it. Under Lee’s direction, an artist and a writer would together oversee the art and then the writing would be added to it. Under this method, artists and writers would be in greater relation with each other.
Most of these stories involved very intelligent people such as Reed Richards (Fantastic Four), Peter Parker (Spider-man), Hank McCoy (X-men), Bruce Banner (The Hulk) and Henry Pym (Avengers). Most character’s suffered an accident of some sort involving a little-known circumstance (radiation being the foremost culprit). Marvel characters were clumsy, awkward, sensitive and prone to becoming angry. Thus these traits made Marvel Character more relative to the psyche of modern people.
Equally worthy of mention are other colorful characters such as the Silver Surfer. First appearing in the Fantastic Four, the Silver Surfer was an intergalactic traveller. Another character that came out of a Fantastic Four story was the Black Panther. Being the first character of Negroid descent, The Black Panther was an African prince named T’challa. He would not be the last African superhero to emerge from Marvel Comics. X-Men #6 marked the Silver Age debut of The Submariner. He, the Silver Surfer and Iron Man were to have individual titles in 1968.
Stan Lee perpetuated a different routine for making comic books that would be called the “Marvel Method.” Traditionally a writer would separately draft a script and then an artist would render drawings to accommodate it. Under Lee’s direction, an artist and a writer would together oversee the art and then the writing would be added to it. Under this method, artists and writers would be in greater relation with each other.
Enter the X-men:The superstars of Marvel
Even though Spider-man became the figurehead of Marvel Comics, it is the X-men that remain the dominant force in Marvel diaspora. The Uncanny X-men, who came out the following year, presented an even more powerful platform for the complex nature of self identity. For the first time, Marvel Comics introduced the concept of mutants, people who achieved their powers genetically from birth. This group of teenagers had a “strangeness” to them that seemed to distance them from other Marvel superhero groups. The leader of the X-men was an adult named Charles Xavier who possesses a mutant power of manipulating thoughts. Since the ability to control of his powers was self-taught, Xavier acts as a mentor and teacher to the young mutants.
Their arch rival was another mutant named Magneto, whose was embittered by those who hated him because he was different. Years later, Marvel Comics added more depth to Magneto’s past by including that he spent time as a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. Unfortunately, most of the situations stemming from confrontations with the ignorant didn’t start to occur until the mid-1970s.
Their arch rival was another mutant named Magneto, whose was embittered by those who hated him because he was different. Years later, Marvel Comics added more depth to Magneto’s past by including that he spent time as a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. Unfortunately, most of the situations stemming from confrontations with the ignorant didn’t start to occur until the mid-1970s.
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