Monday, October 5, 2009

Reuters on Disney/Marvel Changing Comic Book Market

In an analyis article for Reuters, writers Eric Yep and S. John Tilak suggest that Disney's acquisition of Marvel Entertainment could lead to expanding Marvel Comics from being a niche market to one with broad, mass market appeal. The article quotes Bob Layton, former Iron Man writer and artist.



Some select quotes:



"The industry still has to make new inroads if it's to survive -- from distribution right down to the corner comic shop," said Bob Layton, a writer of Marvel's Iron Man stories. "I have no doubt that Disney may bring in a different distribution model."


"A large number of comic shops in America are dingy, poorly managed venues, akin to porn shops," Layton said. "The comic industry needs easily accessible venues where young people can casually find and purchase comics, either through subsidies or discount incentives."


Kelly O'Keefe, a branding specialist, warns that Disney could chase away some core Marvel Comics fans if the Disney takes out Marvel's edge. "The challenges are that Disney doesn't take the edge out of Marvel Comics. Marvel Comics have been famous for tackling controversial subjects. You don't want to see the rough edges of Marvel Comics rounded by Disney," said O'Keefe. [END]



What Layton has to say is a familiar refrain about the inhospital nature of comic book shops to the general public. Even the cleanest comic book shops with the friendliest staff still comes across as alien territory hostile to non comic book fanatics, at least in my experience.

As for O'Keefe's comments, Marvel Comics publications, as they stand today, could use some de-edging. If Disney does insist that Marvel's comic books becomes less edgy, the company may lose some of Marvel's core audience, but not much. The vast majority will stick around, if only to complain.

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