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Eric Stephenson Slags Off Marvel And DC Over 2012 Publishing Plans

Published Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:17:44 -0600

Last updated Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:48:49 -0600

In his private blog, the publisher of Image Comics, Eric Stephenson, has come out with a rather strong assault against Marvel and DC. And possibly a challenge.

He basically accuses them of living in the past, citing Marvel's big 2012 announcement of an X-Men Vs Avengers event reminiscient of a similar one from the eighties, and for DC's upcoming announcement that they are to be publishing Watchmen prequels.

While in the first three months of 2012, Image is publishing Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' Fatale, Robert Kirkman, Nick Spencer and Shawn Martinbrough's Thief Of Thieves, Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples' Saga, Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra's The Manhattan Projects and Joe Keating and Andre Szymanowicz's Hell Yeah.

And revealing a few covers in the process.

I think it's a little mean, DC has the likes of Saucer Country, Gone To Amerikay, Shooters and more, while Marvel has… er.. Supercrooks. but it does demonstrate a sizeable difference in publishing strategy, and what the company considers important.

And considering the past few years success with the likes of Morning Glories, Chew, 27, Skullkickers, Nonplayer, Our Love Is Real, Last Of The Greats and more, Image does have a better history than either of the Big Two in innovating new work from big name creators – or publishing the work that turns small names into big names.

We look forward to Bob Wayne's comments at his next panel, or Tom Breevort's asides on Formspring in response.