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An Inflammatory Article About Marvel's Promotional Hydra Shirts For Comic Store Employees

Published Sun, 23 Apr 2017 12:19:26 -0500

Last updated Sun, 23 Apr 2017 12:21:47 -0500

A few days ago I ran a story that Marvel were offering Hydra shirts to comic book stores, for their staffers to wear, to promote the Secret Empire series. For some, this is a rather controversial promotional measure.

Some people thought I was lying and went and asked Marvel execs directly.

.@TomBrevoort is there any truth to this? or is Bleeding Cool spreading garbage again? https://t.co/ckWvcPsPeR

— Greg Fahlgren (@gregfahlgren) April 21, 2017

Again? I thought I'd ask get some clarity…

@gregfahlgren @TomBrevoort again?

— Rich Johnston (@richjohnston) April 21, 2017

@richjohnston @gregfahlgren Still.

— Tom Brevoort (@TomBrevoort) April 22, 2017

Ooh! Well isn't that a pip. So I pulled out the original report that was forwarded to me by retailers that formed the original report and e-mailed it across. And went with a high tone…

@TomBrevoort @gregfahlgren I have emailed you a copy of the original report sent to BC. Please justify "still" in that context.

— Rich Johnston (@richjohnston) April 22, 2017

@richjohnston @gregfahlgren Justify? Pot, kettle.

— Tom Brevoort (@TomBrevoort) April 22, 2017

Ah well, if Tom wouldn't explain himself any further, while making vague but non-specific accusations of hypocrisy, time to take it to you, the public. Then you can do the same.

@TomBrevoort @gregfahlgren I'll just run the piece i sent you and let people judge for themselves.

— Rich Johnston (@richjohnston) April 22, 2017

Is that okay Tom?

@richjohnston @gregfahlgren Be sure to include an inflammatory article title.

— Tom Brevoort (@TomBrevoort) April 22, 2017

Fair enough, Here is the text missive sent to me by a number of retailers, with the response mechanism removed.

Marvel's Hydra Takeover Begins with Your Staff!

Marvel now offers retailers the chance to be a part of the Hydra
Nation with exclusive retailer Hydra Staff T-shirts as the villainous
grasp of Hydra reaches into the real world.

Part of Marvel's massive Secret Empire marketing campaign, the heroes
of the Marvel Universe are up against their greatest threat, on and
off the page, and it's all part of a monstrous Hydra Takeover. During
the events of Secret Empire, Marvel will convert popular comic &
entertainment news sites, Marvel apps & Marvel unlimited and even
brick-&-mortar comic locations into Hydra-ized versions of themselves.

Retailers have already begun incorporating Marvel's Secret Empire logo
into their own store logo, which will change & morph as the series
progresses. Now, Marvel would like to invite retailers to further
immerse themselves within the pages of Secret Empire with exclusively
designed Hydra Staff T-shirts only available to retailers.

Please Note:

Only Large and XL sizes are available.

Is that okay now?

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