Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: Comics, marvel, MVL

Thursday Trending Topics: Marvel At A Crossroads

Published Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:38:51 -0600

Last updated Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:46:46 -0600

We seem to be in the middle of one of the most unusual times in recent memory for Marvel. Layoffs followed by series endings and cancellations, with the specter of DC's October marketshare dominance hanging over it all. This all despite Marvel having developed the film side into a blockbuster machine. The always-blunt Rob Liefeld went so far as to ask yesterday, "Has anyone ever timed their exit as EIC with more precision and accuracy then Joe Quesada?"

This is not to say it's all doom and gloom for the House of the Mouse, far from it — they definitely know how to launch a hit book, and The Avengers movie waiting in the wings should help drive some strong related comics in the coming months. The whole industry wants and needs a strong Marvel making bold moves in the marketplace, and in fact, I have a hunch that in 2012, the Empire Strikes Back.

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Okay NOW Marvel Cancels Their Only Solo Female Character Book. And Black Panther To Boot.

Well today we have learned that Marvel have canceled Ghost Rider too. As well as Black Panther: Man Without Fear, ending with issue #529, the numbering it inherited from the now-relaunched Daredevil.

Claimbusters: The Death Of Guardian

John Byrne, on the death of Guardian, from his website earlier this evening:

Is This The Death Of The Punisher?

With a TV series in the works, this would be a strange time to kill off The Punisher at Marvel Comics.

Most-Read TV/Film Stories Today:

First Image From The Christmas Doctor Who

Tomorrow night, the first footage from the Christmas Doctor Who will be premiered on the BBC's Children in Need, alongside a "surprising" new mini-episode. We'll do our best to bring them to you here as soon as possible but, yes, not to put too fine a point on it, Children in Need supports good causes, could use your attention and, where you can spare it, your donations.

VIDEO: How Kermit Convinced Amy Adams To Appear In The Muppets

Kermit the Frog, star and producer of The Muppets, went to some extreme lengths in order to secure the services of Amy Adams for his new movie. This video was meant to be private, but it has finally leaked, and we can all be amazed and impressed by the frog's tenacity.

Fast-Track Plans For Hunger Games Sequel Put Director's Plans Out Of Joint – Slumdog Millionaire Scribe Called In

Likely buoyed by the largely very positive reception this this week's trailer release, Lionsgate have made a sequel to The Hunger Games their priority. I'm encouraged that director Gary Ross will be coming back, but it's somewhat less cheery to read that his plan to plot and co-script the film have been scuppered by the studio's haste.