One of the best stories about the mental ineptness over at Marvell was back in the 70's when they contacted TOHO about using GODZILLA in the Marvel Universe. Marvell I understand was given a list of do and don't outlines to use the big G with respect and Marvell, along with a great deal of money I understand, agreed. The rights were leased and then Marvel threw the list down the toilet resulting in a very angry Toho pulling the deal after several issues.
Dark Horse then later got the rights and Toho I understand was very happy how the Godzilla character was treated.
Dark Horse then later got the rights and Toho I understand was very happy how the Godzilla character was treated.
Auskar Wrote:I'm not sure exactly what you're talking about, but I'll take a stab at it.
There was a period of time where some artists and writers created their own companies like Top Cow, Image, and Dark Horse, because they wanted more money, more independence with how they deal with characters, and more artistic freedom.
Both Marvel and DC have "canon", which basically is the history of each character and its development, including costumes and so on. You cannot mess with "canon" too much or the character begins to act "out of character" for what readers expect from him/her/them. It can be frustrating to a new artist or writer that wants to explore something new.
Several years back, Marvel looked like they were going to "explode" canon and "reset" the "Marvel Universe," starting all the characters over.
Many of the heroes "apparently" died or disappeared at the end of a story arc called "Onslaught" that ran mostly in X-Men and Avengers. Some of the independents like Rob Liefeld and Jim Lee were hired to do "new takes" on some of Marvel's most popular heroes. It was very very cool, interesting, and exciting. Then Marvel said, "Whoa!" -- and acted like this was never the intention and brought all the re-imagined heroes back to the regular Marvel universe.
"Heroes Reborn" got me re-interested in comics during its run. When they pulled the plug on it I was pretty disgusted and stopped reading again. Plus, some of the more interesting independent comics that garnered my interest during that time had really poor production schedules and seemingly creating "special issues" aimed directly at collectors.
This is specifically why I like the new "Ultimate" lineup. It took all of the old favorties and gave them a new spin. Marvel gave new talent a chance to be creative with characters we have come to know and love. It seems that many of the upcoming movies are being based off of the Ultimate universe - Hell, Nick Fury is gonna be played by Sam Jackson!
"Fate has me highly skilled and loaded with talent."
jacobm Wrote:Fortunately the "Doomed Patrol" were still taking applications...
But their 74 page application form proved too obnoxious for a guy who values his privacy as much as Paul.
Auskar Wrote:Where's David Hasselhoff when you need him?
Few months ago, Hasselhoff's autobio appeared in my store. 50 (!) copies made their way to Performing Arts, where yours truly reigns:mad: with a fist of...of...cotton candy?:confused: And anyway, the Hoff appeared one summer afternoon. Wanted to know if we had "David Hasselhoff's wonderful new book." I knew who he was, natch, but was feeling mis-CHEE-vee-ous. Told him, "Yeah, we got a few, but I don't know where they are... Why? You his grandpa? Wanna buy a couple? Lemme see if I can find them..." And he looked so demoralized I couldn't continue the joke. "'C'mon, Hoff, we got a stack right here on the table. Wanna sign them?"
Bluesman Mike Lindner Wrote:Few months ago, Hasselhoff's autobio appeared in my store. 50 (!) copies made their way to Performing Arts, where yours truly reigns:mad: with a fist of...of...cotton candy?:confused: And anyway, the Hoff appeared one summer afternoon. Wanted to know if we had "David Hasselhoff's wonderful new book." I knew who he was, natch, but was feeling mis-CHEE-vee-ous. Told him, "Yeah, we got a few, but I don't know where they are... Why? You his grandpa? Wanna buy a couple? Lemme see if I can find them..." And he looked so demoralized I couldn't continue the joke. "'C'mon, Hoff, we got a stack right here on the table. Wanna sign them?"You're so heartless. Mean. Cruel. All he did was star in that stupid Knight Rider television show. God, my brother loved that goofy thing. I'll forgive him for Baywatch because how could you NOT want to be on a show with all those gorgeious women wearing red?
I seem to remember him in some lame version of Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D., though (which is why I brought him up in the first place).
Auskar Wrote:You're so heartless. Mean. Cruel. All he did was star in that stupid Knight Rider television show. God, my brother loved that goofy thing. I'll forgive him for Baywatch because how could you NOT want to be on a show with all those gorgeious women wearing red?
I seem to remember him in some lame version of Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D., though (which is why I brought him up in the first place).
Heartless? Mean? Cruel? It's all true, Auskar. All true. But in me place o' woik, I see entertainment souls a lot. And how I envy their success! =That's= why I'm mean! But there are exceptions. Last month, Conan O'Brian asked for the autobio of the reporter hurt on the job in Iraq...whose name is escaping me. I thought of a riff, "Jeez, you look just like Conan...but he's taller of course...when his elevator shoes aren't in the pawn shop, that is..." But he was a nice fella...void of attitude.
Auskar Wrote:You're so heartless. Mean. Cruel. All he did was star in that stupid Knight Rider television show. God, my brother loved that goofy thing. I'll forgive him for Baywatch because how could you NOT want to be on a show with all those gorgeious women wearing red?
I seem to remember him in some lame version of Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D., though (which is why I brought him up in the first place).
...I liked Knight Rider...but not nearly as much as Air Wolf!
"Fate has me highly skilled and loaded with talent."