MARVEL ANNOUNCES MARK PANNICIA AS SENIOR EDITOR, TO DEVELOP ORIGNAL OGNs

[MattBrady]

Newsarama Note: While Paniccia has been at Marvel since October (scroll down), this is the official notification of him joining Marvel as a Senior Editor. Already on Paniccia's slate is the new Amazing Fantasy series, which will showcase new characters to the Marvel Universe.

What's also of note in the following release is that Marvel is planning on using Paniccia's expertiese in recruiting new talent - during his time at Tokyopop, Paniccia oversaw the bulk of the publisher's Rising Stars of Manga contests, as well as anthology compliations.

Also of perhaps more interesting note is the indication that Paniccia will "spearhead original graphic novel development."
The move, if it does indeed bear fruit, will mark the return of Marvel to the production of original graphic novels, something it ceased producing in the early '90s. Time and time again, when asked, if a return to OGNs was in Marvel's future, Editor in Chief Joe Quesada had expressed a desire to return to OGNs, but they were not, at the time, a financial possibility for Marvel to produce.

Of course, something that also could cause a raised eyebrow is Publisher Dan Buckley's praise of manga as part of the larger comics industry.

Are original, digest-sized Marvel OGNs on the horizon?

Developing...

Marvel's press release reads:

Press Release

Former Top Tokyopop Editor To Spearhead Original Graphic Novel Development and Recruit New Talent

In a move designed to significantly bolster Marvel’s presence and success in the hot teen graphic novel category, Marvel Comics has hired Mark Paniccia as a Senior Editor.

The former Senior Editor of New Development at leading U.S. based manga publisher Tokyopop, Mr. Paniccia joins Marvel in developing new properties and a new generation of comic book writers and artists. While at Tokyopop, he was a key player in the company’s successful original graphic novel program, and served as a talent recruiter. In 2004, he completed a successful talent search that included anime, manga and comic book conventions, museums and art schools across the country and headed a major national manga competition. Aside from signing new creators, he also brought in established pros to create new manga series.

“The manga category continues to be one of the most explosive growth segments of the comic industry. Having a person the caliber of Mark join Marvel really gives us one of the leading visionaries in the genre,” said Dan Buckley, Publisher, Marvel Comics. “We feel teaming Mark with the renowned Marvel Universe gives us the opportunity to truly take charge and further innovate the comic book market.”

In addition to Tokyopop, Mr. Paniccia has a long, successful track record in the comics industry. He started his comics career with Malibu Comics where he served as an editor for its manga imprint. Mr. Paniccia was also the Licensing Line Editor at Malibu Comics, where he oversaw comic lines based on such popular brands as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Terminator II, Bruce Lee and Mortal Combat. He originally worked for Marvel in 1995 as a Line Editor where he worked on comic books based on Paramount Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox licensed properties. In 2002, he served as a co-producer on the Chow Yun Fat movie, Bulletproof Monk.

Mr. Paniccia went to Holly Cross College in Notre Dame, IN. He now resides in NY.

[al_capone]

Originally posted by MattBrady
Also of perhaps more interesting note is the indication that Paniccia will "spearhead original graphic novel development."

I can hear onemoment's crackling laughter from all the way over here.

[Kolimar]

Originally posted by MattBrady
Are original, digest-sized Marvel OGNs on the horizon?

[Kolimar]

Originally posted by al_capone
I can hear onemoment's crackling laughter from all the way over here.

I know it's scary but you're not alone.

[Gordon McAlpin]

Originally posted by Kolimar
I know it's scary but you're not alone.

Come on, guys. Ignore the trolls and they go away.

Anyway, I'm totally excited that Marvel is going to start doing original graphic novels again. Yeah, yeah, I'm a big geek, and I think the future of the comics medium is in long-form books, not overpriced 22-page mags.

I just hope they don't consider 96 pages a "novel," like some companies.

[Michael P]

Fascinating. Hope this works out better than EPIC did.

[Tom Daylight]

I sincerely hope this includes new books of Sentinel. I just finished reading the second (and supposedly final) digest and I cannot believe that it ends there!!

[wishlish]

Given that there are bookstores that refuse to carry American GN but will stock the shelves with manga, I'm not surprised. Good move, Marvel!

[saiyanspider]

With all the talk from Marvel about recruiting Manga stars before, and now the mention I still dream (I know keep dreaming) of a Cosmic, Thanos, Surfer, Warlock (the real one), Infinity gem DBZ fight, Dragon Ball journy hunt, type story, By Akira Toriyama! It would be awesome!!!!

[beta-ray]

Now THAT'S interesting...

[RDuarte]

Where are the Marvel bashers? Where are the retailers who will go out of business because of this? Where are the "Johnny DCs" and their obligatory "Marvel Sux" chants?

Surely, this is a blatant money grab by Marvel. Surely, they care nothing about the fans. Surely, the industry will die a slow painful death because of these actions.

Well, I guess the Big M isn't so bad after all... The only negative I see from this is onemoment's "victory"posts on this thread. Time to look for that ignore function...

[Jimmy Palmiotti]

I know mark , and besides being a great guy, he has a brilliant eye for talent and a passion for what he does.

Anyone understanding his history knows this already.

I personally think having him on board at marvel is a great step in the right direction for these unique projects.

Really...exciting news.

Best of luck , Mark .

JIMMY PALMIOTTI

[skaly]

A bit early to decide if this is good or bad. I'd love to see this become a success, but for that to happen Marvel has to devote the proper amount of resources to it. They cannot depend on the "trendiness" of manga to get these books sold. I want good stories, and I want these stories to be different from all the other books Marvel is putting out. I'm definitely interested in finding out more about this. Sounds almost too good to be true.

[Jacob W]

I wonder if Warren Ellis will do some then. He's got a strong enough name for the book stores, and he is under a corporate exclusive contract with them.

And it would be nice to see McKeever or other good talent to get a shot at some of these.

Although, I wonder if they will be going through more of their own characters or also trying some new stuff, possibly creator owned.

It's nice to see, but I'm more curious on how they will go about it, and what it will produce.

Best of Luck with it though.

[Alfonso]

Originally posted by RDuarte
Where are the Marvel bashers? Where are the retailers who will go out of business because of this? Where are the "Johnny DCs" and their obligatory "Marvel Sux" chants?

Surely, this is a blatant money grab by Marvel. Surely, they care nothing about the fans. Surely, the industry will die a slow painful death because of these actions.

Well, I guess the Big M isn't so bad after all... The only negative I see from this is onemoment's "victory"posts on this thread. Time to look for that ignore function...

Why are you provoking people for no apparent reason?

[Harper601]

...again they are impressing the *&$% out of me. No wonder they are number 1.

[Alfonso]

In regards to Marvel OGNs, it's about damn time. Several projects over the last few years (Amano's Elektra/Wolverine being the most notable, also Morse's Elektra miniseries, and possibly Sam Keith's Wolverine/Hulk) much deserved this kind of format. This won't really make me more interested in Marvel's product, but at least they're getting on the ball and taking better steps to deliver content. Heck, if they release stories in 80, 90, and 100+ page form rather than drawn out over the course of 6 22-page issues, it likely won't seem as padded anymore.

[Len Cage]

The rest of the western world buys OGN's like we in the US buy flappers. Since this is an increasingly globalized world, get ready to say goodbye to flappers. Flappers aren't sold in most mall bookstoes and their are written for TPB anyway, why else have 5 part stories that used to be told in one or two.

[MarkRobertBourn]

This is the smartest move by Marvel since hiring Kirby.

Mark is such a great person and so well deserving of this job. Marvel is extremely lucky to have him onboard again.

Best of luck Panache!!

[J.C. Bakken]

Originally posted by RDuarte
Where are the Marvel bashers? Where are the retailers who will go out of business because of this? Where are the "Johnny DCs" and their obligatory "Marvel Sux" chants?

Surely, this is a blatant money grab by Marvel. Surely, they care nothing about the fans. Surely, the industry will die a slow painful death because of these actions.

Well, I guess the Big M isn't so bad after all... The only negative I see from this is onemoment's "victory"posts on this thread. Time to look for that ignore function...

Well you know Ra Ah's Gul motto, if you don't have something negative to say, don't say anything at all.

I like the idea, anything to get the word out, really. But, I don't see this format spearheading the industry for at least a decade.
Stories told in OGN tend to be self-contained. And unless you get a team of writers and artist working together, you don't get the soap-elements that super-hero comicbooks are famous for. It works, but how can a sub-plot work when you only see it unfold every 4th month.

[Marxist 64]

Great news!

Whether they be creator owned of Marvel characters, I'd buy some!

[RDuarte]

TWO posts saying I'm being negative. TWO! All I'm doing is pointing out the simple fact that the majority of people that visit this website have nothing but negative things to say about Marvel. I'm not even a "Marvel Zombie," and I buy plenty of titles from many different companies. I am just sick of seeing the negative Marvel spin. Every year, Marvel announces something new, and every year, there are 7 pages under the story, and another 5 pages in Talk@ about how Marvel is Satan. Doesn't matter if it's a good idea or bad. I'd list examples of them, but I don't have the time right now. Quite frankly, I'm sick of it.

If you think I'M negative, then use the search button and type in "Marvel" and "Barnes and Nobles", or "Marvel" and "Tsunami" or "Marvel" and "Ultimate." Spend a day scrolling through the hate, then come back and tell me I'm the one being negative.

[Cartoon Jay]

while I'm sure the industry will keep riding the monthlies (or flappers, or floppies, or whatever) 'til the wheels fall off, i hope this will finally signal a move from 22 pages of revolving door creators to book-length stories.

I just wonder if the manga style is what attracts the readers...or is it just the format. Most manga fans I know (not including myself) hold to the "superheroes are stupid" line.

[J.C. Bakken]

Originally posted by RDuarte
TWO posts saying I'm being negative. TWO! All I'm doing is pointing out the simple fact that the majority of people that visit this website have nothing but negative things to say about Marvel. I'm not even a "Marvel Zombie," and I buy plenty of titles from many different companies. I am just sick of seeing the negative Marvel spin. Every year, Marvel announces something new, and every year, there are 7 pages under the story, and another 5 pages in Talk@ about how Marvel is Satan. Doesn't matter if it's a good idea or bad. I'd list examples of them, but I don't have the time right now. Quite frankly, I'm sick of it.

If you think I'M negative, then use the search button and type in "Marvel" and "Barnes and Nobles", or "Marvel" and "Tsunami" or "Marvel" and "Ultimate." Spend a day scrolling through the hate, then come back and tell me I'm the one being negative.

I'm not of the 2 am I? Since I was playing that line, "nothing negative" to that fella Ra Ah's or whatev, I never got that name right. Usually he pops by a marvel thread, no matter what it is about, and talks shit. You have seen him around havn't you?

[Johnny Smith]

Great move, Marvel!

Thanks for bringing back the OGN's!