MORE ON THE MARVEL/DABEL SPLIT

**MattBrady** · 08-15-2007, 01:46 PM

Yesterday’s announcement of Marvel and the Dabel Brothers “mutually ending” their publishing relationship after just under one year of operation (with Marvel apparently holding on to the publishing rights of the bulk of the properties the Dabels held when they entered the deal) had a definite echo of history repeating itself to it. In the six years since their founding Dabel Brothers (a.k.a. DBPro, Roaring Studios) has partnered/aligned itself with four other publishers/partners: Image, Devil’s Due, Alias, and Red Eagle.

In two of those relationships, the Dabels have had very public and messy splits (Devil’s Due and Alias) and also in two cases, properties that were, or appeared to be held by the Dabels ended up with their former partners (Devil’s Due and Dragonlance and Red Eagle with Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time, although, the Dabels only had the rights to A New Spring). And again, as Marvel’s press release reported:

“Going forward, Marvel will continue to publish Anita Blake Vampire Hunter by Laurell K. Hamilton; the Hedge Knight series by George RR Martin; Tales of Alvin Maker and Wyrms by Orson Scott Card; Magician Apprentice by Raymond Feist; Lords of Avalon by Kinley MacGregor; and Highwayman by R.A. Salvatore.”

The list from Marvel includes virtually every property Dabel Brothers entered the Marvel relationship with, most notably, their two cash cows, Hedge Knight and Anita Blake which, historically, have been the Dabels best-selling titles.

How did it all go down? We spoke with Les Dabel for the Dabel Brothers side of the story.

Newsarama: From a laymen's POV, coming into a relationship with some high-profile, licenses titles and leaving less than a year later with none of them doesn't seem like an equitable deal. Is it, and if so, why?

Les Dabel: You know, I’m sure a lot of people are wondering what’s going on here, and judging from the responses I’ve seen so far, many people assume something bad happened, despite the fact that the press release Marvel put out summed the situation up nicely. The licenses that we have started already with Marvel are the ones that will continue with Marvel, but those are only a few of our projects.

We can't go into the details about the deal structure, but we are leaving the partnership with Marvel extremely happy and on good terms. We’ve got many good things on the way, and we view this as a positive step.

NRAMA: The responses likely come from the fact Dabel brought these to Marvel and is parting ways without them. It’s somewhat counterintuitive for a third-party to assume Dabel is better off without the assets that resulted in that deal in the first place.

Can you maybe speak to that somewhat reasonable confusion on fan’s part? For example, why wouldn’t it be a better thing to have this new line-up you’re teasing and the titles you’ve developed thus far?

Does Dabel need to drop those titles from their line-up to commit a finite amount of resources to these new ones?

LD: Obviously we can't go into the details, but part of the terms of the split were that Marvel would retain rights to finish certain titles and continue some. We have had other deals in the works for some time now that were not part of the Marvel arrangement and those are what we will be focusing our resources and energy on when we re-launch next year.

NRAMA: Was the deal originally structured so the parting of ways minus the titles you brought to Marvel was always likely, or is this the result of some clause in the contract?

LD: Unfortunately, we can't go into any actual details about the contract and how it was set up, but Marvel will continue with the titles and now it's time for us to expand and grow as a publisher. We were able to produce Anita Blake, one of the top Graphic Novels in the U.S. for 2007, but we have so much more in store for the industry. I think a lot of people will be extremely pleased at what we’re working on now.

NRAMA: Specifically, when does the term end? What will be the last co-branded Dabel Bros/Marvel projects to hit?

LD: The titles listed will stay under the Marvel brand until they are completed. I can't give any inside info on Marvel's plans, so we'll leave it at that.

NRAMA: Will this ending of a relationship be "clean," or are there going to still be monies owed and projects remaining to be completed?

LD: At this moment all we can say is that both sides are very happy with the end result. Marvel has always treated us well, and we expect to have a good relationship with them down the road. They’re a great company, and we wish them luck with what we’ve left them. We certainly have no desire to see any of the titles we developed do anything other than be huge successes!

NRAMA: Within the list of properties, where does XIII lie?

LD: We have plans for XIII. I know a lot of the diehard fans are waiting for it! More info to come.

NRAMA: What's next for Dabel Bros.? The same path you walked before? Acquire some licenses and/or new titles, seek a publishing relationship with a larger entity? Or do you see yourself remaining an independent publisher in the future?

LD: Again, at this time we cannot comment, but we have big things planned. As I said earlier, we’ll be making a big announcement sometime this week that will surprise everyone – our first title for 2008 is going to be bigger than anything we’ve ever done before!

NRAMA: How about creatively/editorially? Your niche was fantasy/sci-fi titles by names well-known in that sub-genre of fiction?

LD: We are going to continue working with bestselling authors, but we’re not going to restrict ourselves to strictly sci-fi and fantasy. What we’ve done so far is just the tip of the iceberg. If you thought Anita Blake was a big deal, wait until you see what we’re working on now! I think we’re going to blow some minds when we announce our full lineup. This week’s news will be incredible enough, but once we reveal the other titles, I don’t think anyone will be worrying about our standing in the industry. Instead, I think they’ll be excited about what we’re about to accomplish!

We love what we’re doing, and we think we’ve done a good job of bringing some of our favorite novels into the visual medium. We’re in a great position to really begin putting out some incredible material in 2008. Our primary goal is to become “the literary arm of the comic book industry,” and that’s what we’re aiming to do!

When asked for further comment on the story, Marvel declined to take questions, stating that the press release will serve as their official statement on the issue.

AlexLothos · 08-15-2007, 01:54 PM

Interesting interview, but still not many questions really answered. The split was good for both parties, so right now that's all I really need to know. I'm looking forward to what's coming down the pipeline.

ejulp · 08-15-2007, 01:55 PM

Harry Potter?
The timing would make sense with the book series done.
Also makes sense they'd split off from Marvel for something that big (that they wouldn't want to share).

Also Rich Johnson, where are you on this? Give us some insides.

DBHughes · 08-15-2007, 02:03 PM

The enormous coup for Dabel?

"Dr. Phil - The Comic X-perience"

Snowspinner · 08-15-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejulp

Harry Potter?
The timing would make sense with the book series done.
Also makes sense they'd split off from Marvel for something that big (that they wouldn't want to share).

Unlikely for two reasons.

1) Harry Potter is already firmly enmeshed in the Warner umbrella, making DC a far more likely fit.

2) Supposedly, Rowling is actively uninterested in a comics adapation/spin-off.

Travel Exiter · 08-15-2007, 02:06 PM

maybe marvel bought out Dabel's share in the licensing

FChamberlain · 08-15-2007, 02:08 PM

NRAMA: Within the list of properties, where does XIII lie?

LD: We have plans for XIII. I know a lot of the diehard fans are waiting for it! More info to come.

... all I needed to know.

tunabeard · 08-15-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Newsarama:
We can't go into the details about the deal structure, but we are leaving the partnership with Marvel extremely happy and on good terms. We’ve got many good things on the way, and we view this as a positive step.

LD: Obviously we can't go into the details, but part of the terms of the split were that Marvel would retain rights to finish certain titles and continue some. We have had other deals in the works for some time now that were not part of the Marvel arrangement and those are what we will be focusing our resources and energy on when we re-launch next year.

LD: Unfortunately, we can't go into any actual details about the contract and how it was set up, but Marvel will continue with the titles and now it's time for us to expand and grow as a publisher.

I can't give any inside info on Marvel's plans, so we'll leave it at that.

LD: At this moment all we can say is that both sides are very happy with the end result. Marvel has always treated us well, and we expect to have a good relationship with them down the road. They’re a great company, and we wish them luck with what we’ve left them. We certainly have no desire to see any of the titles we developed do anything other than be huge successes!

LD: Again, at this time we cannot comment, but we have big things planned. As I said earlier, we’ll be making a big announcement sometime this week that will surprise everyone – our first title for 2008 is going to be bigger than anything we’ve ever done before!

When asked for further comment on the story, Marvel declined to take questions, stating that the press release will serve as their official statement on the issue.

Smells like someone in legal included a "gag order" of some kind in this deal. Guess Marvel must have really insulated themselves in case something like DB Pro's previous dealings were to occur.

vbartilucci · 08-15-2007, 02:12 PM

Well, for Dabel to be happy with the breakup, they must have received something of great value. Money seems the most likely, and that could help very much their future projects. I wish them luck. Hopefully their next arrangement will work out better for all.

Fanboy375 · 08-15-2007, 02:12 PM

More than likely Dabel needed some capital to pursue these "new/exciting" properties and sold off the licenses to Marvel for a fat sack of cash!!!

Evil@work · 08-15-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fanboy375

More than likely Dabel needed some capital to pursue these "new/exciting" properties and sold off the licenses to Marvel for a fat sack of cash!!!

Thats a good theroy

prddad · 08-15-2007, 02:21 PM

Sorry about yesterdays posts, just got to me that i've loved ANITA BLAKE so far, only to have someone else finish off the story. If the creative teams remain, as much as i would dislike it, i would probably purchase the remaining comics.

As for this interview, i'm not sure what to say. No details can be mentioned, so nobody can get their hopes up about anything. It's like watching the last season of X-FILES...

I wish someone can say with reassurance, YES, THIS WILL REMAIN, DESPITE DABEL BROS NOT BEING A PART OF IT.

The future is the future, we'll find out eventually. The present please

Hypestyle · 08-15-2007, 02:22 PM

I never bought any of the DB titles, but I was glad that Marvel still was interested in having a relationship with the indie/creator-owned world. Now, it seems less so…

ejulp · 08-15-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowspinner

Unlikely for two reasons.

1) Harry Potter is already firmly enmeshed in the Warner umbrella, making DC a far more likely fit.

2) Supposedly, Rowling is actively uninterested in a comics adapation/spin-off.

Oh...duh, guess that makes sense.

ejulp · 08-15-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hypestyle

I never bought any of the DB titles, but I was glad that Marvel still was interested in having a relationship with the indie/creator-owned world. Now, it seems less so…

I think Dabel pry pulled out so they wouldn't have to share publishing the new acquisition with Marvel...maybe thought it was large enough that they could be sustainable on its own....I dunno, this whole "breaking up and big project news within the same week" really has me intrigued.

I wonder if Marvel has to rework the deals with the licensers to carry on the titles past their current arcs, minus the Dabels...seems like that'd be the case.

PowerFist · 08-15-2007, 02:31 PM

The Marvel/Dabel Bros. contract probably included a penalty for Dabel if they pulled out early, especially considering Dabel's history with other publishers. This is probably more of an issue of Marvel protecting its investment and, likely, Dabel pulling out for a deal they think is better, than Marvel being evil and stealing from the little guy.

I never read any of their titles, but I wish the Dabels well with whatever comes next.

ejulp · 08-15-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fanboy375

More than likely Dabel needed some capital to pursue these "new/exciting" properties and sold off the licenses to Marvel for a fat sack of cash!!!

.....and part of the deal was to have Dabel stick with Marvel for a while to ease the fanbase transition to Marvel...makes sense, but why the supposedly empty booth at Chicago?

David Bird · 08-15-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FChamberlain

NRAMA: Within the list of properties, where does XIII lie?

LD: We have plans for XIII. I know a lot of the diehard fans are waiting for it! More info to come.

... all I needed to know.

Really? Cause it is a lot less than I needed to know. Do they actually have a production schedule?

kung-pao · 08-15-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbartilucci

Well, for Dabel to be happy with the breakup, they must have received something of great value. Money seems the most likely, and that could help very much their future projects. I wish them luck. Hopefully their next arrangement will work out better for all.

Dabel got Squirrel Girl

jza1218 · 08-15-2007, 02:51 PM

I hope they get their hands on something like Chronicles of Narnia or Hitchhiker's Guide

Zeitgeist · 08-15-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowspinner

Unlikely for two reasons.

1) Harry Potter is already firmly enmeshed in the Warner umbrella, making DC a far more likely fit.

2) Supposedly, Rowling is actively uninterested in a comics adapation/spin-off.

Would making a Harry Potter comic even make financial sense? I could imagine the license would be Very expensive and Rowling having to approve everything, could you sell enough comics to justify it?

FChamberlain · 08-15-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Bird

Really? Cause it is a lot less than I needed to know. Do they actually have a production schedule?

Yes really.

You respond like our opinions are somehow contingent on one another. They really aren't.

ShinAkuma666 · 08-15-2007, 03:21 PM

At the end of the day, moves like that from the Dabel brothers probably hurt their credibility in the fans eyes; they start something, but do not finish it and the future for the titles at Marvel is not clear at all.

I wanted to try some of the tpb that they have put out but will wait a long time to see how the properties are handled...

As for the major announcements, the biggest thing would be something like Harry Potter, and I dont even think a comic of that would sell that much.

Sure looks like the Dabel Brothers are loosing, any way you slice it.

skeletorjr · 08-15-2007, 03:23 PM

I wonder how you could even do a Harry Potter comic. Would it take place between the books? They couldn't do anything taking place after the books because he gets murdered.

Fanboy375 · 08-15-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeletorjr

I wonder how you could even do a Harry Potter comic. Would it take place between the books? They couldn't do anything taking place after the books because he gets murdered.

Obviously you have not read the book.

I hate it when people with half the info or none at all try to post!!!