JOURNEY INTO COMICS: GIT'S CHANGING FORTUNES & SCHULZ

[MattBrady]

by Michael San Giacomo

Just when it looked possible that someday most of Marvel Comics would be available on DVD, Marvel pulled the plug.

Ray Pelosi, of the GIT Corp. which has been producing DVD’s of whole catalogues of Marvel Comics, said they will sell off their current stock by the end of February. That’s it, that’s the end," he said. "After that we are no longer permitted to sell Marvel DVDs."

GIT’s Marvel pipeline was cut shortly after Marvel announced Digital Comics Unlimited, which offers more than 2,500 back issues to customers at Marvel’s website. Subscribers pay an annual $59.88 subscription fee, or $9.99 a month for all the comics they can view. The catch is, they can only view them as long as they subscribe.

In addition to DVD collections of X-Men, Avengers, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four and others, Pelosi said the final Marvel products coming out in December would be Civil War — The Complete Collection and House of M — The Complete Collection.

Pelosi said though he has lost Marvel, he gained Archie. He announced the Spring production of DVDs of Archie Comics, but was still trying to decide how to package them.

"We may go for smaller sets, like all the Valentine’s Day issues and specials," he said. "Archie has been around since the 1940s and there are too many books for one set."

He said he would try to convince Archie to let him collect the Golden Age Archie Comics superheroes, (then called MLJ Comics) including titles like Zip, Blue Ribbon and Pep with characters like The Shield, Steel Sterling, The Comet, The Hangman, Black Hood and Mr. Justice.

He is also interested in releasing a DVD of the Silver Age Archie superheroes, starting with Joe Simon and Jack Kirby’s The Fly and Private Strong and including the various incarnations of The Mighty Crusaders.

Personally, I’d love to have all those comics on DVD since they are not only horribly expensive, but very hard to find. Not as many people saved Steel Sterling compared with those who horded Superman and Batman. I have a few of the MLJ comics and all of the Silver Age books...somewhere. It would be great to read them again for those Jerry Siegel stories and art by Rich Buckler, Gray Morrow, Dick Ayers, Steve Ditko, Carmine Infantino and dozens of others.

I plan to drop a line to Archie Comics at http://www.archiecomics.com/talkback.html begging them to release the books. If you agree, let ‘em know.

Pelosi said he has so far been unsuccessful in convincing DC to open their massive vaults for reproduction, but is always looking for suggestions.

Marvel’s decision might put a slight crimp in the plans for Fred Wright, Ph.D., of the English Department of Ursuline College a bit east of Cleveland.

Wright is conducting a survey, via Cleveland area comic shops, to determine if anybody is reading the things.

“I am conducting research on how the entire runs of comic book titles on DVD-ROM (such as The Amazing Spider-Man from GIT) might affect the hobby of comic collecting,” he said in his survey. “As a comic book collector/reader, you might be able to assist me in the research by answering the following questions.”

The survey is a simple set of six questions like: have you ever read a comic in electronic format? How does it compare to reading a comic book? If you have purchased a collection, would you buy another?

And the pithy question, “Would you consider a comic book collection in electronic format to be truly a comic book collection?”

Hmmmm. Good question.

( Wright said anyone interested in filling out the survey, or who has thoughts on DVD comics, can contact him at wredfright@yahoo.com)

This boils down to what comic collections actually are and why we have them. As I said, I have all the Mighty Crusaders comics somewhere among my tens of thousands of unsorted comics in boxes. At least I think I do. Suppose I needed them for some reference, or just wanted to read them, it could take me weeks to find it. But if I had the Archie Silver Age DVD, I could see the books in minutes.

Now that Marvel offers this service, we can even more easily track down a single story even if it not among the DVD sets, assuming it’s among the 2,500 offered.

PEANUTS

I just finished Charles Schulz and Peanuts by David Michaelis (slow reader, I know) and it has given me a greater appreciation for the man and his work.

It also made me dig out the wonderful Fantagraphics collections of the strips.

For those of us who grew up reading Peanuts, and that’s just about everyone born since 1950, the strip was an important part of our lives.

The life of Charles Schulz reminds me of a line from an old Lou Reed song in which he told his ever-struggling father, "You’re not a poor man anymore. I hope you realize that before you die."

Michaelis’ book depicts Schulz as forever unsatisfied, a man always striving for something better, a man as sad as Charlie Brown. One of the more touching passages in the book comes after Schulz was diagnosed with terminal cancer and after he has retired from the strip. He says wistfully that “The little guy never got to kick the football.”

Schulz was one of the most successful cartoonists in history, parlaying his strip into a billion dollar industry that continues long after his death on Feb. 12, 2000, the day before his final Sunday cartoon announcing his retirement was published.

Schulz’s son, Monte, has criticized the book as inaccurate, but it’s impossible to know if he’s correct or just a beloved son reacting to a sometimes uncomplimentary book about his father.

If Monte believes anyone would think less of his father because of his depiction as sometimes depressed and always unfulfilled, he’s wrong. The fact that Schulz was able to chain himself to his drawing table for five decades and produce all those amazing cartoons in spite of those emotional issues, makes him even more impressive.

[Fredy2k3]

Hum, Did Gabriele Dell'Otto was credited for the pic of Captain America ?

[ViperOneTwo]

Originally Posted by Fredy2k3

Hum, Did Gabriele Dell'Otto was credited for the pic of Captain America ?

When marvel bought the image for the cover to Secret War they got credit for it. After that, its Marvel's to use as they wish. Such is the world of a freelancer.

[gokujam]

Man that Archie superhero set sounds sweeeet!!!

[Amoebas]

I had always wanted to get the DVD sets of the FF, Spidey, Avengers, etc etc, but because they didn't collect the Giant-Size books from the 70's, these collections were always incomplete.

Some of those GS's were pivotal to the regular series (especially in Avengers) but I spent a number of emails with them trying to get an answer as to why they would not include them. They never gave me a direct answer - they just evaded the question (which was they ONLY question I was asking them.

Poor custumer service and incomplete products - can't say I'm surprised Marvel decided to do it themselves.

[Lemurion]

Originally Posted by Amoebas

I had always wanted to get the DVD sets of the FF, Spidey, Avengers, etc etc, but because they didn't collect the Giant-Size books from the 70's, these collections were always incomplete.

Some of those GS's were pivotal to the regular series (especially in Avengers) but I spent a number of emails with them trying to get an answer as to why they would not include them. They never gave me a direct answer - they just evaded the question (which was they ONLY question I was asking them.

Poor custumer service and incomplete products - can't say I'm surprised Marvel decided to do it themselves.

That's the problem. Marvel isn't doing it themselves.

What Marvel's doing is a completely different breed of cat, and one that's even less satisfying to the collector's mentality than the DVDs. I think that's what annoys people the most about the Marvel decision, it's that the replacement isn't the same thing and is a slap in the face to those who bought the DVDs because they wanted to read full runs wherever and whenever they wanted and now Marvel's taking that away.

The DVDs were a better idea than the implementation, the Marvel DCU is a worse idea than the implementation.

[razorwing77]

I had been putting it off for a long time, but after hearing the news about Marvel pulling the plug on the DVDs, I went ahead and bought the ASM, Avengers, and Incredible Hulk collections. I bought the Cap DVD when it came out and I was very pleased. It's not the most reader-friendly way to read, but they are great for reference, and you absolutely can't beat the price.

Too bad Marvel doesn't see it the same way I do.

[Harmful]

I bought the Spider-Man, FF/Silver Surfer, X-Men, and UXM DVD's and I love them.

I like the Marvel DCU reader better than the standard Acrobat reader you use for these, but these are complete scans, letter pages, ads, back-up stories, pin-ups, etc.

I'm sad to see this happen.

[Madversary]

Well, this sucks.

I got my copy of the Spider-Man complete collection a few months back. I love it. It's great to be able to pop that DVD in for an afternoon, read a bunch of issues, and save the rest for later. It'll take me a while to get through them all.

With the DCU, I'd have to be connected to the Internet, with my subscription up-to-date, and use their Flash viewer. Boo-urns.

[JoeGKushner]

CompUSA was closing some stores.

I picked up the Amazing Spider Man one.

Very unfriendly interface but great utility there.

As far as not having every single special, I didn't feel I was being robbed by the loss of some of the issues.

I'm not such a completists that I'm going to cry about a single DVD taking the place of two to three comic boxes.

When I heard about Marvel's latest efforts, I decided to pick up the Incredible Hulk one as well. While missing things like Future Imperfect, it does a great job of having issues all the way up to June 2006, part of the Plaet Hulk storyline and gives me a quick way to look up stuff. I hadn't seen some characters like Paragon (the character that latter became Her, then Kismet), in years.

[fanboy d]

it's a shame there are some at marvel actively seeking to destroy paper comics...i'd personally never pay a yearly subscription to read something digitally that i can get in one of those beautiful omnibuses for life. hopefully its onbly a matter of time before they find a format for digital comics that works and doesn't impose itself on the reader. when they start doing events like secret invasion online only i'll be real sad.

they should make first issues available online, for free, and then advertise the hell outta trades, monthly titles and (if they must) online subscription. that'd at least get people reading who ca't be bothered to walk into a comic shop.

[Gorjirus]

I love the DVD-ROM collections. I have Iron Man, Avengers, and FF/Silver Surfer.

They are amazing. I was hoping they would get to the Thor one that was planned, but I guess not.

[Comic-Reader]

I have pretty much all the DVD-ROM collections that Gitcorp put out including the non-Marvel ones like Mad Magazine and National Lampoon. I'd love to see a collection of Cracked Magazine as well. This is where their product would be invaluable -- preserving out of print collections that still have a fanbase.

As for the Archie stuff, I really hope they reconsider and print the series in order like the Marvel collections. I know there were a ton and a half of Archie titles, but if you hit the main ones first, "Archie," "Betty & Veronica," "Jughead," and "Archie Giant Series Magazine," they'd find that they could then put out collections that contain 2 or 3 smaller series on one DVD -- like say the "...and Me" titles (Archie, Betty, Reggie) or one for all the different Jokebook series (Archie, Reggie, Jughead), etc., but I do really want to see all 500+ issues of "Archie Comics" on a DVD or 2 in one set, not just random theme issues. Archie has never had its library preserved in chronological order, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so. The same should then be done for the Harvey Comics library.

Finally, I think the Marvel digital comics thing is a work in progress and they are seeking fan response to improve their product. I feel that just because Marvel is no longer using Gitcorp to produce the DVD-ROM collections is no reason that Marvel simply can't do it themselves. Marvel is a business and one of their primary sources of income is to sell their back catalog library to its readers over and over again in different formats whether it be Masterworks, Omniboo, or Online. They may not allow downloading (for now), but that doesn't mean they won't put these new higher quality scans on a DVD themselves and sell that. Gitcorp's were fine for what they were, but the resolution per page could have been higher.

What I'd like to see is using the new high-def DVD formats (Blu-Ray, HD-DVD) to put out those 45-year collections, but at much higher resolution so that they could be read off a big flatscreen TV that is hooked up to a computer -- essentially a 50 to 65 inch computer monitor. Right now, you kind of have to sit at a desk to read comics off the computer screen, but if they can get sufficient resolution so that you can watch it on your TV while sitting in your recliner, then it would be a more pleasurable experience and I think over time, a lot of readers would actually prefer it to the hassle of having to store longboxes of single issues or trades. I know I would.

[johnlayman]

I have all those disks, and would have continued to buy every disc that was produced. They are a bargain at double the price. They're a great resource for reference, and space is at a premium in my apartment, so I can't really allow my bookshelves to overflow with gargantuan essential collections.

This is sad. I was really hoping a Daredevil collection would come out.

[SanctumComix]

GAH!

Marvel once again screws the pooch.

For years I have avoided doing the illegal download thing, and jumped at the DVD sets.
Truthfully, they weren't to act AS my collection, since I have a massive (sometimes TOO massive) collection that actually HAS many of the issues collected, and if not, then in the various reprint forms (tpb's, hc's, etc...).
Digital formats were to be used for ARCHIVE and research & re-reading (so I can avoid having to crack open my hard copies).

Reading on a computer screen is not my ideal idea of reading, but for the sake of keeping my comics from being further damaged by handling, it's a great alternative.

But, no matter what, they would be IN my possession to take on the road or wherever and whenever I wish.

Marvel's new DCU is ONLY available with a constant subscription & being on-line.
SO I CAN'T take them on the road or whatever.

The only saving grace is that I know Marvel will reinvent it again in about a year or so (they never stay the course on any initiative for long) and maybe then it'll be downloadable.

I am sorry to hear about this company losing the rights to make the DVD sets.
While not perfect, they were GREAT!

I own the DVD sets for:
- Spider-Man (actually, that one is an 11 CD set...made before the DVD format)
- Fantastic Four
- Fantastic Four / Silver Surfer (so now I can sell off the first F.F. set)
- Avengers
- X-Men
- Hulk
- Ghost Rider

and I already pre-ordered:
- House of M
&
- Civil War

Heck... I even bought that first foray... the "MARVEL" collection (10 first issues of many 1960's series) when it first came out several years back, in an attempt to support this format.

My ONLY complaint with these DVD sets was that they only collected the main title (and some select mini-series with that same main title), but not any of the spin-off titles or "continued" series'.

For example, with the Ghost Rider set, they collected ALL the G.R. series, and some mini-series, but NOT:
Ghost Rider & Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance, or the Blaze series.

Many stories from one would carry over to the others.

I was also a little sad that the Fantastic Four set didn't also collect the "4" series.

Avengers didn't have Avengers West Coast. Etc...

Before they lost the license, I was worried that whenever they got around to DOCTOR STRANGE, they may or may not collect the various series' jumps that he had undergone;

- Strange Tales (1st series) to
- Doctor Strange (1st series) to
an issue each of Sub-Mariner & Hulk
(where the story from his series continued & he gives up magic) to
- Marvel Feature # 1 (back-up story; "The Return") to
- Marvel Premier to
- Doctor Strange; Master of the Mystic Arts (2nd series) to
- Strange Tales (2nd Series) to
- Doctor Strange; Sorcerer Supreme (3rd Series)

and all the varied mini-series thereafter.

Without those subsequent series jumps, the package would be lacking (and a bit confusing to read as a whole).
But, still... it would have been nice for it to EXIST.

And, of course, the question of how to purchase UPDATES to these collections...

Imagine being able to buy a CD update disc every year with at least 12 issues (and annuals, mini series, one-shots, whatever) as the print series' would progress past the end of the DVD collections.

*sigh*

All MOOT now.

It could have been a golden plan that would make $$$ for everyone, including comic shop owners (who carried the DVD's), and make fans happy.

Well... I won't bother with Marvel's DCU.
I'll wait and see what comes next... or ask my friends who HAVE BEEN illegally downloading to make some copies for me.

~P~
P-TOR

[dantebk]

Love the DVD sets. They're not the easiest way to read, but I prefer color issues to reading Essentials, and don't have room/time/money to collect all the actual back issues. I don't always get around to reading them, but just browsing through is still fun.

They're still enjoyable even with the slight inconvenience. I'd never read the Busiek/Perez Avengers run until the DVD-ROM set, and it became one of my favorite all-time runs, so the DVDs were definitely effective.

Seriously bummed about no Daredevil or Thor.

[silvanthalas]

Long time reader, first time poster here.

This was disappointing news to say the least. It seems as though Marvel is stuck on the idea that if you're going to offer comics in a digital format, there can only be one method offered at a time, rather than giving consumers the method they most prefer: and that is for consumers to have a variety of ways to get their comics digitally and letting them choose the method they prefer best, whether it's CD/DVD, digital downloads, or digital subscription.

In this regard, Marvel is as pathetically slow as the movie/tv & music industries in adapting with the times.

[Boston Brand]

Was there every a EC Horror set planned? I seem to remember reading that somewhere.

[Peasily]

Originally Posted by Comic-Reader

I have pretty much all the DVD-ROM collections that Gitcorp put out including the non-Marvel ones like Mad Magazine and National Lampoon. I'd love to see a collection of Cracked Magazine as well. This is where their product would be invaluable -- preserving out of print collections that still have a fanbase.

Yes! Cracked! I preferred Cracked to Mad, as a kid. The new lads magazine Cracked is a travesty.

[Comic-Reader]

Originally Posted by Peasily

Yes! Cracked! I preferred Cracked to Mad, as a kid. The new lads magazine Cracked is a travesty.

The new Cracked has already been canceled. I think it only lasted 3 issues.

[Ogami Itto]

I own the Avengers, Amazing Spidey, and Captain America on DVD. Let me tell you, on long train or plane trips, or even just waiting in the airport, this is great stuff. I was hoping for a Thor collection.

I too own many of the comics I now have on DVD. The one DVD I should buy despite trying to complete my run is Uncanny X-Men. It would definitely save on wear and tear. I will try to pick up Uncanny and Hulk before the LCS runs out.

I agree, the interface through Adobe isn't perfect, but every page is there for you to peruse, ads and all.

I hope Marvel does this again so I can get Thor and Daredevil on DVD.

[Nat Gertler]

It's more than just Monte Schulz criticizing the accuracy of the Schulz biography. For that matter, its more than just Monte, Craig, and Amy -- but when you've got three of his kids saying that Michaelis was far from the mark when describing how Schulz was as a parent, what source could Michaelis have that would actually trump that?

And it's not just Jeannie Schulz criticizing the accuracy - although someone who shared a bed with him for a third of his life might just know whether he was constantly depressed or not.

It's also people who knew him without being related to him. People who worked in his offices. People who worked with him for decades. And it's not that they don't want people to think ill of Schulz, it's that they don't want them to think incorrectly of him -- and the picture painted in the book does not match with the man they know.

Schulz's birthday was yesterday; he would've been 85. And if you want to learn more about the man, read the post the his daughter Amy just put up toward the bottom of this page.

[JLAJRC]

I'm also in the camp of this being a big mistake.

[Alan Coil]

Originally Posted by Nat Gertler

It's more than just Monte Schulz criticizing the accuracy of the Schulz biography. For that matter, its more than just Monte, Craig, and Amy -- but when you've got three of his kids saying that Michaelis was far from the mark when describing how Schulz was as a parent, what source could Michaelis have that would actually trump that?

And it's not just Jeannie Schulz criticizing the accuracy - although someone who shared a bed with him for a third of his life might just know whether he was constantly depressed or not.

It's also people who knew him without being related to him. People who worked in his offices. People who worked with him for decades. And it's not that they don't want people to think ill of Schulz, it's that they don't want them to think incorrectly of him -- and the picture painted in the book does not match with the man they know.

Schulz's birthday was yesterday; he would've been 85. And if you want to learn more about the man, read the post the his daughter Amy just put up toward the bottom of this page.

Thanks, Nat, I was going to post similar thoughts.

It's not just the family, it's also friends and co-workers who say the book mis-characterizes Charles Schulz. The author was also very heavily influential in the PBS program that aired a few weeks ago. A friend of mine saw the PBS show, and now believes what he saw, not what has been logically explained to him. Such is the power of visual presentation. What appears to be a slanted book will now become gospel to the common man.

[Alan Coil]

Mike said:
"The fact that Schulz was able to chain himself to his drawing table for five decades and produce all those amazing cartoons in spite of those emotional issues, makes him even more impressive."
-----
Obviously, Mike believes the book.