STAN LEE TEAMS WITH VIRGIN TO CREATE NEW UNIVERSE OF SUPERHEROES

[MattBrady]

Press Release

Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man and the Marvel Comics Universe of superhero characters, announced today he will be forming a new partnership with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Comics.

Lee is one of the most influential figures in popular culture and the character entertainment industry, having created characters that generate billions of dollars in sales from comics, films, animation, merchandise and games. In his new partnership with Virgin, Stan Lee will return to comic books as both a writer and editor, to oversee the creation of an entirely new universe of superhero characters.

“What a dream assignment!” enthused the always-ebullient Lee. “I can’t wait to start pitting my newest, most exciting superheroes against comicdom’s most powerful, diabolical super villains and then have the fun of tossing them into far-out, thrill-a-minute adventures to challenge the readers’ imagination! And who better to share in the fun, creating wondrous new worlds without limit, than the incredibly talented and dedicated guys at Virgin Comics!”

"Stan Lee is a cultural icon and we welcome him to his new home, Virgin Comics, for this bold new chapter in his great legacy," said Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group president and founder.

The new universe will initially be anchored around the exploits of a team of ten superheroes of various backgrounds and origins. As this team evolves, readers will learn that not all of these heroes are what they seem, as infighting, abuses of power and internal struggles will slowly challenge these heroes as they learn the real villains may lurk within themselves.

“As a creator, storyteller and visionary, Stan Lee has created characters that have inspired the imaginations of generations of audiences around the world and spoke to the core of humanity, transcending race, religion and culture” said Virgin Comics’ CEO, Sharad Devarajan. “It is our greatest joy to bring him back to the industry he helped define, and though Stan's creations have already changed the face of entertainment, we are confident that the best is yet to come.”

“Stan Lee is unquestionably one of history's greatest story-tellers. To collaborate with him, and have him guide and nurture artists and writers through Virgin Comics will be one of the legacies of this company. As the head of all things creative at the company, I bow down in reverence!” added Virgin Comics’ Chief Creative Officer, Gotham Chopra.

As a former Editor-in-Chief at Marvel Comics, Lee trained some of the industry’s most influential creative talents under a system called the “Marvel Method.” Though not commonly used in the industry today, Lee’s process enables the writer and artist to sculpt the story together from the ground up in iterative stages, rather than writers just delivering a full script to an artist in more of a segmented fashion. As editor of this new superhero universe at Virgin, Lee intends to once again work with artists in a similar fashion, allowing a new generation of artists from the comic book and video game industries an opportunity to learn and collaborate with Lee.

Gill Champion POW!’s President and COO said “The arrangement with Virgin strengthens our position as a leader in creating new high concept superheroes for today’s fans. Comic Books and other means of new media distribution are a great way to introduce our properties. In Virgin, we have found a partner who understands the importance of Stan’s global brand.”

The new universe will be unveiled in early 2009 and will initially be launched as a series of ten graphic novels linked into a series of online animated shorts. The story is intended to provide a seamless online and offline experience allowing audiences numerous entry points and engagement synergies as they immerse themselves into this universe of heroes.

[Moosarama]

Really? More superhero comics? Is that what the industry needs?

I don't really need to mention Lee's last attempt at inventing a superhero universe (even though I suppose I just did).

I just think western publishers need to start looking at the success of manga, try to understand why manga has been so successful, and if anything, attempt to emulate its diversity of style, sensibilities, and most important, genre.

[Jason Seaver]

My complaint's not so much "more superhero comics", but why another multi-superhero world? Marvel and DC at least accrued theirs; why start out with super-powers not being such a big deal?

[statnut]

But will they have celebrity writers for this line, thats what I want to know

[100hit combo]

I can't wait for Will Smith to write a comic for these guys.

[Wg2100s]

Originally Posted by 100hit combo

I can't wait for Will Smith to write a comic for these guys.

He can join his wife,who i recalled has written a comic.

[Not From Around]

It's amazing that he is still up for another try at creating a set of properties any time someone offers the chance. Most writers would have retired by now to enjoy their last years in liesure.

[Knowbrainer]

Originally Posted by Not From Around

It's amazing that he is still up for another try at creating a set of properties any time someone offers the chance. Most writers would have retired by now to enjoy their last years in liesure.

Who says Stan isn't enjoying his life? I'd love it if when I'm his age I can keep coming up with ideas and having them see print.

[ssozdinler]

Virgin needs to do a thing that puts sales numbers up and the route they chose is what Stan does best --creating superheroes. So i don't see a problem here.

I'm not fond of superhero comics but hey , can't criticise them to do it , right? That's what brings up big amounts of money in the industry. Superheroes , i mean.

"No Civil Wars , No Crisis". Come on!

[Moosarama]

Originally Posted by ssozdinler

Virgin needs to do a thing that puts sales numbers up and the route they chose is what Stan does best --creating superheroes. So i don't see a problem here.

That's what Stan did best, past tense. His attempts both in comics and online in the past decade to create new characters (or reimagine old ones) haven't amounted to much of anything.

I'm not fond of superhero comics but hey , can't criticise them to do it , right?

Sure we can.

That's what brings up big amounts of money in the industry. Superheroes , i mean.

Name a superhero title outside of Marvel or DC that sells well. Invincible may be approaching 50 issues and Spawn over 180, but they're exceptions - and still, look at their sales. (Someone may take this opportunity to point to Dynamite's Project Superpowers series, but the appeal there seems to be entirely the presence of Alex Ross and the Earth X/Justice creative team)

[Starbird]

Virgin Comics seems very committed to further expanding their presence in entertainment, this time by way of the comic book medium and teaming up with Stan Lee is a positive move towards becoming a major, comic book publisher/distributor, etc. Hopefully the economy will not hurt their efforts, because as things are going now, I think readers are being put in the situation where they have to "cut" titles/subscriptions and will only spend money on titles that already have long and rich histories, such as the X-Men, Superman, Batman and Spiderman. But, that's not to say new readers cannot be attracted and brought into the fold. With interesting, new characters, fresh and thought provoking storylines and creative advertisements...Virgin Comics could obtain the same type of comic popularity that Image experienced during their successful launch many years ago.

[Moosarama]

Originally Posted by Starbird

Virgin Comics seems very committed to further expanding their presence in entertainment, this time by way of the comic book medium and teaming up with Stan Lee is a positive move towards becoming a major, comic book publisher/distributor, etc. Hopefully the economy will not hurt their efforts, because as things are going now, I think readers are being put in the situation where they have to "cut" titles/subscriptions and will only spend money on titles that already have long and rich histories, such as the X-Men, Superman, Batman and Spiderman. But, that's not to say new readers cannot be attracted and brought into the fold. With interesting, new characters, fresh and thought provoking storylines and creative advertisements...Virgin Comics could obtain the same type of comic popularity that Image experienced during their successful launch many years ago.

Why would "new readers" flock to something they've never heard of when they know Batman, Spider-man, and Superman, about which there are plenty of titles available?

[Jeremy Williams]

Great idea, Wrong Mastermind.

Stan is pushing 80 for crying out loud! Come up with a Universe that's a little more fresh like Continuity and Valiant used to be. With new guys stirring the wheel.

I think hiring Jim Shooter with Bary Smith would have created more shockwave on a marketing level and on a creative level.

[Gonzogoose]

Originally Posted by Moosarama

That's what Stan did best, past tense. His attempts both in comics and online in the past decade to create new characters (or reimagine old ones) haven't amounted to much of anything.


Sure we can.


Name a superhero title outside of Marvel or DC that sells well. Invincible may be approaching 50 issues and Spawn over 180, but they're exceptions - and still, look at their sales. (Someone may take this opportunity to point to Dynamite's Project Superpowers series, but the appeal there seems to be entirely the presence of Alex Ross and the Earth X/Justice creative team)

Noble Causes and Dynamo 5.

Besides all that, though, I'm so sick of hearing this argument that there shouldn't be superhero books if not at Marvel and DC. Let people do what they enjoy doing for crying out loud. If they enjoy doing superhero books let them. If they want to do sci-fi, western, noir, etc., that's cool too. But just because a genre isn't perceived to sell well is no reason not to do it. People like Stan Lee are in comics because they love comics, period. No one should fault him for sticking with the genre he loves, or anyone else for that matter.

[Moosarama]

Originally Posted by Gonzogoose

Besides all that, though, I'm so sick of hearing this argument that there shouldn't be superhero books if not at Marvel and DC.

Oh no, I believe there should be fewer superhero books in general. I just think it's even more futile for other publishers to imitate the "superhero universe" formula when the popular ones are only popular because the characters are fan favorites.

Let people do what they enjoy doing for crying out loud.

Sure thing, if money's no issue.

If they enjoy doing superhero books let them.

Who needs Eisner awards anyway?

If they want to do sci-fi, western, noir, etc., that's cool too. But just because a genre isn't perceived to sell well is no reason not to do it.

Neither sci-fi, western, nor noir sell much better in the western market, but wouldn't it be nice if the market could not only support non-superhero genre comics, but prop them up as pillars of the industry?

People like Stan Lee are in comics because they love comics, period.

I wouldn't say there are "people like Stan Lee." He's one of a kind.

No one should fault him for sticking with the genre he loves, or anyone else for that matter.

I don't. I fault Virgin for lacking guts and imagination.

[ziza9]

Originally Posted by Gonzogoose

Noble Causes and Dynamo 5.

Besides all that, though, I'm so sick of hearing this argument that there shouldn't be superhero books if not at Marvel and DC. Let people do what they enjoy doing for crying out loud. If they enjoy doing superhero books let them. If they want to do sci-fi, western, noir, etc., that's cool too. But just because a genre isn't perceived to sell well is no reason not to do it. People like Stan Lee are in comics because they love comics, period. No one should fault him for sticking with the genre he loves, or anyone else for that matter.

The two picks I would have made as well. I'd also add Project Superpowers and The Umbrella Academy to that list. But one of the coolest new ideas I have seen has definitely been Dynamo 5. The industry needs more good comics, superheroic or otherwise. Period. If the Virgin/Lee collab produces more then cool.

[ziza9]

Originally Posted by Moosarama

I don't. I fault Virgin for lacking guts and imagination.

Look at the entire line or lines of books they produce. Very diverse, very different from many other books on the shelves. This superhero line will just be a compliment to all of that. Devi, Ramayan, The Sadhu, Tall Tales of Vishnu and the rest of the Shakti line of books. Then you have titles like Gameskeeper, John Woo's Seven Brothers, and Snakewoman. Then the Voices books like Walk - In and Voodoo Child. Now they are adding a Superhero line. Lots of imagination and lots of diverse titles.

[Lay109]

I will at least give them an issue or two try out but my hopes aren't very high with Stan's last few outings

[Peter David]

Y'know...I have no connection to any of this, other than that I'm a big fan of Stan Lee, so I've no vested interest in saying this:

Honest to God, some of you need to get a new hobby. Seriously.

PAD

[DexM]

Originally Posted by Peter David

Y'know...I have no connection to any of this, other than that I'm a big fan of Stan Lee, so I've no vested interest in saying this:

Honest to God, some of you need to get a new hobby. Seriously.

PAD

No doubt. I read comics because they're fun. I never have understood why people leave messages on here just to bash whatever project that they happen to not be interested in.

[arachnid-guy]

Originally Posted by Peter David

Y'know...I have no connection to any of this, other than that I'm a big fan of Stan Lee, so I've no vested interest in saying this:

Honest to God, some of you need to get a new hobby. Seriously.

PAD

Naice Pete!

Let Stan do whatever he wants to do. Who are YOU people to say what he should or shouldn't do? He's his own man, if it's work he wants, by God can he work!

Stop complaining and let something new and fresh come out of this. Yes it might be utter rubbish in the long run, but then again, it might not be.

GIVE IT A CHANCE! GIVE STAN A CHANCE!

Vote Mine Virgin!

[Peter David]

Originally Posted by arachnid-guy

Naice Pete!

Let Stan do whatever he wants to do. Who are YOU people to say what he should or shouldn't do? He's his own man, if it's work he wants, by God can he work!

Stop complaining and let something new and fresh come out of this. Yes it might be utter rubbish in the long run, but then again, it might not be.

GIVE IT A CHANCE! GIVE STAN A CHANCE!

Vote Mine Virgin!

"Vote Mine Virgin" isn't bad. Or how about: "I got an urgin' for Virgin!"

PAD

[Kahn]

I love crazy old Stan, and I won't be surprised if he is still writing his crazy old stories when my great grandkids are around.

[BADunn]

Originally Posted by Peter David

Y'know...I have no connection to any of this, other than that I'm a big fan of Stan Lee, so I've no vested interest in saying this:

Honest to God, some of you need to get a new hobby. Seriously.

PAD

And this is why we love you, PAD. You tell 'em. (Great job on this weeks She-Hulk, by the way.)

As long as Stan Lee's around I hope he makes up crazy stories be they good, bad, or whatever.

[BoosterGold]

No offense to stan but it's a bad move on Virgin's part. BTW wasn't stan creating something for Disney?

I honestly don't think stan has any great ideas left in him, although I'm up for a good challenge.