I once made a statement in an Open Letter to Paul Levitz on why the big comics publishers don't really need a healthy and profitable comics publishing industry.
Pretty silly, considering the dismal condition the comics industry remains in at the hands of DC and Marvel. Oh, we know the big publishers are doing well. Aren't they? They don't really need a healthy comics industry, after all. Not as long as they know how to pimp what the creators give them to Hollywood and the merchandisers. They can allow the comics industry go to hell and still come out smelling like a rose, it seems. And they do it all on the backs of the creators.
Jim McCann, who puts out a regular Marvel communique at Super Hero News, corroborates the above statement in a message he distributed recently which promotes the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. (Jim McCann's position at Marvel is not indicated in the press release - but in the flamboyant tradition of downplaying their comics production arm, he and the entire editorial and production staff are left without mention at Marvel's web site, while the company's corporate executives are given pages upon web pages of exposition and ego massage. They'd almost have us believe that the corporate executives are the ones producing the comics books.) Below are excerpts from the communique.
With a library of over 5,000 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused in four areas: entertainment(Marvel Studios), licensing, comic book publishing and toys (Toy Biz).
Here's a question for all comics lovers: Which one of the above four areas of Marvel's operations is considered the least profitable? Marvel Studios are flourishing, we know. Licensing has always been very profitable, they tell us. The Toy biz has never been stronger, we can see that. What's that you say? Comic book publishing is on its 2nd consecutive decade sales slump? Comics aren't turning a profit? How can that be?
Why is it that comics publishing is at such an all time low? Would it be too embarrassing or expensive for Marvel to admit that their expansive entertainment, licensing and toy enterprises are made possible by the continued publishing of its comic books? Would they have us believe that Marvel comics doesn't know how to turn comic publishing into a profitable enterprise? Would that mean opening a Pandora's Box regarding where Marvel's wealth and success is coming from? Is it too much to ask Marvel to give credit to the comics creators for the billions they rake in on the backs of comic book artists and writers? Lets move on and see what else Jim McCann has to say.
Marvel facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films, DVD/home video, video games and television based on its characters and also licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, snack foods and promotions.
Wait Jim. What about comic books? We all thought Marvel also publishes comic books. Oh right. Here it comes.
Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by its comic book division which continues to expand its leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property.
What did you just say, Jim? Didn't you mean to say that Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by comic book creators, comic book writers and artists, FOR Marvel's comic book division? What the hell happened to the comics creators, Jim?
Oh, we forgot. The comic book division serves "as an invaluable source of intellectual property." Well that explains everything.
So, what you're saying, Jim, is that the source of these intellectual properties which the comic book creators give to Marvel is so invaluable that Marvel will say anything to make it appear that their comic book division produces these intellectual properties all by itself. Like magic.
You're so right, Jim, in corroborating how ungrateful Marvel Comics is to its creators for taking away the credit and the recompense for the intellectual property which comic book artists and writers give them, from their own intellect - and upon which they build their empire. Sadly, Jim, the only intellect Marvel comics is able to display lies in the abusive manipulation of the comic book creators and in their legal strong-arming of the intellectual properties the creators give them.
Thanks, Jim McCann, for corroborating the sad state of affairs for the comic book creators at Marvel. The only question I have now is how much longer do comics creators intend to allow for this blatant rape of their intellectual property to continue?
It's alright, Jim. Flaming Sword Productions intends on returning the intellectual properties of the creators back to their rightful owners and elevating comics publishing to the forefront of the entertainment ventures.
Consider this a promise from The Creators.
