Comic Movies: Good or Bad for the Industry?

[ZombieKilla]

I'll add my feelings (on the subject) later in the discussion but I want to hear what all of you think first about this question:

Do you think Comic Movies play a positive or negative role in the Comics Industry as a whole?

[50%grey]

Negative. There pretty much killing the cons as well.

[Physicdesigns]

hmmm how can it harm the industry?

[Knigge]

They're good in the sense that they make people aware of comics and make reading comics seem like a semi-normal thing. They're horrible, because they're rarely very good/true adaptations and they don't really boost long term sales.

[KRAZYRICKY1]

Its positive on some and negative on others, it also brings up new ideals that maybe artist haven't thought of in the past. And the bad would be either people will get fed up with all the comic book movies or the fact that less people will buy comics due to that fact that they can just watch the movie. (folks read less now due in part to just about any book can be either found on audio or on video.)

[Popninja]

Negative. There pretty much killing the cons as well.

I thought I was the only one that felt this way. BIG negative for that reason particularly. I no longer have any interest in attending the SDCC after the last time I went because it was so overcrowded with people who were there just to see celebrities attending to promote their comic film.

[JPJ]

I'd have to say it's more PRO than CON.

While I don't see the films pulling in millions of extra readers as everybody thought it would, it definately brings in few.

And if the property is successful and it's a more smaller publisher or studio's idea, they would no longer have to rely on the 3,000 readers to barely stay afloat.

But that's when comics start taking a back seat to the movies, that's when it starts to get a little harmful.

[Pencilero]

No worse for the industry than the comics themselves really. :\

When was the last time Iron Man comics made $300 million domestically?

[lost-spartan]

I'd rather have them then not. I like to see movies about characters and worlds that interest me, and comic flicks fill that need. Are most of them good at best, poor as the standard, yeah, but the ones that shine, really shine becuase of the often inferior competition. As for bringing in some new readers, thats great, as for Hollywierd invading the cons dragging joe blow non comic fan to see flavor of the minute big tits whats-er-face, that's tres lame, but I like smaller shows to begin with. So yeah, I'd rather have them then not.

[jeremy dale]

Negative. There pretty much killing the cons as well.

I couldn't disagree more. It brings tons of new people through the doors of cons and comic shops and increases the visibility and understanding of the entire medium. The LAST thing we need is people still thinking it makes kids into criminals.


- jeremy

[Knigge]

When was the last time Iron Man comics made $300 million domestically?
When was the last time any comic cost 80-150 million dollars to make?

[50%grey]

Only way to settle this is to see a financial stat for the comic book industry just on comic sales for the last 10 years. Then we will have our answer.

Otherwise is just theory and opinion.

[Inkthinker]

I think it's an inevitable result of growth. Comics as a whole needs to step up in the heirarchy of entertainment media, and being adaptable into other media is an essential part of this. It encourages investment and development.

I don't know how it's killing the Cons... certainly it's changing the Cons, at least the big ones, but there's a LOT of conventions around the country, and not all of them are the circus that is San Diego.

SDCC is a beast unto itself. Any conversation about conventions in general should exclude that one, because it totally throws off the curve. I don't think there's any other comics con that approaches that level of spectacle for the sake of spectacle, and honestly I expect that the whole convention is going to rename itself something like "The San Diego Entertainment Expo" or somesuch, to reflect the fact that it's about movies and games now as much as (or even more than) comics.

[Knigge]

Only way to settle this is to see a financial stat for the comic book industry just on comic sales for the last 10 years. Then we will have our answer.

Otherwise is just theory and opinion.

There are too many other variables even for that. But when I worked at a comic shop, it was obvious there was a boost in immediate sales for the comic/movie in question, but dropped back to normal usually a month later.

[50%grey]

Ink, how much floor space will those big companies eventually need to pimp there products. Will the artists alleys and the comic book artists themselves be pushed to side to accommodate those big floor room shows. Will the dealer rooms eventually disappear.Will the conventions themselves start to be bought out and the little man who used to pay X amount of dollars to go to a convention and show his wares be squeezed out due to outrageous rental fees.

Basically, will it turn into E3..where its not about comics anymore,its just about everything else but comics.

The cons are definitely starting to be effected.


To me a comic book convention is a place where you go to see the creators of your favorite comics and be introduced to new propertys,as well as socialize with other like minded people.

[Victor-17]

On the surface, I think it is positive. The comic book store beside our shop has seen a flood of interest by young kids wanting to read comics after they have seen the movie on the screen. He has had alot of walk-ins between the age of 6 and 10 wanting to check out Iron Man and the Hulk, for instance.

As a producer of the films, they have to walk a tight line betweeen making the movies for grown-ups, yet still accessible for the kids. As an older reader, I would love to take a kid to the movie, and see him get turned on by the heroes and want to get more in depth with the characters by reading the comic. But I don't wnat to see a kid's movie either. I think that is part of Iron Man's success. There was limited graphics violence, yet great little jokes and visual gags to keep me entertained (the stripper pole in the jet for instance).

Now the downside, is that one bad movie can wreck a franchise. Leave a movie feeling like you wasted your money, and that might translate to no interest at the comic book store.

Another problem, is that speculative collectors looking for an investment, know a movie is coming out, and go on buying binges that are only sustained as long as the movie is the hot thing. Then, they are left holding the over-priced books. Good for the shop owner moving the product at the time, but the person stuck with the over-priced books is less likely to keep buying the titles as they come out.

Anyways, just my 23 cents. I love seeing the 2-d characters I love brought to life.

[Pencilero]

When was the last time any comic cost 80-150 million dollars to make?

Well we still don't know what it will take to get Todd McFarlane to draw comics again. :o

[Vivat_Rex]

The movies usually help because...they add cash to the creator/company. I don't think Marvel makes most of its cash from selling Iron Man books. DC never needs to worry about making money from actual comics. That's not to say those two companies would like for the books to bleed money, but licensing is where the (majority if not a big percentage)revenue come from. All you have to do is find Marvel's yearly financial statements and you can see the breakdown of where the income comes from: licensing and toys are more than double what the books make.
If you are not Marvel and DC then it is even bigger deal to have a movie made. Hollywood pays even when they never use your ideas according to Kevin Smith. Selling out is the best way to fund new projects and books.

[airbrushartist]

I thought I was the only one that felt this way. BIG negative for that reason particularly. I no longer have any interest in attending the SDCC after the last time I went because it was so overcrowded with people who were there just to see celebrities attending to promote their comic film.

Or worse Cosplayers. Those people need to be lined up and ventilated.

[tekende]

Are movies based on novels positive or negative for the publishing industry?

[Popninja]

Are movies based on novels positive or negative for the publishing industry?

It's not the same thing. You won't ever get an eye-roll from someone after you've told them you read books.

[Knigge]

What about when you tell them you read movie novelizations?

[weirdozhead]

imo the movies have lessened the geek factor, it's brought these characters so much to the mainstream and seeing things like sin city people are realizing there's more to comics than just silly characters flying around in their pajamas

[Johnny Blaque]

Pop, If they are Jim Gaffigan, you will.:D

Gag, McFarlane starts drawing Spawn again in September. It might be plagued with delays or whatever but he's coming back for what it's worth.

I think Comic movies are a good thing especially since Marvel is having the money go to them and the same with DC instead of just selling rights like they used to. It allows the companies to expand and take more risks in what they publish meaning more jobs for up and comers I guess. Cons would also see more people coming to them and getting to meet indie artists and writers and stuff, buying more stuff, etc. More opportunities for indie creators to be successful with someone optioning their creation leading to them being able to put more time into making comics they want to do.

For the Cons being ruined thing.. I dunno, Heroes was pretty fun this year and their were no celebrities that I could see. Just plenty of creators and awesomely cheap books.

[lost-spartan]

McFarlane starts drawing Spawn again in September. It might be plagued with delays or whatever but he's coming back for what it's worth.

Really, why? Is there actually a good reason for him to draw it, or is he just bored of business meetings and wants to be an artist again. :rolleyes:

[Johnny Blaque]

It's on the Image website, front page. I guess he decided to throw Kirkman a bone.

[lost-spartan]

He should throw Spawn a bone, and cancel it already.

[weirdozhead]

it looks like todd's just an "artistic director" and whilce portacio will be the actual artist

[Pencilero]

I've established!

[weirdozhead]

sure you have, just make sure to clean up before you shake anyone's hand ;)

[Tony Moore]

When was the last time any comic cost 80-150 million dollars to make?

well, the movie's budget aside, you gotta consider this: When was the last time millions of people, whether they went to go see the movie or not, knew who Iron Man even WAS? Sure as comic fans, we always knew, but that doesn't make him part of the average public consciousness by any means.

comic book movies, however good or bad, are the comic book industry's chance to have their products names in the mouths of every household in the country, perhaps the world.

The industry, however, is short-sighted and narrow-minded in its general business approach. There are disturbingly few places for your average kid to find comics, and when they do, there aren't many kids who can afford 3-4 bucks a pop and get very far. In both these regards, comics has killed what made it such a popular medium in the first place.

i'd say the potentially big positive effects movies could have is basically squandered by the comics industry. With Iron Man and Hulk on the big screen and in every toy aisle, you think parents wouldn't be thrilled to drop a buck or two on some comics? that's practically free! and i bet they would, if there were affordable comics anywhere to be found by your average kid.

and as a creator, having a new property that sustains itself and earns you a decent living these days is a rarity to say the least. And for many of us, the idea that Hollywood might toss us some dough to develop it elsewhere is often the life raft we're looking for to be able to afford to keep producing comics.

-T

[lost-spartan]

and as a creator, having a new property that sustains itself and earns you a decent living these days is a rarity to say the least. And for many of us, the idea that Hollywood might toss us some dough to develop it elsewhere is often the life raft we're looking for to be able to afford to keep producing comics.

-T

On that note Tony, you and Rick need to start pimping Fear Agent for a flick or atleast a mini series on Sci-fi. Seriously. Heath and his misadventures should be on the big screen. :D

[Pencilero]

I'd say another caveat of Hollywood giving you some payola is hopefully being able to bank that money and not be forced to rely on organizations like ACTOR in your twilight years.

I appreciate what these groups do for ailing and struggling creators, but it's a god damn shame we let our industry evolve to such a state where a good health plan and employee benefits are the exception, not the rule.

[Kaligula]

Honestly, without comic book movies and the licensing of the characters that we love so dearly, Marvel and DC probably won't even exist anymore. That, to me, is a positive.

[malachimanson]

Honestly, without comic book movies and the licensing of the characters that we love so dearly, Marvel and DC probably won't even exist anymore. That, to me, is a positive.

Marvel yes maybe they were in pretty bad hands before the movies.

DC no they have WB backing them.

[SHAMWOW!]

how do you view made for tv/,movie superheroes?

would u have prefered if it was in comic book form first before it became a movie. do you see it lessening the chance of a "real" superhero that exist in comic book form getting a chance to be in the big screen?

Movies for example:My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Hancock SkyHigh, Meteor-man

[Pencilero]

Could just be those things are conceptualized as movies.

Chances are those people grew up reading comics, and rather than make some issue of Superman nobody would remember; they opted to make their own character instead.

And in turn that will probably inspire someone to make a comic. :\

Really, Meteor-Man? The only good thing about that was James Earl Jones rockin' a Gumby.

[notebookpress]

i voted mixed feelings...i think its a good thing right now but i do the potential for it to get it out of hand and ugly and thats a really frightening thought

[Johnny Blaque]

Meteor Man was ****ing awesome.




DC no they have WB backing them.

DC is almost in a worse position, if DC movies didin't make money or toys or shows, Time Warner could just shut down that division and keep the characters locked away until they found something to do with them. They aren't going to put money into something that doesn't make them money.

[Kaligula]

Marvel yes maybe they were in pretty bad hands before the movies.

DC no they have WB backing them.

And why do you think WB backs them? Movies, cartoons, toys, merchandise. Not because of the comic books. The characters are worth a lot more to them than the comic books are.

[Carter]

100% indifferent. It's not killing the industry, per se, but who does it help besides the dude or corporation that owns the intellectual property? I imagine any increased sales of comics are a spike. And I imagine a lot of that spike is from people that already read comics and not Normal Earth People. So I guess it's a wash, is what I'm saying.

[weirdozhead]

i think it's the same with any marketing, the 1st step is just getting them thru the door, once they're there the next step is providing a product they're willing to buy and then a product they enjoy so much that they keep buying it.. the movie is only a very small part of this equation, the rest is up to the book companies

i think the way comics are marketed could also scare away a lot of casual readers.. they may walk in just wanting to buy the "spiderman comic" and then faced with 10 different titles featuring the same character in the title, some of which may seem to intertwine making it look like you can't get the whole story just by reading the flagship title (if they can even figure out which one that is).. let's face it comics have historically been marketed/produced in a very geeky fashion, not to mention sold that way at a retail level

it's hard for me to imagine the spiderman or x-men movies wouldn't pick up any new readers, keeping them around is a different story though and that's up to the book companies

[airbrushartist]

You know it may be time for Comics companies to Regulate how their books are sold at LCS. Instead of letting the schlub behind the counter decide how to arrange the books maybe it's time for Marvel DC to tell them how to market their wares. You all know how those slobs at the comics shops are. If they dislike Marvel DC Capes and Tights comics they jam them behind their favorite Indy or Manga books.
But to the point of this Thread. Just like Speculation in the 90's this new trend of Movies and the resulting hype and buzz and intrusion of new found clingers and pseudo fans will have the same detrimental effects and results. Another By product is the clowns who are just exhibitionists who dress up will further push the comics side of the cons into the niche and easily marginalized area. It will be like a Gay pride parade, The media and journalists will only focus on the freaks and forget the legit indies and struggling artists for the garish and media glomming idiots dressed in their mothers underwear. Hell even you guys come back from cons showing off pics of the idiots dressed up like Comics and Manga characters, or worse Star Wars tards.
But, If handled properly and I really doubt it will, The industry can turn the entire movie thing into an all encompassing multi-media facilitator.
But more than likely they'll blow it and we'll have the 2008-2012 version of the 1990's speculator boom and bust.

[Morganza]

I never read Superman until after I saw the Movie, same with other comics.

[shoryukenmaster]

well, the movie's budget aside, you gotta consider this: When was the last time millions of people, whether they went to go see the movie or not, knew who Iron Man even WAS? Sure as comic fans, we always knew, but that doesn't make him part of the average public consciousness by any means.

I never knew anyone who didn't know who Iron Man was, aside from people my grandparents age. Everyone else, has known that he was a comic character. They might not have known a single detail about his character, but they knew who he was. Stuff liked Blade, Hellboy, and Wanted, I've known lots of people not know about that, but Iron Man has been around long enough for most people to have seen him in some capacity.




The industry, however, is short-sighted and narrow-minded in its general business approach. There are disturbingly few places for your average kid to find comics, and when they do, there aren't many kids who can afford 3-4 bucks a pop and get very far. In both these regards, comics has killed what made it such a popular medium in the first place.

i'd say the potentially big positive effects movies could have is basically squandered by the comics industry. With Iron Man and Hulk on the big screen and in every toy aisle, you think parents wouldn't be thrilled to drop a buck or two on some comics? that's practically free! and i bet they would, if there were affordable comics anywhere to be found by your average kid.

I agree comics are way too expensive, but have you ever seen what kids will drop on a pack of Yu-Gi-Oh cards? Those things are (I think) 3-4 bucks and only come with 12 cards. Parents don't have a problem dropping that kind of cash on their kids. I think you nailed it with the lack of places that they can get them.

[airbrushartist]

Slightly related issue. From Showbizdata.com

ACTORS' IMPASSE COULD AFFECT COMIC-CON
Wednesday, June 25 2008
Steven "Frosty" Weintraub, who runs the Collider entertainment website, has warned that if the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are unable to reach an agreement by early next month, actors would likely disappear from the July 24 Comic-Con convention in San Diego. "Most people go to Comic-Con to get a glimpse of some of the biggest actors working in the entertainment industry," Weintraub wrote. "Where else can a fan from Colorado show up and know their favorite actors will be there and they'd actually have a chance to get an autograph or ask them a question?" Weintraub, who says he was a "staunch supporter" of the Writers Guild strike is clearly opposed to the actors' tactics. If the writers and directors were able to work out a deal with the studios, he comments, "I'd like to think [a precedent] has been set over new media money and other residuals." Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday that Jack Nicholson, Viggo Mortensen, Nick Nolte are among some 60 actors who have signed a letter supporting the leadership of the Screen Actors Guild in its effort to persuade members of the American Federation of TV and Radio Artists to vote against the contract with the AMPTP negotiated by their union's leaders.

[smygba]

I voted negative. They're have negative effects on how comics are prouduced, but a lot of other positives for the comics company.
To be fair, that view really only talks about Marvel, but they're basically the main reason we're discussing this.

[sdowner]

how do you view made for tv/,movie superheroes?

would u have prefered if it was in comic book form first before it became a movie. do you see it lessening the chance of a "real" superhero that exist in comic book form getting a chance to be in the big screen?

Movies for example:My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Hancock SkyHigh, Meteor-man

I'm absolutely fine with the idea, but the execution is inevitably lacking. I've got hopes for Hancock, though.

[Knigge]

"inevitably lacking"

This makes no sense. Explain yourself.

What is it lacking? And how is the execution inevitably going to lack?

Or did you mean that the idea lacks execution? And that it consistently does so?

[Physicdesigns]

a crowded con is a + to me, not a minus. and spike sales, uhhhh spikes up your average, which gets your more cash and more money to produce said comic, it also gets kids aware of said comic, retention is the comic/companies fault. At the end of the day, its way better to have made 20k for 10 months and 80k for two months than to have made 20k 12 months, its simple mathematics.

Try not to mix your own personal gripes and haterism with actual business sense. Its not impossible for it to have negative effects, but a lot of the stuff you guys are talking about isnt really a negative effect for the creators or the industry. and cosplayers, hey if some chicks want to dress half naked and walk around a con, thats only beneficial to me.

[weirdozhead]

i think the only way it's lacking is that the comics world has such a rich history and so many ideas to pluck from.. although they normally don't take advantage of that the way they should

sky high was a great movie though, especially when ur stoned

[Knigge]

sky high was a great movie though, only when you are stoned
There ya go.

[weirdozhead]

well yah not sure i've ever seen it sober.. but cmon man you've got like half the kids in the hall, bruce campbell, one or two dudes from broken lizard, kurt f---in russell!, mary elizabeth winstead, a cheerleader chick that can clone herself ;) i mean damn what do you WANT?!?!!!

[Knigge]

Good story, directing, lighting, and actual acting from all of them?

[weirdozhead]

yes mary elizabeth winstead provided magnificent lighting, and the cheerleader chick's directorial skills were superb

[Knigge]

You're high right now, aren't you?

[weirdozhead]

what????????

[Popninja]

a crowded con is a + to me, not a minus. and spike sales, uhhhh spikes up your average, which gets your more cash and more money to produce said comic, it also gets kids aware of said comic, retention is the comic/companies fault. At the end of the day, its way better to have made 20k for 10 months and 80k for two months than to have made 20k 12 months, its simple mathematics.

Try not to mix your own personal gripes and haterism with actual business sense. Its not impossible for it to have negative effects, but a lot of the stuff you guys are talking about isnt really a negative effect for the creators or the industry. and cosplayers, hey if some chicks want to dress half naked and walk around a con, thats only beneficial to me.

I would rather walk around a con with 5,000 people who love comics than try and squeeze my way through 100,000 people who don't give a shit about comics. That's my preference; it's what I miss about the old cons.

[lost-spartan]

I would rather walk around a con with 5,000 people who love comics than try and squeeze my way through 100,000 people who don't give a shit about comics. That's my preference; it's what I miss about the old cons.

As much as I'm in agreement with you, the more foot traffic there is, the better the oppurtunity for creators and vendors, especially creators, to make some much needed and hard earned cash to boost thier incomes. For that reason alone I tend to bite my tongue about the huge amount of asshats that overrun the shows these days.

[Kaligula]

I would rather walk around a con with 5,000 people who love comics than try and squeeze my way through 100,000 people who don't give a shit about comics. That's my preference; it's what I miss about the old cons.

These cons totally still exist, it just so happens that's not San Diego anymore. But really, i hasn't been that way in quite a while. There are a lot of cons out there. Heroes is a great show for people who are still fans of comics and the art of comics (or so I hear).

[nate lovett]

These cons totally still exist, it just so happens that's not San Diego anymore. But really, i hasn't been that way in quite a while. There are a lot of cons out there. Heroes is a great show for people who are still fans of comics and the art of comics (or so I hear).

heroes is totally one of those shows. i don't think i saw one "media" guest there. it was awesome.