Marvel unveils "The Architects".....

[leafinsectman (Dan)]

I'd like Marvel to architect me an Iron Fist/Immortal Weapons ongoing.

[Brian G]

Since they don't really build anything, wouldn't it have been better to call them "Housekeeping" instead?

I think character growth is impossible in big two super hero comics. That doesn't mean there aren't any good stories to tell, but at the end of the day no one's building anything. You're right.

[S. Earl]

Hickman's doing more original concepts with pre-existing characters in FF, SHIELD, and SW then any other mainstream writer has done in ages. Read Secret Warriors at the very least and tell me I'm wrong.

[Wood]

Hickman's doing more original concepts with pre-existing characters in FF, SHIELD, and SW then any other mainstream writer has done in ages. Read Secret Warriors at the very least and tell me I'm wrong.

Hickman is certainly pushing the boundaries, no argument there. That said, I wouldn't call what he's doing in FF original per se, but SW and S.H.I.E.L.D. fit the bill.

[Dave A]

Anyone want to lay odds on the chances that these 5 new series are all original concepts that will be debuting from Icon in 2011?

10%? Lower? I might go as high as 15% (wishful thinking).

[David]

Anyone want to lay odds on the chances that these 5 new series are all original concepts that will be debuting from Icon in 2011?

Three of them already have write titles under the imprint.  The new book by Bendis and Oeming isn't mentioned on that list, but nobody's creator-owned work is mentioned there.

It would be nice if they were touting new series these writers created or co-created, but this screams new books for Marvel proper.

And probably five new books that will tie together some how.

[Former Poet Laureate]

Meanwhile, Andy Diggle remains the Gravedigger. RIP Daredevil.

[Dave A]

Three of them already have write titles under the imprint.  The new book by Bendis and Oeming isn't mentioned on that list, but nobody's creator-owned work is mentioned there.

It would be nice if they were touting new series these writers created or co-created, but this screams new books for Marvel proper.

And probably five new books that will tie together some how.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking, too... that's why it's low odds I'm laying, but I did want to float the notion out there. I wish Marvel pimped their Icon books a bit harder... I used to think it was because they didn't want to advertise adult books in their all ages line, but I haven't seen diddly squat about Takio.

[deadcowaroma]

Anyone want to lay odds on the chances that these 5 new series are all original concepts that will be debuting from Icon in 2011?

10%? Lower? I might go as high as 15% (wishful thinking).

If they do that, I will gladly eat my socks.

[Jeremy G]

Meanwhile, Andy Diggle remains the Gravedigger. RIP Daredevil.

   


Do you think that the higher-ups at Marvel get bored sometimes and just put shit out there like this to get the forums  all riled up?

[Greg Leclair (greg1ca)]

Anyone want to lay odds on the chances that these 5 new series are all original concepts that will be debuting from Icon in 2011?

Well, the announcement said three would be: 1 new "Project", 1 new "Event" and 3 new "series".

I expect the Fraction thing will be an Event involving Thor prior to the movie launch. I also expect one of the "new" series will be a re-launch of Fantastic Four (once Hickman kills Reed or Johnny - 60/40% odds in my book).

So of the remaining 2 series and 1 "Project" I think it is certainly possible that 1 or 2 new titles could come out of Icon. That would be swell

[Dave A]

Do you think that the higher-ups at Marvel get bored sometimes and just put shit out there like this to get the forums  all riled up?

It's a little funny to me that this riled anyone up...  

If anyone is so annoyed with Marvel right now that this enraged them, maybe it's time to take a break from buying their stuff for a minute.  

Well, the announcement said three would be: 1 new "Project", 1 new "Event" and 3 new "series".

I expect the Fraction thing will be an Event involving Thor prior to the movie launch. I also expect one of the "new" series will be a re-launch of Fantastic Four (once Hickman kills Reed or Johnny - 60/40% odds in my book).

So of the remaining 2 series and 1 "Project" I think it is certainly possible that 1 or 2 new titles could come out of Icon. That would be swell

Are you suggesting I should have read the whole announcement?     

[Jeppe]

Woah, "even though"? I'm with you in saying that Scalped is better than the Walking Dead. 

You, sir, are a man of fine taste! 

[Chris]

This was just one more thing that added to my confusion and disdain for Marvel's marketing in the last couple of weeks.

1 - The digital comics vault
2 - Polybagged Fantastic 3
3 - The Architects

I just can't figure out what they're thinking.

[deadcowaroma]

This was just one more thing that added to my confusion and disdain for Marvel's marketing in the last couple of weeks.

1 - The digital comics vault
2 - Polybagged Fantastic 3
3 - The Architects

I just can't figure out what they're thinking.

Oooo! Ooooo! Don't forget about the whole "You're all stupid for thinking we were going to lower prices" thing.

[Doug!]

Seriously, no 'Aristocrats' joke?

I am dissapoint.

[Dave A]

Seriously, no 'Aristocrats' joke?

I am dissapoint.

I don't think the forum allows enough characters for my version. 

[Doug!]

I don't think the forum allows enough characters for my version. 

I think the top secret project is actual a jam book by all five writers.  It involves Spider-Man pitching a new team to Steve Rogers and it's full of the most vile and depraved things you can think of and the last page will have a photo of the writers doing jazz hands shouting "The Architects!"

[steve bryant]

So KIRBY created Jessica Jones?  Wow The King really was busy, even drawing from beyond the grave.

I think you may have gone out of your way to miss Chris's point.

To illustrate using your example, the scorecard reads...

Bendis: Jessica Jones.

Kirby: the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Thor, the Inhumans, the Mole Man, Galactus, Silver Surfer, Black Panther, Captain America, Bucky, Giant Man, Wasp, Ant Man, Cyclops, Magneto, Iceman, Angel, Marvel Girl, Professor X, Beast, Loki, Doctor Doom, Molecule Man, Eternals, Machine Man, Devil Dinosaur, Annihilus, the Watcher, Diablo, Hercules, Pluto, Odin, Warriors Three, Agatha Harkness, Rama Tut, Kang, Immortus, Absorbing Man, Him (later Adam Warlock), Ares, Fin Fang Foom, Juggernaut, Warlord Krang, Balder, Batroc, Doctor Faustus, Mastermind, High Evolutionary, Red Ghost and his Super Apes, MODOK, Sgt Fury/Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D., Dum Dum Dugan, the Howling Commandos, Impossible Man, Ego the Living Planet, Wyatt Wingfoot, Egghead, and a bunch I'm probably forgetting.

With all due respect to Mr. Bendis, I believe that Chris was referring to the fact that, while these creators have added a few wrinkles in the MU, they're largely just rearranging seats around a table built by Jack and others.

[Alec B.]

Since they don't really build anything, wouldn't it have been better to call them "Housekeeping" instead?

I can agree with this, except for Hickman's SHIELD.

I think this Architects idea brings about an interesting idea in the fact that writers and artists at Marvel are not creating anything. Why? Because they cannot own it, what they create will no longer be theirs once they stop writing/drawing the creation.

Yet, look at Morrison and Hickman to an extent. These guys are throwing out new ideas at the Big 2. Ideas that they will not own. They are not holding back though.

I think the question of new ideas at the Big 2 comes down to whether or not comic book professionals want to sacrifice or if they want to reap rewards. I believe it is the right for any artist to own their creations or work, but that's not going to happen with a Marvel or DC contract. So how do these story universes gather anything new, how do our favorite heroes gain new villains or allies if no writers or artists bring anything to the table. True, they will not own the work in the long run, but that does not seem to stop Morrison or Hickman. I think those guys get that. They have their creator owned work, yes, but it seems they know not to make everything creator owned. They understand that these publishers could use new ideas, and I think they are comfortable with pitching ideas for later use by other creators for a common good of either the Marvel or DC story universe.

I respect these guys for that because it seems they are not afraid to let ideas slip from them. Why? Because these two guys know they can come up with others.

My 2 cents.