Marvel Next: Next Generation of Marvel superheroes or Doomed to fail?

[The Fury]

What is your view on this new line of comics?

With X-23, Arana, upcoming Livewires and a few more (I think), will this new line of characters and comics succeed?

[thetechnocrat]

Like MC2, New Warriors and other new launches so many times before, it'll be popular for a few years and then people will lose interest and the titles will drone on with questionable talent and fade into obscurity. One title may survive and prosper.

Ultimate is the only new thing that I've seen stick around for a period of time with no drop in creativity or sales for the most part.

[riotgear]

I think it's a good idea. I'm still not sure about Arana yet. It seems to be all buildup, and nothing has really happened yet. I've been enjoying X-23, and I'm pretty much sold on Livewires. The artwork on the preview is fantastic, and it's an intriguing concept, if Warren is able to pull it off. Whether or not these will be accepted is another matter, though. I would like to see these characters (besides X-23) pop up in other books. Marvel was much better when it was a more cohesive universe, in my opinion.

[thetechnocrat]

Marvel was much better when it was a more cohesive universe, in my opinion.
Agreed.

I forgot to state my opinion. Too busy on the soapbox and never answered the question. I must be a polician. Anyway, I chose not sure. Who knows, I like the ideas for Excelsior and Runaways v2. I can't stand X-23 being a Wolverine clone and not his daughter. Why don't we bring back Albert too! Arana is another I can't stand. Too many Spider-women and girls for me. Young Avengers looks good. I am undecided on Livewires, I'll thumb through it and see what's goin' on.

[Artemis1]

I'm going to stick to the classics.

[BlaqueBolt]

it will be really popular for a while and fade as stated above. runaways has proven itself but that book can not go on forever. only peanuts and simpsons can have kids stay the same age forever. x-23 is a flavor of the month and that will fade, she only had interest because she was just like wolverine and we didnt know why yet

[BlackKnight]

Except for New Avengers and Runaways (excelsior) I don't think any of them are really worth much (I will exclude Livewire from that statemant as I don't know anything about it). However Arana and X-23 are simple charater cloning to make money, nothing more..

[Expletive Deleted]

Some will succeed and some will fail, but it's nice to see Marvel making the effort and putting at least some marketing muscle behind the new titles.

[BlackKnight]

Some will succeed and some will fail, but it's nice to see Marvel making the effort and putting at least some marketing muscle behind the new titles.

I agee it is nice to see marvel marketing something without the X in it, but look at some of the stuff. Arana, (yet another spider girl, soon with have spider boy)... and x-23(well that was an unoriginal idea whating to happening, maybe we can have the robot version, oh what they have done that, maybe we can have female version, ohh you say that x-23 and the native were that, hmmm a little boy version yea he can be called the wolverine kid)...

[Bahnz]

Except for New Avengers and Runaways (excelsior) I don't think any of them are really worth much (I will exclude Livewire from that statemant as I don't know anything about it). However Arana and X-23 are simple charater cloning to make money, nothing more..

An odd statement considering Young Avengers is essentially character cloning as well...

[BlackKnight]

An odd statement considering Young Avengers is essentially character cloning as well...

It is your right... :rolleyes:

[Halofreak20]

Arana is by far the worst spiderman rip off marvel has done yet. I mean sure its original but the plotline is awful and also its just not that interesting.

X-23 is much better because there is still somewhat of a mystery behind her and whether the is Logan's clone or daughter.

[Crimson]

Arana is by far the worst spiderman rip off marvel has done yet. I mean sure its original but the plotline is awful and also its just not that interesting.

X-23 is much better because there is still somewhat of a mystery behind her and whether the is Logan's clone or daughter.

Have you not read X-23? It clears that up...

So far X-23 has been interesting and her appearances I've enjoyed. Maybe its because I enjoy the rough Wolverine instead of "Uncle Wolverine" we get now adays...

Young Avengers also looks good (I've read most of the first issue) and will be buying for atleast the first arc.

I'm not trying the others due to (trying to) limiting but they don't look half bad. Everyone was bad mouthing X-23 and Young Avengers before they'd read them but when I got a chance I enjoyed them.

I hope their sucessful and see the two I picked up most likley to have a future for a while. Example X-23 as an X-Men student etc.

[Expletive Deleted]

I agee it is nice to see marvel marketing something without the X in it, but look at some of the stuff.I'm not enthused about Arana or X-23 either, but I don't think I'm exactly their target audience.

Really, I'm giving them points for trying, more than anything else.

[Crimson]

I'm not enthused about Arana or X-23 either, but I don't think I'm exactly their target audience.

Really, I'm giving them points for trying, more than anything else.

Thats one thing about X-23... I'm not sure what the target audience is.

She's a ruthless killing machine who's had it rough. Sure she's softing up but I doubt see the sterotypical teenage girl picking up a comic featuring her.

Then again, maybe it is just for guys who like killing and boobies.

[BlackKnight]

I'm not enthused about Arana or X-23 either, but I don't think I'm exactly their target audience.

Really, I'm giving them points for trying, more than anything else.


I will give the points for Runaways, Livewire and half points for young Avengers..
No points for the unoriginal ideas (X-23 (for those of you who don't know is based on the charater from X-Men Evolution cartoon) and Arana.

No thinking had to go into those.

[Halofreak20]

Have you not read X-23? It clears that up...

Well I only read a preview of it and it looked pretty good but im not actully gonna go and waste my money on it.

I need that money for things like Ultimates and New Avengers

[thomas_catbiscuit]

give things a chance, jeez some of the greatest comics & tv progammes in the world had troubled runs if they got cancelled cause people weren't sure of them where would b?
x-23 is cool, arana not so sure on looking forward to young avengers.

[Crimson]

Well I only read a preview of it and it looked pretty good but im not actully gonna go and waste my money on it.

I need that money for things like Ultimates and New Avengers

Ahh well...


They tried 22 times to clone Wolverine and all failed. Finally one of the Drs decided to try and clone it using the X chromosone which produces girls. The Dr then agreed to suragot her (carry the baby in her whom). So she's more like what would happen if Wolverine had a twin sister but she also has a mother (the Dr gets close to X-23 emotionally).

[Heedra]

What is your view on this new line of comics?

With X-23, Arana, upcoming Livewires and a few more (I think), will this new line of characters and comics succeed?

Livewires will bomb hard.

[BlackKnight]

Ahh well...


They tried 22 times to clone Wolverine and all failed. Finally one of the Drs decided to try and clone it using the X chromosone which produces girls. The Dr then agreed to suragot her (carry the baby in her whom). So she's more like what would happen if Wolverine had a twin sister but she also has a mother (the Dr gets close to X-23 emotionally).

God I feel like I just read a bad soap opera idea.

[Jake V]

I think new books are a good thing. The most damaging idea in the comics industry is that it reached it's creative peak 40 years ago. It's just an awful notion that the industry is based on servicing old ideas, keeping them fresh instead of thinking up new ones. Yes, the money is in servicing the old ideas because fanboys are notoriously resistant to change, and the vast majority of them have been reading for at LEAST a decade. The fans want familliarity and things to be very close to how it was when they started reading, but I think that if a really good idea comes along, people will read it. Fanboys might be resistant to change, but they're not dumb, they'll take notice of a really good idea. It's just up to the big companies to bite the bullet and come up with new ideas, something that doesn't have a big monetary incentive.

[BlackKnight]

I think new books are a good thing. The most damaging idea in the comics industry is that it reached it's creative peak 40 years ago. It's just an awful notion that the industry is based on servicing old ideas, keeping them fresh instead of thinking up new ones. Yes, the money is in servicing the old ideas because fanboys are notoriously resistant to change, and the vast majority of them have been reading for at LEAST a decade. The fans want familliarity and things to be very close to how it was when they started reading, but I think that if a really good idea comes along, people will read it. Fanboys might be resistant to change, but they're not dumb, they'll take notice of a really good idea. It's just up to the big companies to bite the bullet and come up with new ideas, something that doesn't have a big monetary incentive.

With that we are in totally agreement, I don't mind new stuff, but except for a very few exception, Marvel Next is not new stuff at least to me.

[Jake V]

Seriously. A girl with spider powers or a girl with scorpoin powers are NOT new ideas. Interesting, sure, but there is nothing "new" about them.

Livewires does sound genuinely new, but I've been noticing that each new idea comes complete with manga inspired artwork. This kinda crap doesn't work for me. American comics didn't sell in the millions a few years ago because they were knockoffs of Japanese comics, yet Japanese comics DO sell in the millions in Japan because they ARE knockoffs of American comics. If Marvel (and all the companies for that matter) would just remember the kind of thinking that created all the classic characters, the entire industry would be a lot better off.

[Psychoweasel]

Then again, maybe it is just for guys who like killing and boobies.

Not that there's anything WRONG with that... :D

Personally, I'm pretty 'meh' about the new titles. Young Avengers looks promising, but I really can't see it lasting too long.

[Heedra]

give things a chance, jeez some of the greatest comics & tv progammes in the world had troubled runs if they got cancelled cause people weren't sure of them where would b?

killed by Bendis and replaced by Wolverine, Spiderman, and the Sentry?! :D

[Heedra]

Not that there's anything WRONG with that... :D

Personally, I'm pretty 'meh' about the new titles. Young Avengers looks promising, but I really can't see it lasting too long.

how old is Wolverina?

[HartyPotter]

Spellbinders and Young Avengers look promising.

[Heedra]

Seriously. A girl with spider powers or a girl with scorpoin powers are NOT new ideas. Interesting, sure, but there is nothing "new" about them.

Livewires does sound genuinely new, but I've been noticing that each new idea comes complete with manga inspired artwork. This kinda crap doesn't work for me. American comics didn't sell in the millions a few years ago because they were knockoffs of Japanese comics, yet Japanese comics DO sell in the millions in Japan because they ARE knockoffs of American comics. If Marvel (and all the companies for that matter) would just remember the kind of thinking that created all the classic characters, the entire industry would be a lot better off.

maybe we should have a create-a-new character thread. :D

[Bahnz]

how old is Wolverina?

Think about 15-17.

[Psychoweasel]

Think about 15-17.

YIKES! FERAL JAILBAIT!


I knew there was a reason I didn't pick it up... :D

[protege]

Except for New Avengers and Runaways (excelsior) I don't think any of them are really worth much (I will exclude Livewire from that statemant as I don't know anything about it). However Arana and X-23 are simple charater cloning to make money, nothing more..
I'm sorry- i've tried to keep my mouth shut- but is there any particular reason why You can't properly spell "CHARACTER?"

[Heedra]

I'm sorry- i've tried to keep my mouth shut- but is there any particular reason why You can't properly spell "CHARACTER?"


come on, protoge. it's not like you used proper syntax in your post. what's with all of the '-'s? and you capitalized the 'y' in 'you.' :D

[mastaflan]

An odd statement considering Young Avengers is essentially character cloning as well...


True but the avengers was nowhere near as popular or good in selling power as the X-books and Spiderbooks so in a sense it is a clone of a not so successfull book..Does that make sense? :D

[Bahnz]

True but the avengers was nowhere near as popular or good in selling power as the X-books and Spiderbooks so in a sense it is a clone of a not so successfull book..Does that make sense? :D

Ummm :confused:
A clone's a clone as far as I see, but I recognise why X-23 and Arana are less popular due to the exposure of their progenitors. Just think it's amusing that a lot of people are singling out Arana and X-23 as being unoriginal and the Young Avengers, which is probably more derivative (based purely on the names and abilities), seems to be getting ignored. Having said that I did like the first issue of YA, although like all new series from Marvel these days it progressed like a turtle with a bad foot.

[thik_3rd]

you cant have a new generation taking prominence without an older generation stepping back...
so, doomed to fail...

[protege]

come on, protoge. it's not like you used proper syntax in your post. what's with all of the '-'s? and you capitalized the 'y' in 'you.' :D
I'll freely admit to any syntactical errors i may make due to uncertainty, i was an english major in college and all, but i don't remember everything. It's just that when ever i see a post form BK, I find myself distracted from whatever point he's trying to make by the fact that he constantly misspells this ONE WORD. And i just wanted to point it out to him. Didn't mean to offend, it was just starting to get to me.Sorry for my abruptness- carry on.And yes, I am aware i constantly capitalize words that shouldn't be capitalized, It's just a knne jerk thing i do while typing.

[Heedra]

I'll freely admit to any syntactical errors i may make due to uncertainty, i was an english major in college and all, but i don't remember everything. It's just that when ever i see a post form BK, I find myself distracted from whatever point he's trying to make by the fact that he constantly misspells this ONE WORD. And i just wanted to point it out to him. Didn't mean to offend, it was just starting to get to me.Sorry for my abruptness- carry on.And yes, I am aware i constantly capitalize words that shouldn't be capitalized, It's just a knne jerk thing i do while typing.

you also incorrectly spelled 'knee' and 'from.' just kidding. just messing with you. :D

[mastaflan]

Ummm :confused:
A clone's a clone as far as I see, but I recognise why X-23 and Arana are less popular due to the exposure of their progenitors. Just think it's amusing that a lot of people are singling out Arana and X-23 as being unoriginal and the Young Avengers, which is probably more derivative (based purely on the names and abilities), seems to be getting ignored. Having said that I did like the first issue of YA, although like all new series from Marvel these days it progressed like a turtle with a bad foot.


All Im getting at is that Spiderman and Wolverine are already being pimped hard. These clones are come from templates of already proven popular selling characters. I couldn't say the same thing for these young Avengers. But yes ultimately they are unoriginal.

[BlackKnight]

I'll freely admit to any syntactical errors i may make due to uncertainty, i was an english major in college and all, but i don't remember everything. It's just that when ever i see a post form BK, I find myself distracted from whatever point he's trying to make by the fact that he constantly misspells this ONE WORD. And i just wanted to point it out to him. Didn't mean to offend, it was just starting to get to me.Sorry for my abruptness- carry on.And yes, I am aware i constantly capitalize words that shouldn't be capitalized, It's just a knne jerk thing i do while typing.


TYPO, have your heard the word before, you had a typo on knee you spelled it knne... This is not an english class I am not spell checking to catch typos, I am just typing my thoughts out...

I am sorry but I don't understand people who attack typos, I have seen posts that I had to decipher, and say nothing, it is called being polite.

[The Shadow]

you cant have a new generation taking prominence without an older generation stepping back...
so, doomed to fail...
I agree... but sometimes a new book can squeeze in there too!

Exiles is a great example of finding a niche following

[Heedra]

I agree... but sometimes a new book can squeeze in there too!

Exiles is a great example of finding a niche following


maybe they should just start with the MC2 Universe, rename it "Marvel Next," and try a *lot* harder to make it readable. by this i mean pouring talent into the books. that MC2 Fantastic Four book was really poor when it didn't have to be, imo. A-Next came off as derivative but had a few good points. Wildclaw could have been X-23. anyways, giving new readers their own universe to read would be preferable than just destroying all of the old characters to make room, imo.

[Gaz]

maybe they should just start with the MC2 Universe, rename it "Marvel Next," and try a *lot* harder to make it readable. by this i mean pouring talent into the books. that MC2 Fantastic Four book was really poor when it didn't have to be, imo. A-Next came off as derivative but had a few good points. Wildclaw could have been X-23. anyways, giving new readers their own universe to read would be preferable than just destroying all of the old characters to make room, imo.
They do, it's called "Ultimate Marvel"

[Cephus]

I think the fact that Marvel is trying to come up with new titles is a good thing. I think the actual titles that Marvel came up with suck. The vast majority (X-23, Arana, Young Avengers) are all just ripoffs of other characters. Where is the ORIGINALITY?

No matter how many times Marvel changes the colors on the costume or the sex of the character, Spider-Man is still Spider-Man. When do we get to see things that are NOT Spider-Man, NOT Wolverine, NOT Avengers and NOT X-Men? We already have too many of those books around as it is.

As such, I am not picking up any of their new books. Simply not interested in padding their already bloated line.

[Gaz]

Not even the revived Runaways? Or Livewires?

[The Fury]

Time for my view on the lot the whole thing.

I agree with a lot of people, it is good to see Marvel publishing new books, but we did not need all teh rip-offs, Arana, X-23 and YA, are basically young versions of all already established characters. I guess that with good story telling they could shine though but they don't interest me. And the name Iron Lad, I mean come on.

But although I won't be picking it up, Livewires is a stab at something new.

And I'm sure that when this is all over it may turn out like MC2, with only one title still going, for that it was Spider-girl. for this it will be Runaways.

By the quality of story telling in the first 'season', this new series of them is sure to be a big seller.

[nubly]

everyone thinks that runaways will be doing good this time around. why? the first issue was good. it good great reviews and had a strong fan base. but so did sentinel and look where that ended up at. if the first run of runaways did so well, why would marvel discontinue it? i think YA will do better than runaways

[Headhunter]

Sounds awfully Epic to me.

[Ugoff]

Time for my view on the lot the whole thing.

I agree with a lot of people, it is good to see Marvel publishing new books, but we did not need all teh rip-offs, Arana, X-23 and YA, are basically young versions of all already established characters. I guess that with good story telling they could shine though but they don't interest me. And the name Iron Lad, I mean come on.

But although I won't be picking it up, Livewires is a stab at something new.

And I'm sure that when this is all over it may turn out like MC2, with only one title still going, for that it was Spider-girl. for this it will be Runaways.

By the quality of story telling in the first 'season', this new series of them is sure to be a big seller.



I dont give Marvel any points for trying at all. They've tried before and failed. They just dont have the desire to produce anything with quality. JMHO. Anyways I think Young Avengers will last maybe a year or two. I read the first issue and it was one of the worst things I've ever layed eyes on but a ton of people seem to enjoy it, so I think it's going to last a while. All the other titles will probably not make it past early 2006.<Same goes for Runaways although I love that title, I just dont think people who arent already fans are going to be willing to pick it up.

[Crimson]

I dont give Marvel any points for trying at all. They've tried before and failed. They just dont have the desire to produce anything with quality. JMHO. Anyways I think Young Avengers will last maybe a year or two. I read the first issue and it was one of the worst things I've ever layed eyes on but a ton of people seem to enjoy it, so I think it's going to last a while. All the other titles will probably not make it past early 2006.<Same goes for Runaways although I love that title, I just dont think people who arent already fans are going to be willing to pick it up.

Runaways need to by hyped more... the only time I hear about it is from fans online but I'm not picking it up.

At least Arana, X-23 and Young Avengers have been well hyped.

[BlackKnight]

Runaways need to by hyped more... the only time I hear about it is from fans online but I'm not picking it up.

At least Arana, X-23 and Young Avengers have been well hyped.


Yes they hyped two teen copies of other heroes and the teen copy book..

At least Runaways is orignal.

[The Fury]

Yes they hyped two teen copies of other heroes and the teen copy book..

At least Runaways is orignal.
Indeed, it's the originallity and BKV that may bring this book to a be a quality title.

I for one did not pick up the first series, becuase well it didn't interest me at that time. I have since picked up the Digests (only in the last month) and realised the quaility that is in the book, becuase of recommendations by people here. Great story telling and characters.

Of course I will be picking up the new series even with out reading the end of the last (Digest is not out yet).

[PaxHouse]

Yes they hyped two teen copies of other heroes and the teen copy book..

At least Runaways is orignal.

Excellent point, BK. :D :cool:

[Jake V]

But the interesting thing is that the teen copies have (so far) been more successful than the original ideas. I think Runaways is a great book, and so is Young Avengers, but it seems (so far) that Young Avengers is gonna have more success. Arana is doing pretty well, as far as I know, and I happen to think the book is pretty awful.

Is this because readers are simply more comfortable with concepts they are familliar with? Are readers resistent to new ideas? Is it a combination of the two?

[The Fury]

Is this because readers are simply more comfortable with concepts they are familliar with? Are readers resistent to new ideas? Is it a combination of the two?
In order, Yes, they are hesitant, and it could be. In my view anway.

Maybe if Marvel used concepts and teen characters that already had histories in the MU, then people will be more likely to pick them up, they could even still be given the 'Marvel Next' tag. Known teen Characters that will be featuring in Runaways and Teen concepts such as New Warriors, who could do with a revival.

[BlackKnight]

But the interesting thing is that the teen copies have (so far) been more successful than the original ideas. I think Runaways is a great book, and so is Young Avengers, but it seems (so far) that Young Avengers is gonna have more success. Arana is doing pretty well, as far as I know, and I happen to think the book is pretty awful.

Is this because readers are simply more comfortable with concepts they are familliar with? Are readers resistent to new ideas? Is it a combination of the two?


No it is because they have hyped YA and not hyped Runaways. It is all about the PR, if you give good PR to a book then it will do good. If you don't well then it is like shoting craps. Fans have to know about the books to be able to read them.

[Jake V]

So, you're saying that basically, the readership does what Marvel tells them to?

Not something I disagree with, but it really drives home the point of how useless fan opinion is, and the futility of online complaining.

[BlackKnight]

So, you're saying that basically, the readership does what Marvel tells them to?

Not something I disagree with, but it really drives home the point of how useless fan opinion is, and the futility of online complaining.

No I am saying that the fans only know about what is PRed. If you release a book, but do no PR, you will have the internet fans, knowing about and the few who acutally pick up previews other then that, nobody will. Automatic sales failure.

[Psychoweasel]

So, you're saying that basically, the readership does what Marvel tells them to?

Not something I disagree with, but it really drives home the point of how useless fan opinion is, and the futility of online complaining.

There is a reason fans were known as "Marvel Zombies" for a while there...

...and most were proud of that fact.

[Crimson]

There is a reason fans were known as "Marvel Zombies" for a while there...

...and most were proud of that fact.

*Looks at pull list*

I am so cool. :cool:

[thik_3rd]

is anyone checking for livewires?
its not even on my radar...

[The Fury]

Thought I'd revive this due to 2 new Marvel Next titles:

Machine Teen and Gravity. Although you can post your views on Gravity on to the thread already started.

I would like to here some views on Machine Teen.

I just feel it's a shame we have a Machine Teen while Machine Man is no where to be seen.

[Will.S]

Thought I'd revive this due to 2 new Marvel Next titles:

Machine Teen and Gravity. Although you can post your views on Gravity on to the thread already started.

I would like to here some views on Machine Teen.

I just feel it's a shame we have a Machine Teen while Machine Man is no where to be seen.
Machine Man could show up in Machine Teen as his dad but I'm interested in the Machine Teen concept as well.

[T Rath]

New books are a great thing...when accompanyed by new ideas. We're just seeing the same old characters rehashed.
A female Spidey? How new! Nothing at all like a female Superman. Or female Batman. :rolleyes:
The truth is that Marvel needs to move from super-heroes with their attempts at new books, because all they do is canablize the readership from the old books.

[Satana Hellstrom]

WOW!
Marvel has a wealth of fantastic characters, full of potential...characters that are neglected, while they focus on reconfiguring those same concepts they neglect, with "new" characters like Machine Teen.
What's next?
Young Taskmasterdude?
Teen gargoyle lass?

[handOFfate]

I think its a good idea, even though I don't expect any of the new characters to have a ton of success.I think X-23 has the best chance of all the new characters to stick around. After her mini she's joining New X-Men, which should help out that book. I'm enjoying Young Avengers so far, and it seems i'm not alone. So I think that title will last a couple of years at least. I wonder about the long-term potential of the characters, though, since they are pretty much exact rip-offs except for maybe Iron Lad.
I honestly don't think the originals can ever be replaced. Just a thought, I think DC does a better job of promoting their young superheroes. I mean, how many young heroes in Marvel have had the success of Robin (both Dick and Tim)? Or even Superboy?