CBR: Marvel Motion Comics Get "Extremis"

[CBR News]

Producer Ruwan Jayatilleke and artist Adi Granov discuss with CBR the release of the Iron Man motion comic based on the popular "Extremis" story by Granov and writer Warren Ellis.



Full article here.

[tridon]

Now why would Marvel make this exclusive to Xbox Live? I have a PS3 and would've bought this instantly. Oh, well... their loss on sales.

[Ruwan Jay]

Now why would Marvel make this exclusive to Xbox Live? I have a PS3 and would've bought this instantly. Oh, well... their loss on sales.

Hey just wanted to let folks know Iron Man Extremis
is available on the Sony PlayStation Network. Happy
viewing--Extremis was #1 there last week for TV
episodes!

[ThomHunt]

Die, motion comics, DIE!!!!

[Ruwan Jay]

Die, motion comics, DIE!!!!

Never. lol. Try as you might...the sales and feedback we're getting from our partners and consumers is giving us a different message. Sorry. :)

[ThomHunt]

Never. lol. Try as you might...the sales and feedback we're getting from our partners and consumers is giving us a different message. Sorry. :)

Glad you have a good sense of humor about it, RJ (as do I, believe it or not)...it's just that, and I know this is probably the main criticism motion comics get but I'll repeat it anyway, they are half-assed cartoons. If animation could utilize the style of artists working today instead of the repetitious ad nauseum style started in the 90's with the Batman cartoon, I could get excited about animation....but then, I've meandered into criticizing animation whereas I originally started out on motion comics! I guess what I'm trying to say is....the best of all worlds (comic books/motion comics/animation) would be for a much wider variety of animation style in whatever is being adapted, and FULLY animated, so as to make an incredible and unique overall animation experience. Am I making sense? I'll shut up now.

[Ruwan Jay]

Glad you have a good sense of humor about it, RJ (as do I, believe it or not)...it's just that, and I know this is probably the main criticism motion comics get but I'll repeat it anyway, they are half-assed cartoons.

no worries, motion comics aren't going to be everyone's thing or most people's thing. i think we've hit a cool type of content that we're building within ever-changing entertainment space, in my opinion. again, people are free to enjoy or critique content...that's the deal whenever we launch something.

half-assed cartoon? i'd say a fair amount of cartoons today are half-assed...lol.

and the storytelling that we're doing in IME is top-notch, i feel. i am working with a fixed budget...whereas most animation budgets are gi-normous in comparison.

in terms of wider styles of animation being used in traditional animation, doubt it...unless you find someone to fund it or guys to draw it. look at what gets greenlit everywhere...ugh! then again i am not an animation dude, so i could be wrong.

but like you i got sidetracked by animation and i should be talking about motion comics. haha people will start to see that these pieces of content appeal to adult because the fixation just isn't on the animation technique but also the everything else: voice acting, cgi, 3d modeling, music score, etc. and the stories that we're telling right now are fore mature audiences. and only believe that because the dollars and sales figures prove it.

cheers!

[Blade X]

people will start to see that these pieces of content appeal to adult because the fixation just isn't on the animation technique but also the everything else: voice acting, cgi, 3d modeling, music score, etc. and the stories that we're telling right now are fore mature audiences. and only believe that because the dollars and sales figures prove it.

cheers!

So basically, Marvel's motion comics are aimed at the same narrow and rapidly shrinking older teen and adult comic book readers. The comic book industry continues to repeat the same stupid narrow minded mistakes.

And how do you guys know that only adults are buying your motion comics?

You guys say that IRON MAN EXTREMIS was the #1 selling TV show (or animated TV show) for that week (the same claim was also made about the SPIDER-WOMAN motion comic), but who were your competitors? Who did you guys beat out? Who were #'s 2 to 10? How many people bought IME #1? I want concrete facts and sales figures (if that is at all possible), not spin.

I apologize if I come off as a bit harsh and rude, that is not my intent. I'm just sick and tired of the Big 2 constantly making the same stupid mistakes and then trying to cover it all up with the same tired BS spin.

That all being said, I do like the whole idea of motion comics and I think that this might be the future and savior of the comic book industry if these things can reach a wide all ages audience.

[CaptainCanada]

So basically, Marvel's motion comics are aimed at the same narrow and rapidly shrinking older teen and adult comic book readers.

You keep asserting that, but you can never substantiate it. Comics sales grew for most of the decade, until the recession, and the counter you always give, that it's just old customers buying more, is nothing more than your interpretation based on anecdotes.

[Ruwan Jay]

1) Who told you that they are rapidly shrinking? There's a lot of diversity amongst the 18 and above consumer set. Last time I checked different types of purchasers trafficked itunes, XBox Live, PSN, etc. bc of the increased content offerings....content has changed exactly who is visiting these distribution points. Also the idea of using your console or your portable to carry/view/etc. content is not some daunting task...it's pretty easy. And we're benefiting from that pick-up.

2) "Stupid narrow minded mistakes"? Hardly think so. I and a bunch of hard working talented people have built the financial modeling/approach/operations/creative/execution for the motion comics amongst other things. So far it's working. We're doing fine. Whether that qualifies us for being stupid for jumping into a new way to create content and drive revenue remains to be seen.

3) Mature audiences are buying our content. I will leave it that. Can I say it with a 100% certainty? No because I am not looking at whom exactly puts in his or her credit card info or clicks purchase.

4) Who were are competitors any animated or TV show that has their episodes up for sale in terms of EST. If you check the Playstation blog that announced we were the top in terms of HD sales or #2 in terms of SD sales, you'll see the competitors. It's all there and easy to be had. Or Itunes for who is above and below us...

5) How many people bought IME? A lot. If you want hard numbers then you need to gain some core competency in the things you inquire about...meaning you need to invest yourself in the things you want to find out. Before I had any clue how motion comics would sell on itunes...I and a bunch of people did a lot of research and had some empirical data to extrapolate from...that's how we figured out what numbers we needed to hit to make motion comics worked. Obviously as an employee of Marvel and a person running a line of Marvel's business, I couldn't disclose sales to you even if I wanted to. Wouldn't be wise on my part. It throws out the whole idea of proprietary information. :)

6) See using words like "stupid" "narrow minded" "BS spin" etc. even if they aren't directed at me or my colleagues is just not cool. Not because you're not allowed to express your frustration with one thing or the other re: comics---but because those sort of statements are broad brush stroke comments that really mean nothing...and nothing about motion comics has been stupid or narrow-minded or BS spin. We have pretty much been on the up and up with people since we launched them. While they are not doing blockbuster movie sales or monster video game numbers...they are doing well. We have some more announcements which hopefully are going to significantly expand their sales as well as their marketability in the coming months.

Again you can say what you want, no one is going to stop you. I'm not. You can paint everything that doesn't answer your questions as you want them as "spin." However I don't think that gets you closer to what you want to see happen in the comics industry nor does it solve any of the problems you see within it. And until you've worked in it (and I am not saying that you're not a fellow insider), I am not sure you have much line of sight into content creation or how Marvel runs its lines of business re: comics or digital or motion comics. And frankly I think our Publishing group and Digital Media group do a phenomenal job at both. However I have only been at Marvel 5 years so what do I know. :) I don't have Brevoort or Macchio level jedi powers yet.

7) I don't think an all ages motion comics is out of the question. It's just not in motion yet. Could there be something to it? Sure. Have I and other looked at the model? Yes? Have we greenlit it? No. Why? Because the time is not right yet...there are a few more things that we need to execute first.

Cheers,

R

So basically, Marvel's motion comics are aimed at the same narrow and rapidly shrinking older teen and adult comic book readers. The comic book industry continues to repeat the same stupid narrow minded mistakes.

And how do you guys know that only adults are buying your motion comics?

You guys say that IRON MAN EXTREMIS was the #1 selling TV show (or animated TV show) for that week (the same claim was also made about the SPIDER-WOMAN motion comic), but who were your competitors? Who did you guys beat out? Who were #'s 2 to 10? How many people bought IME #1? I want concrete facts and sales figures (if that is at all possible), not spin.

I apologize if I come off as a bit harsh and rude, that is not my intent. I'm just sick and tired of the Big 2 constantly making the same stupid mistakes and then trying to cover it all up with the same tired BS spin.

That all being said, I do like the whole idea of motion comics and I think that this might be the future and savior of the comic book industry if these things can reach a wide all ages audience.

[Ruwan Jay]

Great point! And thank you. :)

You keep asserting that, but you can never substantiate it. Comics sales grew for most of the decade, until the recession, and the counter you always give, that it's just old customers buying more, is nothing more than your interpretation based on anecdotes.

[Blade X]

You keep asserting that, but you can never substantiate it. Comics sales grew for most of the decade, until the recession, and the counter you always give, that it's just old customers buying more, is nothing more than your interpretation based on anecdotes.

If you look at the sales charts for the last decade, you will see that sells grew due mainly to stunts/gimmicks like variant covers,crossovers,mainstream news media grabbing stories (like the death of Captain America,the unmasking of Spider-Man,and Spidey meets Obama),ring promotions,and a no over print policy (only enough to cover damage books). That's not long term sales growth, that's temporary sales boosts.

[Blade X]

1) Who told you that they are rapidly shrinking? There's a lot of diversity amongst the 18 and above consumer set. Last time I checked different types of purchasers trafficked itunes, XBox Live, PSN, etc. bc of the increased content offerings....content has changed exactly who is visiting these distribution points. Also the idea of using your console or your portable to carry/view/etc. content is not some daunting task...it's pretty easy. And we're benefiting from that pick-up.

2) "Stupid narrow minded mistakes"? Hardly think so. I and a bunch of hard working talented people have built the financial modeling/approach/operations/creative/execution for the motion comics amongst other things. So far it's working. We're doing fine. Whether that qualifies us for being stupid for jumping into a new way to create content and drive revenue remains to be seen.

3) Mature audiences are buying our content. I will leave it that. Can I say it with a 100% certainty? No because I am not looking at whom exactly puts in his or her credit card info or clicks purchase.

4) Who were are competitors any animated or TV show that has their episodes up for sale in terms of EST. If you check the Playstation blog that announced we were the top in terms of HD sales or #2 in terms of SD sales, you'll see the competitors. It's all there and easy to be had. Or Itunes for who is above and below us...

5) How many people bought IME? A lot. If you want hard numbers then you need to gain some core competency in the things you inquire about...meaning you need to invest yourself in the things you want to find out. Before I had any clue how motion comics would sell on itunes...I and a bunch of people did a lot of research and had some empirical data to extrapolate from...that's how we figured out what numbers we needed to hit to make motion comics worked. Obviously as an employee of Marvel and a person running a line of Marvel's business, I couldn't disclose sales to you even if I wanted to. Wouldn't be wise on my part. It throws out the whole idea of proprietary information. :)

6) See using words like "stupid" "narrow minded" "BS spin" etc. even if they aren't directed at me or my colleagues is just not cool. Not because you're not allowed to express your frustration with one thing or the other re: comics---but because those sort of statements are broad brush stroke comments that really mean nothing...and nothing about motion comics has been stupid or narrow-minded or BS spin. We have pretty much been on the up and up with people since we launched them. While they are not doing blockbuster movie sales or monster video game numbers...they are doing well. We have some more announcements which hopefully are going to significantly expand their sales as well as their marketability in the coming months.

Again you can say what you want, no one is going to stop you. I'm not. You can paint everything that doesn't answer your questions as you want them as "spin." However I don't think that gets you closer to what you want to see happen in the comics industry nor does it solve any of the problems you see within it. And until you've worked in it (and I am not saying that you're not a fellow insider), I am not sure you have much line of sight into content creation or how Marvel runs its lines of business re: comics or digital or motion comics. And frankly I think our Publishing group and Digital Media group do a phenomenal job at both. However I have only been at Marvel 5 years so what do I know. :) I don't have Brevoort or Macchio level jedi powers yet.

7) I don't think an all ages motion comics is out of the question. It's just not in motion yet. Could there be something to it? Sure. Have I and other looked at the model? Yes? Have we greenlit it? No. Why? Because the time is not right yet...there are a few more things that we need to execute first.

Cheers,

R

1. I was talking about the audience who is interested in comics (and motion comics are comics), not the people who traffic itunes,XBOX live,and PSN.

2. If you reread my post, you would see that my "stupid narrow minded mistakes" comment was directed at the comic book industry in general.

3. I'll take your word on it.

4. I tried looking that info up, but I couldn't find it. I'll give it another try tomorrow.

5. I have been trying to find that info for a while now, and so far I have been unable to find it. I'll give another go.

6. Like I said in my first post on this thread (and like I have said on various other threads about motion comics), I like motion comics. I think they are a great idea and that they might be the future of the comic book industry. Heck, I have even said (on other threads) that IME and the BLACK PANTHER animated series are how all motion comics should be done. So I don't think that motion comics are "stupid". However, I do think that aiming motion comics featuring characters originally created for kids/all ages (characters which are marketed and aimed at kids/all ages when it comes to merchandise sold outside of the DM) at a "mature" audience is a bad/stupid narrow minded idea. I want Marvel motion comics to reach a broad wide audience of people of all ages and, not aimed at a narrow shrinking audience like their print counterparts are currently aimed at.

7. If and when you guys do get around to making all ages motion comics, may I suggest you guys adapt some of Marvel's past all ages comics from the 80's and 90's like Byrne's FF run or Simonson's THOR run.

[Filthy Mutie]

If you look at the sales charts for the last decade, you will see that sells grew due mainly to stunts/gimmicks like variant covers,crossovers,mainstream news media grabbing stories (like the death of Captain America,the unmasking of Spider-Man,and Spidey meets Obama),ring promotions,and a no over print policy (only enough to cover damage books). That's not long term sales growth, that's temporary sales boosts.

For the last decade? How do you know this? Can I see these sales figures? I want the concrete facts and figures (if that is even possible), not opinion.

I apologize if I come off as a bit harsh and rude, that is not my intent. I'm just sick and tired of posters making overly aggressive posts and then trying to cover it all up with backhanded diplomacy or backpeddling.

[Ruwan Jay]

1. We are not just launching these motion comics for just comics audiences. I am not sure why you're bent on narrowing the scope of the audience. We are launching them for adults who are trafficking these points of distribution and that that spend dollars. Could this model change? Sure. But it's working out fine for us and others now.

2. Painting the "industry" as "stupid" and "narrow" doesn't make your comments any more palatable or legitimate. It just makes your argument or what you're saying less credible in my opinion because you're substituting a broad generalization for what's lacking in what you're saying. Have mistakes been made? Sure. Will mistakes be made? Sure. There's no perfection here or people claiming it to be as such. Marvel like any publisher is running a business. The retailers are running a business. And most everyone involved in comic book commerce is running a business. We are incentivized by the very fact to sell more product and expand the nets we cast and the consumers we have...so your condemnation of an entire industry for being this or that doesn't hold up...as every day, month, year, etc. that passes and those business stay in the black...means we're making the right decisions ((in the present)) for our future. The doomsdayers have been claiming this for years upon years that this or that are going to erase comic books as an entertainment form...but they are still here. You can keep claiming the audience is shrinking etc. but our direct market, trade and mass retail sales tell a different story. Sorry.

6. Again, all ages is not out of the question. And "no" motion comics are not the future of comics. Digital content might be in some people's eyes, but not in mine...and maybe that will change in generations to come. Motion comics are just one extension of comics book content as technology and innovation push both content producers and consumers in all directions. Comics will always exist in some hard good form, format or product mixture. The motion comic and a print comic or graphic novel are too different experiences. And I see both co-existing quite fine...there's no evidence that print comics have danced their last dance. Demand may shift, but they will always exist in my opinion.

7. Thanks for the suggestions, which are excellent--Walt is awesome! But we have other titles in mind.

1. I was talking about the audience who is interested in comics (and motion comics are comics), not the people who traffic itunes,XBOX live,and PSN.

2. If you reread my post, you would see that my "stupid narrow minded mistakes" comment was directed at the comic book industry in general.

3. I'll take your word on it.

4. I tried looking that info up, but I couldn't find it. I'll give it another try tomorrow.

5. I have been trying to find that info for a while now, and so far I have been unable to find it. I'll give another go.

6. Like I said in my first post on this thread (and like I have said on various other threads about motion comics), I like motion comics. I think they are a great idea and that they might be the future of the comic book industry. Heck, I have even said (on other threads) that IME and the BLACK PANTHER animated series are how all motion comics should be done. So I don't think that motion comics are "stupid". However, I do think that aiming motion comics featuring characters originally created for kids/all ages (characters which are marketed and aimed at kids/all ages when it comes to merchandise sold outside of the DM) at a "mature" audience is a bad/stupid narrow minded idea. I want Marvel motion comics to reach a broad wide audience of people of all ages and, not aimed at a narrow shrinking audience like their print counterparts are currently aimed at.

7. If and when you guys do get around to making all ages motion comics, may I suggest you guys adapt some of Marvel's past all ages comics from the 80's and 90's like Byrne's FF run or Simonson's THOR run.