Marvel's All-Ages Titles Expand From "Ultimate" Cartoons to "Mighty" Creators

[CBR News]

With Marvel's all-ages titles shifting to match the "Ultimate Spider-Man" & "Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes" cartoons, Editor Tom Brennan explains how he and his creators keep a comics focus first.


Full article here.

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

I would like to know if Marvel plans on expanding the offerings for the All-ages set with original properties not tied down to the the Marvel Animation products. Probably not, but it would be great to see.

[Ravin' Ray]

"I'm of the belief that if you cut a panel here or a panel there, a Dan Slott "Amazing Spider-Man" story is completely appropriate for all ages."

Trying to think whether removing just one panel from one of the issues in the Smythe arc where Marla dies really can make that comic readable for a 6-year old. Dan's been throwing in a lot of scenes and plots that seem way above the heads of kids that they're tough to explain without oversimplifying them.

[Scott M Davis]

How about we get Skottie Young doing a Marvel Babies series? His variant covers are tremendously all ages.

[Seresecros]

I would like to know if Marvel plans on expanding the offerings for the All-ages set with original properties not tied down to the the Marvel Animation products. Probably not, but it would be great to see.

They have Takio?

[Test of Strength]

Love this last part.

"It's easy where we sit in comic editorial to get caught up in a bubble where you forget how much comics can mean to you. But once we started running pictures of little kids in Spider-Man costumes and shirts in our letters columns, we just got flooded with images from people who wanted their kids in there. We got them from across the country, from across the planet -- kids of every possible background both boys and girls. It's amazing to see that kind of response and realize how much kids love these characters. Being in a position to work on books that are geared towards those readers, it's a wonderful thing and a great responsibility. We've got to make sure that these comics for the kids are as good as any other comic we put out. Treating them with that respect is very important because they're out there and reading, and they'll tell you if they don't like it."

Now I'm hoping--besides the chances actually look good-- for Agents of Smash to come out as a comic.

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

They have Takio?

That's Bendis's little creator-owned pet. Having read the first volume, that's definitely one that I think would work well adapted to animation. Maybe his buddy Loeb can hook him up.

[chariset]

How about we get Skottie Young doing a Marvel Babies series? His variant covers are tremendously all ages.

If Skottie Young's career takes off after this, AvX will be completely vindicated as one of the best things to happen in comics.

[Doctuh]

Marvel really needs to emulate what DC has done with Tiny Titans and Superman Family Adventures.

[Test of Strength]

If Skottie Young's career takes off after this, AvX will be completely vindicated as one of the best things to happen in comics.

I'd like a Pet Avengers done by Skottie Young. Make that love, I'd love for that to happen. Not just a cover either.

[Kevin-J]

I need to preface this by saying I love that marvel, and DC, hve all-ages versions of their core titles. I LOVE IT!

But...

Why do they have to re-use the names of existing properties that aren't so all-ages? Why have an Ultimate Spider-Man when there's already an Ultimate Spider-Man? Why not just call it Spider-Man, and leave the adjectives for the adult line? Why make it harder for parents to identify the comics meant for their 6 year old when the industry is starving for new radership?

I don't get it. I don't get why comic publishers make it hard for new readers to enjoy the medium. But I digress...

Kevin-J

[Blade X]

"I look at the way most mainstream superhero comics are written, and I think the ideas are appropriate for all ages. Maybe a scene here or there is a bit much, but the themes and big ideas are appropriate for kids."

For the most part, this is very true. I have often said that if the Big 2 either tone down or censor certain scenes and the profanity in their regular/main superhero lines, that the books would be suitable (MOSTLY suitable) for a wide all ages audience. Of course, this won't happen anytime soon since the people currently in charge of the creative direction for the Big 3 are too selfish and embarrass to make the entire MU and DCU titles suitable for all (or most) ages.