NYCC: Axel Alonso, Peter David & Others On Marvel's Prose Novels

[CBR News]

During New York Comic Con writers and editors including Peter David, Axel Alonso, Stuart Moore, Alisa Kwitney and Marie Javins assembled to discuss Marvel's line of prose novels based on popular storylines from the comic books.


Full article here.

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

I still think it'd be novel of Marvel to tell completely original stories in this format than just sticking with adaptations. I could see a number of characters managing to find success beyond their comic book roots in this format like Elsa Bloodstone, or even the new Nova, striking at the YA market instead of the 25-40 year old readership with disposable income that they currently rely on.

Not only would it could it give them a stronger foothold with comic adverse crowds but it would help to develop the properties for reverse adaptation hopefully expanding the comic market.

[Derek Metaltron]

I've picked up the Civil War novel and it's ok, didn't think the changes made to Spider-Man for the sake of the Brand New Day crowd were needed, and they seem to really switch about stuff. But I am excited to hear that it's going to be one of a few books to get the Graphic Audio treatment which many of the DC novels have got in the last few years. I'd be happy to track down the other Prose Novels in the near future, though they're more expensive than they could be.

It's definitely a question here of whether Marvel carries on with Adaptions or tries as mentioned above a range of books to pander to a different crowd. A series of Avengers Academy, Power Pack or Young Avengers books would be good options for a teen audience if handled right. Would also be great to have a series of Pocket Novel style books like Marvel did a few years back. Maybe they could do something like DC did with the Justice League novels a while ago and have a series of Novels with the Avengers but each one focusing on a core character - Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and also some of the non-movie ones like Wasp, Vision or Scarlet Witch.

[Expletive Deleted]

I wish they were offering these in ebook formats. I still prefer paper for comics, but I've switched to Kindle for almost all my prose reading.

[Supermutant2099]

I have a whole bunch of the marvel novels from 90s. Back when marvel actually had tried to tie together the novel universe. Yes please reprint What Savage Beast. Not just one of my favorite novels but one of my favorite hulk stories. Written during during the better part of Peter David's run on Hulk and it shows. The gift probably only of the novels mention in story will probably buy. Interesting note makes me wonder if it tied to this series The She-Hulk Diaries listed on Amazon. Could be nothing, could be something else, or could be not yet announced part of it. Will see.

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

I wish they were offering these in ebook formats. I still prefer paper for comics, but I've switched to Kindle for almost all my prose reading.

Strange that they don't considering the rising popularity of e-readers and tablets. Then again, this is Marvel and they're always too tepid when it comes to jumping into other markets than what they're comfortable with.

[Hypestyle]

I need to know how you get selected to be an author of one of these books, and can you pitch..

[Derek Metaltron]

I need to know how you get selected to be an author of one of these books, and can you pitch..

Far as I can tell they're all former or current Marvel writers. And all the stories so far are adaptions of existing stories, as opposed to original stuff.

Been thinking what adaptions I'd like for a second round of these which would appeal to a mass market. Planet Hulk would be a nice choice, maybe with a second book by the same author of World War Hulk. Actually it would be awesome if they could actually get Greg Pak to write those. I'd avoid Captain America: Winter Soldier if it's going to be the focus of the next film. Spider Island could work fairly well, though the use of the Jackal might be debatable given his extensive and complex back story. Thinking what Fantastic Four story would work well in a novel. For a trilogy they could do Secret Invasion/Dark Reign/Siege.