Marvel's Epic Line Scaled Back Into a Single Anthology Book

[delekkerste]

The much-ballyhooed Epic line from Marvel has been reduced to a single anthology book that will be published on a quarterly basis. It looks like Marvel is trying to distance itself from this brainchild of ex-President Jemas...unfortunately, this remaining book looks like it's being set up to fail. It's a shame, really...I think there is room for a good anthology book on the market, but not with multi-part storylines where you have to wait 3 months between segments. This series won't last more than 6 issues and it's entirely possible that it will be gone after 1 or 2 issues.

 

 

EPIC SERIES SCALED BACK INTO AN ANTHOLOGY

 

First was the announcement that Marvel’s Epic imprint titles would debut in February, then was the announcement that imprint was closing the doors for submissions. Now, Newsarama has learned that all of the Epic titles (four, total) will be collected into a single anthology issue that will be quarterly.

 

In a memo, obtained by Newsarama, which was sent to Epic contributors, Epic editor Stephanie Moore informed the creators of the change, indicating that the first issues of Phantom Jack, Young Ancient One, Strange Magic and Sleepwalker will all be combined into one anthology issue to be released in February. The second issues of the respective series would be included in the second issue of the anthology, which would follow #1 on a quarterly basis – if sales warrant.

 

The move by Marvel appears to lend more credence to the idea that the company is distancing itself from policies and initiatives started by former President of Publishing Bill Jemas, who was moved out of publishing and editorial completely to a non-executive position in October. Epic was created with the intent to allow new creators to land their own Marvel books, but had suffered from mixed signals from virtually the first day it was announced in regards to rights held by the creators, and the possibility of publishing creator-owned work through it.

 

As originally conceived, third parties would completely package books for the imprint, which would itself be based on a financial model that would allow survival on lower sales. Given its model, sales would constantly be weighed against the survival of the series.

 

To date, three projects have shipped under the Epic imprint – the debut title, Mark Millar and Terry Dodson’s Trouble; and Crimson Dynamo, written by John Miller, who parlayed the gig into landing the writer’s spot on Iron Man, his current Marvel assignment; and Danile Way and John Proctor's Gun Theory.

 

In the memo, Moore also asked creators to stop work on their respective second issues, until it is known that the anthology will continue. If the anthology does not continue past issue #1, creative teams will be paid for work performed on issue #2, but not for any further work.

 

The memo did not mention Crimson Dynamo, however, the creative team had already announced that the series would be going on hiatus following issue #6. Also notmentioned was THe Northwood Saga or the Spider-Man What-If style story - neither of which were solicited.

[Illiterati-migration]

I blame you, Gene.