Marvel Comics Ceases Big Hero 6 Publishing
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- August 25, 2014
By James DeRuvo (doddleNEWS)
In a strange twist of events, even though Disney (owner of Marvel) is moving full steam ahead with a movie adaptation of Big Hero 6, Marvel Comics has decided to stop publishing the series in comic book form ahead of its November 7th release. There are no new issues, or reprints planned, and Marvel Comics is even taking the step to remove any BH6 characters from any potential crossover storylines. Is this to preserve the mystery of the film or is Big Hero 6 in trouble?
Big Hero 6 is a cool comic book series by Steven T. Seagle and Duncan Rouleau about a robotics genius and his android companion Baymax, who are recruited to be a part of an elite group of superheroes. And it’s done in the manga style to give it a very cool Japanese vibe. But looking at the trailer, it seems to have definitely been given the Disney treatment. And that could be where the trouble starts.
Still, you would think that with the premiere of the film looming, that Disney’s comic book arm would want to capitalize on the film’s interest and help to promote it with a series leading up to the premiere. But the characters of Big Hero 6 haven’t been seen in a comic book since 2012, when they helped The Amazing Spider-Man defeat Doctor Octopus, and that was before the announcement of the Disney film.
At this point, the only place you can find any stories linking from the BH6 universe is a comic book tie-in with a Japanese magazine called Kodansha, which is running a serial story focusing on the robotic character Baymax. Random House, however, looks to be publishing a novelization, and maybe even more book material around the time of the Big Hero 6 release.
"If you had two things, and on one you earned 100% of the revenues from the efforts that you put into making it, and the other you earned a much smaller percentage for the same amount of time and effort, you'd be more likely to concentrate more heavily on the first, wouldn't you?" - Marvel executive editor Tom Brevoort, Tumblr
So why no Marvel Comics to push the film? Well, it may be due to control issues and turf battle brewing between Marvel Comics and Disney Animation. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel wants complete control over their own properties, and even though their parent company is Disney, they may not want to share in development with Disney Animation.
“The lack of Marvel material may point to the company not maintaining full financial participation over the property due to the partnership with Disney Animation,” writes Graeme McMillan of THR. “Marvel executive editor Tom Brevoort has previously suggested that Marvel prioritizes properties it has complete control over.”
But you know what? I’m not buyin’ it. First off, again, the money will go to Disney, ultimately. So whether it comes from Marvel Comics or Walt Disney Animation, the only difference is which division gets to brag about the profits. And with Star Wars: Episode VII coming out next year, Marvel is already starting to release a veritable hoard of comic books and other tie-ins which will build up hype and momentum for the film.
So, what could be the real reason? Again, taking a look at the trailer, it seems to be down right charming and hysterical. So I’m less likely to believe that Marvel is being greedy. I think that just maybe there’s a creative turf war going on, or that there’s big trouble in little San Fransokyo.
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