E-i-C Axel Alonso Explains Why Marvel Comics Aren't Promoting BIG HERO 6
Fans have been wondering whether there's a rift between Marvel and Disney Animation as the comics division have shown no signs of promoting the charming looking movie by featuring them in any current stories or reprinting any of their past adventures. Here, Axel Alonso explains why...
Marvel Comics have developed something of a reputation over recent years of doing all they can to fall in line with the Marvel Studios movies, whether it's changing a character's personality and costume or even going to great lengths to introduce those featured on the big screen (for an example of that, look no further than the convoluted story used to introduce an African American Nick Fury into the 616 Marvel Universe). Of course, it's something they've done right back to when Peter Parker was given organic web-shooters following the release of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, so why it hasn't happened for Big Hero 6 seems baffling to say the least, as many have pointed out.
Talking to Comic Book Resources recently, Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso confirmed that "There are no plans," for any of the Big Hero 6 characters, adding: "The characters and stories that have appeared in our comics are very different from what they are in the film. Releasing material that would be viewed as movie tie-in product would be a disservice to filmgoers. We wanted the Disney folks to be able to create their own unique style and story, unencumbered by those older stories." That's a fair point as the movie does seem to bear little resemblence to the original versions, but will we see anything new featuring the team? "At this stage, no."
It seems like a missed opportunity, but Marvel likely won't benefit too much from the movie anyway, perhaps explaining why they don't feel the need to help promote it in any way. With recent rumours of bosses at Marvel and Disney demanding that characters like the Fantastic Four and X-Men not be promoted either in comic books or through merchandise in order to hurt rival studios like Twentieth Century Fox, it's them we should perhaps worry about!
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