Returns from the dead. Evil twins. Secret from the past. Super-powers. These are all staples of the comic book world and now the soap opera world, too! Wait, even the super-powers, you ask? Why yes, and Marvel has partnered with the daytime drama Guiding Light to prove it!
In the first-ever comic-soap crossover, Marvel’s mightiest heroes (and villains) meet some of daytime drama’s steamiest characters. The Avengers and their deadly foes descend on Guiding Light’s city of Springfield to determine if a new super-powered being is friend or foe! Appearing in comics as an 8-page back-up beginning 10/26 and written by soap-and-comic scribe Jim McCann, this adventure will actually be the second appearance of this new super-powered character. The debut and origin of Springfield’s first costumed crime-fighter will be told on air on the November 1st episode of Guiding Light. As an added bonus, the episode will feature many “Easter eggs” for sharp-eyed Marvel fans, so be on the lookout!
This crossover represents a unique partnership between Marvel, and Procter & Gamble Productions, Inc (PGP), the producers of Guiding Light. As fans will recall, Storm’s wedding dress, featured in her wedding to T’Challa in Black Panther #18, was designed by Guiding Light costume designer Shawn Dudley. Both Marvel and PGP are thrilled about this opportunity for audience cross-pollination, especially Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada. “This is just one more way that we’re trying to reach out beyond our usual audience in an effort to expose those who don’t know anything about the greatness of comics and hopefully come back with a few new converts,” he says. “And hopefully some of our fans will find themselves with a new habit as well- Guiding Light!”
Another great aspect of this partnership is that Guiding Light and Marvel will be cross promoting each other to help drive fans not only to watch the episode but also to pick up one of the comics in a local comic shop. In addition to on-air promotions at the end of Guiding Light, Marvel.com will feature a page dedicated to helping Guiding Light fans find a retailer near them and know which titles feature this unique back-up feature. As an added bonus, this backup is added at no extra charge to the regular price of the issue. See the full list of titles below, and be sure to tune in on November 1st to see Guiding Light on CBS Daytime.!
Be sure to visit both Guiding Light’s website at www.cbs.com/daytime/gl as well as www.marvel.com for more information of this innovative crossover. Check your local listings for Guiding Light airtimes and channels, and to find a comics shop near you call 1-888-COMICBOOK.
Titles the crossover will appear in:
10/25
CIVIL WAR: CHOOSING SIDES
SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE 11
MARVEL SELECT FLIP MAGAZINE 18
MARVEL TALES FLIP MAGAZINE 17
11/1
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN 21
SPIDER-MAN AND POWER PACK 1
MARVEL ADVENTURES FLIP MAGAZINE 18
MARVEL HEROES FLIP MAGAZINE 18
11/8
AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL 2
FRANKLIN RICHARDS: HAPPY FRANKSGIVING!
MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR 18
11/15
ULTIMATE MARVEL FLIP MAGAZINE 19
ULTIMATE TALES FLIP MAGAZINE 19
1 Comment
Part of me thinks this is an excellent idea, but…
Who is the target audience? The books chosen seem mostly to be aimed at younger readers, excepting Civil War (and a case could be made for Spider-Girl). This doesn’t seem like the GL audience, to me.