Turns out 2019 is a big anniversary year for at least two comics companies—Marvel and IDW!
20 YEARS OF IDW
IDW is throwing a party for it’s 20th year of creating great reading by printing classic titles from its history, including:
- Locke & Key Master Edition, Vol. 1
- Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter
- Zombies vs. Robots Omnibus
- 30 Days of Night
I’m sure release dates will be coming soon!
Personally, I always appreciate IDW’s ability to work with franchises who haven’t always played well with others. Most recently, they started a Marvel line for younger readers. Seems to be doing well, too!
MARVEL TURNS 80
The House of Ideas continues to rule the roost when it comes to the comics industry, and have plans on how to celebrate 80 years of “marvel”-ous storytelling.
One of the events taking place includes a “A decade-by-decade celebration of the stories that defined the Marvel Universe, starting January 2019!”
According to a news release:
Starting in January, readers will be able to explore a different decade of Marvel each month with the brand-new eight-volume DECADES collection series, featuring some of comic’s most iconic characters, themes and stories from each magnificent Marvel era. From the 1940s to the 2010s, fans can relive the formative journeys of their fan-favorite Super Heroes like the Human Torch, Captain America, Spider-Man, and more!
“After almost 80 years, our fans have continued to embrace Marvel’s characters as their own, following their adventures through decades of thrilling stories,” said Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski. “To honor and celebrate this legacy, we can’t wait to share some new and exciting projects for the world to experience the history of the Marvel Universe – through comic books, video games, toys, blockbuster films, television shows and more.”
According to that news release, several “Marvel in the Decades” volumes will come out, including:
- DECADES: MARVEL IN THE ’40S – THE HUMAN TORCH VS. THE SUB-MARINER TPB
- DECADES: MARVEL IN THE ’50S – CAPTAIN AMERICA STRIKES! TPB
- DECADES: MARVEL IN THE ’60S – SPIDER-MAN MEETS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE TPB
- DECADES: MARVEL IN THE ’70S – LEGION OF MONSTERS TPB
Probably one of the most interesting things in these collections will be that each DECADES collection will also include a decade-by-decade commentary chronicling the evolution of the Marvel Universe and the world that inspired it.
Later this year, Marvel will release a series of curated 80th Anniversary merchandise inspired by Marvel’s signature art and storytelling that have defined Super Hero fans for generations. Products will include retailer exclusive collectibles, fashion and apparel, accessories, specialty products, and limited-edition toys, such as exciting new products from Hasbro, Funko and more! More details and collaborations will be announced in the coming weeks and throughout the year – with a special sweet collaboration with Ample Hills Creamery later in July!
Special variant covers by Phil Noto are coming as well! Should be a “Marvel”-ous year!
CELEBRATING LONGEVITY
I applaud both companies for being the successes they are for as long as they have so far. Let’s face it—some comics companies have faded into the woodwork, far before their time, in my opinion. To see others do well encourages those “new kids on the block” who are trying to also be successful in the industry.
It’s also interesting because, as I mentioned previously, these two companies have begun to work with each other. That’s encouraging to me because, as much as I think competition brings out the best in many of us, there are times when cooperation is called for as well.
This is one of those times.
The best in the industry that I know of devote some time each week to reading what others are creating and share what they have found. I pay attention to those recommendations because I’ve often found some great reading from those social media encounters.
That’s something I hope we can count on continuing to happen for years to come.
You know, I still fondly remember the days when Marvel and DC crossed over. Those were fun books, and the fan in me still cherishes them. The JLA/Avengers by Kurt Busiek and George Perez was an instant classic that has a prominent place on my bookshelf!
I recently enjoyed the Batman/TMNT crossovers a lot as well. Seeing two high-power franchises interact was a LOT of fun. Star Trek/Transformers has been a hoot!
Could the future hold more of those for us? I sure hope so!
I’m one of those people who doesn’t believe that one company completely dominating the industry is a good thing, on the other hand. I pick and choose, searching diligently to find the good stuff no matter who is publishing it.
I hope 2019 is just the beginning of a lot of wonderful anniversary celebrations, with many more to come in the years ahead! That’s good for the industry and good for fans!
What do you think? Are you going to join in Marvel’s and IDW’s anniversary celebrations? Are there crossovers you’d like to see happen? Whatever your opinions, be sure to share them in the space below!
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Wayne Hall creates the Wayne's Comics Podcast. He’s interviewed Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, John Layman, Kyle Higgins, Phil Hester, Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, David Petersen, Christos Gage, Mike Grell, and Matt Kindt. On this site each week, he writes his "Comics Portal" column (general comics comments and previews) and reviews comics.