VEI marketing strategy -- movies vs games

Geomancer · Post by **Geomancer** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:28 am

I was just curious to see what some of you thought would be a more ideal way to introduce Valiant characters to a horde of new readers. Particularly when it comes to increasing the viability of a comic book line.

Is it movies - such as the developmental project for a Harbinger film?

Or would a top notch online/computer game do more?

I have to guess on this one because I have no idea anymore what is drawing new readers into comics. Maybe the answer is neither? But for now - even though comic books about Warcraft and Halo aren't exactly flying off the shelves -- I personally lean towards thinking a game might have more of an impact than a movie.

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:30 am

Maybe a series of 1-hour animated "movies" followed by some games based on them?

-slym

etos45 · Post by **etos45** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:14 am

As much as I would love to say that games are the answer... the truth is that the average person is way too lazy for that sort of medium. So, with that in mind, I really think that movies are the only way to go.

Eternalwarrior68 · Post by **Eternalwarrior68** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:29 am

What if they did an online comic? Something like Marvel is doing. Having all of there owned properties available to read online. I know a lot of high school to early 20's kids that read comics and manga online.

I dont think Video games are going to work as of yet. I think people think of acclaim when you talk about that.

I do like the idea of Animated movies!

IanAlexavier · Post by **IanAlexavier** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:11 am

What about animated shorts.. ya'know.. 10 minute clips of one part of the Valiant U?

Cyberstrike · Post by **Cyberstrike** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:20 am

Geomancer wrote:I was just curious to see what some of you thought would be a more ideal way to introduce Valiant characters to a horde of new readers. Particularly when it comes to increasing the viability of a comic book line.

Is it movies - such as the developmental project for a Harbinger film?

Or would a top notch online/computer game do more?

I have to guess on this one because I have no idea anymore what is drawing new readers into comics. Maybe the answer is neither? But for now - even though comic books about Warcraft and Halo aren't exactly flying off the shelves -- I personally lean towards thinking a game might have more of an impact than a movie.

I really don't think comic book movies/video games/animated direct-to dvd draw many readers to comics as creators and publishers like to think that they do. What they really draw is collectors who buys comic just resell it at a higher price down the road.

Geomancer · Post by **Geomancer** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:14 pm

I'm appreciating the insight on gamers. It hadn't seemed that Halo and Warcraft comics brought in readers. But games did turn Turok into a household name. So it was just a thought.

The key, I suppose it what will reach the next generation of comic book readers versus comic book speculators.

Geomancer · Post by **Geomancer** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:56 pm

here's something else that might tie into this...

"99% of boys and 94% of girls between the ages of 12 and 17 play video games, a new national survey has found"

http://www.newsarama.com/games/ap-08091 ... games.html

with those kind of numbers, can comics afford not to have some kind of online gaming presence?

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:58 pm

I think that most of my H.S. students play some sort of video game.

I think that video games could be huge.

And then...... Imagine if VEI could do a series on HBO. How cool would that be. And I don't even have HBO.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:03 pm

I would like to see a follow up to the Shadowman game. It was awesome.

nutflush76 · Post by **nutflush76** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:41 pm

While I think both mediums bring in new readers to some extent I'm not sure that either of them are quite as effective as people would like to think.

Geomancer wrote:I'm appreciating the insight on gamers. It hadn't seemed that Halo and Warcraft comics brought in readers. But games did turn Turok into a household name. So it was just a thought.

Yes, Turok is a household name but how many Turok comics are selling?

I think the fact of the matter is that, while they are making strides, comics is still looked upon as mainly for kids.

Seriously, how many people would go to their new job and tell anybody there that they collect comic books? Even the people selling comic book movies don't want to be associated with comics. Look at a Watchmen trailer. it says "From the most successful Graphic Novel of all-time"

I don't know how to change that because even as a teen-ager I really didn't want anyone to know I read comic books. I can only imagine how that must be these days.

Geomancer · Post by **Geomancer** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:03 am

I honestly don't know how good the Turok comics were that came out after the games.

So a gameplayer who read the comics would have to address that. Hopefully that doesn't come across as a dodge

just not trying to pretend I know something I don't.

I agree there is no known formula for people having the courage to stand up for what they like if they consider those likes to be unpopular.

I was just imagining that if hypothetically VEI teamed up with a game company - the game might be popular enough for people to at least try the comic. especially if the game had ads in it letting players know that further adventures were available in comic form.

A bonus if there was a viable way to incorporate unique game clues into the comics. A gimmick - yes, but one I'd go with IF the quality of the comic was truly believed in.

They wouldn't even have to be vital to game play - just little tweaks a character could have for their game character that tie into the comics history, etc.

Growing up for me, cartoon ads - particularly for GI Joe, had a big impact. But that was then.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:32 am

Geomancer wrote:I honestly don't know how good the Turok comics were that came out after the games.

So a gameplayer who read the comics would have to address that. Hopefully that doesn't come across as a dodge just not trying to pretend I know something I don't.

After Acclaim re launched Turok, it got off to a rough start. It was clear that they were targeting a lot younger crowd with the characters and stories in the first four issues. The writing got better though as they started to do the one shots. The background story and characters became more complex and interesting at that point.

As far as the video game, the cinematic scenes and stories were very well done. Most of the Turok games received rave reviews and gamers often mention liking the stories that unfolded throughout the various Turok games.

ian_house · Post by **ian_house** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:54 am

Games really are a seperate thing in my eyes. Its REAL rare that a comic/book/film etc et. gets translated into a game and either does well or makes the original property a substantial amount of cash. Movies on the other hand are cash in central.

Sensationalcomics · Post by **Sensationalcomics** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:02 am

Yes, Turok is a household name but how many Turok comics are selling?

I think the fact of the matter is that, while they are making strides, comics is still looked upon as mainly for kids.

Seriously, how many people would go to their new job and tell anybody there that they collect comic books? Even the people selling comic book movies don't want to be associated with comics. Look at a Watchmen trailer. it says "From the most successful Graphic Novel of all-time"

I don't know how to change that because even as a teen-ager I really didn't want anyone to know I read comic books. I can only imagine how that must be these days.

The people for the Watchman movie can’t say that it’s from the most successful “comic” of all time. That is why they said graphic novel, not because comics are viewed as for kids.

With the amount of money that production companies have been making over the last few years from comic properties I don’t think that there is a company out there that has issues with the word “comic”. If you’re ashamed that you collect comics and afraid to let your coworkers know, that an issue you have to face. I can’t think of that many people that would think a kid would be the one shelling out 32 grand for a mint Amazing Spiderman #1.

Geomancer · Post by **Geomancer** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:12 pm

Daniel Jackson wrote:
Geomancer wrote:I honestly don't know how good the Turok comics were that came out after the games.

So a gameplayer who read the comics would have to address that. Hopefully that doesn't come across as a dodge just not trying to pretend I know something I don't.
After Acclaim re launched Turok, it got off to a rough start. It was clear that they were targeting a lot younger crowd with the characters and stories in the first four issues. The writing got better though as they started to do the one shots. The background story and characters became more complex and interesting at that point.

As far as the video game, the cinematic scenes and stories were very well done. Most of the Turok games received rave reviews and gamers often mention liking the stories that unfolded throughout the various Turok games.

Thanks!

From that time period I remember high praise for the Turok games, even though I didn't play them.

It sounds like - as with Ninjak, the Turok comics fo that time weren't geared towards a reader like me. With the way things turned out, maybe they weren't geared toward those playing the game either.

Eternalwarrior68 · Post by **Eternalwarrior68** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:04 pm

All I know is that anyone I talked to who played and loved the turok video games never even knew there was a comic.

nutflush76 · Post by **nutflush76** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:08 pm

Sensationalcomics wrote:
The people for the Watchman movie can’t say that it’s from the most successful “comic” of all time. That is why they said graphic novel, not because comics are viewed as for kids.

Why can't they?

Because it's not the highest selling?

If that's the case, they could have said that it's from one of the best comic-books of all-time or something to that effect.

Seriously, how many comic book movies come out and say they are comic book movies while they advertise them?

Sensationalcomics · Post by **Sensationalcomics** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:20 am

nutflush76 wrote:
Sensationalcomics wrote:
The people for the Watchman movie can’t say that it’s from the most successful “comic” of all time. That is why they said graphic novel, not because comics are viewed as for kids.

Why can't they?

Because it's not the highest selling?

If that's the case, they could have said that it's from one of the best comic-books of all-time or something to that effect.

Seriously, how many comic book movies come out and say they are comic book movies while they advertise them?

Dude, are you that dense?

They can’t call it the most successful comic of all time because it is not even close. How many people who don’t read comics would have any idea of whom or what Watchman is? If you ask a person who has never read a comic who Superman, Batman, Spiderman or Captain America is they would know who they were. Those characters are icons know throughout the world.

How can you say that Watchman is one of the best comic s of all time? Funny, in any list I have ever seen for the 100 greatest comics of all time Watchman is not even close to the top if on the list at all.

As for your last statement, come on!!

Why would they ever need to say that the Superman, Batman, X-Men or Spiderman movies were from a comic book, everybody on the frikin planet knows they are comic book characters.

ian_house · Post by **ian_house** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:06 am

Sensationalcomics wrote:
nutflush76 wrote:
Sensationalcomics wrote:
The people for the Watchman movie can’t say that it’s from the most successful “comic” of all time. That is why they said graphic novel, not because comics are viewed as for kids.

Why can't they?

Because it's not the highest selling?

If that's the case, they could have said that it's from one of the best comic-books of all-time or something to that effect.

Seriously, how many comic book movies come out and say they are comic book movies while they advertise them?
Dude, are you that dense?

They can’t call it the most successful comic of all time because it is not even close. How many people who don’t read comics would have any idea of whom or what Watchman is? If you ask a person who has never read a comic who Superman, Batman, Spiderman or Captain America is they would know who they were. Those characters are icons know throughout the world.

How can you say that Watchman is one of the best comic s of all time? Funny, in any list I have ever seen for the 100 greatest comics of all time Watchman is not even close to the top if on the list at all.

As for your last statement, come on!!

Why would they ever need to say that the Superman, Batman, X-Men or Spiderman movies were from a comic book, everybody on the frikin planet knows they are comic book characters.

Chill Winston.

It could be considered the most succesful comic, as it was in the The Times top 100 books... no other comic/graphic novel was.

Sensationalcomics · Post by **Sensationalcomics** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 3:54 pm

[quote="ian_house

Chill Winston.

It could be considered the most succesful comic, as it was in the The Times top 100 books... no other comic/graphic novel was.[/quote]

Ok because the times says it's 1 of the top 100 english novels, that makes it the best comic ever.

Guess it does not matter that when the Comic Journel asked people in the comic industry to pick the top 100 comics of all time Watchmen was number 91 on the list. 91!! not in the top 10 or 20 91. But, since a Times writter thinks that it's one of the top modern english novels, that makes it the best comic ever. I guess we can say that people who have been involved "with" comics just dont know what they are talking about. His work on V for Vendetta, & From Hell were rated higher than Watchman on the list. And, last but not least, V for Vendetta is "his" personal favorite work, guess he has no clue either.

Geomancer · Post by **Geomancer** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:02 pm

Comics industry versus New York Times bestseller list seems like apples and oranges to me.

People in the comics industry are less representative of the general public than the Times bestseller list.

Cyberstrike · Post by **Cyberstrike** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:42 pm

Sensationalcomics wrote:[quote="ian_house

Chill Winston.

It could be considered the most succesful comic, as it was in the The Times top 100 books... no other comic/graphic novel was.

Ok because the times says it's 1 of the top 100 english novels, that makes it the best comic ever.

Guess it does not matter that when the Comic Journel asked people in the comic industry to pick the top 100 comics of all time Watchmen was number 91 on the list. 91!! not in the top 10 or 20 91. But, since a Times writter thinks that it's one of the top modern english novels, that makes it the best comic ever. I guess we can say that people who have been involved "with" comics just dont know what they are talking about. His work on V for Vendetta, & From Hell were rated higher than Watchman on the list. And, last but not least, V for Vendetta is "his" personal favorite work, guess he has no clue either.

Reviews are opinions, personally in my opinion I that Watchmen is far better than V for Vendetta and From Hell, and Miracleman is better than Watchmen.

Cyberstrike · Post by **Cyberstrike** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:43 pm

nevermind

Solitude · Post by **Solitude** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:17 pm

Elveen wrote:Imagine if VEI could do a series on HBO. How cool would that be. And I don't even have HBO.

Given HBO's track record and the tone of Valiant characters, the fit is pretty much perfect. If you wanted to market comic books as a serious medium, that would really grab people's attention.

How depressing could a Shadowman miniseries be, set in modern day New Orleans? What kind of crazy stomach-turning zombie stuff could you get away with? How easy would it be to crank up the intensity on that, until viewers can feel the crushing sense of helplessness and doom and all the scary things that go bump in the night... And then ask themselves "Someone's making a comic book like that? I thought that was just Spider-Man and goofy stuff like that!"

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VEI marketing strategy -- movies vs games

VEI marketing strategy -- movies vs games

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