Disney buys Marvel - I like it. Look, say what you want about the mouse, you have to respect their hustle. Disney's main goal is owning mindshare of the kids and the pocket books of the parents. If it ain't broke don't fix it. As a comic fan and the parent of an eight year-old it is the best of both worlds (sorry). The value of Marvel is the rich history which is is primed and ready to be mined for long term return. Marvel will reap the benefits of having the most dominant and effective branding, merchandising and promotional giant at their disposal. Not to mention they are a distribution juggernaut. Bitch! (Look it up).
- The core business has to be preserved. Comics are the redheaded step-child of pop culture. But ultimately, the new House of Mouse will need to focus on core competencies and leverage new assets to be successful. Marvel needs to regain the imagination of the 5-15 year-old set. Cultivating new fans is key to survival of the industry and it just so happens that Disney is proficient in this area. Honestly, if they can make it work it will be a far more successful relationship than DC and Time-Warner.
- Editorial freedom. Asthma inhalers all over the country collectively puffed once the annoucement was made public. The fear is the watering down of the some of the great storytellers in the business. This is pre-mature. Kansas City's own Jason Aaron is one of the hottest the industry has to offer. His books sell ... not on gimmick but on merit. (I'm not just saying this because he's the commissioner of our Fantasy Football league although should he be reading I am angling for the number one pick ... I'm just sayin') Disney can't mess with the creative process because a focus group said that Aunt May should have "female friend" or the Avengers need more characters of discreet economic backgrounds. I, for one, don't believe the Punisher will cease punishing and began counseling villains. However, Ultimate Donald Duck written by Bendis and a Max Goofy written by Ennis does intrigue me.
- Disney needs to branch out from fairies, princesses and pop stars. In the last ten years, Disney has perfected a formula that has generated millions (sorry Nickelodeon). But there is nothing remotely pop or bubblegum about Marvel. Anything that takes away from the value of the vast library of characters (and stories) Marvel has will be met with geek rage. You have been warned.
- Pixar. Dude, this is by far the most interest aspect of the new marriage. Marvel gets a cool in-law. Pixar brings quality, strong branding and immense marketing know how to the table. Imagine Spider-Man, X-Men or even better - something completely new! Geek-gasm for sure. Yea, I said it!
- Marvel Studios has to stay autonomous. My excitement for a Pixar/Marvel Universe not withstanding, Marvel Studios has laid out a great blueprint for a movie universe that is a geek's dream. The plan is well conceived and they need to see it through.
- New markets. With the reach Disney has, its reasonable to assume the expansion of the Marvel line to world markets in a much more profitable and strategic way is on the horizon. In addition, comics have an expansive distribution network of independent dealers which could further open disney products yielding interesting results. The collectors' market would be very responsive to collectables, premiums and other products which would leverage two words Disney employs very well: Limited Edition. The wild card will be how Disney approaches the digital question. Disney plays in this space currently and would do well to develop a strategy that addresses this hot button in a way that uses technology to its fullest potential but does not alienate dealers. Otherwise the honeymoon might be over quickly...
- The Fans. Both Marvel and Disney have core audiences which can likely co-exist as both could likely benefit from the others passion. Passion means dollars. Dollars means more products. Products mean happiness. Now understand, this means comic fans will have to now share which we don't do very well but a marriage like this can be a difficult transistion for everyone. Just ask the Bradys.
The Chiefs - I have avoided this as long as possible. While I like the hiring of Pioli, the concern I have is around Todd Haley. I don't doubt his passion, however, I do doubt his patience. The dismissal of Chan Gailey, while it makes total sense (the two couldn't co-exist), the thought that Haley will call the offensive plays himself is an extremely risky move. If that doesn't work, then he'll lose more than a few games ... he'll lose the locker room. I commend him for driving the need for accountability. The man is clear on his intentions. This is refreshing.
The biggest issue is the damn offensive line. Wow. They can't block anybody. I mean 22 guys off the street can block better than these guys (sorry Todd). The right side of the line might as well be holograms because I'm not really convinced there are real people there truly, you know, blocking. And the collective gasp of Arrowhead on Saturday night after Cassel went down two minutes into the game should have made Pioli sphinter tighten up enough to realize he has to make this a priority otherwise Clark Hunt may want to rethink the 63 milli he dropped on Cassel. He can't throw downfield from his back. Or a stretcher.
The second priority is the receiving corp. Reports are out there are that Toomer has been released. (We barely knew thee) Bowe needs a competent number 2 and right now we have a corp of fives. Haley's offensive tendencies are predecated on a potent aerial attack and right now our attack is as potent as Grampa without his little blue wonders. I guess we'll wait and see ... after the disaster that has been Royals baseball, KC fans may want to start buying comics to pass the time (I hear Marvel is hot right now.)
Michigan football - I'm a Big Blue fan. Unapologetically so. I can say this without batting an eye. I hate Rich Rodriguez. He doesn't get it at all. 3-9 his first year! While I was intrigued by Michigan running the spread, I'm not convinced that Rich Rod can get it done. That said, the newest allogations don't bug me because this isn't a phenomenon single onto Michigan, however, it is a black eye on a storied program that doesn't need the headache. If RR can't get it together this season he won't be there for a year three.
And now for something completely different...
The worst movie ever made? Well yes. The Room is just that. My friend JC over at Welcome to the Persistence have been gracious enough to review the movie on your behalf. Thanks JC!!! Of course, JC is blind now as he carved out his own eyes with a spoon because he felt the abuse that was wrought on them could never be overcome. So please, for the price of a click here you can help a blind man ... well not really, but it will make me feel better. I asked him to review it. Say what you want, it does take talent to make a movie that makes you a ton of money even though everyone hates it. It's so bad that it has become a pop culture anomaly in that screening parties have popped up all over the country as have tribute sites and fan clubs. Who can predict what people will buy ... I would have said the whole home computer thing would have failed miserably but I guess the jury is still out. I still use an abacus.
I'm going to get a bowl of cereal now ... feeling like some Apple Jacks.
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