Are We Seeing the Rebirth of Marvel Animation?

[James Harvey]

Within the past few months, we've seen announcements for the following:

-A new Fantastic Four animated series
-A new Iron Man animated series
-A series of eight Marvel Animated movies from Lion's Gate
-A rumored Spider-Man DTV set to coincide with Spider-Man 3

Could this be the rebirth of Marvel Animation? If so, how would you like to see these projects handled?

[Donald Duck 12]

YEs.

[Nuage]

X-Men Evolution must return with a new season.. btw What is Spider-Man DTV ?

[Arsenal]

DTV=Direct to Video.

It is a little too soon to suggest Marvel Animation is experiencing a renaissance. I would need to see the quality of these products before I dub anything a "rebirth." It is also possible that what we will receive is merely a "retread."

[ROBOTRON]

Yes, I hope so. Right now, DC is kicking Marvel butt as far as superhero shows go. Spiderman DTV? Whats that? Is it a continuation of Spiderman MTV?

That show should not have been taken off the air.:mad:

[Kuja's Light]

Hmm..Sorry if I sound ignorant, but they stopped doing projects atone time or what? I'm confused..Sorry, I've never really visited this area before, so yeah.

And sadly I've never really had the chance to get into comics yet and whatnot.

[Fone Bone]

If they are the quality of X-Men: Evolution: Good.

If they are the quality of Spider-Man MTV: bad.

[90'sCartoonMan]

Could this be the rebirth of Marvel Animation? If so, how would you like to see these projects handled?
::sigh:: VERY carefully! And intelligently.

Why does the DCAU work? Yes, Batman The Animated Series did follow Burton's Batman movie and was influenced by it, but it did it's own thing (Dick Grayson, keeping the Joker alive, etc). The only thing outside of comics going on with Superman was Lois and Clark, and JLU was able to build on so much. It incorporates all kinds of influences - Pre-Crisis stories, Post-Crisis stories, the current JSA roster, even the George Reeves Superman show. It's a best of that brings everything together.

What I'm afraid Marvel will do is appeal to what's hot "right now". That's what MTV's Spider-Man series did. It began where the movie left off, which obviously had it's faults since it had to make sure to use villains the movie franchise wouldn't want to use and had to dance around the Peter/MJ thing. The Avengers DTV has me worried because of it's strong Ultimate influence.

Now, I'd like the new Marvel animated stuff to give some nods to the movies and Ultimate books and whatever's hot right now, but obviously some things don't mess (like Thor for example). I fear what could happen with Doom.

I may sound like a broken record here, but I don't want to be sitting here next year saying the loosely connected Marvel shows of the 90's did a better job portraying the rich and deep history and connections of the Marvel Universe.

[Fuujin]

Now, I'd like the new Marvel animated stuff to give some nods to the movies and Ultimate books and whatever's hot right now, but obviously some things don't mess (like Thor for example).
And why is that? Personally I find 616 Thor boring and campy, while Ultimate Thor is a very interesting and original concept. Likewise, I see no reason why cartoons should shy away from the Ultimate universe. If anything, Ultimate books follow the exact same road that in my opinion cartoons should - a retelling of the series, with a more modern touch and concept, and without the baggage of 40 years of storytelling. Just look at X-Men Evo, which I find a perfect alternative to Ultimate X-Men, following the same guidelines, just in a different way.

[Lynxara]

Following old guidelines never leads to originality. Nothing in the Ultimate books strikes my imagination with the same power and intensity that the wildly maverish 60's Marvel books did. They're more superficially "acceptable", but ultimately have to follow well-trod ground. And, well, I'd rather see those talented creators tell their own stories, not retell someone else's.

Some of the BEST aspects of the DCAU have been things that were purely original ideas of the creators working on the series. A truly good Marvel animated universe has to bring new ideas to the table in some fashion. Ultimate has done this a few times but I find it on the whole to be insufficient in that regard, and retreading Ultimate in animated form would be a retread of a retread. Ech.

[90'sCartoonMan]

And why is that? Personally I find 616 Thor boring and campy, while Ultimate Thor is a very interesting and original concept.
Although I do think it's cool what they're doing with Thor, that still isn't Thor. You may find Thor boring and campy, but I love the character; his power, the mythology around him, everything. Ultimate is more down to Earth with everything, and personally I don't think all our movies and cartoons should follow that trend. What if JL's Wonder Woman didn't come from an island of Amazons and just found her armor that could've been made by the gods but maybe not and they gave her powers? I don't think it'd be as interesting.

Likewise, I see no reason why cartoons should shy away from the Ultimate universe. If anything, Ultimate books follow the exact same road that in my opinion cartoons should - a retelling of the series, with a more modern touch and concept, and without the baggage of 40 years of storytelling..
I'm not saying shy away, I'm saying don't limit. If the creators are inspired by a plot in Ultimate Fantastic Four, then by all means use it. Sometimes it's good not to have the baggage of continuity, but don't lose track of what made the Marvel Universe fun and amazing in the first place.

Just look at X-Men Evo, which I find a perfect alternative to Ultimate X-Men, following the same guidelines, just in a different way.
But if you think about it, X-Men Evolution was staying true to the spirit of the original Stan Lee concept, it just used some of the more popular characters that didn't come along until later (like Rogue). Actually, I think Ultimate X-Men is one of the easier Ultimate concepts that can mess with the 616 counterpart. Ultimate Fantastic Four would have problems. It should be a melding of everything that worked anywhere, not a choosing of sides.

[Razor]

The Ultimates. That book was better when it was the Authority.

Seriously. I really can't stand it. There are some people who prefer that something be some kind of meta-commentary on society, but why tack that onto the Avengers? Shouldn't the Ultimate universe be about capturing the SPIRIT of the Marvel Universe in a more modern era? So why is Mark Millar tacking some sort of social commentary on to it, with some message about how a government goes too far? Why suck all of the heroism and HONOR out of Captain America and make him a right wing thug that's yet another commentary about the close-mindedness of America and conservativeism?

And then there's the things that are done just for cheap, shallow, shock value. Hulk talking about how he's going to violate his ex-wife. Hank Pym going from man with legitimate issues to complete and total scum bag. What they did to the Defenders. Making Jarvis gay. That pointless incestuous relationship between Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch.

The only one one on the Ultimates that actually seems likeable is Tony. I will admit, Thor is motivated by real heroism, but that whole "super powered liberal" thing ties into this shallow, cliched message, and I don't much care for him either.

[Lynxara]

The Ultimates. That book was better when it was the Authority.
You, sir, are awesome.

I, myself, liked Identity Crisis better when it was Watchmen.

Ultimate Iron Man comes close to being likable, but... so many of his armor designs are cannibalized nearly line-for-line from anime mecha designs. It kinda bugs me. =/

[Spider-Man]

If anything, Ultimate books follow the exact same road that in my opinion cartoons should - a retelling of the series, with a more modern touch and concept, and without the baggage of 40 years of storytelling. Just look at X-Men Evo, which I find a perfect alternative to Ultimate X-Men, following the same guidelines, just in a different way.
I completely agree. That's what I think the next wave of Marvel cartoons should do. I know alot of people are mixed on the Ultimate Universe but I really like what they've done there. Sure they've had some problems but they've really built a solid universe around it. I think it'll be a great thing to use the Ultimate books as a starting point but remembering the classic stuff that has come before. As great as the classic tales are the Ultimate characters are more modern for new fans to pick up on. If the new Marvel cartoons use the same inspiration as the Ultimate comics did we could be in for some great shows.

[LeatherWings]

Well, I hope they do bring back a new Marvel Verse, but as 90'scartoonman said it must be hadled carefully. Marvel needs something like the DCAU where everything is together and one big continuation, also they need to do as 90'sman said take stories from every generation and tweak them, not just stories from the current Ultimate universe. Lastly keep it like B:TAS(yes I know its a DC show, but everyone can learn a thin are two from B:TAS) keep it realistic to a digree, thats the greatest thig about the DCAU, they make you acutally feel for the characters, and it seems almost real, even when Superman's flying around in Supes:TAS you feel like its real, and its actually a story not non stop violence.

Plus if Marvel follows all these lines, they'll have the advantage, to me it seems DC's hurting aniamtion wise, JLU's great, but The Batman and Teen Titans well not so great, but I can't express my true feelings to the first one here for sure, and the second well its decent, but hardly great or even good.

This is the perfect oportunity for Marvel to bring back the golden age of action toons, and with DC on the verge of no more DCAU and just there WBA DC shows which are all action no story, Marvel's got a great chance to take all of DC's toon pride away.

Coming from a comic fan who's more of a DC fan, Marvel does not want to mess up, cuz DC toons are going down the drain, and Marvel's got a chance and gaining lots of success if they pull this off.

Marvel could learn alot from Mr. Bruce W. Timm. Right now, thats about all DC's got not just animation wise, but comic wise as well. Oh and DC's got Batman Begins, but thats the only movie I think'll be putting a hurt on Marvel fro awhile, Superman Returns doesn't look like anything spectacular, I'm sure it'll sell well, but from what I've seen I can see alot of angry fans complaining giving Marvel an edge.

Oh one last bit of advice, get Stan Lee more involved in the movies, most of these movies lately have sucked, I mean Hulk and Daredevil were pretty bad, X-Men wasn't true to the comics near enough. Still Marvel's got two great Spider-Man films and DC's just got Begins. If Marvel pulls it off, it'll be great.

Learn from Bruce Timm, hey as far as I'm concerned, WB's got the nerve to restrict Timm, and Timm's saying JLU's his last show for WB. Marvel needs to snathc him up, if Marvel starts picking up more and more people who worked on DCAU shows, they'd have a new Marvel phenomnon of toons.

All I got to say to if Marvel does hire Timm is: You snooze you lose WB. You try to butt out Mr. Timm and you lose.

[Razor]

what exactly DID the Ultimate universe do? It took the basic concept of the Marvel universe and changed it around, along with starting at the beginning.

Which is exactly what every Marvel cartoon has done so far. Ultimate Marvel was just a lot more liberal with its changes.

So, what, should they just do everything the Ultimate series has done? Yuck. That would be boring, and there's a lot of crap in the Ultimate line that I don't want to see carried over into everything else.

[Donald Duck 12]

Plus Blade's supposed Spike series and some awesome X-Men webtoons.

[Crossdive]

Is it a continuation of Spiderman MTV?

That show should not have been taken off the air.:mad:agreed.

X-Men Evolution must return with a new season
also agreed, X-Evo is the number 1 priority IMO as far as continuing shows from the past, it never should have ended, they still had so much that could have done and they had done so well with what they had already done.

Blade series/DTV: NO WAY
Strange: NO WAY
Spidey DTV: Yes, I don't mind if it is MTV style or something new or whatever, I can't really picture it being bad.

[Spider-Man]

also agreed, X-Evo is the number 1 priority IMO as far as continuing shows from the past, it never should have ended, they still had so much that could have done and they had done so well with what they had already done.

Blade series/DTV: NO WAY
Strange: NO WAY
Spidey DTV: Yes, I don't mind if it is MTV style or something new or whatever, I can't really picture it being bad.
If the original cast and crew behind X-Men: Evolution can't return then I wouldn't want to see the show come back. I'd like to see the whole crew come back.

As for DTVs based on Blade and Dr. Strange I say go for it. I want to see more Marvel characters animation especially the ones who aren't really in the mainstream.

[fantastic 7]

It doesn't matter if they use a story from the comics or come up with an original, just as long as the story is suspensful and exciting. Something with the kind of writting the last season of JLU had. That is the only way the network will gain viewers outside of loyal Marvel fans. Face it, eveyone on this site will watch these shows even if they are less than perfect because we are fans, but to attract the more cassual viewer they had better have awsome writting or the show won't last long and the "rebirth" will die in its tracks. The recent Marvel movies, toys, and games have gotten the attention the show will need to attract viewers, but it needs serious, dramatic stories to keep ratings high (at least among older viewers;if they aim for a young demographic we're screwed). Anyway the story has to be on the level of the recent JLU arc to keep the attention of anyone but us and 6 year olds no matter where they get the ideas for it. If they succeed in that then we are indeed experiancing a wonderful new age on Marvel animation.:D

Go Iron Man!!!!!!:D

[Spider-Man]

I think these DTVs will help point Marvel in the direction you're talking about. These need that important critical acclaim to get some of the other viewers interested. Everyone who went to see the live-action movies aren't comic fans but they went becuase they knew the character and new the strong story behind it. This is what these new projects need.