tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297847469736903606.post1397952614701322536..comments2023-11-02T10:15:43.460-04:00Comments on I Can Break Away: The Disney Comics Story (1990-1993): The Disney ImplosionDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441890672931597080noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297847469736903606.post-79970596415462561842014-07-11T02:05:47.194-04:002014-07-11T02:05:47.194-04:00Dana:
I didn't consider it, but you're ri...Dana:<br /><br />I didn't consider it, but you're right that Mark Evanier and Len Wein have been good friends for many years. Mark is also close friends with Marv Wolfman, who served as Comics Editor for <i>Disney Adventures</i> and wrote some excellent <i>Mickey Mouse</i> and <i>DuckTales</i> stories for the Disney Comics line.<br /><br />With those talents as friends and colleagues, Mr. Evanier certainly had a "backstage pass" to the Disney Comics explosion through the implosion. Perhaps Mark will find his way here at some point and choose to share a bit of insight.<br /><br />Floyd Norman was a salaried employee of the publishing group, yet he had similar reservations as other pros. In the next chapter, we'll cover how the conditions in 1992 led a few others to follow Don Rosa's lead to create Disney content through Egmont.<br /><br />To keep things from getting 100% negative, Marv Wolfman has said that writing those <i>Mickey Mouse</i> and <i>DuckTales</i> stories for Disney Comics was one of the most enjoyable projects he's ever worked on! – DanDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441890672931597080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297847469736903606.post-546540765698474942014-07-06T00:51:11.759-04:002014-07-06T00:51:11.759-04:00Joe:
The Marvel mother lode isn't a bad purch...Joe:<br /><br />The Marvel mother lode isn't a bad purchase for the tidy sum of $4.24 billion (and sixteen cents!)<br /><br />Believe it or not, that I.P. acquisition will have taken place <b>FIVE</b> years ago this August... in 2014, the "House of Ideas" has released two mini-series of Disney theme park-based comics. Could there be some ducks and mice the way we like 'em in their future?<br /><br />In-house, Disney Press has also just released their own graphic novel based on a theme park attraction:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Space-Mountain-Graphic-Disney-Original/dp/1423162293" rel="nofollow"><b><i>SPACE MOUNTAIN</i>: A Graphic Novel</b></a><br /><br />With the San Diego Comic-Con a few weeks away, perhaps there will be more news, or the standard U.S. Walt Disney comic book license passed on to a new publisher? Only time will tell!<br /><br />In the meantime, it might be in Disney's best interest to spend another $4,240,000,000.16 to wrangle back the rights to the <i>Spider-Man</i> movie franchise from Sony Pictures! - DanDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441890672931597080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297847469736903606.post-74141634046974095762014-07-05T21:24:45.227-04:002014-07-05T21:24:45.227-04:00Dana writes:
“They (the [Disney] bigshots) thou...Dana writes:<br /><br />“<i>They (the</i> [Disney] <i>bigshots) thought they would be Marvel from the get-go.</i>”<br /><br />Hey, guess what… Now, they <b>ARE!</b> <br /><br />Do <i>“all things come to he who waits - or buys it up”</i>, or what?!Joe Torciviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00421096229407174474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297847469736903606.post-55539704514293503262014-07-05T16:28:15.569-04:002014-07-05T16:28:15.569-04:00Thank you, Dana: I've no doubt that things cou...Thank you, Dana: I've no doubt that things could have turned out quite differently if someone with experience and ample knowledge of the business of comic books was given the role of making key decisions and establishing a sensible/gradual roll-out plan. So much of went wrong with the Disney Comics line came from portraying themselves as a powerhouse from day one.<br /><br />I think of it this way: standard etiquette dictates that you probably shouldn't walk into a party roaring drunk and bragging, especially at a party where you don't really know anyone.<br /><br />During a more level-headed time, Disney used a gradual tactic with TV animation—starting with Saturday morning and building resources as they carved their way into producing added daily syndicated animated programs. That method got perverted with pressure from the "big shots" to integrate successful elements from feature films, and the ABC acquisition in 1995: too many animated show were rushed into production, and cannibalized the quality level of their TV animation output overall.<br /><br />I'd imagine Mark Evanier was approached to write for Disney Comics at the very beginning, but the rates and conditions under which might not have been to his advantage—of course, he is always prolific, and was knee-deep in <i>Garfield</i> and <i>Groo</i> duties at the time (which he still is as of this writing!) Though Mr. Evanier wasn't directly involved, I'd enjoy reading his perspective on the Disney Comics era one day.<br /><br />Shocking as it may seem, I visited Walt Disney World with some frequency between 1990-1993, and I only ever saw the comics sold at a 1940s style newsstand at the Disney-M.G.M. Studios park, alongside current issues of <i>Vogue</i> and <i>Sports Illustrated</i>. Beyond the collectible "First Issue" box set, I never saw the books at any Disney Stores, back when they sold a much wider array of merchandise—wouldn't a small spinner rack have been an approachable display? Or poly-bagging 3 books to sell for $3? Despite aggressive synergy initiatives, many media companies simply became too big, and few divisions are aware of what the others are doing: ironically, they see other in-house divisions as their competitors.<br /><br />I knew you co-opted that term from the DC Implosion... but I'm thrilled you revived it some twenty years ago for the subject of this series! - DanDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441890672931597080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297847469736903606.post-88993545751075904322014-07-05T02:10:44.605-04:002014-07-05T02:10:44.605-04:00They (the bigshots) thought they would be Marvel f...They (the bigshots) thought they would be Marvel from the get-go. And had little understanding of the comics market. During this whole thing I shared some very interesting phone conversations with Mark Evanier as I tried to figure out why in the world this was happening. This post very well tracks my understanding of the dynamics. BTW why did they not have the comics in The Disney Store or the parks? Those were separate divisions of a very large media company and had no interest in doing something to aid what the folks over there in comics. One big happy family isn't how the corporate mentality works. They didn't have the long-haul in mind and when they hit some problems pulled the plug. It should be noted my naming it the implosion was a riff on the infamous DC Implosion of the 1970s.Dana Gabbardhttp://socata.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297847469736903606.post-78562884087072911152014-07-01T12:05:32.632-04:002014-07-01T12:05:32.632-04:00Thanks very much, Scarecrow! Every point you made ...Thanks very much, Scarecrow! Every point you made is extremely valid—the underlying drama of <i>The Disney Comics Story</i> is really that the original Gladstone crew was doing a wonderful job, only to have their license spirited away, publicly mangled, and thrown back to them in pretty bad shape.<br /><br />It's no secret that most people managing these divisions have little to no connection with what they're producing. The mentality consisted of: "Well, comic books are hot right now, and kids watch <i>Rescue Rangers</i> 5 days a week. We can make a quick profit on that." The Disney Comics creative and Editorial staff was plenty sincere and able to get some great material out there, but they had to tow the company line and do/say certain things they knew weren't going to work out well.<br /><br />It's not hard to guess that the problems came down from marketing executives and nervous managers: folks that probably never even <b>OPENED</b> a comic book before, much less had an inkling of knowledge about the industry at the time!<br /><br />The model that could have worked from the start was keeping the "core four" up and running, and occasional Disney Afternoon specials... but starting off with EIGHT monthly titles is a pretty crazy prospect if you've never published ONE comic book before.<br /><br /><i>"We've decided to focus on our two most important market segments...collectors and kids."</i> This certainly was the worst kind of marketing rhetoric. It was already too late by the time that was written. They already had the fans and collectors, but placement and availability of the books for kids and new readers should have been employed from the start. I, like Joe T. has written elsewhere, <b>NEVER</b> saw the self-published comics sold at the Disney Store or in the theme parks, outside of one newsstand at Disney/M.G.M Studios (which was more about theme than anything else.) Now, wouldn't those be logical places to sell Disney comic books???<br /><br />Walt understood and respected his audience, he let Western Publishing do their thing with the comic books, and King Features do the same with the newspaper strips. The steps leading to the implosion wouldn't have happened under his watch, anyway! - DanDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441890672931597080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297847469736903606.post-49193075809146343192014-07-01T00:28:44.919-04:002014-07-01T00:28:44.919-04:00The mentality at Disney Comics of the time seems t...The mentality at Disney Comics of the time seems to have been the same as TV executives--if something isn't a hit within about one month, then it's time to eliminate it. This kind of thinking demonstrates a complete lack of faith in the product that is being sold. If the Disney folks had enough confidence in their flagship characters to launch them in multiple titles within a short period of time, then the appropriate marketing strategy would have been to let these books find their audience, and let their audience find them! It takes TIME for word to spread when something is good. It takes TIME for the public to be aware that a certain title is available and is being regularly published. Losing money in the short run can lead to making much more in the long run...but people in business suits don't think with foresight. If they don't see immediate profit, forget it.<br /><br />I was a witness to this disaster when it first "imploded" on the market, and I was absolutely devastated. I had gotten hugely excited over the fact that there were 8 regular monthly Disney titles and that other comics seemed to be looming on the horizon. It was an exciting time to be a Disney collector...then BANG! All but 3 titles vanished with hardly a word of explanation.<br /><br />"We've decided to focus on our two most important market segments...collectors and kids." I'll never forget that piece of rhetoric--absolutely nonsensical. That was their market to start with! How did they not KNOW that? And if they truly wanted to please collectors (or kids), why did they get rid of Mickey Mouse? To me, that is the ultimate Disney blunder of all time...eliminating Disney's first big star and most famous character from the comics lineup. OK, so "Goofy Adventures" wasn't selling, or "Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers," that was something that could be lived with. It wasn't crucial for Disney to have a "Rescue Rangers" or "Goofy" title, but to get rid of Mickey Mouse was going too far!<br /><br />This whole fiasco is a demonstration of the lack of vision of the Disney company without Walt at the helm. When profit, profit, profit becomes the sole reason for an artistic endeavor, then failure is what they are asking for, and is what they deserve. You can bet that Walt would have insisted on improving the quality of the books and the marketing and thus working toward long-term success that would have far-reaching ramifications. He would not have approved of this half-hearted, fly-by-night effort.<br /><br />It is possible to trim your losses slightly until things improve, meanwhile making every effort to ensure that sales WILL improve. Walt always offered a quality product and always had faith in public taste. Most of the time his instincts paid off royally. Remember a little thing called Disneyland?<br /><br />It's a real shame that the Disney folks did not have faith in their products and their characters. That lack of faith has led to the present non-state of Disney comics.<br /><br />Thanks for a great post! This is an issue that has needed to be confronted for a long, long time.<br />I look forward to the rest.scarecrow33https://www.blogger.com/profile/10552306802823617940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297847469736903606.post-37348281037910736272014-06-30T22:29:01.152-04:002014-06-30T22:29:01.152-04:00Another Chapter of The Disney Comics Story, anothe...Another Chapter of The Disney Comics Story, another glowing endorsement from Joe Torcivia! Not only does Joe put up the kindest promotion for these posts, but he REALLY dug into his Gold Key comics to find the perfect panels to illustrate the theme! Observe:<br /><br /><b><a rel="nofollow">http://tiahblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-series-of-implos-ible-events.html</a></b><br /><br />What a pal! Thank you in bushels, Joe. I couldn't do justice to the Disney Comics era without sketching in the excitement of comics at the time. It has to encapsulate the mood for those who <i>weren't there</i>! The quality, variety, notoriety and <b>AVAILABILITY</b> of comic books around 1987-1992 was just palpable. They kept us coming back in those days, sometimes even between Wednesday arrivals!<br /><br /><i>Knightfall</i> was initially included, but I had to remove it in favor of the "demise" of Supes in order to get to the subject, and the animated stuff was more relevant. Context-wise, the next chapter will zero in on the beginning of the downslide of the comic industry, and Michael Eisner slowly losing his grip, as things at the Disney Company began to grow TOO fast by 1993!<br /><br />Your statistic is all too true on my TV in 1992/1993, <i>Batman: The Animated Series</i> usually won over <i>Goof Troop</i>, unless the occasional episode animated by the Disney's Australian unit was being shown that day. But I still thought the Goof made a good Dad, and became a bigger fan of the cinematic version a few years later!<br /><br />You're also quite right that the fallout from the Disney Implosion still emits a toxic glow among retailers... each succeeding publisher had their high and low points, but distribution became more difficult with each passing year. If anyone can get the books positioned front and center under an new imprint, Marvel has the muscle to do it.<br /><br />In fact, some folks online predict that things will "Get Dangerous!" at this year's San Diego Comic-Con.<br /><br />Hey, St. Canard is relatively close to Duckburg, right? – DanDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441890672931597080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8297847469736903606.post-77018535351714001002014-06-30T19:03:42.068-04:002014-06-30T19:03:42.068-04:00Dan:
Another magnificent piece of Disney comic bo...Dan:<br /><br />Another magnificent piece of Disney comic book history, chronicled by one of the best researchers I know! My now-traditional linking post will be up this evening. <br /><br />Wise move in breaking this up. The events, and your outstanding coverage of the times that begat them, are too extensive for a single post. <br /><br />This is precisely the sort of history that cries out for a permanent chronicling. The late eighties, thru the nineties, are now far enough receded into cultural history that a lasting perspective on the period is required. Preferably, between a pair of (hard) covers. <br /><br />I particularly enjoyed the widened-viewpoint of including <i>“The Death of Superman”</i>. Such a prime period from DC, almost coinciding with the Implosion, softened the sting considerably. <br /><br />Lest we forget, Batman might not have “died”, but he, too, was replaced after being broken by Bane. The one-two (literal) punch of <i>“The Death of Superman”</i> and <i>“Knightfall”</i>, as each story unfolded in a seemingly endless stream of weekly installments, is one of the greatest experiences of my comics-reading life! It’s an experience that could never be duplicated by merely “binge-reading the trades”! Truly, if you <i>“weren’t there”</i>… you just <i>“weren’t there”</i>! <br /><br />The sheer unpredictability and weekly surprises of this period has never been equaled, before or since. Even after all these years, I can say, with awe, that I was there for it! <br /><br />And, in an amazing parallel with what was occurring in the comic book world, DC (Warner) would outstrip Disney (pretty much for good) when they ran-out BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES against GOOF TROOP. <br /><br />To close, from this perspective, I wish the whole Disney Comics thing never happened… because, despite occasional instances of brilliance from Gladstone Series II, Gemstone, and Boom! (…mostly Gemstone!), the Implosion – and the erroneous view that <i>“Disney Don’t Sell!”</i> – dealt the classic character Disney comic magazine a blow from which I feel it has never fully recovered!Joe Torciviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00421096229407174474noreply@blogger.com