Marvel Comics has announced that writer Warren Ellis (Secret Avengers, Gun Machine, Iron Man Extremis) and artist Mike McKone (Astonishing X-Men, Avengers Academy) are uniting to launch the publisher's new line of original graphic novels with the debut of Avengers: Endless Wartime on October 2nd.
Plans for simultaneous worldwide print distribution with international editions translated specifically for North America, Italy, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Finland, France, and Turkey make Avengers: Endless Wartime a global marketing campaign for Marvel. Each edition will also include a code redeemable for a digital download version of the book via either the Marvel Digital Comics app for iOS and Android devices or the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. The digital edition will also utilize Marvel's AR app and include special, exclusive content. The print edition will retail for $24.99 and is rated T+.
Bringing together Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Wolverine, and Captain America, Marvel is obviously attempting to capitalize not only on the popularity of the 2012 film, but also appeal to longtime Avengers readers. Avengers: Endless Wartime will include an introduction by actor Clark Gregg, who portrayed Agent Coulson in several Marvel films, and an afterword by Stan Lee. As with earlier attempts, however, the balancing act between a continuity-heavy narrative and a story that appeals to audiences familiar only with the cinematic portrayals will be difficult.
For example, Marvel previously attempted to develop a catalog of original graphic novels with its Season One line. Announced in 2011 and premiering with Fantastic Four: Season One in February 2012, Marvel tried to capitalize on the popularity and sales figures DC Comics witnessed with J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis' Superman Earth One in 2010 (see "'Marvel Season One' Original Graphic Novels"). DC was able to replicate this success not only with a Superman Earth One sequel , but also Batman Earth One, both published in 2012.
--Nathan Wilson
