DC Steals Marvel Talent at Comic-Con
"As Marvel suffers a slight stock-market setback after "The Hulk" only made about $120 million in its first few weeks (apparently not enough for stockholders), DC jumped in and started hiring away many of Marvel's top names."
It's been a busy month in the comics industry, much of which came to a head at the Comicon in San Diego.
Here are a few of the highlights:
As Marvel suffers a slight stock-market setback after "The Hulk" only made about $120 million in its first few weeks (apparently not enough for stockholders), DC jumped in and started hiring away many of Marvel's top names.
Announced to exclusive DC contracts at the Comicon were Grant Morrison (leaving "New X-Men"); Mark Waid (axed from the "Fantastic Four"); Geoff Johns ("Avengers"); Judd Winick ("Exiles"); and Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, who have done various Marvel titles.
Even with a string of hit movies to its credit, Marvel can't compete with the deep pockets of DC/AOL Time Warner. Marvel editors readily admit that if there is a bidding war for talent, they will lose.
One writer remaining loyal to Marvel is former Clevelander Brian Bendis, writer of "Daredevil," "Ultimate X-Men," "Ultimate Spider-Man," "Alias" and another super-secret Marvel series. DC made overtures to Bendis about writing "Batman," but he turned them down.