Mutant X Articles: 9/19/01 Mutant X comics rescheduled
ICv2: 9/19/01
Mutant X Comic Rescheduled: Will Now Be Released After Show's Debut
Mutant X #1
September 19, 2001
Marvel will be rescheduling and resoliciting its Mutant X comic, based on the new live action TV show. The comic was originally scheduled to launch October 10, but Diamond has notified its accounts that the title will be resolicited. The TV show was to premiere the first week of October -- no word yet on whether that date will be affected by recent events. Production and release of the show was assured after a ruling in the litigation between Marvel and Fox (see "Mutant in the Middle"). In response to an inquiry by ICv2, Marvel Marketing Communication Manager Bill Rosemann said:
"After viewing the first few episodes of the new syndicated Mutant X TV series, we've made a scheduling change to properly capitalize on the show's debut. By moving the launch of our Mutant X comic book to a later date, we'll give the program time to build audience awareness and loyalty, rather than delivering a product before the source material actually hits. Then, once the show has generated excitement, we'll capitalize on that recognition by releasing the comic. We believe this will be the best course of action to trigger increased customer traffic and the resulting higher sales for Direct Market retailers."
The timing of products tied to TV shows or movies is done in a variety of ways, so it's not necessarily surprising that Marvel would put out the comic some time after the show's debut. What is surprising is that they would first schedule the comic release contemporaneously, and then change their minds after having seen the show. There's nothing apparent from the trailer that would lead to that decision, although the show was to be made less X-Men-like as a result of the litigation with Fox. Another event that happened recently is that Marvel saw its orders on the first issue, so maybe that had something to do with it. Based on Diamond's solicitation cycle, the comic could not be resolicited for release before December.
© ICv2
Cinescape 9/22/01
MUTANT X TV TIE-IN BOOK RESCHEDULED, RETOOLED
Dateline: Thursday, November 22, 2001
By: ERIC J. MOREELS, Editor
Source: Newsarama
According to a recent report at the Newsarama Web site, Marvel's planned tie-in comic book to their Mutant X syndicated TV series, which was originally scheduled to debut in October, will now launch in March 2002.
However, the series has been retooled from its originally planned ongoing format to become a series of one-shots. The one-shots will be released on a six week schedule, with three of them currently in the works.
The first one-shot, written by David Tischman and drawn by Lee Ferguson, will also includes a 12-page backup by Tischman and Captain America 2001 Annual artist Ignacio Calero.
The change in format has freed up artist Lee Ferguson to take on other projects, and Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada told Newsarama he's slated to draw a Chamber limited series as part of the X-Men Icons line. The new mini will be reportedly be written by Cyclops writer Brian K. Vaughan.
© Cinescape
Mania 12/4/01
MUTANT X Comics: Details of coming comics, based on TV series.
By Rob Allstetter December 04, 2001
Marvel Comics - which temporarily shelved its MUTANT X comic book in October - has announced its new plans for the TV spin-off, which include a new format and release schedule.
Editor Andrew Lis says that MUTANT X will now start in March as a series of one-shots.
"We currently have three one-shots for MUTANT X, each at 48 pages, with varying creators on each," Lis says. "The first is by series writer David Tischman with Lee Ferguson and Jon Holdredge providing artwork on the lead, and Ignacio Calero providing pencils on a 12-page backup.
"The second is by Chris Claremont, with a to-be-determined artist, though I have a few strong candidates. The third is also up in the air, with two finalists."
The one-shots are on a six-week release schedule.
© Mania