Marvel Studios Founder Bringing His New Universe to Comic-Con

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As a longtime gamer and comic book enthusiast, I can’t help but feel excited about the latest developments in the world of comics and media franchises. And when it comes to industry veterans with an impressive track record, David Maisel is definitely one of them.

As I step into David Maisel’s LA office, my eyes are drawn to the Iron Man statue standing proudly in the room. It’s hard not to notice such an iconic superhero. But as I look up, my attention shifts to a drawing on the wall above his desk. This time, it’s not Tony Stark’s armor that catches my eye, but rather a lesser-known character named Grell. Though he may not be as famous as Iron Man, this week at San Diego Comic-Con, Grell is stealing the limelight.

At Marvel Studios, Maisel served as the initial chairman and came up with the concept for the interconnected cinematic realm inhabited by iconic figures like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. Contrastingly, in his new role at Mythos Studios, Maisel is working on a fresh cinematic universe named Ekos. This burgeoning universe could introduce not only Grell but also a multitude of other characters.

At San Diego Comic-Con in 2007, Iron Man created a big impact with Marvel Studios’ debut film, showcasing at a panel. Similarly, Maisel is counting on this year’s convention to generate buzz for Ekos, an imaginative universe derived from the artwork of late artist Michael Turner and writer Geoff Johns.

At Comic-Con, Maisel’s Mythos Studios and Aspen Comics, which he has a share in, plan to introduce “Ekos Vol. 1” – a graphic novel with approximately 128 pages. This comic book will serve as the foundation for a new universe that is expected to expand into cinema and television in the future. The Kickstarter campaign for this project will commence on September 10, preceding its scheduled release in November.

Grell plays a significant role in this world, and his image will grace over 250 entryways that Comic-Con goers must pass through to gain admission. This prime advertising space is highly sought after by Maisel, understanding the potential boost Comic-Con can bring to a character’s recognition.

“When I revealed that ‘Iron Man’ would be our initial film project back in 2005, some individuals assumed it was a triathlon competition instead of a superhero story. Many industry insiders were also aware that the production had been underway at New Line for quite some time, but it hadn’t progressed beyond that stage yet,” explains Maisel about the skepticism surrounding his ‘Iron Man’ announcement before its successful Comic-Con debut in 2007.

I’ve seen my fair share of attempts to create shared universes in the world of comic books and entertainment industry, with many falling flat after Marvel’s success. However, I ask you to keep an open mind when it comes to my approach. My experience and track record at Marvel speaks for itself, and I truly believe that this time around, we can create something exceptional. Let’s not be held back by the failures of the past; instead, let us focus on the potential of what lies ahead.

As a gamer, I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting universes to explore. One game that piques my interest is Ekos Vol. 1, which draws inspiration from the works of Turner and Johns. These creators introduced us to Grell way back in 2003, with Turner passing away in 2008. He left behind a legacy of captivating titles like Fathom and Soulfire. Although Turner’s characters didn’t interact much in the comics, things will be different in the Ekos universe.

As a gamer, I’d say this: “I discover a new tale here, no need for backstory or previous knowledge. Yet, it draws inspiration from the brilliant art and imagination of Michael Turner.”

As a longtime fan of the graphic novel series where Grell first made an appearance back in 2003, I can tell you that this enigmatic character left me yearning for more information about his unique abilities. Turner and Johns’ original work only gave us a glimpse into Grell’s powers, leaving a vast expanse of imagination open for interpretation. It was like being presented with a beautiful jigsaw puzzle, but only having a handful of pieces to start with. The anticipation grew as I read further, hoping that the creators would eventually reveal the full picture. Alas, it wasn’t until much later that Grell’s powers were fleshed out, adding depth and intrigue to an already captivating storyline.

The executive remarked, “They may not be the apparent choices. He seems extraordinarily robust. Yet, I’ve discovered something I believe is relevant for our current era and will take people by surprise.”

In the production of Ekos Vol. 1, the innovative team is comprised of colorist Peter Steigerwald, known for his work on “Civil War,” “Fathom,” and “Soulfire”; writer J.T. Krul, who has contributed to “Soulfire”; and artist Alex Konat, recognized for his work on “Fathom.” Notably, the cover art is brought to life by esteemed artists such as Joe Quesada, Alex Ross, J. Scott Campbell, David Mack, and Jerome Opeña, among others.

At Comic-Con, Mythos and Aspen will have a spacious booth, and they’ll hold a panel on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Room 4 to provide a sneak peek for the audience.

After leaving Marvel in 2009 following its sale to Disney, Maisel has dedicated his career to funding movies based on prominent intellectual properties (IP) independently, and then collaborating with studios for distribution. He implemented this approach during Marvel Studios’ initial film lineup, and replicated it for the 2016 “Angry Birds” movie. Although he’s considering financing Ekos independently, Maisel also plans to engage in discussions with potential studio partners once the graphic novel is published, and remains open to producing these projects with a studio.

Despite having left Marvel behind, Maisel continues to ponder over its connections to his present life. Consequently, his office is adorned with creations by Michael Turner and Marvel characters as reminders of these intriguing parallels.

“Maisel quips that Grell and Iron Man often dispute over who’s more trendy, sharing a workspace in his office,” is one way to paraphrase this sentence.

As a devoted fan of Turner’s art, I can’t help but be excited about his past contribution to Marvel’s hit miniseries “Civil War,” where he created a renowned variant cover. Now, I have the chance to own an homage to that iconic piece, but with a twist – this time featuring Turner’s unique characters instead of Marvel heroes. By pledging for updates on the Kickstarter campaign, fans like me will receive a digital copy of this exclusive artwork as a token of appreciation. Additionally, those who sign up for the pre-launch page will have the opportunity to obtain a poster at Comic-Con from the Aspen/Mythos booth.

Maisel recognizes that starting a successful media franchise now is more challenging than before, so he’s carefully considering the most effective strategy. His solution? Animation, which is experiencing a comeback. It’s not just about movies like “Spider-Verse,” but also projects such as “Inside Out 2” and “Despicable Me 4” that are reviving summer box office sales.

“During the production of ‘Iron Man,’ it wasn’t easy for us, but there was less competition from streaming services, Marvel movies weren’t as prevalent, and social media with its short-form content wasn’t as common,” Maisel recalled. “The standards have risen significantly since then. I had to be patient and persistent in finding a solution.”

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2024-07-22 18:27