![]() ![]() There will, however, be at least one subtle nod. It was a smart way of getting around the legal restrictions, and no doubt Marvel watched them like a hawk to make sure they didn't slip up.ĭon't expect anything quite so explicit in Shazam!, of course. DC therefore released comics called Shazam!, starring their version of Captain Marvel when they launched a TV series starring Billy in 1974, they titled the show The Shazam/Isis Hour. ![]() Unfortunately, because the "Captain Marvel" trademark was now owned by Marvel, they couldn't promote him as Captain Marvel anymore.ĭC got around this by marketing the hero under a new brand, Shazam! This word had always been associated with Billy Batson anyway it was what he called out in order to transform into Captain Marvel. This gave DC a range of new characters to integrate into their superhero universe, which they began to do with great care. That included Captain Marvel and his associated superhero family. The story of the original Captain Marvel would have ended there, becoming nothing more than a historical curiosity, if DC hadn't bought the license for Fawcett's superhero characters back in 1972. That's why the trademark for Captain Marvel currently sits with Marvel.ĭC Bought Captain Marvel. ![]() Marvel, who inherited the title in honor of Mar-Vell. The current - and, by now, pretty much definitive - Captain Marvel is Carol Danvers, previously known as Ms. As a result, even though Mar-Vell died in the comics years ago, there's been a constant stream of comic books bearing that title. In order to retain the trademark, Marvel has had to publish a Captain Marvel comic at least once every two years. Related: Captain Marvel Didn't Change Mar-Vell As Much As Fans Think Originally created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan, he was later revamped by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane, bonded with a popular secondary character called Rick Jones. The first Captain Marvel was envisioned as a Kree warrior, Mar-Vell, who infiltrated human society but became enamored with humanity and betrayed his own race in order to protect us. The whole dispute was no longer worth it, and Fawcett settled out of court, giving up using the Captain Marvel character.īy the 1960s, the trademark on the name "Captain Marvel" had expired - and Marvel Comics became aware of it. Either Stan Lee himself or editor Martin Goodman did not want another company picking up the name "Captain Marvel," so they decided to create a brand new character in order to secure the trademark. By 1952, though, the Golden Age of comics was coming to an end, and superhero stories were no longer selling as well. Fawcett hadn't exactly been subtle, but they were making enough money to lock the trial up in legal complications for years. Captain Marvel became the most high-profile example: a superhero who was inspired by the Man of Steel and who wore his inspiration on his sleeve the character was introduced in Whiz Comics #2, debuting with a cover that showed him tossing a car just like Superman did in Action Comics #1. In addition, though, they also sued rival comic book publishers whose characters they believed were too similar to Superman. One of the secrets of DC's early success was the business acumen of its management. Harry Donnenfeld and Jack Liebowitz created printing and distribution mechanisms that were able to ensure their comics were on every newsstand. Beck and Bill Parker - to " give me a Superman, only have his other identity be a 10-or 12-year-old boy rather than a man." They complied and created Captain Marvel, a teenage boy who simply needed to utter a magic word in order to be transformed into a superhero. Captain Marvel was a hit who, across the 1940s, outsold Superman he even became the star of a superhero TV series. Fawcett commissioned two members of his staff - C.C. One of the most famous examples was at Fawcett Comics, where circulation editor Roscoe K. The Man of Steel was a remarkable success, and every single comic book publisher scrambled to catch up to DC. ![]() Superhero comics really began in 1938, when Superman appeared in Action Comics #1. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |