It’s certainly been a big week for Archie Comics, hasn’t it? In addition to inking a landmark deal with Warner Bros. TV that will allow them to bring even more of their iconic characters into the live-action realm, the publisher has just made another huge deal, this time with Marvel.
So, here’s the score: We’ve all seen those Archie Comics Digests on racks at grocery store checkout aisles and various bookstores, right? Well, this new partnership will do the same for your favorite superheroes as Archie will collect various stories exploring their adventures in Marvel Comics Digest.
The first issue, set to launch in June, will include tales starring Spider-Man and the Avengers. Beyond that, three more will arrive in 2017 that are set to focus on the X-Men, Wolverine, Iron Man, Black Widow, Thor and the Hulk. Going forward, the plan is to release six of these each subsequent year.
Archie Comics CEO and publisher Jon Goldwater had this to say regarding the new venture:
“For years, Archie has made the digest format our bread and butter. We are supremely excited to spotlight iconic characters like Spider-Man and the Avengers through this major partnership with Marvel. These books will serve as a great introduction to the Marvel Universe for new readers and a very special, curated selection of stories for existing fans.”
With Earth’s Mightiest Heroes currently dominating the silver screen and there being the reality that not everybody has a comic shop in their locale, I must say that selling Marvel Comics Digest at big box retailers is a win-win situation for both publishers.
