IDW and Marvel team up for middle-grade comics.

IDW and Marvel team up for new Spider-Man Project

IDW Publishing

Marvel Entertainment

Press Release-

SAN DIEGO, CA AND NEW YORK, NY (July 17, 2018) – Marvel Entertainment and IDW Publishing announced today that the two companies will develop middle-grade comic books designed for younger readers. Featuring some of Marvel’s most popular characters, the monthly issues and trade paperback collections, published by IDW, will be available for sale at local comic book shops and book retailers across the country, expanding opportunities for the next generation of Super Heroes to experience the Marvel Universe.

Credit IDW Publishing . Cover for new Spider-Man middle grade comic.

“From Iron Man to Captain Marvel, from the Hulk to Shuri — the Marvel pantheon has something for everyone,” says John Barber, editor-in-chief of IDW. “With this team-up, Marvel and IDW aim to bring exciting, all-new comics to a generation growing up in a Marvel world.”

Launching in November 2018, the Marvel and IDW collaboration will kick off with a Spider-Man series featuring both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, followed by an Avengers series beginning in December and a Black Panther series in January 2019. Each of these titles will serve as an easily-accessible jumping-on point for younger readers to follow the adventures of their favorite characters.

“Marvel is excited to work with IDW to share these brand-new stories with our younger fans,” said C.B. Cebulski, editor-in-chief of Marvel. “Characters like Spider-Man, Black Panther, and the Avengers inspire us through their strength and determination, but they resonate with readers because of the struggles they face and the challenges they overcome. We want to share their journeys with our younger fans first-hand.”

“Marvel is committed to delivering unique and accessible content for our younger audiences and fans,” said Sven Larsen, director, licensed publishing of Marvel. “As one of our most valued partners, IDW is the right fit to help us feature some of our most popular characters and publish stories created especially for the next generation of Super Heroes.”

“This partnership reflects the true spirit of collaboration at work,” said Greg Goldstein, president and publisher of IDW. “As comic book publishers, IDW and Marvel are able to produce high-quality visual storytelling experiences for fans both young and old. By combining our efforts, along with Marvel’s ever-increasing presence in popular culture, the results will be spectacular.”

Story details and creative teams for the new line of middle-grade comic books will be announced at a later date.

Comics Legend Steve Ditko passes away at age of 90

Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko dies at 90.

Self portrait by Steve Ditko

     The comic book world is stunned at the news of the passing of one of the greats. Comic book Legend Steve Ditko passed last week. According to the Hollywood Reporter, New York City Police were conducting a wellness check on Ditko on June 29, 2018 when his body was discovered. It  appears as though he may have been dead as many as two days prior. 

SDCC on the passing of Steve Ditko

     Ditko is most widely known as the co-creator of Spider-Man along with Stan Lee in 1961 while working at Marvel Comics. He later helped create Dr. Strange in 1963 as well as various of the Spider-Man villians. His time at Marvel was seminal in the early days and helped propel that company and inspire many future comic book artist and writers to come.

     In later years Ditko also worked for DC Comics and a few smaller presses as well. He eventually made his way back to Marvel and one of his last creations was Squirrel Girl. He retired from comics in the '90s after four decades in the comics industry. He was inducted into the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1990 and into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994.

the Amazing Spider-Man #33 by Steve Ditko

     As word of his passing goes out, he his remembered by many in the industry. Many of his fellow comic book creators have shared stories and their sadness at his loss.

      Many creators have felt the passing of one of the true Legends of the Comic Book Industry. Though his work and his Influence will long stay with us.