Official Press Release
TheMarvel ReEvolutionis here-and comics will never be the same! The future of comic book publishing was unveiled yesterday to the raucous crowd at SXSW Interactive' s ScreenBurn Arcade courtesy of industry superstars Axel Alonso (Editor in Chief, Marvel Comics), Peter Phillips (SVP/GM, Marvel Digital Media) and Jeph Loeb (Head of Marvel Television) during the historicMarvel: House of Ideaspanel
An industry first, theMarvel ReEvolutionseamlessly brings the worlds of print and digital media together for a comics experience like no other. The first two elements of this exciting new initiative were revealed asMarvel InfiniteComics, a new comic book format, andMarvel AR, the first major augmented reality app from a comics company. And fans will not have to wait long to get in on the action as they will both be released with the hotly-anticipatedAvengers X-Men #1on April 4th, when the two biggest Super Heroes teams in the world go to war!
"Marvel's always led graphic fiction industry in digital media innovation and theMarvel ReEvolutionis a quantum leap into the future of publishing," said Dan Buckley. Publisher & President of the Print, Animation & Digital Divisions, Marvel Worldwide, Inc. "We see print and digital product as complementary, not competitive-so we've made sure that not only do we have new digital content but also digital products that enhance the printed page. The release ofAvengers VS X-Men #1, the biggest story we've ever told, is the activation point for the re-evolution of comics as a whole."
Marvel InfiniteComicsrepresent a new form of comic book storytelling, using tablets and smartphones as a new canvas for storytelling, taking advantage of modern technology while staying true to medium's greatest strengths. The first comic released in this format will beAvengers VS X-Men #1 Infinite, from acclaimed creators Mark Waid and Stuart Immonen and available on April 4thfor purchase on theMarvel Comics app, free with the redemption of the code found in print copies ofAvengers VS X-Men #1or included with the purchase of the digital version.
"We call theseMarvel Infinite Comicsbecause the storytelling possibilities are, frankly, infinite. Writers and artists now have a whole host of new tools at their disposal to redefine the comic book medium," said Alonso. "Current tablets and smartphones, along with comiXology's Guided View technology, allow us to develop new, full length stories for a different medium that are very much truly comics-but experienced by readers in a way no other major company has ever executed."
TheMarvel ARapp, powered by Aurasma, will be released in April for iOS and Android devices. By opening this app and scanning select Marvel products featuring theMarvel ARlogo, you'll unlock exclusive content starring the world's most popular Super Heroes -- including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk and many others! Go behind the scenes of your favorite comics, see new footage, hear from creators, catch yourself up on past events and more!
"Marvel ARis a perfect example of how digital innovation not only gives added value to print comics, but also brings a delivers an entirely new reading experience," explained Phillips. "Now fans will have access to more behind-the-scenes material from their favorite Marvel products than ever before-and it's all absolutely free."
Check outwww.marvel.comfor more information on theMarvel ReEvolutionand stay tuned for exciting developments as the comic industry changes forever.
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Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visitwww.marvel.com