Studios are increasingly looking to make comic book movies. With Walt Disney owning Marvel Studios and Time Warner owning DC Entertainment, other players are looking to independent, creator-owned properties. Fool contributor Tim Beyers explains the movement in the following video.
Dreadstar is among the notable indies to appear on shelves in the 1980s. Credit: Epic Comics/Marvel Entertainment.
Most recently, producers Illuminati Entertainment and Benderspink teamed to acquire the movie rights to Dreadstar, a space epic that surfaced in the 1980s from writer-artist Jim Starlin. Fans and investors might know Starlin since he's also the creator behind the Marvel Comics villain Thanos and was instrumental in developing the mythology behind this summer's Guardians of the Galaxy, which enters theaters on Aug. 1.
Interestingly, Dreadstar isn't the only indie property that's caught the eye of executives recently. Earlier this week, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Twenty-First Century Fox (FOXA) had purchased the rights to Superior from creator Mark Millar, who's been working with the studio as a consultant on its Marvel properties. He's also the co-creator of Kick-Ass with artist John Romita Jr., which has since been adapted into two feature-length comic book movies.
Studios' increased appetite for indie comics properties raises questions for investors who've seen mixed results from adaptations. For example, Dark Horse adaptation R.I.P.D. flopped last July for Comcast's (CMCSA 1.57%) Universal, which had earlier found a winner in Oblivion. The message? It's probably too early to bet big on studios that are putting meaningful sums into indie comic book movies.
Now it's your turn to weigh in. Do you see indie properties furthering the comic book movie movement? Or have we entered a period of excess that's destined to end badly for studios and their investors? Please watch the video to get the full story and then leave a comment to let us know your take.
