marvel

Ashley Eckstein Expands Empowering Female Fashion Empire from Star Wars to Marvel Super Hero

by John Frost
June 20, 2014June 19, 2014

Think back a few years ago. It was difficult for female fans of Star Wars to find any clothes designed specifically for them. There were definitely female fans, but the merchandise largely overlooked that market. There’s where Ashley Eckstein stepped in. With her experience doing voice artist work for Star Wars Clone Wars animated series, she parlayed her closeness to her fans into a fashion empire with Her Universe.

In big news announced today, Eckstein’s line has arranged a deal with Marvel Entertainment and Disney Consumer Products to create a fashionable collection of empowering Super Hero apparel for the ever-growing female fan base of Marvel comics, films and television series. The Marvel by Her Universe line of “geek couture” is premiering with an action-packed assortment of Captain America fashion items along with fan favorite Marvel characters on fashion tops, tanks, dresses, cardigans, hoodies, skirts, leggings and more that will inspire fangirls of all ages to channel their inner Super Hero.

Along with Spider-Man and Avenger characters like Loki, Thor and Iron Man, there are also strong female characters such as Black Widow, Elektra, She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel being spotlighted in their own comics and Marvel’s new “Characters and Creators” initiative which aims to speak directly to an audience of women and girls, the Marvel by Her Universe line will celebrate this effort by creating fashion forward products exclusively for the female Marvel fan.

“At Marvel we actively seek innovative opportunities to leverage our iconic characters in the marketplace and expand our storytelling to a larger audience,” said Paul Gitter, senior vice president, licensing, Marvel at Disney Consumer Products. “This collaboration with Her Universe presents our brand in exciting new ways at retail while reinforcing Marvel’s values of empowerment and strength amongst our female demographic.”
Read More »Ashley Eckstein Expands Empowering Female Fashion Empire from Star Wars to Marvel Super Hero

Disney sells record 40.9 billion in licensed merchandise in 2013

by John Frost
June 19, 2014June 19, 2014

With properties like Marvel Superheroes, Disney Princesses, Pixar’s Cars, and Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars” the Walt Disney Company rang up a record 40.9 billion in global retail sales in 2013

The sales topped 2012′s $39.4 billion, $37.5 billion, in 2011, and $28.6 billion in 2010, according to Disney Consumer Products. Those kinds of numbers have long made the company the world’s top licensor.

Disney isn’t likely to give up that title anytime soon. …

It’s ramping up several major product pushes around “Cinderella,” the animated films “Inside Out” and “Big Hero 6,” Marvel’s “The Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Star Wars: Rebels” and “Star Wars: Episode VII” coming out through the end of 2015.

Let’s not forget that little juggernaut “Frozen” either.

The question is what should Disney do with that windfall of profits? Could they invest in more animation? What about the theme parks? or how about something really ambitious? What project would you have Disney focus on next?

New International Trailer for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

by John Frost
June 18, 2014

Welcome to a whole new galaxy and meet its new guardians. The new international trailer for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy has tons of new footage and focuses a bit less on the comedy and more on the adventure.

In a recent Facebook post director James Gunn wrote about the 3D and IMAX 3D versions and why GoTG will be a must-see in 3D:

“Just got out of working on the Guardians cut for IMAX 3D and I’m unbelievably excited about it. Guardians of the Galaxy has been planned as a 3D film from its very inception. Yes, if you see the film in 2D, you’ll get a full experience. But the 3D experience promises a little something extra. Unlike many directors, I’ve been actively involved with converting every shot to 3D, making sure it works perfectly for the story and the film, making sure it’s spectacular and immersive without being silly, distracting, or overly showy. 3D conversion was once far inferior to shooting in 3D, but over the past couple years new technology has allowed us incredible control over the 3D effects, making it equal to or in some cases greater than shooting in 3D.

As an EXTRA benefit for those who see the film in IMAX 3D, we will be changing aspect ratios throughout the film in a way that makes the experience even fuller and more encompassing. I’ve personally chosen all the places where the changes occur and, again, I love how it’s coming along. The changing aspect ratios in this case are actually a part of the storytelling.”

Below the jump we also have a new TV spot that ran during the NBA Finals. Check out the new footage here too:

Guardians of the Galaxy Character Posters

by John Frost
June 17, 2014June 17, 2014

Marvel has released a series of four “bus shelter” posters that feature the five main characters from the late summer release of “Guardians of the Galaxy. I think they’re pretty amazing.

Sadly Djimon Hounsou as Korath doesn’t have his own poster. But you can get a new look at him here:

It would also be awesome to see Nebula, Ronan and Nova Corps posters. What do you think?

The full plot synopsis is below the jump:

Marvel Universe Live attracts primary sponsor

by John Frost
June 11, 2014June 11, 2014

In a move usually reserved for sporting events, Feld Entertainment has partnered with Overstock.com, to announce a partnership in support of one of the most ambitious live event experiences in history, Marvel Universe LIVE! This sponsorship agreement will help support the event’s the 85-city tour,… Read More »Marvel Universe Live attracts primary sponsor

Disney Infinity 2.0 – Spider-Man Play Set Introduced

by John Frost
June 11, 2014June 11, 2014

Disney Infinity will be introducing the second generation adventure this fall with a Marvel Super Heroes theme. We’re now getting our first look at Marvel’s Spider-Man Play Set that will be available with Disney Infinity 2.0. Players will be able to unlock an all-new adventures… Read More »Disney Infinity 2.0 – Spider-Man Play Set Introduced

Guardians of the Galaxy Lands A Sneak Peek At A Disney Park Near You

by John Frost
June 10, 2014

Walt Disney Studios recently held a very successful sneak peek of “Maleficent” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and DCA, so they want to try it again with their expected summer blockbuster – Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The only problem is that Universal Studios Florida has an exclusive on Marvel themed attractions inside theme parks in Orlando. But Disney thinks they’ve found a way around that, check out the poster above and then look at the one below the jump, Disney removed the ‘Marvel’ logo for this promotion.

Since it is just a movie promotion, I think Disney will get away with it. But if Universal wanted to make a stink of it, they probably could. Disney did make sure to run the Iron Man monorail only on the resort or magic kingdom loop so that it wouldn’t pass through EPCOT and risk running afoul of the contract.

The previews start July 4th at the following locations:

At Disneyland, where the Marvel name isn’t a problem, watch the preview in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Magic Eye Theater in Tomorrowland, where Captain EO is typically shown. Captain EO is expected to return at a later date.
At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, “Guardians of the Galaxy” will play at the ABC Sound Studio at Disney’s Hollywood Studios presented in spectacular RealD 3D.

Two New Posters from Disney’s Big Hero Six

by John Frost
June 10, 2014

Disney’s next animated feature draws inspiration from a Marvel comic book — “Big Hero 6.” Set in a futuristic San Fransokyo, the movie features a robotic prodigy named Hiro Hamada and his companion robot named Baymax. We did get to see a teaser trailer last month and now Disney has released two new posters for the movie.

So far, I’m really enjoying the art design on the film too. The comic book was originally set in Tokyo, but Disney’s artists have created an imaginary future world of SanFranokyo that allows them to create amazing scenes like in this concept art: