"Spider-Gwen" Artist: "We Can't Really Create New Characters"

[CBR News]

"Spider-Gwen" artist and co-creator Robbi Rodriguez says movie rights keep wholly original characters from popping up in the book.


Full article here.

[Cloudman]

If true this seems like a pretty constrictive rule. I don't see how this lines up with the rules around Marvel's other books though, unless Spider-Gwen has its own exceptional terms?

[dan12456]

Wow that is absolutely horrible. Not being able to create her own cast is going to completely prevent Spider-Gwen from becoming a top tier character. So unbelievably gross. And they say Marvel's competition with Fox won't effect the comics my ass. Who cares if Fox can use some new characters, its either that or they never exist. Either way you don't get them Marvel, but at least in the first scenario you get better comics.

[MarvelMaster616]

These movie rights are really becoming a problem for Marvel creatively. They're putting extra shackles on a writer that don't need to be there. I can't imagine working on a story where I have to look over my shoulder every few minutes and ask, "Can we do this or is this going to upset the lawyers?" It essentially dooms a story to becoming narrow in scope when it really doesn't need to be.

At the very least, I feel Spider-Gwen has an advantage. It's easier to operate within that scope because she's one hero in one world with a pretty clear set of character to work with. It's much harder for the X-men, who are supposed to be a diverse team that deals with diverse threats. I feel as though this is going to have long-term consequences down the line. We may not see them in the immediate future, but I think it'll start showing eventually.

[AcesX1X]

all is not well in the house of spider after all, it seems. these IP wars are the pits. x-men, ff, now spider-gwen. why even keep publishing comics that they don't fully own?

[Username taken]

Sounds pretty bizarre since a metric ton of new characters have been introduced since Brand New Day.

Maybe it's A-list writer privilege or maybe it's just Spider-Gwen.

I don't think the rights issues should affect Spider-man too much seeing as Marvel has licensing rights to merchandising.

[skyvolt2000]

all is not well in the house of spider after all, it seems. these IP wars are the pits. x-men, ff, now spider-gwen. why even keep publishing comics that they don't fully own?

Because those characters have fans and some value.

Because you have folks who are too lazy or dislike certain characters to not build up and develop.

If Storm & Spider-Gwen are held up due to movie rights.

Wouldn't COMMON sense say develop someone else like Spectrum? Ms Chavez?

But no one wants to spend that time find the right writer, artist and the time to do so like we saw with Capt Marvel & Ms Marvel & Miles Morales.

They rather work with restrictions on Gwen then build up someone whose rights they have full control over.

[6516148847]

I for one actually think this is more a good thing than a bad one. I mean, the freedom to create new characters is all well and good from a writer's perspective, but from a reader's prospective in a venue like the Marvel Universe where there are probably, like, 10 THOUSAND characters already in the mix? I don't think it's really all that good. Like, CBR not that long ago did this article about where are your favorite characters post-Secret Wars, and I read it and I was actually pretty floored by some of the characters that got left out. Like, I see a book like Yost's New Warriors, and I'm saying to myself... this AGAIN? Young X-Men, New X-Men, Young Avengers, Avengers Initiative, Runaways (there are like probably 10 more of these), it's like they're just coming up with one throw-away character after another with that stuff and it's wearying as a reader.

I'm not saying no new characters ever, but I do think Marvel editorial actually should be a lot faster to put on the breaks for this kind of thing and ask the question: Okay, does this new character actually have something unique and powerful to say to people? Or, can a character we already have do the same thing just as well? Because, otherwise, it's just asking readers to forget about characters they've already invested in and go on to something else. I think the re-imagined tact that was mentioned is actually a better way to go. I'd much rather read about a re-imagined Luke Cage, than a new character myself.

[vonfaustus]

I for one actually think this is more a good thing than a bad one. I mean, the freedom to create new characters is all well and good from a writer's perspective, but from a reader's prospective in a venue like the Marvel Universe where there are probably, like, 10 THOUSAND characters already in the mix? I don't think it's really all that good...

Don't worry. That's all Marvel pretty much does now anyways: Rehash old ideas because 1) Corporate mandate of not creating new ideas for properties that are licensed out to "the competition" and 2) creators don't like the idea of someone else making longterm money off their ideas and getting screwed out of it.

[Agent Z]

I for one actually think this is more a good thing than a bad one. I mean, the freedom to create new characters is all well and good from a writer's perspective, but from a reader's prospective in a venue like the Marvel Universe where there are probably, like, 10 THOUSAND characters already in the mix? I don't think it's really all that good. Like, CBR not that long ago did this article about where are your favorite characters post-Secret Wars, and I read it and I was actually pretty floored by some of the characters that got left out. Like, I see a book like Yost's New Warriors, and I'm saying to myself... this AGAIN? Young X-Men, New X-Men, Young Avengers, Avengers Initiative, Runaways (there are like probably 10 more of these), it's like they're just coming up with one throw-away character after another with that stuff and it's wearying as a reader.

I'm not saying no new characters ever, but I do think Marvel editorial actually should be a lot faster to put on the breaks for this kind of thing and ask the question: Okay, does this new character actually have something unique and powerful to say to people? Or, can a character we already have do the same thing just as well? Because, otherwise, it's just asking readers to forget about characters they've already invested in and go on to something else. I think the re-imagined tact that was mentioned is actually a better way to go. I'd much rather read about a re-imagined Luke Cage, than a new character myself.

The thing is Spider-Gwen is an AU title. There's no reason for Gwen's supporting cast to be entirely composed of the same people as 616 Peter.

[6516148847]

The thing is Spider-Gwen is an AU title. There's no reason for Gwen's supporting cast to be entirely composed of the same people as 616 Peter.

True, but why not have her face villains from Avengers, X-Men, FF, etc if you're looking for divergent. There's literally thousands and thousands of villains to chose from. And since it is AU, the writers are free to put whatever spin on the characters they want.

[DocSpin]

Wow that is absolutely horrible. Not being able to create her own cast is going to completely prevent Spider-Gwen from becoming a top tier character. So unbelievably gross. And they say Marvel's competition with Fox won't effect the comics my ass. Who cares if Fox can use some new characters, its either that or they never exist. Either way you don't get them Marvel, but at least in the first scenario you get better comics.

LMFAO. As if that possibility even existed. Sorry, trapped on Spider-Gwen Island. Lamest character ever!

[AJpyro]

I don't see why Marvel would make that edict. It's seen how the Sony Spidey movies have been so there is literally nothing to fear. If Sony can't get Peter right then the chances of them taking chances on a Gwen movie is nil.